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If you had to start over...

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Nashville, Mar 22, 2022.

Page 1 of 12
  1. Mar 22, 2022 #1
    Nashville

    Nashville Light Load Member

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    Mar 8, 2022
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    If you had to start your trucking career over again with the knowledge you have now what choices would you have made different?
    • What do you feel has made you successful in your career?
    • What decisions did you make that set you back?
    • What's most important to you when looking into a company?
     
    Nashville, Mar 22, 2022
    Nashville, Mar 22, 2022
    #1
    Still undecided, Another Canadian driver, mjd4277 and 3 others Thank this.
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  3. Mar 22, 2022 #2
    abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

    3,064
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    May 2, 2010
    ludlow MA
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    I would of found a different career
     
    abyliks, Mar 22, 2022
    abyliks, Mar 22, 2022
    #2
    basedinMN_, nredfor88, Trucker Paul and 25 others Thank this.
  4. Mar 22, 2022 #3
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

    19,772
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    Jul 6, 2009
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    No kidding.
     
    snowwy, Mar 22, 2022
    snowwy, Mar 22, 2022
    #3
    GreenPete359, Ffx95 and bzinger Thank this.
  5. Mar 22, 2022 #4
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,367
    11,206
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    I can say a few things about this business, things all drivers know about, but don't really talk about. Things like driving 600 mi today and then having to wait for a shower, on your time. And it's 100 degrees outside and you just spent an hour getting fuel and 20 min trying to park in a very clustered truck stop. And you really want a nice meal and shower and then some rest. Now times this by 6 or 7 days/week. Then in the morning after getting some very disturbed sleep (ha-ha) you have a flat tire. Dang, but you still need to run another 600 mi today also, right ? AND get the tire repaired. Oh well, the boys in the service bay will get right on it and 2 hours later, you're rolling.

    So after construction traffic delays (and the tire repair) you're about 3 hrs late ending your day. (but no extra pay). Which leads me to the next subject matter, "married to your truck". Some drivers may argue this point, but all the yrs I drove, I was married to the truck and lifestyle. The truck mattered, the load mattered, the delivery mattered, the responsibility more than anything mattered. Responsible for a very expensive piece of equipment and payload and mgmt depending on me to "get 'er done". Taking it like a man, not crying about minimal sleep or going to a terrible city and shipper to get the load, which I had loaded before 6 months ago and said to myself never again. But dispatch asked me for a favor, which they do quite often and doesn't really ad extra $$$ to my paycheck, But remember, I'm married to the truck and lifestyle ! I want to be a team member but don't want to get walked on by mgmt either.

    You will find ways to actually have control of the lifestyle as you get experience out there. This may be continued at a later date. Good luck out there.
     
    Allow Me., Mar 22, 2022
    Allow Me., Mar 22, 2022
    #4
    basedinMN_, xsetra, 2Tap and 30 others Thank this.
  7. Mar 22, 2022 #5
    Munch75

    Munch75 Light Load Member

    196
    431
    Aug 29, 2021
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    If so un happy then why still in it. Seriously never understand the "I hate this this", "dont do this" or generally just ### griping crap I see on this forum. IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, GET OUT. I tell the guys on the radio the same #### thing. GTFO if you are that un happy. Sell your truck, start a youtube channel if travelling is your thing, but either way get out. Why make yourself and keep yourself miserable or even just as bad try to convince others that since your situation sucks so should theirs.
     
    Munch75, Mar 22, 2022
    Munch75, Mar 22, 2022
    #5
    basedinMN_, Vic Firth, Truckingdaytrader and 16 others Thank this.
  8. Mar 22, 2022 #6
    Nashville

    Nashville Light Load Member

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    Mar 8, 2022
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    Thank you for the honesty. And not sugar coating it. That's exactly what I'm looking for.

    To really understand all the pros, the cons and everything in between.
     
    Nashville, Mar 22, 2022
    Nashville, Mar 22, 2022
    #6
    Another Canadian driver, mjd4277, Lumper Humper and 2 others Thank this.
  9. Mar 22, 2022 #7
    abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

    3,064
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    May 2, 2010
    ludlow MA
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    He asked….

    Hard to make money off of a you tube

    And Realistically it’s not the driving, that part i enjoy, even working/polishing the truck, it’s the government, other drivers and shippers/receivers that I can’t stand, which has only gotten worse over the years
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2022
    abyliks, Mar 22, 2022
    abyliks, Mar 22, 2022
    #7
    Sirscrapntruckalot, Another Canadian driver, CorsairFanboy and 9 others Thank this.
  10. Mar 22, 2022 #8
    Boondock

    Boondock Road Train Member

    1,196
    10,044
    Jul 20, 2019
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    There are two wolves fighting in every man's heart. One is full of dark, bitterness and despair. The other is full of light and hope. The one that wins is the one that gets fed the most.
     
    Boondock, Mar 22, 2022
    Boondock, Mar 22, 2022
    #8
    basedinMN_, Truckingdaytrader, PaulMinternational and 19 others Thank this.
  11. Mar 22, 2022 #9
    Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

    7,535
    45,148
    Mar 15, 2021
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    I have said this a few times on this forum and I say this to anybody that has ever asked me .. And I say it in all honesty
    There has never been a day in my life I regret making the choice for my career.
    I have no alopolizes to make for anything thing I've done in my career.." Not even to the DOT officer who's wife I slept with "
    And would I have done it different looking back ?...HELL NO !!
     
    Last Call, Mar 22, 2022
    Last Call, Mar 22, 2022
    #9
    Albertaflatbed, dunchues, spindrift and 12 others Thank this.
  12. Mar 22, 2022 #10
    LtlAnonymous

    LtlAnonymous Road Train Member

    6,020
    20,776
    Dec 23, 2016
    0
    The ONLY thing I regret is giving up on UPS when UPS Freight contacted me after I applied in 2010. I felt that they were playing games, and didn't look into them again until some years later.

    Then again, I had an injury at my other job in the meantime, so...if I HAD to have that injury, I'm glad I got it out of the way before I came here.
     
    LtlAnonymous, Mar 22, 2022
    LtlAnonymous, Mar 22, 2022
    #10
    Another Canadian driver, Lumper Humper, Coffey and 1 other person Thank this.
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