Hardest thing about being an OTR driver

I appreciate all your responses. These are things I don't think the average person even considers.


Jtrnr1951, Okay..... I see..... lol.

1nonly, I hope I will be able to say the same thing someday.

Kalh7, I would almost bet that don't happen too often, huh?

TripleSix, I would never even have thought of that, but yeah, I can see it now. It has happened to me in motel rooms - waking up and thinking where in the world am I?

ChromeDome, Yes, I can see how that would be a huge problem.

Darkschneidr, Wow, a lot of really good points. It seems like it all boils down to lack of respect for the driver. I have heard that before but I really never thought of all the examples where it is evident. I wish it could be changed.

When I took my state road test for my cdl, I had a 4-wheeler pull in front of me while stopped at a red light. It pulled in front of me sideways to get in the left turn lane on my other side and was partly in the intersection while waiting for the light to turn green. My examiner could not believe what she was seeing.

GoBlue487, that is a good question.

Kinghunter and Sabine, I have a hard time sleeping when it is not dark outside. I have been so tired that I slept, but I would hate to think I was actually driving when I got to that point of exhaustion.

 

It seems like the trucking industry is made up of many different jobs, but they are so fragmented in their goals and rules, and such, that it actually defeats the main purpose of moving freight in a timely manner. Then, the driver, pays for it all. Seems like better communication and better teamwork is needed.

 

I agree. The way things are is just messed up. I, too, wonder why something can't be done about it. Perhaps with all the new drivers coming in, if one won't put up with it another will, so they can get away with it. I hate to think that, because that makes me part of the problem, as a newbie. Also, it could be that drivers have been kicked around for so long they have given up hope and just put up with it. Maybe not enough drivers complaining or trying to implement change? I don't know. I do believe if enough people feel a need for a change, and those people work together, it can happen. I guess the secret is finding a way to do it that doesn't cause one to lose his/her job.

I think truckers are fortunate in the fact that many drivers love what they do, in spite of the danger, disrespect, and low pay. Not many workers can say that.