If you could do it all over, would you still drive?

I would of done the same, like you I wasn't able to but different reasons.
We always built fast cars (live in the country) and the cops around here always had something out for us, Although everybody around here always came over and helped build them and enjoyed hearing them go down the road. Well you probably know already I racked up a bunch of speeding tickets growing up. This really kept me from being a company driver and what originally made me choose college instead of trucking. funny how things work out and now I am paying off a $45,000 college loans and driving a truck. Pretty much finished with the payments though and can get started on my original goals.

 

That was written so well, I read it twice Stranger.

 

I would have to say YES I would.
As a trucker I play a vital role in this nation. Everything you own, from that computer to the tires on your car, was delivered on a truck. If it wasn't for us truckers we'd have empty shelves in the grocery store, no gas at the pumps, etc. From the wheat field, to the mill; from the mill to the bakery; from the bakery to the store as a loaf of bread. Somewhere in that chain a trucker more then likely had something to do, in it reaching you. With out him/her we'd have nada. Thats why I'm proud to be a trucker.
No goods moving around, no money is spent, no money spent, no economy. No economy no nation.
I'd do it all over, the good days and the bad days.

 

there is things I would definatly do different but I'd say yes. I'm a trucker, it's in my blood. But then again I don't do the typical three weeks out, day and a half home thing most these companies want these days/ I'l never do that

You teach me the appraisal biz and I'l teach you to drive!

 

A definite yes for me.

I started in 1991, then in 1995, I ended up getting off the road, going to college thanks to Ford Motor Company, and went to work at a Ford Dealership. I really didn't wan to come off the road then, but there were reasons that required it.

I made good money out on the road, but at the same time, I made better money in the dealership once I finished training. Things went south in the dealerships for me around 2001 as my pay started getting lower and lower thanks to most of the dealerships around my area being bought out by a large company (Autonation). In 2002, I had enough and went back out on the road. This time, I stayed out for a couple years, before being talked into working for another Ford dealership that seemed like a perfect opportunity. It was only 5 miles from my house, and it sounded like a great deal.

After 6 months turning wrenches and helping get some things turned around at the dealership (the place was having problems, which is why I was asked to come to work), I moved up to assistant service manager. That was great until just a few weeks later when our General Manager left to a larger store and things once again went south for me. I soon found myself working 6 days a week, 12-14 hours a day, and getting stabbed in the back on a daily basis. Money went to crap, and as of January 2006, I became "fall guy" #6 for the man in charge. I had never been fired from a job in my life, especially after getting multiple awards and "pats on the back" just a couple months earlier.

Been working from home since, partially due to having surgery on my arm, and staying busy with a couple websites. I wish I had never came back off the road the second time. I had the perfect job for me.. I was able to be home every weekend, never was below 3000 miles, ran super hard (often illegal), but it was fun.

So now, I am actually looking into going back out on the road, just haven't quite made up my mind. The one thing I don't like is knowing I will have to go out with a trainer, no matter who I hire on with. One thing I do know, is that I will never work at another dealership again, no desire for that at all.

 

The short answer is, I really don't know.

I've worked pretty much in all facets of the industry, been a driver, a fork lift operator, a picker, packer, loader, unloader, fleet controller (local work) and even stepped into the breech one night as fleet supervisor for the OTR fleet at a company I worked for here.


A few years back I was offered by the Operations Manager as full time Fleet Controller, which I turned down because I'd have to take a $10k p.a. pay cut compared to what I made doing OTR work.

Don't get me wrong, I love life on the road. But I also love the time I get to spend at home. Problem is, to have quality time at home here in Oz, you either have to work local or move into operations/dispatch. I don't like having someone hover over me all day, or the extra stress involved in either of those roles especially considering that I'll be taking home a smaller paycheck.

Btw, I also have two university degrees, (gained through correspondence colleges while working OTR) and I don't use them because I can make more money as a trucker.

The long and short of the argument - own boss & great pay vs someone's lacky, extra stress, les pay but more time at home. Tough choice:biggrin100 (12): .

Maybe I just need to go back to local work, and find a happy medium.



Rod :smile_1:

 

those are called "AVATAR's". go to your profile and either choose one from the list, or upload one from your computer, such as a photo of yourself, your pet, whatever. there are size limits though, so be mindfull of that.