Help a trucker wannabe out!

there are many reasons why new drivers quit:
1) low pay
2) not ready to be a trucker, only think so.
3) work for a bottom feeder
4) thinking that it's a job, not a lifestyle
5) want to be home 1 or 2 days a week
6) not ready for the rigers of going OTR
7) and I think the most important reason is they get homesick.

 

Ive followed your thread from beginning to end. i too am starting school at a community college. unlike org im young and have no responsibilities other then student loan payments. a.k.a the reason i chose trucking . My question is does the time go by reasonably fast? i understand it can only go so fast on the interstate. but does the sense of adventure ever leave? are there random drug tests? can i bring my cat?

 

To be perfectly honest with you, I think that if this forum is a representative of trucking in general, the negative side is pretty much all that's talked about. I was mentioning some positives, and if I find that I enjoy the career I've pursued, I'll be pretty vocal. But, I'd also be willing to admit if I made a mistake (don't hold your breath, I usually am right about what I want).

 

Folks say trucking is a lifestyle..................not a job.

I also say trucking is a job, .............not a career.

Yes I know, some people will make a career out of it, but most will remain about where they started.

I see resume's on here from drivers with 10-20 years experience,
they are asking for 30 cents a mile !!!!!! Give me a break !!!

Folks also don't mention things that can end your Career in a heartbeat. And from no fault of your own !!!!!

So we're back to square one...........you've picked a good school, and a good company. That already puts you into the 5% group.

You're off to a running start, Good Luck !!!!!

 

Why is trucking a job and not a career?

I could have lost my job 7 different ways and twice on Sunday if I made very obscure mistakes. An issue with a formula I entered into Excel, a formula that needed to be changed in a report due changed made within the company. An email that gets sent out to the wrong distribution list, etc.

 

ORG this job or any other job is JUST WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT. You are going to find negativity ANYWHERE you go. It is up to you whether you pay attention to it or not. It is up to you as to whether your attitude is negative, or positive.

Yeah, you see a LOT of negative comments on here. But look at any BB that is related to any job or career, and you will see the same. You ain't gonna change the world, all you can do is take care of your own outlook on life. And from what I am seeing you have a positive one.

 

Trucking is going to be what you make of it. If you hate it, yes its going to suck! I am a true believer that one of the reasons you hear truckers ##### so much is due to lack of exercise. Truckers have a lot of pent up energy that has to be spent somehow, right? I think also a lot of drivers are trucking because that is their last resort. Just for the record, I love trucking but have also had my bad days. One of the things my wife and I really enjoyed about trucking was meeting new people and sharing stories with other drivers.

 

ORG- I have been following you from the beginning and Big Don says it well. You have answered the negative comments but you asked all the right questions. You did your research and I think that you will do well. You started to see the light from -- I want to be home every weekend and make $50 yr-- to -- I understand the first year or 2 will be tough but I hope with exepience and time I can get something local. Yes the reality of the road is gonna hit you like a brick when you first train and get your truck- hubby almost to month 6 now and it's a different story from day 1 when he got his keys. It's a journey and you will make what you want of it. All jobs/careers are a journey. You get from the job what you give.

*just a thought he kind of reminds me of a young Oldnewbiegonnabe* LOL just hasn't been on the forum as long.

 

Very well said

 

Thanks infofrog and I meant it-ORG has got his shizt together and done so much reseach. Will he be in for suprises? Probably every day but I think he is well prepared for his new journey!