Any regrets?

Hi Danvitt, I was a driver most of my life. Started with city delivery in pickup trucks, and worked my way up to semi's. I knew that's all I wanted to do, and made it happen. I made an ok living, but that was because I wanted a life outside the truck, so I never got rich in trucking. Years ago, there was a comradery amongst truckers, that I had never seen in any other business, and made some lifelong friends, some of which, are gone now. I think there is still a comradery with truckers, but nowhere near what it used to be. We looked out for one another, you had to, as there was no cell phone, you were on your own. It's all about incentive, you want to run, companies will run you ragged, laws be darned. My biggest regret was it ruined my marriage and family life. Best thing, for me, was when I had my own truck. I called the shots, but was very demanding. I saw your other post about what was the craziest thing to happen to me, I can't answer that, as I've forgotten most of the things, but I'd have to say, driving in certain weather conditions, ( not much can prepare you for that) and owning my own truck. Things went wrong with my own trucks, that never happened to me when I was a company driver, ( or they did happen, and I never knew about it). Trucking is basically an easy job. Sure, there were times when it wasn't easy, but, when that was done, I always looked forward to leaving certain places and get back to the solitude of the truck. I say, go for it, (if you are single, that is) as there are so many different types of trucking, something is bound to be your liking. For me, it beat an " inside" job any day. Best of luck.

 

I have MANY regrets, but the bandwidth I would need to get into all the details would crash this site.

 

jbatmick

Today was a day that I will call a milestone, and it set me thinking.
In the mail I received my Social Security letter tellin me I could apply for my benefits, as I will be 62 in 2 months. Got me wondering "When did I get old " ?
The letter explained my benefits, but I had already decided to wait a few more years until 66. If my health holds up.Also, I refuse to think of myself as up in age, and accepting the money would mean I am admitting to the fact " I AM GETTING OLD".Anyway, just age denial I guess.Just an old truck driver.
Then I went to my local favorite restaurant for supper, and I was being served by a waitress with whom I had been served many times. A pleasant,30-ish lady from Nigeria with whom I had conversed before.I could tell she was intelligent.
Today she was not busy, and we spent a while talking. She was a college student with 2 Masters Degrees, 1 in Microbiology, another in ????, she was working on her PhD. Her center of attention was cancer research, which she said was her passion in life. Had her name on 2 published papers already.
Now I wondered why she was waiting tables in a smaller eatery, and I asked her. Money was to pay on Student Loans, and the owner let her choose her own hours, which was great for her class schedules. I had always thought she was simply a waitress, probably several kids, single Mom scenario. Boy was I wrong.

Now as I left I got to thinking. I was starting to end my career and she was just just starting hers. I made a mental comparison. She was spending about 8 years to learn her craft, it took me about 1 week to learn to shuffle gears, even though I have some college,my original choice of a career was an automotive design engineer.She has a chance at making a big difference in society, and I was content just helping others when I could. She had determination to improve her abilities, I was just trying to keep a clean CDL license. Her job offered a chance for recognition, I get the finger from 4 wheelers.She was happy and outgoing, I have become slightly cynical.
The biggest difference is $$$$$$$. Her salary will be astronomical, I had just read my Social Security record of my earnings the last 40 years. Kind of depressing, but I have an above average life style for this area.

Would I do it again ? Or would I take a job like hers. Plenty of money, possible fame,office,security, warm work area, doing your life long ambition ?

I decided probably not. My life has been good, I have all I want to have, I am my own boss, doing as I want.And that means a lot.
Money is not everything.​

I posted my thoughts several months ago, hope this helps.

 

I've been driving semis since I was 15. When I got my regular license, I looked on the local paper for a job. Found one that peaked my interest, which was a farmer advertising for drivers for harvest. Since you don't need a CDL to drive for a farmer, I responded to the add, and got the job. After school, I ran 3 trips from Fort Wayne to Gary. After the 3rd trip, I operated combines and backhoes all night until it was time to go back to school. After harvest, the farmer I worked for directed me to a family member of his who was a rancher, so I hauled cattle after harvest. It was tiring work, but the rewards were worth it. I never had a problem finding a GF during high school, because everyone wanted to ride in the R-Model and 379 I was driving, lol.

When I was 20 I started driving for Airborne Express. At 26, I went OTR doing heavy haul. Now I drive for the post office.

I have no regrets. I've been driving for my entire adult life, and I love it.

 

I have driven for a beverage company in the past with class B and worked for a grading(construction) company driving tandem dumps & ran heavy equipment. Went to work as a Deputy Sheriff for 10 years and my last 6 years with them as a traffic deputy w/a K-9. I loved it for a long time, but then got the wild hair to drive again so I now drive a straight truck(non cdl) and that made me want to get a class A. Now I'm about to attend school and already have a decent job offer for after I finish. So no I don't regret my decision so far and don't think I will.

 

"When did you get that old"?

When you think you're farting, but something else is exiting your butt.

When you go to comb your hair, and you have none.

When you put your pants on, and pull them up to your neck.

When you go to take your dog out for a walk, he looks at you and says "forgedaboudit".

When your wife talks and you hear nothing, like when you first got married, only now, you really cannot hear her.

When you wake up in the morning, and look forward to taking a nap 30 minutes later.

I got more, but I forgot the premise of your posting.


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I was an IT/Telecom technician for almost a decade, I got a ton of certifications did work for Verizon building central offices, splicing fiber, building cell sites you name it. I'm very glad I went to driving. They can't outsource my job to India and unlike any tech field, experience works FOR you not against you.

 

Sure he was joking, but yes OTR companies are always hiring, but OTR can be challenging

 

Try trucking and see if you like it....

If its not for you, you can always go back.

 

I was going to say the same thing