Bad trucking

Any industry has it's ups and downs, people who quit after 6 weeks, and people who last a lifetime. Trucking is no different.

Personally, it's one of the few jobs I've had, where the work is not backbreaking, you have a bit of freedom, and the pay is acceptable.

 

People don't understand I am glad that some like you that do make it . I'm not against new drivers . I'm against schools and training companies that exploit wannabes .

 

Guess it's nice to go to school, spend thousands to get a bunch of endorsements, travel cards and the like. When in reality you need a Class A to start. Get a job, see if it fits in your life and go on from there. I know that starting out now when you get to school they will tell you that you need to have all of this to get going. It ain't so.

I went to school too, 37 years ago. It was a good school, no BS, just nuts and bolts. Has it ever mattered that I did this? Nope, to no-one but me. It helped me get a licence . Out here in the real world it has been and will always be a constant learning experience that only doing, and living can teach you. Everyday is different, and that's what has kept me going through the years.

No-one was born doing this someone taught everyone of us. What they don't tell you is that this is a JOB, it can be rough at times especially when you're new. The smart new drivers see this, adapt and begin to see the fruits of their labor early on. Others lose the star's in their eyes, miss their home and friends and leave. Circle of life thing I guess.

 

I learned along time ago never trust someone that's called a recruiter. There only job is to fill a quota. You gotta try it yourself and see if you can hack it.

 

Haha, way too true..... just when I think I get away from her, I find myself back in a #### truck again

 

...I was taught in intro to college 100: "taking control of my life" was to memorize and recite five quotes: "a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow,” “bad planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part,” “every path has its puddle,” “he who fails to plan, plans to fail,” and “it pays to plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.” At first it all just seemed like busy work but after a few months I knew those quotes were essential for surviving life at the university and most definitely later in "the real world."

If this were a discussion about the "circle of life thing" the posters in this thread would be discussing how proper planning, education, inspiration, and a drive to succeed are essential to experience the full diversity and interdependence that all truck drivers share. The posts would not be littered with the unmotivational skepticism that all noobs are wannabees in the industry and they are all going to have a bad experience like love2shift.

What he went through in chicago where some ball bag company suit fed him lines like "this is a part of a trucker’s life, and you have to get used to it."

Really, ######## and aggravation are not common place in my daily life so why would I even remotely entertain that kind of behavior in my professional life. I understand that "No-one was born doing this someone taught every one of us" and that is why I went to driving school and asked every question that I could about everything regarding trucking.

That is why while attending driving school I beat up the teachers ears so that the they would tell "me" what a career in trucking is really like. And they told me as much as my ears could take regarding any topic I could come up with.

The most reoccurring discussion focused on the topic that trucking will be a pain in the ### but they did always offer hope by saying that if a noob is proactive, resourceful, dedicated, and has a little bit of luck there will be very many more positive experiences than negative ones.

In essence it was regurgitated self-help guru #### like if you employ your mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with any given situation and believe things are good, we are more like to see good things in most outcomes. And in my mind that is some of the best advice out there.

Even before enrolling in driving school the admin blew smoke up my ### and said that it is best to simply obtain a Class A, get driving experience, and over time and as needed add endorsements and extras. In theory that seems right because who knows if I would have even been able to drive a truck but that advice also seemed so very wrong.

Therefore, when I was applying for my permit it just seemed easier to take most of the tests (skipped passanger) and to pay all at once so that "if" in the future I was competent in the driver’s seat and did need any endorsements they were already on my license. Out of the six people in my class only two applied for hazmat.

After several driving sessions my CDL teacher told me that driving a tanker was a field that I personally should explore because it is a good career opportunity to make excellent money coupled with daily home time and the equipment is usually in good shape. The down side he said, "is that style of driving is not for everyone" but he was sure I would do fine.

Therefore, after that conversation I started researching and visited the Dana, Schneider, Indian Valley Bulk, Goodman, and H. R. Ewell yards to see what the real deal is with hauling tanks. After talking with drivers, managers, mechanics, and even going on a ride along I decided that my teacher had given me sound advice and that I would steer my career path in the direction to pull tankers.

Now that I have done my research, completed driving school, found a prospective employer, and lined up a training date the only thing left for me to do is study the bulk loading and unloading manuals, stay in perfect physical condition, and sit back, relax and stay off that ganja bud.

The reason why I can relax with out the bud is because in the job description it said that in addition to having a valid Class A CDL, the applicant needs a tanker endorsement at time of hire, a Hazmat endorsement at the time of hire, a TWIC card at the time of hire, and a FAST Card at the time of hire. And look, low and behold I have all of those requirements satisfied and on file with my prospective employer.

If I did not have these REQUIRED items I could already see how the taste of trucking could turn very sour in my mouth. Why?

That”being newly divorced" situation is something I don't plan on experiencing. Looks too expensive, painful, and aggravating for my taste. I want to fulfill my plan of being a happy and successful truck driver but not at the expense of leternally leaving my wife to raise our babies without me.

The second part of the equation is that I will not compromise a sound plan by not getting the training and subsequently negate the Local Tanker Driver Job available to me after my one year of experience is complete just because I should have tested the water first and driven a box for Werner and trained w/ a slob of a guy that #### his pants and smokes ciggies all day.

I know that "every day is different,” and that suspense does keep me intrigued as to what future employment scenarios will unfold, however, I like each day to be structured regarding a clean uniform, following the same safety and company protocols, and knowing that when I get home my family is still going to be there and happy to see me.

Because I have done my homework and feel prepared I am confident that the fruits of my labor will pay off even early on. I am a responsible adult who has already worked really hard in life to be succesful and doubt that the star's in my eyes will disappear due to, missing my family, home, and friends all because I have to leave again because that is why i did all the planning in the first place.

 

Economy looking great for tank truck carriers


http://bulktransporter.com/fleet/trucks/economy-looking-great-tank-truck-0525/

industry specific write ups like this one help make informed choices

 

Enjoy that surge ! It takes a little getting used to but it is a very interesting and rewarding field ( tankers). And remember stay off those bakes in the curves. Good luck . If you find yourself at some point looking for a new tanker company p/m me and I can give you a few directions to look in.

 

Tankers aren't bad that's where I got my start. I went to a small company that was willing to take a shot on me. I learned so much about driving a truck in the first year at that company than anywhere else in the last 14.

 

This board can be negative at times. Before getting my cdl, and obtaining a job, this place almost had me convinced that I wouldn't be able to find a job due to my past indiscretions. Within 24 hours of passing the state test, I had a greyhound ticket headed to orientation. If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to achieve your goal. I know it sounds cliche, but it's very true.

I will say that some of the warning about "life on the road" have been accurate. I think I see more misinformation than I do necessarily negative stuff.

As a new driver, my best piece of advice would be to make getting experience your number one priority. I'm in my second week (outside of training) as a solo driver, and it's been fun, yet stressful. I figure it will take a few more weeks getting acclimated to living out of a truck instead of a house. When you get to orientation/the terminal, get to know some drivers that you can call with questions. I've found 3 guys that I can call anytime with any question, which has helped a bunch. Hell, I had to drop in Brooklyn during rush hour today, and if it wasn't for a fellow driver, the day probably wouldn't have gone as smoothly as it did. You can never ask too many questions, or you can never write down too much stuff. There is a lot of stuff you have to remember/know. Get experience, and the money will come naturally. Good luck!