Truckin ain't for everybody

Jimmy Hoffa · Dec 30, 2011

If you decide to be a OTR driver, consider this. Is personal hygiene high on your list? (you gotta pay for showers, although some are free), can you go long periods with out sex? Have a problem missing most holidays, sporting events, and anniversarys etc? You will never have normal sleep times, also working conditions and pay are abysmal. But with the economy being what it is the trucking industry doesn't care about its workers. I work for May and they are hiring about 20 to 30 trainees a week. I talk to these trainees going through orientation and they think they got it made. A lot of the long time drivers are sitting at truck stops and the terminals waiting for loads and are not getting the miles. The few drivers I talk to that like it are either single or like being away from home and like living in a truck. So you should think before you pay a truck school 4 to 6 thousand dollars for training. But for some it's either trucking or living in the street, in trucking you'll always have a job. (Although with low pay and lousy working conditions).

Red Hot Mess · Dec 30, 2011

Jimmy Hoffa said: ↑

If you decide to be a OTR driver, consider this. Is personal hygiene high on your list? (you gotta pay for showers, although some are free), can you go long periods with out sex? Have a problem missing most holidays, sporting events, and anniversarys etc? You will never have normal sleep times, also working conditions and pay are abysmal. But with the economy being what it is the trucking industry doesn't care about its workers. I work for May and they are hiring about 20 to 30 trainees a week. I talk to these trainees going through orientation and they think they got it made. A lot of the long time drivers are sitting at truck stops and the terminals waiting for loads and are not getting the miles. The few drivers I talk to that like it are either single or like being away from home and like living in a truck. So you should think before you pay a truck school 4 to 6 thousand dollars for training. But for some it's either trucking or living in the street, in trucking you'll always have a job. (Although with low pay and lousy working conditions).
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm....I wonder how many wannabes will thank you for this post?!?

sbeatty1983 · Dec 30, 2011

Gee guess im the exception to that rule. I pulled flatbed until i got this local driving job, had normal sleep hours. Got more sleep in my truck than i ever do at home, got great miles and pay was good. I took a shower EVERY DAY! although sometimes it would be at odd times. Took a local job and am having a great time at it too.

123456 · Dec 30, 2011

The Voices of experience !!!!!

blackw900 · Dec 30, 2011

I shower every day, I get regular sleep, I get home for whatever holidays I want to and I make about $75,000 to $80,000 a year.

I didn't make that kind of money in my first year like so many of these guys think they're gonna do.

If truckin' aint for you....So what? Do something else!

mattbh23 · Dec 30, 2011

I know the first year or two of trucking is not going to be a money maker and that's just like with any other career, but you have to start somewhere. As far as sex goes, the Bible says that man shall not live alone and that's why he gave them ten fingers so.....showers well I can do a short order at a truck stop sink or at a rest area and be done. As far as getting the miles, as long as do my job and not give my dm lip and treat them with respect and make sure that I am upfront with them then there should be no problems...but I am just being optimistic, gotta get my foot in the door first.

Gold_Miner · Dec 30, 2011

Jimmy Hoffa said: ↑

If you decide to be a OTR driver, consider this. Is personal hygiene high on your list? (you gotta pay for showers, although some are free), can you go long periods with out sex? Have a problem missing most holidays, sporting events, and anniversarys etc? You will never have normal sleep times, also working conditions and pay are abysmal. But with the economy being what it is the trucking industry doesn't care about its workers. I work for May and they are hiring about 20 to 30 trainees a week. I talk to these trainees going through orientation and they think they got it made. A lot of the long time drivers are sitting at truck stops and the terminals waiting for loads and are not getting the miles. The few drivers I talk to that like it are either single or like being away from home and like living in a truck. So you should think before you pay a truck school 4 to 6 thousand dollars for training. But for some it's either trucking or living in the street, in trucking you'll always have a job. (Although with low pay and lousy working conditions).
Click to expand...

Sounds like you really love your job.....

American-Trucker · Dec 30, 2011

Jimmy Hoffa said: ↑

If you decide to be a OTR driver, consider this. Is personal hygiene high on your list? (you gotta pay for showers, although some are free), can you go long periods with out sex? Have a problem missing most holidays, sporting events, and anniversarys etc? You will never have normal sleep times, also working conditions and pay are abysmal. But with the economy being what it is the trucking industry doesn't care about its workers. I work for May and they are hiring about 20 to 30 trainees a week. I talk to these trainees going through orientation and they think they got it made. A lot of the long time drivers are sitting at truck stops and the terminals waiting for loads and are not getting the miles. The few drivers I talk to that like it are either single or like being away from home and like living in a truck. So you should think before you pay a truck school 4 to 6 thousand dollars for training. But for some it's either trucking or living in the street, in trucking you'll always have a job. (Although with low pay and lousy working conditions).
Click to expand...

Hygiene? I shower every day, why dont you?
Regular sleep? I sleep at night, drive during the day...
Sex? how many jobs deliver sex to your desk? NONE but in trucking the women come right to the door of your truck.
Holidays: i was home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and im sitting at home now
Sports: I have NEVER missed a Coca Cola 600 and never will
$4000-$6000 for school: What are you smokeing? I paid $2200 for my CDL School
Low Pay: Do some work, work for a good company and you can make good money, I made $46,000 my first year OTR. The company i work for now's pay scale STARTS at .40cpm and tops out at .50cpm all for solo drivers...Low pay my a$8. UPS/FedEX/Conway Linehaul drivers top out at over $100,000 a year

Sounds like your not cut out for trucking....

American Trucker

TennMan · Dec 30, 2011

I believe his post tells everyone exactly why HE isn't cut out for trucking....

blackw900 · Dec 30, 2011

TennMan said: ↑

I believe his post tells everyone exactly why HE isn't cut out for trucking....
Click to expand...

I believe you're right....

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Truckin ain't for everybody

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