Driving, is it worth it?

I remember when I was out pulling flatbed.. we had this one load, that when we were picking it up was horrible and the people there were rude and grumpy.. we were picking up this big huge huge bags of sand.. and there was a line of flatness there to pick up.. and, it was going slow, slow, slow..

Well, the good thing.. we got loaded, secured and headed on down the road.. so, in a short time we were away from that grumpy crappy rude yard and had a day of driving to get more miles away.. the other end of that load.. completely different.. we were expecting it to be as bad as the other end.. and it wasn't.. it didn't have to be great.. cause we were
already expecting the worse..

I think with trucking.. you can't hold on to things like that.. just get loaded and get on your way.. if you hold onto it, then it collects and you become one of those negative grumpy people that no one wants to be around or deal with..

 

I live in Northern California. I started with a produce company with both straight and semi's. Within days I was shuttling trailers around the yard when not doing deliveries in the straight truck. Within a couple of weeks or so I was in a COE pulling a 48' reefer throughout the State. Never had a trainer in the truck. I never even had a company road test! LoL

Signing on with a mega carrier might be an easier way to enter trucking, but it isn't the only way. I know lots of local drivers who have never been OTR. I think you have to get local jobs the traditional way. Walk in and talk with the decision maker who can actually give you a job. If you are just dropping off applications, or don't present yourself well, then getting a local job is going to be a lot tougher.

 

yes whenever anybody is rude to me I would just feel sorry for them. how would you feel if you seat the whole day and are paid 7.50 or so an hour doing the same thing over and over? as far as myself I am as happy and satisfied with my job as a trucker can be

 

Some areas have more truck companies than others. So they have more opportunities. Your point is good, that if you look you might find something you like.

 

There are, as Off says, a lot of positive elements. Steady work. Pay. Insurance. 401K match/stock purchase discount. I think you can start out, work hard, make at least $50K after that first learning year. More, if you use your head and keep your wheels rolling.

 

I do not drive for the money..I drive for the glory!!!

 

"You're not here to drive for the money... you're here to drive for the GLORY!"
I could almost read my boss's lips saying this exact statement last week when I asked if a review/raise was overdue.

 

All depends on the person. The grass may always seem greener on the other side. I only drive part time now once in a blue moon and I miss it. I enjoy working alone and at my own pace. I know some employers like to push you but when it comes down to it, your the one behind the wheel when your out there. Ive been with the railroad for the last 16 years and pretty much have been absolutely miserable like everyone else there for the last 5 years and it seems to just get worse by the day with there job cuts and there young gun micro management. They want to fire everyone for dumbest stuff they can find. The only reason I stay there is the retirement but im really starting to question if its worth it and have been thinking going back driving full time. When you tell someone on the outside your gripes they just think your nuts, I tell them try it for a year, makes a much better toy hobby than a career.