Bad mouthing the industry to newbies

Wow. I need to print this for my pops to read. When I was gettin my CDL in '97 he was right there telling me every bad thing about trucking and that I was making a huge mistake. Finally I said "Pop you raised me in a truck. You had me behind the wheel at 13 yrs old teaching me to shift and back up. You made me a truck driver so how can you stand there now and tell me not to be a truck driver?" You have to look passed the negative to see the positive in everything.

 

It's always doom and gloom here. You just have to ignore it.

 

For me it's the opposite. I'm a 1st gen truck driver in my family for starters, and I don't fit the stereotype for 2nd. My family can't understand why I got into trucking. They don't understand that it's more than just a job. It's a passion.

 

If you love this job the first week you're gonna love it for life but if you hate it just walk away from it. The only thing worse than doing a job you hate is doing a job you hate at 70 mph with 80,000 pounds and the lives of everyone around you in your hands.

 

I always told people to not do a job they are good at. Do a job that you enjoy doing. If you like your job, the money will follow, because you subconsciously make yourself out to be a better employee. Even the mega carriers notice good employees, and take care of them (for the most part, there may be a few exeptions).

 

So true that it shouldn't even need to be said.

 

Truckersmooth , I believe TheTruckersReport website is the Guide for Trucking for all. But I think it is mostly beneficial, to the New Drivers. You have to look around, on this site for the right thread, and Believe me, Its here. The last thing I would want to see is the New drivers, not wanting to stay here. Sure there are other sites, but not like this one, GUARANTEE it. I'm a Veteran Driver, and We have seen the industry change. I just wish we could show you how it used to be, as to way it is today. But the only thing you need to do, if you enter the industry, is SAFETY, NEVER put your guard down, and NEVER be an aggressive driver. There is so much on TheTruckersReprt, that will make you a great driver. Having every post be all positive, will not teach you anything. Your main concern, is how to drive a truck in a SAFE manor. If you can go the first 5-10 years, Incident, Accident, Ticket, Free, then the sky`s the limit. You want to drive a truck to make Great Money, period. If you can do this, I will Guarantee, you will make Great Money. The Key: A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD. If you get into an accident, incident, tickets, etc. Then best off find something else. I'm not going to lie to you. See ya on the board. If you have any questions, We are ALL here to help you.

 

So YOUR opinion is the only one that counts?

This industry does suck... I made $27K in 1979... inflation is about 310% since then.... if i was a company driver I'd then be making about $85K per year and home every night like I was in '79....

Wages are down... working conditions suck.... the gov't intrusion into our industry is ridiculous... I stay because I need to work even though I collect a SS check every month.

If you think this deal is some kinda free ride you are in la-la land...

 

This is my 2 cents: First, if someone is wanting their answer sugar coated or only want to hear what they want, ask a recruiter or the company before they get hired. I say before you get hired because it will be an entirely different story once you sign the paperwork. I've always operated by the motto that if you want to know about something, go to the source. What better way to get real information about trucking than to ask actual truckers, right?

Second, I have seen posts where a newbie asks a question and the response it that they shouldn't waste their time or trucking isn't for them. Personally, I think that is very sound advice because this industry isn't for everyone. Someone who easily has his/her feelings hurt or needs to be home every weekend will not survive in this business.

This has been my experience. Yes, I have had some not so friendly responses to some of my posts on here. And yes, it still takes me a little longer than others to back into a parking space at the truck stops. Yes, I get made fun of by the other drivers there. And on at least 2 occasions I have had some idiot release the lever on my 5th wheel thinking it was funny. Given all that, am I supposed to run home crying because someone hurt my feelings??

 

,,no i mean