Drivers Still Unhappy With Their Jobs

I would say that 93.2% of people agree with that.

 

Truer words have never been written.

 

It's not all bad. We get nice hats and t-shirts.

 

that cat must have seen me.......

 

Okay... I'll ask the dumb question: Why do you keep driving if it's so miserable?

I'm not a driver and probably never will be. But I sure as hell would not stay in a job that brought me so much grief and hardship. It makes me wonder how some of my friends -- a few who have been driving 30-plus years -- still enjoy hammerin' down the highway. Maybe they just have a difference outlook or attitude toward their lifestyle?

 

my life has absolutely no stability. i've never had any. not even when i was a little kid. the lack of being around constantly on top of the instability would drive just about anybody away, regardless of how mature they are. i wouldn't even put up with it, and i'm one of the most patient people around. a shipper/consignee who is taking forever doesn't really bother me unless it's an evening delivery, and the truck stop is or could be filling up at the time being. since i hardly ever have evening or night time deliveries, it doesn't really bother me.

i've tried the relationship thing once before while doing this. it didn't go any longer than 3 months. she became tired of not being able to physically be with me, so she found somebody else while i was still technically with her. unfortunately for her, i treated her like a princess. she left/cheated on me with a guy who uses her for a personal punching bag each time he gets drunk and angry. i don't feel one bit sorry for her.

i'm currently trying to get on with the dot in any state that'll take me. i'm willing to relocate. i've put in applications and tested for teh motor carrier inspector position in three different states. hopefully something goes through and i get the gig. it'd be awesome!

 

i keep driving due to the lack of local employment opportunities. i also cannot afford to quit this crappy job without having a guaranteed job after getting out of this sand trap industry.

 

Why? Wish I could give you a simple answer. I've tried to leave driving behind, due to family pressure (they think I'm too good to be a truck driver, I'm afraid I'm not good enough), or a company finally pushing me just too far. I go to college (snore), get a job, do all the normal things. But within a month at the longest, I just get these itchy feet. What they say is true. Love it or hate it, the road gets to you. It's a love, a need, an addiction every bit as debilitating as some drugs to some of us. We are the nation's Gypsies, we need to keep moving. We may hate the abuses we put up with everyday from the companies, shippers, recievers, and everybody else, we may hate what driving does to our families, and we may hate the constant stress of driving day in and day out. But I'm willing to bet there are quite a few drivers on this forum who still wake up the next day, sit down behind the wheel of that big-azzed truck, and find a smile on their faces. And maybe even a little kids voice going off in their heads saying "Oh boy, oh boy, I get to drive a BIG TRUCK!" You really gotta love what you do to make it in trucking. No ifs, ands, or buts. If you don't feel something similar to this, chances are you're probably not gonna stick with it. No shame for this. Some people are born truck drivers, some (like me) discover the joy of driving, and some just aren't drivers. Like I said, ya gotta love it.

 

Trying to explain "why" to a sidewalk sissy that hasnt sat in the seat for over 20 years would never properly relate.
Truckin has always been "Feast or Famine" good months/years and bad months/years,again without living thru it . . . . . .

 

I only do it part time these days. And I can tell you this, it sure ain't what it used to be out here. At one time it was fun. I still enjoy driving to a large extent, but that still doesn't make the statement any less true about the overall truckers life.

Most long time OTR drivers have had more than one marriage fall apart directly related to trucking. Drivers don't generally live as long as non-drivers. Shippers and receivers at some places think they are a god. Many trucking companies will not let you idle to stay warm or cool. Truckstops are not what they used to be. Fast food is the norm.

These days it's not unusual for a driver to be out months at a time, with a few days off. This would never happen 30 years ago, unless a driver just wanted to do it. You live in a truck cab, fighting traffic all day and night. You are looked at as a source of revenue for every state and town. You do not get to see your family much.

I'm only out 4 1/2 days on average, but I have to team. When I run solo I make about 3 CPM less than I did in 1989, with no benefits, except if I work, I get paid.

Sounds great, doesn't it.