What Makes Trucking Unique???

A level head and knowing when to walk away and take a breather. The elements of this job will test your nerves on a daily basis, and if you allow yourself to, you will go crazy. I've driven for 7 years now, not an ol'timer by any means, but have been around long enough to make rookie mistakes. If you can just accept the fact that everyday is going to throw you a million challenges, some good, some bad, there's a good chance you'll become successfull. In closing, do your best to find a company that treats their drivers like family, don't believe everything in recruiting adds though, when I call in to my safety department, they know me by name and truck number, and are friendly each and every time I speak with them, we have 300 plus trucks so that speaks volumes to me.

 

Great advice!

 

One word, and you can apply it to any business, industry, or area of your personal life:

Perseverance.

But it's more than just putting up with the hassles involved with the industry and racking up miles. It's the refusal to stop learning every day you're out here.

 

Endurance, and a calloused hiney. I know I keep my well hidden, as the court order says so...

 

I hope lots of newbies and old hands get involved with this thread. Part of the "spirit" of TTF is to help wannabes get a feel for the industry and also to get good input from those who have "been there, done that". Thanks to the OP!

 

This business is about the same thing every other job is about. Customer service. Remember that you have more customers than the guy that ordered the carrots. Your boss is your customer, you are selling yourself. The mechanics in the shop are your customer, you are proving your skills. That truck driver across the lot is your customer, you are showing him the right way to do it. The idiot in the four wheeler is your customer, you are selling a romantic notion of wandering knights of the highway. In essence, being good at this job is no different than being good at any job. Give them what they want. Admittedly, sometimes you have to sell this job to yourself. Convince yourself that doing the right thing is more important than doing the easy thing. It pays off in the long run. Make someone else's life a little easier while making your life a little more inconvenient. It comes back around. It feels good when you do good things.

Being good at this job isn't really good enough. There are easier ways to make a buck. The kind of person that wants only to be as good as the next guys means 3 years and out. Less than that is more likely. Being alone most of the time means that we have to recognize and accept what our skill level is. There are drivers who are better at the technical aspects of driving than I am. There are drivers who are more responsible than I am. There are not a lot of drivers who are better at customer service than I am. Anyone who is successful in any field has discovered that the job is all about the customer. As truck drivers our customers are, in the grand scheme of things, everyone who sees us doing what we do. That is surely more work than goes into your average job.

 

Like they said, but you gotta have a real good sense of the ridiculous too. There are so many things that will happen to you every day that would try the patience of a saint. You gotta be able to find the ridiculous monent in them and have yourself a good laugh. See that overdressed broad in the Audi with the permanent scowl that just cut you off? Think about how great it is that you don't have to go home to her. That beer bellied slob with the attitude at the loading dock? Hey dude, tomorrow I'll be hundreds of miles away, but you'll still be a loser here.

This job can eat you alive if you let it.

 

ANY type of trucking takes stamina, brains and a bit of patience. When you are talking OTR trucking, you need to add the ability to be by yourself for an extended time. You have to learn how to do your job while still taking care of whatever business needs to be taken care of at home.

This is not a job. It is a way of life, and it is really like no other. If you are the type of person who truly is a "people person," (God help you,:smt002) then this probably is not the type of life style you should choose.

If you are the type of person who needs a lot of direction and guidance with doing your job, then this is not for you.

If you are meek, or shy, this definitely is not the job for you.

But if you are an independent sort, the type who is able to grab onto a task and see it through to the end, then maybe this IS the job for you.

If you are a self starter, have a good head on your shoulders, enjoy seeing the country and being on your own, then this may be just what you need.

It also helps if you can survive on starvation wages right now.