the good things about trucking...

Depends entirely on the driver's point of view. I certainly didn't think it was all that bad, but then I've been away from OTR since 2004 and retired since 2008.

I saw a lot of beautiful country through that windshield. There is beauty all across this land, whether it is the coastal areas, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains or just crossing the Mojave Desert. But a person has to be in the frame of mind to actually see the beauty that is there.

That can be a hard thing to do when you are dog tired, your truck is giving you trouble and you are already late for an appointment. Or when your dispatch has been less than adequate, your wife is not happy because she has to do everything while you are gone, etc etc etc.

 

I have nothing bad to say about trucking! I was out of work and was given a chance. I have not missed a payment on anything! I lost 20 lbs which I needed to do anyway. I get to see a lot of beautiful country and I am providing health care for my wife and paying all of our bills as I said. As time goes on I become more valuable to the industry and my company increases my pay and vacation time. I enjoy it as it is both relaxing and exciting. I pull flatbeds because it is very interesting work and I get to work out one to two times a day and get paid for it!
Is it perfect...no...but what is?

 

Drivers do what needs to be done. Generally make a modest living. And sacrifice alot. American Society and Government doesn't hold us in high regard as they do with Firemen, Policemen, and Teachers even tho in most cases we sacrifice more for our country.

 

I haven't been OTR for a little over a year now. Due to some problems not related to driving, I wound up taking almost a year off all together. A few months ago I landed a job, doing what I want, where I want, and for who I wanted to do it for.
But really, I was going nuts not out there. It's something you start, and it gets a hold of you. Even the hard times at some customer, the dispatcher, whatever, seemed trivial as to where I was before I started full time. You weren't around them that long, and they had to stay in the miserable hole they'd dug for themselves. I could just get in the truck, and for the most part, away from them.
I've got a dream job with this new company I'm with now, by a lot of guys standards. I'm actually trusted 100% to get the job done. No qualcom, no satellite, just my cell phone if I really need something.
I rely on myself to do what I have to, when I have to. I guess you could call that independence, freedom, whatever.

One thing I discovered while OTR. Each state, province, country I've been in has something to offer. Some places seem better than others, but still, all you need to do is look around, and you'll see something you wouldn't have if your tied to a 9-5 job.
I've been in blizzards, whiteouts, high winds, snow, ice, rain, tornadoes, hit deer, seen accidents unfold, rotten traffic, and at some pretty chitty customers. But I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything. And no way have I seen or done it all, there's always something different, even if you drive the same route daily. Ha, yesterday was overcast, and grey, the day before cool and clear. I think you get the picture.

It's not a highly paid job from some standards, and there are a lot of negatives, I guess. I really have to sit down and think about those though, to me there's more positives no matter how I might whine at times, and PO'ed at a customer. Luckily I worked my way into a type of driving where really, I don't deal with hardly any negative people anymore. Regardless of what some say, negatives do affect them, as well as positives.

That's my story on it, and I'll stick with it.

 

Something positive about trucking??

I know this will sound like a cliche...but it's like a marriage...

It all depends on where your at in life...mentally and spiritually...

Like when you marry someone at 21...your both in love...in that place...

But five years later...maybe your different...maybe their different...your needs have changed...and so you drift apart...you either get divorced, or stay together for the 'kids'...
Then it becomes a marriage of convience, and not of love...

The same thing applies with trucking...
It's good and positive when your in the right mindset for it...but can be terrible if your needs change...or if you change...

But when my mind was right for it...it was wonderful...when I was younger and thought I had eternaty infront of me...it was wonderful...

 

Are you trying to tell me truck drivers complain??

Come oooon....Youre pulling my leg right? I never hear truck drivers complain!