So trucking is the worst job in the world, then?

grlichti

Member
Ha, gotcha with that title anyway, huh!? Anyway thanks everybody for the time to reply in my other threads as well as this thread!

But seriously, as one of the FNG's on this forum, it amazes me how may posters really seem to hate their company, the industry, everything.

To read the forums, every company is out to screw the driver, nobody makes any money at all, the whole industry is just terrible.

Not trying to be offensive at all, but man, life is way too short! If it is really that bad, why on earth keep doing it? I kind of "get it" if someone is Joe or Jane VP of ACME, INC making 200K per year in a job they hate, because at least one can justify it by the money.

But in a lot of these posts, according to what people write, they make about what the average Framing Carpenter or Home Depot employee makes and hate everything about trucking these days. That is off topic, though, I do not want to start some philosophical discussion, anyway.

Are any of you drivers HAPPY being truckers? What have you got to say about the industry?

If some newbie asked your advice on how to start and succeed in a trucking career, what would you tell them to follow? And to avoid?

Thanks again
 
There are worse job's in the world. I just hate some aspects of it like, shippers/receivers who have no respect for other peoples time and money.The lack of respect from some four wheelers.The lack of respect from SOME DISPATCHERS and everyone in the world will say they should be payed better.But for the most part there is nothing more I love than Rollin down the road in a big truck and sometime the camaraderie that happens between drivers sometimes.Self pride in the job I do.The satisfaction I get when I bring the truck back to the barn safely.It's not all bad really.It just sound that way sometimes,Really it's all about what you make of it.
 
This job is full of complaining just like most other jobs out there.

The difference? Drivers have tons of idle time on their hands, away from their families, and plenty time to vent their frustrations on forums like this. Most other jobs, the people usually just complain while they are at work to whoever will listen, then go home and carry on with life......
 
First off, you gotta get experience somewhere.

Once you get some experience (not just 6 months behind the wheel), go find a good job.

Hint: don't go looking in the truck stop books for that good job.
 
After 30 years of driving, I have one of those dream jobs that everyone is looking for. I don't complain about work much.
 
I deliver pole buildings. About 1/2 to dealers and 1/2 to mister homeowner with an all-terrain Teledyne. Some people might not like the job sites. I am on narrow, "No Trucks Allowed" roads and streets quite a bit, and with a 260" wheelbase truck, I do a lot of backing (up to a mile) because I can't turn around. That doesn't bother me. The low wires, skinny gates, and close trees and buildings obstacle course sites can be an aggravation. I made 70+ grand last year. Decent (and unusual) benefits too.
 
I think we've all complained a time or two about a company because that's what we do,LOL.I've been with this company alittle over 2 yrs now and if I truely did'nt like them,i'd be long gone.We complain about our company and our company complains about the drivers.It's a two way street.You're not going to find that perfect company no matter how hard you try.I read so many post over the yrs about drivers despiseing their company that no matter what they say,it's nothing I have'nt heard time and time again.Some of the compulsive complainers has noone to blame but themselves why they quit,got fired or just plain hates where they're at.I hear that alot out here,complaining and I always say to them,if you're so unhappy why don't you quit instead of making everyone else around you unhappy.
 
I deliver pole buildings. About 1/2 to dealers and 1/2 to mister homeowner with an all-terrain Teledyne. Some people might not like the job sites. I am on narrow, "No Trucks Allowed" roads and streets quite a bit, and with a 260" wheelbase truck, I do a lot of backing (up to a mile) because I can't turn around. That doesn't bother me. The low wires, skinny gates, and close trees and buildings obstacle course sites can be an aggravation. I made 70+ grand last year. Decent (and unusual) benefits too.

nice
i walk dogs
 
I deliver pole buildings. About 1/2 to dealers and 1/2 to mister homeowner with an all-terrain Teledyne. Some people might not like the job sites. I am on narrow, "No Trucks Allowed" roads and streets quite a bit, and with a 260" wheelbase truck, I do a lot of backing (up to a mile) because I can't turn around. That doesn't bother me. The low wires, skinny gates, and close trees and buildings obstacle course sites can be an aggravation. I made 70+ grand last year. Decent (and unusual) benefits too.
Sounds alot like what I used to do, hauling golf cars and utility/ recreation vehicles.
I know exactly the roads you traverse as I spent a lot of time at places like Tahoe/Incline Village, Vale, Aspen etc. Golf courses and ski resorts seem to go hand in hand in the Rockies and Appalachains alike.
And of course, golf course communities are never designed with trucks in mind.

As beautiful as Pebble Beach is, it is a pure nightmare in a truck unless you get in before 5 AM.
But still need an escort to get out in the afternoon, not being able to meet other vehicles in the curves around the oceanfront highway.

All in all, I loved it. We always got attention with the big low belly trailers that looked similar to race car haulers.
And the customer was always happy to see us, because we had the new toys they were waiting for.
 
Are any of you drivers HAPPY being truckers?


I got off topic in my earlier post by discussing a particular type of trucking I did for 12 years and really enjoyed.

