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What is it about trucking?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Kittyfoot, Jun 21, 2012.

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  1. Jun 21, 2012 #1
    Kittyfoot

    Kittyfoot Crusty Ancient

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    Sep 21, 2009
    Sorrento, Louisiana
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    This is the strangest trade.... most of us have a love/hate relationship with what we do. We may even leave for awhile, but we always seem to drift back. Why?

    Certainly it isn't the outstanding pay. There are lots more lucrative jobs out there. Respect? Don't make me laugh. Nowadays we're the catch-all for whatever "undesirables" or "unemployables" they can't unload elsewhere. Seriously, look at what we have wandering around the truckstops,etc.

    We used to be somewhat self-policing. Dopers, etc didn't last long because nobody would have anything to do with them. Nobody wanted them out there where our own family's travelled. But look at our own "New Driver's" section; filled with people advising how to "beat" drug tests and ranting about how weeding these idiots out is "unconstitutional" and "wrong".

    "Brotherhood"? Hah, that's funny right there. "Freedom of the Road"? About the same as you would get under House Arrest wearing a bracelet.

    So what is it? What keeps us here?

    At this point of my life/career I'm drawing close to the end. I guess that when that final mile arrives I can look back and say that I've taken whatever was thrown at me; impossible loads, bad equipment, worst of weather and terrain and half the bs in the world, and beat it all. Nobody held my hand, nobody did it for me except for the Good Lord who kept me from my own foolishness.

    Maybe that's all there is to it.... being too stubborn to give up?:biggrin_2554:

    Whatchu think?
     
    Kittyfoot, Jun 21, 2012
    Kittyfoot, Jun 21, 2012
    #1
    DrtyDiesel, Civilservant, Logan76 and 7 others Thank this.
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  3. Jun 21, 2012 #2
    puncher

    puncher Medium Load Member

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    You nailed it, but overall I still love it.
     
    puncher, Jun 21, 2012
    puncher, Jun 21, 2012
    #2
  4. Jun 21, 2012 #3
    Kittyfoot

    Kittyfoot Crusty Ancient

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    Sorrento, Louisiana
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    I never wore overalls, but hey.....:biggrin_2559:
     
    Kittyfoot, Jun 21, 2012
    Kittyfoot, Jun 21, 2012
    #3
    DrtyDiesel Thanks this.
  5. Jun 21, 2012 #4
    DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

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    Jacksonville, FL
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    I love that I don't have a boss looking over my shoulder, not confined in a cubical but rather a truck where the scenery changes every now and then. I get to work outside. Ultimately it comes down to doing what my dream job has always been, I love it and I live for it. Ive been a highway junkie since the day i was born.



    Ethan
     
    DrtyDiesel, Jun 21, 2012
    DrtyDiesel, Jun 21, 2012
    #4
  7. Jun 21, 2012 #5
    Elendil

    Elendil Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 27, 2011
    Ottawa, IL
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    I think the OP brings up an interesting point. I'm not sure I've ever seen a group of people less happy with their careers than truck drivers, unless the unhappy all come here and all drivers that aren't here are really happy, then I stand corrected.........
     
    Elendil, Jun 21, 2012
    Elendil, Jun 21, 2012
    #5
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  8. Jun 21, 2012 #6
    CenutryClass

    CenutryClass Road Train Member

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    When I leave this profession, I'm not coming back
     
    CenutryClass, Jun 21, 2012
    CenutryClass, Jun 21, 2012
    #6
  9. Jun 21, 2012 #7
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Yes you are....you cannot "leave" it.......don't even try.
     
    Allow Me., Jun 21, 2012
    Allow Me., Jun 21, 2012
    #7
    DrtyDiesel Thanks this.
  10. Jun 21, 2012 #8
    DrtyDiesel

    DrtyDiesel Road Train Member

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    I know i couldn't, this is in my blood. I've NEVER been happier at a job.

    Ethan
     
    DrtyDiesel, Jun 21, 2012
    DrtyDiesel, Jun 21, 2012
    #8
  11. Jun 21, 2012 #9
    tootie04

    tootie04 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 8, 2008
    Tucson AZ
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    well lets see...it is all in what you make of it and what KIND of trucking job you have. Bo left it for 2 years and then we came back to the DREAM job. In the last 3 weeks we have spent 11 days in a NE state park and, so far, 3 days in a WI state park. We cook out on the grill and camp stove and enjoy the outdoors whenever possible. We will load Sat for Ely NV then off again for a few days....yes...we will go camping again. But, Bo has the dream job and is paid for his time whether he works or not. The OP has some good points about regular trucking...but you have to get your exp to get the "dream job". Truckers have a wandering spirit....true truckers do anyway. I have noticed a lot more people out there this time around that are trucking cause it is a job....just a job....for us it is a lifestyle and a career and it is one we would not change anytime soon.
     
    tootie04, Jun 21, 2012
    tootie04, Jun 21, 2012
    #9
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  12. Jun 21, 2012 #10
    misterG

    misterG Road Train Member

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    My father once said on our way to Las Vegas when I was younger, that "once i got in an airplane I would never look back".
    Well, i found that I don't have the head for the math to be pilot, but he was right.
    I haven't looked back in the past 10 years of commercial driving.
    I found a career that I enjoy, because I am outside, away from an orifice, and the accompanying politics of who's is bigger.
     
    misterG, Jun 21, 2012
    misterG, Jun 21, 2012
    #10
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