How do you define what a trucker is?

i r profeshunal truk dryver.

 

Truth! :smt023

 

Instead of............"I think, therefore I am"

The definition for a trucker is..........."I stink, therefore I am.......a trucker"

 

Jeez, I hope you're speaking for yourself !

 

Lol no I was talking about the one's you always run into at the T/S that look like they haven't showered in weeks!

I was at the TA in Amarillo last week getting a tire put on my trailer and I would see guys walk out that had just come from taking a shower and I swear they looked dirtier than when they went in!....................

 

Yeah I kinda knew where you were going with it, but it makes it sound as though we all stink. But I've seen the ones your talking about...lately.

 

Answer: A willingness to be underpaid, underappreciated, being unconcerned, at times under-the-weather, dedicated, safe, a teacher, a comic, a parent, a consoler, and willing to stay drug, drama and diet free lol!

 

How about the frame of mind. According to some definitions, I'm not a trucker anymore because I can sleep in my own bed, and shower, everyday again. Never mind the loads I haul are usually more than most 5 axle trucks are hauling gross. I still try to drive like a "real" trucker, in fact, my driving is done just like any OTR guy, until I get offroad. I'd be willing to bet my driving is more courteous and safer than the "real" truckers coming out of school.
Last I looked, my CDL is just as good as anyone elses. If I'm not a trucker anymore, maybe someone should tell the boss so I might get paid like some little executive or something. I'd hardly think that an oilpatch driver, a crude hauler, a logger/chip hauler, etc., isn't a trucker anymore. Most of us paid our dues and got a little better life for ourselves, and some of us had no choice but a daycab. If a guy chooses to stay OTR his whole career, that's fine, it's his choice, and more power to the guy.
But thinking a daycab driver isn't a trucker, well, that's just crazy.
Remember when you "real" truckers can't find your shipper/receiver, it just may be a guy in a daycab helping ya out.
We're all truckers, we need to help each other, instead of letting petty egos get in the way.

 

I meant no offense by my post, was just answering the question honestly about what my mind perceives when I think of a 'trucker'.

And according to many, including yourself I'm sure, having a cdl does not make one a trucker. I have mine and have yet to pull a load (waiting on a trainer). I will never fit the picture in my head of a trucker. Does it take 18 wheels, 14? What about tri axle dumps?

All he asked was an opinion. Its like saying what do you consider a real gamer? Do console gamers count? Most pc gamers have disdain for console gamers. But can you be a real pc gamer if you have never made a map? Its all just opinion. Take it with a grain of salt. (Incidentally a real trucker wouldn't understand this part because they are not techie enough lol)

 

No worry, I came across harder than meant. You're 100% right having a CDL does not a trucker make.
Now if we were to go by number of wheels, I could say anything less than say, oh 32 is for sissies, I've usually got 42 of them!
Then again, we are all drivers/truckers, regardless of how many wheels, daycab/sleeper, KW/Pete, colour of truck, and so on. It wasn't intended by myself to drive a rift between any of us, we have to work with each other, treat each other with respect, and give a guy a hand when able or needed. I think some of the guys can vouch for me in that I say that alot, and try to do that, sometimes it doesn't work.

I must be a "real"trucker, hell this 'puter always get's the best of me!