Silly things you thought before you were a trucker

I didn't think anything. I didn't even want to drive trucks. I was in a ministry that told me that they wanted me to learn how to drive one of their rigs because they didn't have enough drivers. I was handed a set of keys to a 2-axle White tractor and informed that I needed to learn how to drive "that".
I was a driving fool long before I came into trucking - it was a dream come true - after the terror of learning how to drive a tractor by myself. I didn't know how to hook up to a trailer, I wasn't sure what the red and yellow knobs were, and I was looking at a LOT of gauges, most of which meant nothing to me. Transmission temp? Who cares about THAT? Pyro gauge? What was THAT for? Load gauge? Differential gauge? Had no clue. I knew what the temp gauge was, I figured what the air pressure gauges were for - but had no idea what pressure they should be at.

Eventually, I was driving all over the U.S. and Mexico (talk about TERRIFYING) hauling all kinds of relief supplies and also a travelling tent ministry.

I will say that I had driven with a pro before I got into the White tractor, but that only means I was a passenger, NOT the driver. I remember air brakes feeling "really funny" and not reacting the way I thought they should.

Trucking life? Had no clue. I wasn't making any money - I was a full-time volunteer missionary. Truck stops - lot lizards - gross people - nasty people - disgusting people - pretty crazy stuff. I remember waking up one morning and seeing a driver get out of his truck, go over to a grassy area, put a finger on one nostril and then begin shooting lines of snot out of the other. It was GROSS!! I couldn't believe how MUCH snot was in ONE freakin' nose/sinus area!

It's been a ride - but I can't say I regret any of it.

 

After 1.7 million miles I've found out that there are a few non prpfessionals and a few would-be thieves.

If you don't set goals, you can't regret not reaching them. Yogi Berra

 

what in the world do u want to see a lot lizard for? U must be looking for a real nasty case of "crotch crickets"? My advice to u,stay away and stay healthy.

 

I thought I would be enjoying life after 32 yrs of being in the trucking world. So much for thinkin' !!!

 

yep, thats why the LTL trucks come and go by the dozen at places us OTR's sit all day LOL. i ain't mad atcha though, just the nature of the beast

 

Like many, I figured I'd get rich.
Ah, well, I picked up knowledge that others will never have. So it wasn't all bad.

 

I did not know that truck drivers are exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

I did not realize that truck driving is classified as semi-skilled labor, although many drivers earn a skilled labor income by working longer hours.

I did not know that management sees some drivers as prima donnas.

I did not realize that the aging process would cause me to accept lower pay in return for better working conditions and home time.

 

at my company they refer to us as "winehaul drivers". they say all we do is whine. hell...a city driver could rip the whole cab off the frame and if we had anything to say about it....."whinehaul driver". ugh

 

I thought I would make a good living and drive my arse off OTR.

I found out I would make a good living and drive my arse off in the oilfields.

I thought free showers with a fuel up would encourage people not to stink.

I found out that many truckers shower every two weeks whether they need it or not.

I thought I would get the hand of it and buy my own truck.

I found out even though I have a pretty good handle on it, with the economy being 110% tied into trucking, I won't own my own truck for a long time unless I am anxious to go completely broke AGAIN

 

I don't know if this has been said, but I figured I would see the country. I have seen glimpses of it while driving by it at 65-70 mph...LOL