how do you know when your not a truck driver

Since you really dont care, then dont expect anyone else to care about you then. That is one sad sad quote on your behalf. Poor reason...Poor excuse. Be safe out there drivers.

 

That is unheard of. 20 jobs wow!

 

I agree. There are legitimate reasons to jump ship, especially in trucking, but at some point you should find something workable and stick with it. The grass isn't always greener on the other side...

 

Do your homework before jumping the ship. After a few years maybe owner operating is a more lucrative option. Had 3 jobs in last 5 years. I guess got lucky with the last one. Sometimes it takes 15min to quit though.

 

My dad gave me great advice when he told me that no matter how hard or difficult a job is I should commit myself to staying there for a year. That served me well in my career. There were two jobs in my career where I wanted to quit, but I had made a commitment to myself (and my dad) that I'd stick in there for at least a year. Both times I ended up working through the problems and stayed for multiple years, and both times they turned into pretty good jobs that in turn led to better opportunities because I stuck it out. I never go into a job looking for reasons to quit. As my dad said, "That's a quitters mentality, always looking for a reason to quit". Instead, look for reasons for improvement, whether it's improving my communication or understanding of the problem, or dealing with a difficult boss or coworker.

There's a lot to be said for job stability on your resume.

Thanks dad. RIP

 

Being a truck driver and being married falls under the same rules, except you don't get charged money to divorce a truck.

 

Your Dad was wise in his teachings.

 

When you don't drive a truck???

 

Thanks, and Amen.

By the way, we all hear sad sack stories from other drivers at truck stops and terminals. "My dispatcher is out to get me" or "the customer had it in for me"... the list is endless. I think every trucking company can generate frustration for a driver. The problem may not be the company, the problem is more likely a driver that lacks perspective. From my own background, having left trucking for a few decades of working in sales, manufacturing, and importing... basically from the shipper side of things in terms of trucking... I can relate to the issues and frustrations of dispatchers and customers.

For example, a common complaint and one of the top reasons for a trucker to depart ways with a trucking company is a poor relationship with a dispatcher. Have you ever "walked a mile in his/her moccasins"? Ever have a desk job with a poorly designed computer system that makes your job more difficult (or impossible) and the phone can't stop ringing and you're trying to help 12 truckers meet deadlines within the next 10 minutes? Or how about being the person in charge of shipping and the truck arrived on time for their appointment just as your friend working for the biggest and most important customer of your company calls in a panic and says she needs to change that order right now or she'll be fired because she made a mistake?

A little understanding of "the other side of the business" can go a long way to not only help you reduce your paranoia that "everyone is out to get you" but also maybe even help you "work the system". At the very least a little perspective will help you deal with dispatchers or customers with a little charity and understanding. At least try to see it from their point of view. If you make the effort it might very well help you become that "go to" driver in the organization, the one that knows how to deal with difficult situations and leave everyone with a smile.

 

You know what the really sick thing about starting pay is? New drivers fresh out of school are getting what? .26 to .29 a mile if their lucky? When I started driving back in 1999 I started at .32 a mile after my training period. That's just rude.