But to address the premise of your thread, yes, I am happy being a trucker.
My job isn't glamorous and it surely isn't exciting either.
It is actually slightly boring, but it is also easy.
I do the same thing every week, but the monotony is offset by the relationships I have established along the way.
The waitress in Michigan that knows my order when I sit down.
The customers I bring South Carolina peaches to when in season.
The security guard in Alabama I give my crime novels to after I've read them.
The special friend I have in Tennessee who is always happy to see me.

I drive a slow(66MPH) truck, but at least it's a Peterbilt. I have previously owned big fast shiny trucks, so I do my best to stay out of the way of the big dogs.
The benefits are excellent and the pay is decent.
Maybe a little above average for what I do.
To earn what I do now(time away from home not withstanding) at a real 40 hour job would require me earning $22+ per hour and frankly, I don't have the job skills to do that
There are some things I wish I could change, but I realize how much worse they could be as well.
I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard a truckdriver say he could earn more money flipping burgers.
But honestly, I have never known a trucker to actually make such a career change.

Nothing can replace the memories of the places I've been and adventures I've had in the last 30+ years. I would do some things differently for sure, but I have no regrets of following the path I chose.
 
I got off topic in my earlier post by discussing a particular type of trucking I did for 12 years and really enjoyed.

But to address the premise of your thread, yes, I am happy being a trucker...

Thanks 'Stang. Superficially, it was helpful and answered the original topic, which is what I, and probably most others, hope for when asking a question.

You mentioned in another post somewhere that you are an aspiring writer. Well, IMO this is really a good post. I wish there were more like them. It conveys...something.

So many posts are like bathroom graffiti. Maybe funny, maybe offensive, but rarely are they profound or offer anything of value. This sounded honest and real, if that makes sense. And I'll say this: If you can write an entire book in the same way you wrote this post, you may be on to something. Anyway, appreciate you writing what you did.
 
Are any of you drivers HAPPY being truckers?

Absolutely. Search through my posts on this board, you will find that I have related many great experiences. Sure, I have also complained a bit, but don't we all?

I suppose I am an exception as far as being a driver goes. I am really happy doing this line of work, I like the company I drive for, and I like the equipment I am in.

What have you got to say about the industry?

I'm not sure that my opinion would really matter, or even be very accurate. I am sort of a n00b myself.

So to speak.

If some newbie asked your advice on how to start and succeed in a trucking career, what would you tell them to follow? And to avoid?

How many times do I have to say it?

Stay away from the "lease to own" deals. If you are looking for details, dig around here, as I am tired and have a crappy internet connection tonight, which will make it difficult for me to find the information for you.

Thanks again

You are welcome again.
 
...How many times do I have to say it?...If you are looking for details, dig around here, as I am tired and have a crappy internet connection tonight, which will make it difficult for me to find the information for you...

Hi Ya Racer. Believe me, I have devoured this site over the past several days reading almost any relevant post going back to 2008. You are one of the better posters on the forum for certain. One of a few who makes an honest effort to give decent information. It helps. A lot. Too many posts have more "whine" in them than Napa Valley!

After all the research on this forum, speaking to a few people I know and talking with a dozen odd companies I have settled on a company and a school. Plan to start in a couple weeks when my affairs are in order. Will hold off saying who until I have experienced it some, but will "pay it forward" so to speak and give an honest accounting of how things go, for better or worse.

Still have my eye on being an O/O down the road after some experience (but not on a company lease program!). My wife and I will team together with her following me at the same school and then company if things work out with me.

Hopefully, soon enough, I will be able to offer an opinion and not just ask questions. Though there seem to be a few posters who do not let something as trivial as being inexperienced and uninformed get in the way of posting their opinion!

Anyway, thanks for your input. And get some sleep, your too damned grouchy tonight!
 
Hi Ya Racer. Believe me, I have devoured this site over the past several days reading almost any relevant post going back to 2008. You are one of the better posters on the forum for certain. One of a few who makes an honest effort to give decent information. It helps. A lot. Too many posts have more "whine" in them than Napa Valley!

I was pretty sure you had been, it shows in the things you say and ask. And yes, some folks do have a tendency to whine like a set of drive tires out on the four lane.

After all the research on this forum, speaking to a few people I know and talking with a dozen odd companies I have settled on a company and a school. Plan to start in a couple weeks when my affairs are in order. Will hold off saying who until I have experienced it some, but will "pay it forward" so to speak and give an honest accounting of how things go, for better or worse.

Looks like you are on the right track.

Still have my eye on being an O/O down the road after some experience (but not on a company lease program!). My wife and I will team together with her following me at the same school and then company if things work out with me.

Excellent plan.

Hopefully, soon enough, I will be able to offer an opinion and not just ask questions. Though there seem to be a few posters who do not let something as trivial as being inexperienced and uninformed get in the way of posting their opinion!

I think we all look forward to your continued contributions here. Keep up the good work!

Anyway, thanks for your input. And get some sleep, your too damned grouchy tonight!

You are welcome.

Me? Grouchy? Well, OK, maybe a little. Must be those long hours, short nights, four wheelers who don't have a clue, and a certain South Carolina cop in an unmarked car that wanted me to rear end him the other day. What a jackass. Oh, wait, did I say that?
 

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