Are you embarassed to be a truck driver

The only time I am embarrassed is when I see other drivers out there, driving recklessly, tailgating, throwing trash out the window, etc. Makes us all look bad.
Other then that, I have been driving trucks for 6 out of the last 8 years and love it, just I wish I could find another driving job, tired of being a driver manager/dispatcher.

 

Well look at it from the girls standpoint. If she is out there looking at marriageable material, lets see how trucking stacks up. Truckers have one of the highest divorce rates, the job is considered not a profession so it doesn't pay that well for the most part, most likely you will not be able to save up any retirement pay, you will work long hours. In all probability you will not be around to help her raise any kids you have. The life expectancy of a life time trucker is only 61 years!!! , so you won't even be around to enjoy retirement. It is considered one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs so she will have to worry about you a lot, and to top it off truckers have a reputation of having a girl friend at every truck stop. The job is really demanding and it is hard to stay in shape physically, if you doubt it just go to any truck stop and look at the truckers. They didn't start out looking like that, and they are not lazy, but after spending 14 hours in a rig, most of them just want to eat and sleep. If you are embarrased about it, think about another profession. I have told my son, look at joining a fire department, police force, be a teacher. Try something else, most likely your life will be better, and you can always try trucking after your first career ends, like so many here seem to have done. I would be proud to be a trucker, but maybe these girls are trying to tell you something, and if you are embarrased to admit it, maybe your brain is trying to tell you something also. I wish you well in life, trucking is a noble profession, not something to be embarrased about but something to be proud of.

 

Well let's see.....

20 years in aviation as a pilot and senior manager and my parents never told me they were proud of me till I started driving.

My wife is proud of what her man does and is all turned on that she got the Harley riding truck driver she wanted lol and even better that I'm home every weekend. And making enough we live well and she doesn't have to work.

I'm not dealing with idiot employees under me every day or executive management above me any more or have my phone ringing 24/7/365 with dummies asking stupid questions because they don't want to take responsibility for making a decision.

I'm pretty happy and in no way embarrassed......but then again I did my homework and chose a better than average company as well

My kids thinks its the coolest job ever.

That pretty much covers everyone that matters, most importantly me lol

Life is good hehehe

 

A few years ago I had an older gentleman ask me what I did for a living.I told him I was just a truck driver.He gave me a stern talking to about not being "just" something,as ling as a person is providing for their family.
So, I am not embarrassed to be a truck driver,but,am embarrassed at some of the things that I see on the road.

 

BSD and Dab hit it squarely.

I'm not embarrassed to be a trucker. I'm embarrassed to be associated with some who claim to be "professional drivers".

 

Sounds like you either worry way too much about what others think of you, or perhpas due to your upper middle class raising, you yourself feel the job somehow is degrading.

I had a similar upbringing, but I sure as hell don't think I stepped "down" to become a trucker. In fact, just the opposite.

If you feel you have to lie to anyone, let alone a woman about what you do, you may be in the wrong profession. And quite frankly, maybe you should consider finding some better freinds to hang out with because it sounds like the ones you have now are pretty judgemental people.

There are thousands of women out there guy. If one walks away because you tell her you're a trucker, be polite, smile at her, hold the door open , tell her to get lost and slam it behind her! NEXT!

Be Trucker Proud. Life is too short.

 

I am proud to be a truck driver. I am a single mom and this is the first job I've ever had where I truly enjoy getting up and going to work each day because each day comes with it's own new adventures and things to see. I'm providing a good life for my son and me and that's really all that matters.

 

Another bulls-eye. I was also brought up upper-middle class, but I never really had anything in common with kids from similar backgrounds. Still don't mingle that smoothly with that crowd. I'm much more at home with blue-collar types...not so many people putting on airs (unless you count all the ex-Navy Seals, Special Forces, etc.!)

 

#### Musicgal, you really are hardcore! Couldn't imagine being a single parent and driver! You're a tough chicky!

This is a good thread! Truckers standing up for their belief in trucking! Funny thing how those you believe think down on you are solely dependent on you for the survival! Where would they be if we were all embarrassed of our profession and all quit?

 

Embarrassed to be a truck driver? Not just no, but Hell No!

I get paid to drive around! And have you seen my truck? I love driving that old thing. And I've got braggin' rights for the biggest truck on the block when I'm home.

I've read on here how some people just consider it a job, and how others consider it a lifestyle. I'm one of the latter.

When I hear someone say something along the lines of "dumb truckers", or anything like that, I just have to chalk it up to ignorance on their part. They have no idea what it takes to do this job well.

My statement to a CT trooper while he was doing my Level 1 inspection: "you only have to know the laws for Conneticut, yet I'm required to know the laws for all 47." (yes, he looked at me weird. I then told him I don't do California, Alaska or Hawaii. And yes my truck passed the inspection, even got a little yellow sticker!:smt023)

Yes, there is a dearth of new drivers out here who have a clue as to what is going on. They are thrown in a truck with a trainer of questionable quality for 2 or 3 weeks, take a test and kicked out onto the road. (To the good, solid, qualified trainers out there, You guys Rock!)

It's up to the rest of us to present a GOOD example of what an operator is. And to help educate the new drivers/operators that are coming along.

And yes, unfortunately, one dumb ##### will leave a bigger impression than 50 good, safe, courteous operators out there.