Good experiences: why SHOULD one choose trucking as a career?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by lab_rat, Aug 8, 2010.

  1. lab_rat

    lab_rat Bobtail Member

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    We both grew up in/around boston. I can totally see him forgetting that he can't drive a semi on 90% of the streets he knows like the back of his hand. I have been stuck in standstill traffic caused by trucks hitting the overpass because the clearance on Storrow Dr. is only 13 ft. :)
     
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  3. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    He's done. Now...or a week from now.

    Pre hire training is nothing compared to doing the actual job. Most "pre-hires" are babied for 6 weeks, then thrown to the wolves.
     
    Injun Thanks this.
  4. lab_rat

    lab_rat Bobtail Member

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    Meh, I see what you mean, but academia's the same way. You're "babied" at first and many people fail out of even that. What sucked is that many people who gave it their best try failed out.

    Whereas my ex didn't fail out of training.

    I like to think I'm accepting, I just hate it when I know for a fact he didn't give it his best shot. that's a character issue thing. If the character issue is too much obviously it's not the right job for him.

    (a bit drunk so post may not make sense).

    Anyways, my thing is that everyone's experience is unique to a point. Some people react to better to different types of stresses than others. If he did training and a. got in the truck and worked for a few weeks or B. got kicked out, I could say he put his best effort into it. Right now, I feel like he let all the freaking horror stories get the best of him wihtout trying it himself, which aggravates me. It's ok if he decides it's not for him, I was just hoping he'd get in the truck first before deciding. It takes time for EVERYONE to get used to a career.

    Bah, I'm just proving everyone's point. I really really really hope I am not but I know I am.
     
  5. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    If he couldn't hack the training...He's gonna have a real hard time with the job!
    This is not the line of work for the faint of heart!

    I would recommend that he reconsider his decision to do this...
     
    dino6960 Thanks this.
  6. rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    I didn't get any slack when I first started. I got thrown in, and I had to sink or swim. The stress of driving a truck comes in to play when you gotta get a load someplace in a hurry, and you are dealing with traffic, the log book,etc. The load has to get there on time no matter what. Thats the thing, you must pick up and deliver on time, no excuses. In four years I was late once due to my own screw up, but somehow they didn't find out about it.:fart:
     
  7. Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

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    Mr. Jakebrake12:

    I love your writing style and the way you put things. It would be interesting to me if you started a thread in ....I don't know.... A Discussion About Everything....? Love it...just love it.:biggrin_25514:
     
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  8. dino6960

    dino6960 YOUDAMAN

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    well heres my thoughts on this, if your boyfriend is stressing the first few days, this might not be for him? my self i love trucking ,theres good and bad, i myself have no disire to pull a refer unit, where the challage?? back truck up ,open doors ,they unload, stick more stuff in truck ,close doors????alot of drivers do it ,its not for me ,i like flats or drop decks myself ,strap it down .chain it down, tarp it ,what ever it takes , very little waiting with this type of trailer, As far as enjoying the road, love it, traffic to deal with its part of the job ,listening to the cb makeing new friends and sometimes possibley able to help another drive out when needed definetly! Yes it can get boreing, but you get to see this fine country we live in, the changeing of the seasons,all that good stuff, yes im married,kid is grown and on her own , there little to talk about at the house so id rather be on the road,, just my way of life ,dont like being in one spot to long
     
    Injun Thanks this.
  9. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    The only people who truly "fail" at training, are those that quit.

    I can have someone driving a truck within hours. The rest is up to them. I can instruct/guide them through the rough spots and their questions. But their desire is what makes them a driver.

    I had a 30 year driver, call me for help this week. That's what separates the professionals, from the rookies. The ability to admit lack of knowledge, and their ability to ask for it.

    The learning never stops with this job. Will this guy quit every time something rattles him ???

    3 days of training took him down. Imagine what a low clearance with no where to go but backwards for 1/2 a mile, will do to him.

    With all that said. I will admit there are some really dense people in this world, who truly lack ANY ability...for anything. But these people stay at it, day after day. Despite their "failures".
     
  10. jakebrake12

    jakebrake12 Road Train Member

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    Thanks man - quite a compliment considering I've never read a book cover to cover and couldn't write a term paper to save my life. Your idea could be interesting and I would no longer be intruding on serious topics with my take on trucking and other things - like the amazing luck I've had landing hottie neighbors and girlfriends. The downside to that would be all the impossibly negative people/drivers would no longer be subjected to my random stories of how drivers can still make a lot of money and be incredibly happy with life at the same time.

    Decisions decisions..
     
  11. Hubcap

    Hubcap Medium Load Member

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    I love the old Astro you have on there. When I was driving one of these old COE people could tell what color socks I was wearing.
     
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