Does trucking really ruin your life at home?

LOL iloveatrucker

 

We don't leave cash anymore... There's plastic! We swipe a card!

 

I have nothing in common with anyone who would be happy with this lifestyle and after 9 years and a million miles decided to get out. OTR destroyed my life and caused long lasting psychological trauma. Get out while you can. This job is killing you. Exactly what the doctor that did my last physical told me.

 

I'm going to have to agree. I came back otr after 2 recent years of local with a logging company. Most stupid decision I've made in a long time. The amount of disrespect from shippers, recievers, dispatch, and the motoring public is merely the begining. Up half the time I should be sleeping to try and get freight on and off the truck, fighting for my allotted time home, arguing that the preplan that just got dumped on me isn't possible, filthy truck stops, disgusting bathrooms if youre priviledged enough to even be offered one,etc.... To hell with this. Not anywhere near worth the money and I'm compensated well. Coming back home to work locally.

 

@carterbeauford

What kind of psychological trauma do you have from driving? If you're a family man with a wife, house, and kids this job will most likely do more damage then good. If you're single and nearly homeless it can be a lifestyle improvement and lifesaver. Free bunk and a paycheck is how I look at it.

The company you work for makes a huge difference. If they book loads that are all "just in time" and you don't even have time to shower or pee then it won't be fun.

 

Hmm. Its funny how different folks have such vastly different experiences. I never get treated bad by a shipper, reciever, agent or broker. If i did i wouldn't haul their freight. I also sleep and work normal hours with rare exception, like starting my day at 4 am to get through Chicago instead of my usual 6 am start time.

As for the money, i make 50% more than the average person and i work 50% less on average. Trucking has been good to me. It offers great opportunity for those willing to sieze that opportunity when it presents itself.

 

I conduct myself very professionally and dress appropriately as well. Im never rude or anything like that. Maybe I'm just unlucky I guess. It's not always bad. There are days when its nice to do what we do. But lately, I'm just getting fed up with it and finding for me, personally, it's not worth the sacrifice. .

 

Maybe time to switch to a different segment of trucking that doesn't have the bs you gotta put up with.

 

Yeah. Ten-4 Spyder. Time for a change any way you shake it.

 

I honestly do believe it's the door swinging side of trucking that has me feeling like I want to get out at times. I moved to the northeast which is already stressful enough as a driver but throw in the lack of respect from ship/rec, dispatch, and even other drivers and it'll make anyone want to hang it up.

I'm seriously considering doing some bulk tanker work or even flatbed which never really appealed to me, trucking is trucking and it all has it's BS, I just feel like Van work is so saturated that it makes one feel insignificant. I just don't get why some people make it aggravating to earn a buck, after all we are all here to earn a living and pay our bills.