I can't imagine people wanting to drive forever

If you drive a truck for a while you will. Us truck drivers come up with nicknames for many locations around the country. We hand out these names and pass judgment on these locations based on our perceptions and how they measure up to the rest of the U.S. These names often include what the city is famous or notorious for.

Many of us won't even run California because of its restrictive treatment of trucks and one-sided laws. If they keep up with their pollution laws it may come to the point that they have trouble getting trucks to bring them anything or haul their products. I haven't been there in a truck since 1980. I'm trying to keep politics out of my post. Most truck drivers work hard for a living and are fairly conservative folks.

Most locations around our great country can depend on less than desirable people to show up in beat up trucks to cut rates and haul their products. California will not be able to count on these undesirables since they can't afford the equipment required to meet their ridicules emission standards and run the state.

While I realize your post wasn't meant to criticize truck drivers or the industry that is how many/most will see it. We see wannabes nearly every day that think trucking is a place to make big bucks. That is their only motivation. For those of us who love this way of life they are not contributing much to our profession. What most will see is a person who does not have realistic expectations, does not have a high regard for trucking and just thinks he will get some of the big bucks available in the industry and then get out.

Now you, just like any other American, are welcome to your goals and dreams. That is what makes our country great and the most sought after place to reside. However, every week we read about the failure of new drivers who entered with the same mindset you have. This is where most of the negativity comes from. Trucking is a troubled industry and everyone contributing is either part of the problem or part of the solution.

I respectfully submit, those who enter to do a mediocre job and grab some money are not part of the solution. Trucking can offer an above average living but it requires sacrifice. It is good that you are starting to see this. It is not for the faint of heart or those with highly structured lives and regular schedules. Even part-time, when you climb in the truck, you are on the companies schedule until you climb out.

You can't stop in the middle of driving and do something personal. This will run out the 14-hour clock, compliments of more regulation that we didn't used to have and still don't need. We used to be able to stop after 5 hours of driving and relax or take a nap, now some fool with no concept of the industry has decided it's safer to force us to get our 11 hours of driving in before 14 hours expire. Once you go on duty you work until you have used your hours.

Most of us love the lifestyle because it offers some freedom and independence. But that is only within the confines of the ever tightening rules and regulations and the company calling the shots.

 

Trucking does involve very long hours, and there is no overtime compensation. If you don't love it, you will burn out very quickly. The drivers who last are the ones who enjoy doing it.

 

I said I wouldn't drive forever!! I just plan on driving until I die

 

>>>>I can't imagine people wanting to drive forever

I can!...It's like a drug, a very addictive one!...

 

If you have your feelings on your sleeves, and you think that onetruckpony's words were "criticism", you're simply not going to make it in this industry - you'll run into much more stressful scenarios that they EVERY DAY, whether it's from a dispatcher, a fellow driver, or some jerk you bump into at a truckstop.

I use Sirius radio, listen to music, nes and comedy, and always fire up the laptop when getting loaded or unloaded, or at the end of the day. I have a good, sit-down meal every day and a shower.. even sing karaoke a couple of times a week.

BUT... it is NOT a regular job, things always change, and people treat you like crap...

Again, if you got your little feelers hurt by someone (an experienced driver, by the way) for saying you should reconsider your career choice... this isn't for you.

 

On the workout thing... many drivers get regular exercise, while many more don't. I walk around the truckstop, jog a bit... and keep dumbbells with me and do curls, presses and lunges.

My motivation to do all of that is every time I see some 400 lb slob buying 6 hot dogs at Pilot... and look at his purple, sore-infested ankles that are bigger than my thighs.