Does Any Truck Driver Like Their Job?

I enjoy my job. Very much.

It has it's ups and downs, like any job. More ups than downs for me.

The things I like the most about my job??

Great paycheck

I've made some great friends in far away places.

The ability to work without anyone looking over my shoulder at all times.

The ability to take off pretty much when I want, and an income that allows me too.

What other job offers me this much flexibility? Of course, working for a decent company helps when you consider a drivers attitude toward his job. This time last year....I would probably been less enthusiastic.

With that said, if I was still staying out 5-8 weeks at a time. Then it would be different.

 

I like mine! Best one I ever had! Ya'll seem to think it is odd that my handle is notarps tho!

 

I love my job, I get to buy all kinds of cool toys. I love my 1080p TV. Suck it 420i!

 

Like one or two other people, I have ALWAYS wanted to be a trucker, and at the ripe age of 39, got my licence. Its the BEST thing I did for myself, and I look forward to getting out of bed every morning to go to work... more than I can say for my previous jobs/career.

 

Most drivers have a 'love/hate' feeling about their jobs. They love driving the big truck, seeing this great country, but hate many of the 'other' things: rude dispatchers, desk jockey Driver Mgrs in their A/C environment while the driver is out there with their A-$-$ hanging out, rude 4-whlrs, big city rush hours, jammed out truck stops or lack of any, having to use public conveniences, eating fast food too much, being away from family & friends for long periods, and much much more!!

But, once a driver makes the decision to "take the good with the bad,' it becomes acceptable! Not just anybody has the mental fortitude to be a trucker...

 

I agree with danc694u.

There are ups and downs in this busness and i experience them as well. I guess it is just part of the business. I am going to mirror on some issues while adding a few of my own.

Great paycheck. Average $6,000.00 to $6,500.00 per month. Average between 55 and 60 hours per week.

Home every evening and off weekends.

No cost medical for the family that icludes dental, optical and prescription.

Company paid retirement at $3.86 for all hours worked.

More benfits but not enough time to list.

Made great friends at customers to facilitate easy off loading/loading and the ability to take a break there after being loaded/unloaded.

I wish I could say that I am not being watched but we are. It does not bother me because I am honest. I cannot speak for others where I work.

As for time off, besides each weekend, we get 11 paid holidays. The senior tanker drivers get quite a few weeks off. I am #7 out of 9 in seniorty for tanker drivers and # 28 in total driver senorityout of 39. The top 4 guys get 6 weeks of vacation each year. We still made time to go to Hawaii this year for 7 days. After two 3-day weekends in Las Vegas, we still have one more weekend for Vegas and 2 for Laughlin.

I agree that there are not many jobs that offer that kind of flexibility to the driver where they are still being paid properly.

As for being gone from home for 5 to 8 weeks, I think I need to win the lotto! To get five weeks vacation, I would need to be there 15 years (I only have 9). To get to 8 weeks, well I guess we need to negotiate a better contract as we only get 6 weeks after 20 years.

So yes, I like my job. Is it the best, I don't think so but it is better than most. 0415 is going to come soon so it is time to get ready to take a nap.

Drive safe

 

Well as for me, I'm not making any where close to the money I made in my pre-trucking career. I realize its because I'm new at this. But at this point I'm questioning my ability to survive until I can start making good money.

(Everyone has their own idea about what "good" money is of course.)

Beyond the fact that I'm not making enough money I love trucking.

Unfortunately making money is the point - so a bit of a dilemma.

 

Hey I am happy but what do I know I am brand new attitude is everything.