Are you embarassed to be a truck driver

every girl Ive met and talked to I just said what I was. If they were embarassed to be with me then so be it. Girl I talk to now doesnt seem to care, her family is a working class like mine and she says whatever you gotta do to make a living. She even wanted to get her CDL and have us run a team but I told her finish college, and that I'm making more money now than it we ran teams by staying local. Also most girls I know are all from middle class families as well.

Its not a bottom barrel job, yes its not what it used to be hearing the stories from my grandfather and few guys I work with. You will have some truckers who are pigs, dirty and disgusting, and then you got the professional ones who dont act like that. I see it everywhere I go at certain stops...

 

Don't really think it is embarrasment he is feeling, think its more of a pride thing from what i read in his post. Sounds like his pride could be getting in the way of enjoying his job. IDK, could be reading into it more than is really there.

 

First time in my life that im proud of what I do....and my old lady loves tell mg ppl what I do...gotta find the right one is all.

 

truckers are like gypsies,its not a job but a way of life.If your embarresed then maybe you arent trucker material.I love truckin and its put 2 through college and I helped my daughter get a house.Im proud to be a trucker

 

I am not worried about what others think about my occupation, until hell freezes over if they have anything they own a truck hauled it at some point.

When they are cold, naked and hungry with no roof overhead then they would not be so smug.

 

Hey duck, that's a good one! I felt the same way when I was going through trucking school! I didn't tell anyone and kind of disassociated from any friends. After making over $200,000 a year, year after year, with no house payments or bills I accrued a nice little stash for myself! Bought and built a very nice horse training facility in Central Fl of which we paid cash for!

Who's embarrassed now?

On top of that I have gotten to see almost every little town in this entire country and have really had the adventure of a lifetime! Not once did I ever look forward to Friday or cringe on Sunday night! Everyday was equally the same, a new adventure! It is the only job I have ever had that I was happy to do, enjoyed, and always to this day talk about! (can't you tell) I don't want to totally sugar coat it, there are bad days and bullpoo! It also takes a very unique individual to see it through. When you dig down deep inside you and this is what comes out, means you are on the right path.

I also have to tell you that most friends, family and acquaintances are actually jealous and envious of what you do! Why? Because like I said it takes a unique individual and not everyone can do it. Too people that don't know much about it, it can almost be like fantasy. People look at it like you are being paid to see the country and travel. Then there is the whole movie thing!

I think that is why you get a lot of responses you do from outsiders.

Chin-up buddy! Feel proud to do what you are about to do! It's a hardcore career and takes a hardcore individual! If you are a successful over the road driver, you are a bada$$!

 

All good posts everyone! Makes me feel even prouder!

 

If everyone knew of the filth that is spewed on the CB and the lack of "class" that many drivers have, I'd be embarrassed. But I realize, the average person is not totally aware. When my son was younger, I found it very unsettling that I couldn't run the CB when I took my son out during summers, because of the trash and filth talk that occurs far too often near large truck stops.

Good money? Making more than others? Maybe for some, but at what cost for many? Separated from wife/family for weeks or months, working 70 hours week, eating less than optimal food, dealing with sometimes unreasonable demands and expectations of schedules, having to live among the "filth and no-class "among a small portion of drivers? Yes, if you're not destined for the job, it will be a miserable job IMO and it's hard to be "proud" of a job if it's mostly miserable for you.

I just call it like I see it. I've been driving on and off since 1980 but the only way I can continue this job still today is having the means to hang it up for 4 months at a time, and not having to absolutely rely on it to make ends meet and survive. And no, driving WAS NOT what led to early semi-retirement.

 

I agree with the filth on the CB.
My trainer had one in the truck when I was in training.

I won't get one. I don't do smokey reports. If you're barreling along at a speed high enough to get stopped, YOU DESERVE THE TICKET! I'm not giving you a heads up.
And they USUALLY won't mess with you for 10 or less. I know. I experienced this yesterday (AGAIN). 65 in a 55. State Trooper was pointing his gun right at me then moved on to the next car. I was half way expecting him to pull out because I had just hit the top of a hill so I was standin on the pedal. But he didn't.

Anyways, no CB for me. Garbage on there. Especially being a man that tries to be what I believe God created me for.



@ OP

The lack of interest from the females you're getting COULD BE related to them thinking "Oh, a truck driver. Gone all the time. ####### around" etc. etc.
Get my drift?

I'm not embarrassed myself. Even in an old dirty truck

 

I have had the same thoughts to be honest. I hold both an undergraduate and graduate degree in the natural resources and have always worked "professional" (read: crappy office) jobs. I also come from a middle to upper middle class background.

For me the tipping point was that I found out that life is short, too short to be working in a job you do not like no matter what field it is in. It is also too short to worry about what others think of you. It took me a long time to figure that out (and I am still in my late 20's).

Besides, I can make as much if not more as a driver (after a few years) than I do now and I can save a whole lot more since I won't have any living expenses really. So I have the opportunity to do something I would enjoy and save/invest tons of money while doing it!