Common Misconceptions About Trucking???

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by Hootie, Jan 23, 2012.

  1. Hootie

    Hootie <b>SkyTrucker</b>

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    I was talking to a friend the other day, and somehow the topic landed on truck drivers. I told him I wanted to try it one day, and he told me that he heard trucker's make a great living and make big money.

    He said, he saw a piece on TV about a trucking team driving equipment for a country music act around the country. This team made about 100k a year doing this. Of course I know that a team of O/O makes alot, but they also have to spend to keep the truck running so 100k goes fast in fuel and upkeep.

    My question is this, what other misconceptions have you heard from your family, friends or just strangers who aren't truckers about the job you do?

    What do that think goes on based on media v.s. the truth?
     
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  3. 7122894003481

    7122894003481 Bobtail Member

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    Alot of people think you will get to see the country, which is true, but you get to see it at 65mph (or 57 if you drive for Prime) through a windshield, and there isnt really time for sightseeing most of the time.
     
  4. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Aw come on , Harvey . We see posts all the time about the sights people see while sitting in fuel stops
     
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  5. misterG

    misterG Road Train Member

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    Another misconception that I have run across. Is the level of ignorance. That is wholly untrue. I have meet some very intelligent people in my 9 years of travel, loading and unloading. The truck is a fabulous place to think about life, politics, and the future. It is also a place to listen to other opinions on the radio from callers from across the country and the world. It provides a place to learn things that we might not get a chance to learn otherwise, through unconventional means of education.
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2012
  6. 7122894003481

    7122894003481 Bobtail Member

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    I guess thats true. I do like to people watch, it makes me feel better about myself.

    I always made fun of my dad for listening to talk radio growing up, now I cant get enough of it. What have I become.:biggrin_2553:
     
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  7. misterG

    misterG Road Train Member

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    I'm not sure Harvey, but I too listen to a lot of political talk radio myself. Mostly I think, its because I get tired of listening to the same 40+ songs over and over all day long.
    The biggest problem for me, is that I might drive three to four different trucks over the course of my day.
    Not all of them get decent AM reception, or even get any kind of AM reception unless they are not running.
     
  8. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    BIG misconception......No bossman breathing down your neck, free as a bird. Not exactly, lots of people telling you what to do, like dispatch, shipper/consignee, security guards, police agencies, mechanics, road workers, even shower cleaning jocks.
     
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  9. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    You don't get talk radio on FM ?
     
  10. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Wannabes often say there will always be trucking jobs because people will always need stuff . Now these are people that may be out of work because the company they worked for shut down . The "stuff" brought in to make their "stuff" is no longer moved and the "stuff" they made isn't being moved . News flash here . When businesses close the trucks servicing them lose work and truck drivers lose jobs . Out of work people don't buy much stuff .
     
  11. Hootie

    Hootie <b>SkyTrucker</b>

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    Got some good replies here, learning alot.

    Let's keep this thread going. Anymore wisdom to share?
     
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