who to believe

When I was a child I could tell you what truck (make, model and year) it was as it came over the horizon.
Went to every truck show I could get anyone to take me to as a child.
Remember watching this trucker back a 53' down an alley - that was when I made the mental note to self that this is what I wanted to do... I was awestruck and impressed!
I have truck paraphernalia throughout my house (and by the way, if you ever come visit, the Freightliner coffee mug is MINE!!!!!).
Find it fascinating watching heavy haulers to their thing, as well as the oilfield truckers. They are so skilled and have a lot of courage.
OK, so this is the short version, had to reign in my fingers...

 

Get out there and GO FOR IT.

Trucking may not be for you, but you may love it.
Go to the local community college and take the truck driving course. I am not sure which is closest to you, but I know that it is offered at Niagria.

It is cheeper than going to a school that you go to full time. It is mostly on the weekends. You will get your licence, and you will have no strings tied to you by any company.

At that point you can contact any number of companys that hire drivers out of school, and your options will be better than if you went to a company school.

The road is a wonderful place.Yes the waiting game at shippers and recievers can get old at times, but the road allways calls.
Good luck and Drive Safe.

 

I dont think there is a perfect job anywhere. I have always worked two or three jobs at a time for extra money. And with each job, came employees with various issues.

From what I can see in this industry, you have to be in it for the "Life Style" first and "pay" second,..... at least thats my take on it from what I have read. Am I wrong on this?

 

As has been posted here,there aint no perfect job.In order to make a living at driving a truck ya gotta have a little interest or fondness of trucks.There are good companies to drive for and believe me there are bad ones.I have worked for a living since I was 16 years old.Done a little bit of everything.Worked in greenhouses as a kid,did three years in Uncle Sams Army,worked as a production operator,a maintenance man,millwright,etc.But all thru life I was connected and interested in trucks.Drove part time etc.Drove in the Army,and could have stayed in Alaska as a full time truck driver at very good money.However I decided to come on back home and see what was available.At 54 years old,after a plant closing I went to driving full time.I even owned my own truck for a few years and made out pretty good.Everywhere I have worked I have heard people griping about the job,and did a little griping myself.Its just human nature.I just retired the first of May for about the third time.I am now 70 yrs. old,and I continue to keep my CDL,cause ya never know what cards your gonna be dealt.No matter what line of work you are in you are gonna hear people griping about their job.

 

As a kid a saw the movie "Duel" and thought it would be cool to drive one. I liked it when my parents got on the interstate, we would go by a truck and get them to blow the airhorn.

 

This Turned into a great thread.
I love all the "Love of Trucks" being spread about!!
I am about to take a big bite of that Trucker Sandwich again myself!!
I hope I catch you guys out on the RaDiD e OOO!!!
10 10 on the side Good Buddies!

 

It is said; "if you love what you do and can make money at it then you never need to work a day in your life."
This sentiment describes my attitude of trucking. I too have heard all the whining and complaining about how things have changed and gotten worse over the years. Many old timers pine for "the days of old" and the knights of the highway mystique they used to have. I would like to offer this sentiment: We are living in the good old days!
Let me explain:
Then:Trucks of old had 300 to 400 horsepower engines with very high rear end gear ratios to pull those hills.
Now: 400 horse engines are considered small nowadays with offerings of 500 and 600 horse becoming the standard with lower rear end ratios giving 6,7, and even 8, mpg in aerodynamic trucks.

Then:Transmissions were double stick with a high and low rear end. Progressed to 9 speed, 13 speed, and 18 speeds.
Now: transmissions are automatics with no clutch and becoming more popular each year as the technology improves.

Then: trucks had no air conditioning
Now: trucks have high powered a/c's for both the front cab and the sleeper berth area.

Then:Trucks had spring suspensions causing truckers all kinds of back and kidney problems from the rough roads.
Now: Trucks now have air ride suspensions, air ride cabs, and air ride seats.

Then: National speed limit was 55 mph
Now: states have adjusted their speed limits to a more practical 65 mph and even 75 mph in some of the western states.

Then: the national interstate system was just being built and it was commonplace for trucks to have to use the US highways and state routes to make it to the destination average daily mileage would be 400 to 500 miles.
Now: we have a completed interstate highway system where trucks can average in excess of 60 mph. A driver can and will travel anywhere from 500 to 700 miles per day (using 11 hours drive time).

Then: hours of service were 10 hrs driving, 15 hour cut off when logging on duty time, 8 hour break, 60 hr/7 days or 70 hrs/8 days.
Now: hours of service allow 11 hours driving within a 14 hour window, 10 hour break, 60 hrs/7 days or 70/hrs in 8 days, and a 34 hour reset to get a fresh 60 or 70 hours.

Then: Truckstops were few and far between with mostly dirt parking lots which had room for maybe 10 trucks at a time.
Now: we have travel centers with paved parking lots for as many as hundreds of trucks.

Then: truckstop diners were greasy spoons serving tons of grease.
Now: truckstops offer more healthy alternatives such as grilled chicken, salads, and reduced calorie and cholesterol dishes.

Then: Truckers would pull over and get out their spare parts and tool boxes to help repair a fellow truckers broken down rig.
Now: Truckstops offer repair services and road service calls to broke down truckers.

Then: Truckers had to find a pay phone to make phone calls to dispatch, do check calls, and talk with their loved ones.
Now: We have cellular telephones with handsfree headsets which allow us to make calls on the road while working and can report emergencies and accidents to the police and paramedics.

Then: drivers would stop at truckstops to look at load boards in an attempt to find a load for their truck.
Now: we have on board computers satellite linked with gps technology which track, route, and give load info from the middle of nowhere (as long as the satellite can "see" the transponder on the truck) enabling drivers to get their next assignment.

Then: truck seats were stiff and rigid with no give to them.
Now: truck seats not only move forward and back, up and down, tilt back, and swivel, but have lumbar support, side bolsters, arm rests and even heat and massage on the top of the line models.

Then: if you wanted a cold drink you carried a styro foam chest and stopped for ice every few hours.
Now: we have thermo electric coolers that plug in to keep your drinks cold.

Then: showers were very rare.
Now: practically every truckstop/travel center offers several showers for their trucker/traveler patrons.

Then: am radio was the prevalent entertainment station but went off the air at 10 pm. Later went to all night FM radio stations.
Now: Sirius satellite radio and XM radio offer hundreds of channels of programing literally with nationwide coverage.

Then: truckers were expected to load/unload their own truck especially at grocery warehouses.
Now: licensed lumper services have come on the scene to offload trucks (for a fee which companies will gladly pay more to them than their own driver).

As for other examples I am sure any veteran driver can add to this list. Lets not forget now a days we have 2500 watt inverters which can be installed into a truck and can run a tv vcr/dvd player, play staion/ x box, microwave, sandwich maker, refrigerator, charge your laptop computer, your cell phone, run your hair dryer or electric razor, heck we even have trucks with toilets and showers now a days. Good old days??? They are here and now!