Concerned

Actully I beleive the song Goes:


"You take the good, you take the bad,
you take them both and there you have
The Facts of Life, the Facts of Life."


Haha couldn't resist......


American Trucker

 

In reading through alot of the old posts here, I have noticed that there were many new posters that only posted several times and then were never heard from again. Throughout the boards here there are alot of casualties that, if they didn't make it through the trucking school, they didn't make it through the company training for one reason or another. I could very well end up being one of those casualties too..I certainly hope not...I am not one to give up.
I think that there is alot of good advice and "street smarts" here but in the end..you are on your own like all the rest of us. I am pursuing this regardless of what I read
or hear. I have always believed that if you are honest, and you work hard, you can go far...no matter the obstacles.. In my previous job, I heard negatives all the time..people complaining about wages(yet never wanting to work overtime), people complaining about management but never doing anything about it. Life is what you make of it...and reality is just your perception of it.

 

Failure rate is 86%.............



ya feel lucky ?????????????

 

I personally love it. Sure, as with anything, there is minuses as well as positives. I've done a number of different things....everything from a telemarketer, flipping burgers, construction, cranes, heavy equipment.....I've bossed and been bossed. But I've wanted to drive over the road for years. I've had a CDL and drove flatbed, lowboy and tanker around the state "locally" for five years plus.

A few months ago, unhappy at my job for some time, I took a job with Dahlsten driving an owner/operators truck. I took this opportunity over a company truck 'cause in 2-3 years I'd like to have my own truck. I figured this was the best way to learn the business of being an o/o. And there is ALOT to learn. lol

I'm sure driving a truck for a living is not for everyone. Like I said, I really enjoy it, for the most part. I love the "freedom". In general, I'm not a people person. I like the fact it's just me, whatever talk radio I have on and my destination most of the time. But that's just me.

 

Truck drivers need a place to vent, hence here we are. Just like anything else in life , nothing's perfect. This is a place to let it all out but what it really boils down to is a bunch of hot air being let loose. Most drivers with experience take it with a grain of salt and keep driving for various reasons. You'll here things like... 'It's in my blood' and things like that. Well it's true that if you last at least a year in this industry it becomes a love-hate kind of thing. Even I can't seem to stay put in trucking for more than 3 years before I need something different to do for a while. But being a driver has allowed me to always have this to fall back on if necessary. Now I'm thinking more about my long term outlook and I might just decide that this is the way to go. There are many opportunities in this industry. If I do decide to keep driving I would think about buying a truck and dig in and bare with it for the long term.

 

The reason for this is because this board is heavily censored by the moderators. Free speech is not allowed on this board. If you say something the moderators dont like you get booted from the board. No warning no nothing they just kick. Its kind of like being in China.

 

That statement is a flat out lie !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

WRONG!
I'd like to see an example of that, if you can show one.......

If you don't like this board, start your own, then we'll all complain how you don't allow free speech!

 

Way to go AmericanTooty!

 

When people are happy with their career they don't want to post much, unless asked. It seems that the whiners and complainers are loudest when it comes to posting.

There are some drawbacks with this as a career as with any career choice. But, I think the pros outweigh the cons by a wide margin. One positive is that you can enter this industry with minimal training and be making as much as most college graduates after 4 years of school. You have a lot of freedom with this job. You learn how to manage your time and do your job while getting paid to do so. The pay is low during training, but within a couple of years you can be earning more than $40,000/year. Not many careers offer that much opportunity. You can see the country, although most of it will be from the seat of your truck. If you enjoy solitude and spending time with your own thoughts, then this is a good way to go. You will likely see things that you might not otherwise get to enjoy. You are not a tourist and are usually on a time schedule, but there is a big, beautiful country out here for you to explore. There will be times when you are sitting for a few days or perhaps a weekend. You can always rent a car and do some exploring.

There are some drawbacks. It may be difficult to get home when you want, especially starting out. Most companies will work with you to get you home when needed. Some are better than others. Communication with your dispatcher or driver manager is key to getting home and solving any issues that may come up. You will hear a lot of complaining from drivers about dispatchers. Some are valid and others could have resolved their problems or issues with better communications. Unless you discuss your issues with your dispatcher you will only become frustrated and unhappy with your career choice. I think that most of those who complain the most are the ones who don't communicate with their dispatchers. I have had a bad dispatcher in the past. Many dispatchers are hired right out of college and have no driving experience. It is difficult for them to understand the daily issues of being out on the road. The best ones have been on the road for a few years. As you get with a carrier you will find things that you like and dislike. If you have a problem with your dispatcher don't be afraid to ask for a different dispatcher. Some people just have a personality conflict. Remember, you can't always have your way about everything. Sometimes you will need to compromise.

If you come with a positive attitude and decide that you are going to work through any problems you should do fine.