Accidents in a rig

Okieron has a good point, and just to add to that, you say you have a family... This is surely not a good career choice for individuals with families. Help me understand, there are so many career choices out there and technical colleges and nursing degrees etc.... why trucking? You realize you are going to be giving up your family right? You realize you are not going to see your kids grow up, have their birthdays, school plays, open xmas presents etc.... You only live once and aren't going to be able to rewind! Don't make the same mistake I did! I think Okieron hit it on the head, these recruiters can really paint a pretty picture of trucking! Don't fall for all these ads you see advertising "great home time". Its just not true...

 

I was a patrolman for 5 years and worked a lot of head on collisions on California Hwy 120 in San Joaquin county. Except for a big truck hitting another big truck I never saw a properly belted big truck driver get injured. I have seen cars become part of the big truck killing everyone inside and yet the driver had nothing but a seat belt rash. On another note I had an un-belted big truck driver ejected hitting another big truck where the other driver, belted, only was injured by driver #1 crashing through the windshield and hitting him in the chest.

Had a big truck get nailed at the RR xing in a small town called Escalon but no one was injured as the train just drove through the trailer and didn't pull the tractor down the tracks like they usually do. Lucky driver there!

Now roll overs are a whole different story ... they usually don't end well. Keep it straight and keep it up when leaving the roadway.

 

Trucking isn't all bad or a lot of us wouldn't be doing it. The family part is the hardest sacrifice I've personally ever had to make, but knowing Christmas is covered and mama bear doesn't have to stress so much when unexpected bills pop up keeps my wheels turning. I hate not seeing baby girl's first play or helping the boys learn new sports. But, for now this is where my path has taken me. Just take everyone's advice seriously and realize you are going to pretty much trade one way of life for another. If you can do it and make the home life work then great but the odds are against everyone starting out, me included. And still I drive..

 

As long as you know what to expect and are fully prepared to do what it takes then go for it. Its the new guys who get lied to by the recruiters, spend $6000 for school and two months of training only to realize they are rarely going to see their family and living in a moving closet isn't all its cracked up to be! If your local gig doesn't pan out you at least know what your alternate choice is and what it all entails.

 

if you are married your wife will have the hardest part of you trucking adventure. i guess my guestion to you is your wife willing to make the adjustment with you not being home. lots of luck jon

 

didn't know for a loong time that trucking is considered one of THE most dangerous jobs out there

having a great attitude about safety is prob overall the best thing that anyone can not only start out with, but also keeping it up

most folks have (or have had) to deal with equipment that is provided, if you can swing getting in a truck that is known to offer some perks, in terms of safety integration, suppose it might make a diff in some particular situations

overall tho, considering all the stuff out there that you will have to deal with, the safety integration of cab i'd say is mostly irrelevant

 

volvos are designed for the engine to go down below the driver in a head on crash. as another driver mentioned volvo is the only trucking manufacturer that crash tests their trucks. go with a volvo driving company, plenty of them out there, and then you'll be alright! be safe and dont worry