Does anyone have ANYTHING positive?

You forgot all those that got dishonorable discharges..

From a former soldier - Semper Fi and thanks for your service..

 

Great insight and advice.

Thanks guys.


~ another ol' soldier.

 

That's true. In some careers the flux of people looking for the same job is much HIGHER.

Place an ad in a trade publication for a trucking job requiring at least 6 months of experience paying $40k/yr and see how many resumes you get in a week. Then place an ad in trade publication for a pilot job requiring at least 1000 hours (about 2 years for most guys) of experience and paying $20k/yr and I guarantee you'll have more resumes show up at your doorstep every single day than your trucking ad brought in a week.

The point being that yes the ratio of available jobs to available qualified applicants could be better in the trucking industry. But it could also be worse. A lot worse. And there are quite a few industries out there where the ratio is indeed a lot worse. Count your blessings carefully.

 

We agree on the same point. Sure trucking is not the most flooded field out there but I think you'lll agree that these companies and schools are painting a poor picture on what to expect as far as jobs go. They want their money and they have found a stream of cash from people getting their CDL's by false advertising.

I come from the old school where your name was on the line with anybody you trained. You made sure the new driver had the best job for him or her and you help them along. I think we've lost that and now it's up to the new driver to think outside of the box to land a decent job.

 

Well we mostly agree, that's for sure. The schools absolutely paint a rosy picture in order to keep enrollment numbers up. I don't really think I'd go as far as calling it false advertising. I mean I personally have not seen any schools telling students they can expect to work 8 hour days 5 days a week and make $100k in their first year or anything like that.

I hear what you're saying about that level of accountability no longer existing in trucking. But the thing is, that level of accountability no longer exists in any field.

Despite what some companies like to write on the trailer door about their most valuable asset sitting 60' ahead, employees (not just drivers, but any and all employees) are not considered to be assets by any modern competitive company. Rather, they are expendable resources and nothing more. They owe you nothing and while they might promise you quite a bit, at the end of the day the only promises they need to keep are the ones that will cost them more to break than it would cost them to fulfill. That's true in trucking and its true in pretty much any other career field you can name. That's life in 2010.

So while I agree that the trucking industry isn't what it used to be, I don't really see that as too much of a negative because the reality is no industry is what it used to be. Things are tough all over as they say.

The long hours and isolation that is often the reality of trucking means it ain't a job for everyone. And that means there will always be large turnover/washout rate of people who are new to the field. And ultimately, that means there will always be jobs available in trucking. Not jobs anyone with half a brain would really want, but jobs just the same. So you cannot blame schools or companies or anyone else for taking advantage of those facts and doing their best to make a profit. Even if they have to paint an unrealistic picture about how great life on the road in a shiny new big rig is in order to do it.

It ain't personal, its business. Big business. And if a wet behind the ears 30 year old falls for it and ends up getting burned because of it, well that 30 year old is going to be a little less wet behind ears when he's done. I don't really see that as a bad thing either. I'm not saying its a good thing. I wish it was different as much as the next guy. But trucking schools are businesses. And if you take any business at their word when they're trying to sell you something instead of doing your own independent research, then you have no one to blame but yourself when things don't go as you were promised.

 

I've debated about responding to this thread and now I'm going to. I'm pretty sure I'll regret it.

First off, if you don't wish to hear what a woman thinks then just don't read my freaking post. You don't need to send me a pm telling me you don't think women should be drivers. Frankly if you're not even in a school yet.....I'm not really interested in your opinion of my driving.


Secondly: I love my job. I really REALLY love my job. I've been an EMT, a Financial Manager of medical and dental practices, a Children's Librarian and a Youth and Children's Pastor. I even pastored a church for a brief time against my wishes.

I love this job. I like my company. I respect and appreciate my fleet manager. I think I've got a great position.

Thirdly: If you come looking for only the positive of an industry then you're setting yourself up for disappointment. When we researched this life change we wanted both the good and the bad. You see, if you know what the absolute worst possibility is then you will appreciate what is better than that.

Fourthly: Something I learned on this forum is that if you can't handle another forum member speaking to you harshly about the realistic world of the trucking industry and the problems that exist.........then frankly you're going to need to toughen up.

Next: Rerun......well I'll just say we don't often see eye to eye. But the man is honest, knowledgeable, upfront and he'll help you anytime you ask for it. Chompi is another one. So is notarps. However, all 3 are blunt, rough and aren't going to kiss your lil nose and act like you're the freaking prom queen of trucking.

Now: The truth is there are a great many people who come seeking information with the idea that trucking is easy, will make them a fortune and that because they've decided to grace the industry with their attention they're due a fantastic job, with awesome pay and hometime every night. I'm sorry if you lost your job. I'm sorry if you're in financial trouble. I'm truly grateful if you're leaving the military after having served. I can not thank you enough for your service to this nation. You served ME and my family. I appreciate you more than you will know. But that doesn't change the industry. Will I help you all that I can? Absolutely. So will Rerun, and almost every member of this forum. But again, that doesn't change the industry.

But wait there's more: I team with my husband. We began at almost the same time. It's fun, exciting, hard, maddening, we argue, we make up, we live in a closet on wheels, we make money, we spend money, I love the job he doesn't. What else did you wish to know about husbands and wives teaming? That there's a strong possibility your wife will one day plot your murder and pick out exactly the spot along US93 to bury your body? Yes.......that will happen.

Finally: (yes yes I know you thought the end would never come) There are no easy answers to the trucking industry. It's probably a good thing that there aren't. It prepares you for the job.

 

What Texas-Nana said is totally real, true, and from the heart. +1.