What is the best way to become a trucker?

No sir, said nothing about censoring anything or anyone. You have a perfect right to your say-so. In fact, we have agreed on many issues and continue to do so. And I'm very glad for you that your position is working out so well.

But I just want to alert newbies to the difference between genuine opinions based upon experience (as you have) and what comes off much more sounding like sour grapes and less like objective criticism (as in the "my worst enemies" comment). After all, with some 300 million people in this country, what works for one is bound not to work for another.

 

In all honesty Dave...Not all drivers feel that way about the industry!

Steel coffin? My truck is far from being a steel coffin, I't ###### comfortable and has many of the comforts of home.

You wouldn't wish OTR driving on your enemies and yet I could not think of a worse fate than having to drive local or short haul regional...Doing that would be the most miserable existence that I could envision in this industry.

I LOVE running over the road and the longer trips I run the better I like it.

Just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it's not the perfect job for many people...

Sometimes your constant negativity is not helpful and it can be annoying because your statements are so one sided and don't take into account that YOUR experience was not good for YOU but it might be good for someone else.

 

But that is the beauty of this forum. I have my opinion, you have yours. We are both right. It is entirely up to the reader to decide who to believe. I just have to be honest when telling my story.
FWIW, my best times in trucking were the coast to coast long trips also! If there were more of the good stuff and less manure to our up with, I would probably still be doing it.
Also if I had the courage (or naivety ) I would be an O/o. I just don't see how some guys can sleep at night with all the stuff there must be to worry about when you own the truck! I would worry myself into an early grave! I have ALOT of respect for those that own their truck!!!

 

You worked at a pretty bad company...If I worked at a company that treated me the way you were treated or the way most of these bottom feeders treat their drivers...I might hate the business too!

As far as losing sleep at night worrying...I sleep like a baby because I'm content and enjoy every aspect of my life because I live it on my terms and work and play the way I want to.

That makes for a pretty good life overall...In my opinion!

 

I won't deny...there was a time last week when I was screaming to the high heavens just to release some steam. And although the event that caused my lil' hissy fit was trucking-induced, there are several other (ex-wife) things contributing to my feelings at present.

I've considered going local, but most of what has been available has been the 14-hour-days jobs, which would solve nothing for me.

Right now, I get 3 or 4 (or even 5) days off every 3 or 4 weeks and it works well for me, particularly with my own children living 2 1/2 hours away. I get home on time and am making decent money.

But after having had several careers, I can confidently say that I'm generally dealing the day-to-day garbage of this industry better than I could deal with day-to-day direct customer issues.

I guess we're all prisoners of our own experiences.

OK...I admit...Im really waiting for that call to come from CRE telling me I can make 80K per year as a lease operator!

Yeah buddy!

Cheers!

 

Did you tell them to ask for Mr. Blue when they call?

 

It doesn't matter what you do. Company sponsored CDL training or out of your own pocket, your still gonna have to live with a trainer before you can get your own truck which can be anywhere from 4-6 week's if you pay for school yourself or you could spend up to 6 month's under company sponsor. Either way, you still have to live with a trainer. Unless you get lucky and land that all time high paying local gig.

 

If you're gonna do this for a living...You'd better grow some thick skin and develop a sense of humor.

 

Gotta take the meat and spit out the bones... and the driver is right. Better get a thick skin and a sense of humor. That's all that keeps you sane a lot of the time (for those who DO stay sane!). Also, on this forum, sometimes a thread just gets raped by 2-3 guys who obviously have a long and... varied relationship. (Searching for the right word there...)