I have been considering a career in trucking for many months and now after much research and due diligence I finally decided to apply with Millis Transfer through their MTI training school. When I told my parents about my decision they had many negative comments about the trucking industry.

A few of my uncles made a living in the trucking industry but the last time they were in a truck was back in 1979. My parents told me stories about harsh winter storms that my uncles were broke down in and almost froze to death in. Then they went on to tell me about the companies that they worked for having them keep 2 log books. One for the company (that showed the actual driving time even if it was illegal) and one to show to DOT (this one was made out so their runs were legal). I listened for nearly 2 hours before I finally asked them this question. Do you think the trucking industry hasn't changed any in the last 30 years? Changes that were for the better? They didn't have an answer for those questions. They simply told me I was making a mistake and that I wouldn't like being a trucker.

So my question to you, the experienced hard working American truckers of TODAY, is this. How much has the trucking industry changed in the last 30 years? Has it been for the better? Do most companies make you run illegal but then ask you to falsify your log book to make it appear as though you run legal? What about being caught in harsh snow storms? Is there no relief if you're broke down?

From all the research that I have done I feel that I am making the right career decision. I don't think I can stand 6 more years of working for a grocery store as a cashier. I know the road will be long and hard. The hard work isn't what my parents believe I won't like. The job I have now is hard work. Probably no where near as hard as being a trucker but still hard. I think the 1979 mindset of growing up hearing about how my uncles were treated and what they went through have caused them to always view trucking in this manner.

I would just like to hear some of your thoughts and opinions on this subject. If not only to ease my mind but also ease my parents minds.

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies. I greatly appreciate your advice!

Random drug tests are one thing, I'm not sure of the year, cell phones, and satellite communications, computerized help in all kinds of fields, for starters.

Pure and simple.....it's like night and day.

We used to watch out for each other but now it's everyone for themselves. You'll get your answers and some have already said them in another post.

My son works as a grocery stocker, part time as he goes to school.

I'd swap my job for his any day. If it would allow me 40 hours a week.

But then again, I'm not as young as you guys. I have obtained most of the things I want in life. Just riding the clock down too retirement.

But yes, trucking has changed. Some good, some bad.

I'll tell you the same as my son...and you'll ignore me the same as he does.

4 years in the military, is a cakewalk. Especially when you consider the college credit you'll have. And the Federal money avaliable to you, when you get out.

Anyone between 18 and 30 that doesn't consider that as an option. Especially with a wife and kids. Is only looking for an "easy" out. And trucking ain't easy.

__________________
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Trucks and roads are better . Drivers are worse . With cost of living , pay is much worse . New procedures and technology used by FMCSA (comparing logs to Quallcom and GPS phones , using ProMiles software to check driving time logged ) means carriers allowing or forcing log falsification will be caught . Unfortunately enforcement is a joke . How bad does a $10,000 fine hurt a company with $1 billion annual revenue ? What happened to Crete when they pushed a driver to falsify logs until he ran into a stopped car and killed 5 kids ?

Thirty years ago the trucking industry was still regulated regarding rates, routes and commodities. The industry was heavily unionized. During the early 1980s, deregulation caused rate wars. Unionized companies fell to new, non-union companies as driver wages were cut. Working conditions have never regained what was lost after deregulation. Wages rebounded somewhat.

Thanks for your advice. I do appreciate it. But you're right. I will probably ignore it.

I agree with you in the sense that if I had a full time job with benefits at the grocery store I work at then sure I would probably be better off. But I'm not full time. And that's not by choice. Even with my job being unionized the main company is phasing out all full time positions except for department managers and assistant department managers. Which means there is 0 chance for me ever obtaining a full time job since there are so many people ahead of me on the food chain that will get those management positions.

As far as the military goes that's a whole new can of worms in and of itself. Not that I have anything against any man or woman who sacrifices their own life daily to protect this country. It's just I have no desire to be in the military. So to assume that I am looking for an "easy" way out because I am looking into trucking is an incorrect statement and one that someone shouldn't make. It makes it sound as though anyone who doesn't serve time in the military is simply looking for an easy way out of having to work for a living. But you're right. Trucking isn't easy. I've already come to terms with that fact. I'm not afraid of hard work or the up hill, give it all I've got, battle that's ahead of me. And to me, making a career out of trucking is not an easy way out.

And again, thank you for your opinions and advice. I guess I am as suborn and as head strong as your son in regards to not taking it!

Does your reply mean that things have gotten worse or better? I'm sure there are some truckers out there who still watch out for their fellow man. I know I am the kind of person that will always help out someone no matter if I was a grocery store cashier, a trucker, or whatever. On the flip side of that I'm also sure there are some out there that could probably care less if you were having trouble with something. Those types of people would be that way even if they weren't in the trucking industry.

Thanks for your reply!

That's a good point. Which brings up another question. Can you be terminated from a company for refusing to run illegal? If you were terminated for refusing to run illegal would there be some type of legal rebound I could file against the company? Possibly wrongful termination?

And as far as pay goes, do any of you current truckers out there bring in only $240 a week, every week of the month? I know some weeks you may bring in this amount, or none at all if you're broke down. But in my mind going from a steady $240 a week to the possibility of making twice that or more is enough of an incentive for me to look into trucking. And before someone replies with, "At least that $240 is guaranteed each week" please understand that if I want to have any chance of one day getting married or raising a family, $240 a week isn't going to cut it. Even if it is guaranteed each week. At least with trucking I will have the "chance" of making more each week. And after 1-2 years with the same company, and a clean driving record, I will have true opportunity for advancement by going to a better company or getting a job with a local or regional company making more money than an OTR driver. In my mind the switch to trucking is, in my particular situation, a win-win opportunity.

Thanks for your reply.

I believe this could be true of many industries, not just trucking.

Thanks for your reply.