Truck driver, don't go to this industry

Agreed, I'm new here but your point was spot on pertaining to a global sense of "gloom and doom", I've been doing countless research pertaining to this industry and sadly its MUCH easier to find the negative storied regarding trucking vs the positive, but as you said that attitude pertains to everything in life, ppl need to chipper up and make good things happen, problem is...too many ppl expect the success and good things to naturally come to them....sadly that's not how the world works....

 

Remember too, people typically go on the internet to complain, and rarely do so to praise. Most of the happy people are too busy being happy.

 

Name a perfect job/career......it's ok I'll give you some time lol. Everybody complains too freaking much.....go take your reset

 

or they do come on here and then get blasted from others on how its not possible that thats a good company

 

PEACE:
GDAN, sorry for your situation, Bro. I would suggest you start out small and work your way back up. First, here is a link to dispute a CSA or DAC Error
http://cdllife.com/2012/resources/how-to-dispute-a-csa-or-dac-error/
Second, dont keep applying for the big companies like Swift, JB Hunt, Schneider. They are more of a stickler as to who they take because of the DOT and industry insurance eye that is always on them. Choose a smaller company that is in need of experienced drivers such as yourself and work your way back up. Check out some of these websites that list trucking companies by fleet size and choose one near you.
Oh, and I sent you a personal message.
LM

 

Reading through this thread brings to mind a conversation I recently had with a recruiter for a major carrier. He noted that of 10 people that sign on with the company, only 3 will actually become drivers after orientation and training. Of 10 that actually become drivers only 3 actually run more than 3000 miles a week, of the 7 that don't run over 3000 miles a week they run an average of 2000-2200 miles a week.

He noted the problem from the beginning is that most folks that enter this profession are here as a last resort. Their unemployment ran out or for some other reason they are in need of a job, but this is far from the top of the list of what they want to do. Of the drivers that actually do stay and drive, most of them are more concerned about getting home time than run time. In other words, less than 10% of people that get into this industry at this particular carrier are actually interested in being truckers. Of those that want to be truckers, they are successful, make money, and move on up the ladder (whether with that company or moving on to a better paying company).

It seems like there are some folks on this forum (and sitting watching NCIS reruns in truck stops) that would rather complain they aren't getting paid to sleep in their truck or park their truck at home, instead of getting out and making things happen.

Let's face it, especially for newcomers to the industry you HAVE to get your one or two years experience under your belt to be able to move up. Deal with it. Put in your time, learn the ropes, and do your research. There aren't any shortcuts.

 

My research of the industry has reveled that, interesting to see some percentages attached.

I also notice it seems many have waited till all resources that one should have available to learn a new career/job have been exhausted. Making things even harder.

Of course I can understand where a young family would exhaust all other options before committing to a job with so much separation from day one.

It also seems the industry eludes to very good pay, and when people just jump in after reading a promo, they must surly feel lied-to and become bitter and ready to get out at the first chance.

 

For me, one thing that makes truck driving better is just relaxing and not listening to other drivers complain. I do it though because I love driving and the money is good enough for me to do what I love.

 

Yes, liars are a big part of the problem. The trucking industry should not hire any more professional liars and fire the ones they still have.
That would provide more job opportunities for reliable decent folk we could all benefit from.

 

I'm still only working on getting into a school right now, but from my experience of having way too many jobs in my past:

This isn't just driving a truck, it's pretty much every single job in the world.

I think an added problem is that not enough people have experience working in a job where you're payed by how much work you do, and not the amount of time you do it. But even just common sense would tell you that the new guy is probly getting the worst of what's available. Like any job, you have to prove your worth.

My only issue might be home time. My roommate offered to take care of my pets for me, but I have to be able to get back to pay rent, buy what the cat needs, vet visits... It's easy to do all that whenever I'm home, I just need to be home at least every 3-4 weeks. Obviously my first time out will probably be longer, it just can't be too common... Or else I won't have a home to come home to.