I think I made it!

Suspect Zero · Jul 20, 2021

Congratulations, you have probably already lasted longer then many.

Probably been asked somewhere before and I missed it, but have to ask, do you still have the car? In high school my best friends parents had a GSX (71 maybe?)

Dennixx · Jul 20, 2021

I like the line about how it's much easier to get into than survive the industry.
A lot of the younger generation assumes or expects results quickly and the only way to find the niche that you can enjoy and excel at takes experience and that means time..

Lucky12 · Jul 20, 2021

Six9GS said: ↑

As with many, I came to this site when I was just starting to think about becoming a truck driver. I asked questions, read alot and absorbed some of the knowledge and wisdom of the wonderful folks on this site. But, I didn't know if I could do this or not. I think we all have certain anxieties about this occupation, would I be able to learn to back into a tight dock, would I go out and get in a bad wreck after in my first month, etc.
I started exploring this possibility in 2012, but for many reasons, I ended up not actually beginning until August of 2019. I went to the Swift Academy in Phoenix and on September 13th (it was a Friday), I passed my CDL exam. I went out with a mentor. I had a rough, gruff, crude ole Mexican dude who was 64. Took me a week to adjust, but after my first miserable week, I calmed down and we ended up having alot of fun. Guy had a heart of gold and had been training folks for 16 years. I consider myself lucky and am gratefulI found such a great trainer. OMG we laughed so much.
Anyway, I completed the mentor phase on October 31st and began my solo career on November 1st, 2019. My first month was HORRIBLE. I cried, several times, and I seriously thought of just quitting. I had 2 preventables (both minor truck stop parking dings with no injuries and only minor vehicle damage). But, I didn't quit. Second month was better, but still bad. About my third month solo things kinda broke even and at about 6 months I finally started enjoying it some.
There are quite a few options for being a truck driver. Some, like myself, enjoy being OTR and others want a local gig. Some go to a dedicated situation and/or a fixed routing, of sorts. Thing is, there is alot more variety to this than I think many realize at the onset, at least that is what I discovered. Regardless, I found that I seem to have found my niche right out the gate. I'm an OTR reefer jockey and any and every time I consider something different, I find I think I like what I am doing better. Only change has been I went from being OTR all over to staying, mostly, on the West Coast.
Anyway, the point of this post is that a couple of weeks ago I had the epiphany that I made it. I know many who try this occupation end up not making it. No shame. It is a unique occupation and easier to get into than survive through. So, alot of folks try this and find it simply isn't for them. But, some of us try it and finds it fits. When it does fit, I feel it is kind of a special thing. I just think you have to have certain natural personality traits, behaviors, attitudes and aptitudes. And, when you have this stuff, this is a unique occupation to fall in love with. I know I have. It is far from perfect and does require sacrifices. But, also offers rewards of a special and unique nature. I know when I driving along I get this zen about driving and traipsing through beautiful scenery, which is abundant in the West, I just get this, Wow, this is special and something I know I'll cherish for a long time.
Lastly, I tend to ramble and be a tad verbose, sorry, I just wanted to share some hope with those who are new or just thinking about doing this. Trucking is a unique occupation with unique demands and rewards. It is definitely possible to try this, succeed, and fall in love with doing. I'm closing in on 2 years and still have lots to learn and experience. But, I know someday I'll end up hanging it up and I tend to think that will be a sad day for me.
To those thinking of doing this, I wish you nothing but luck and good fortune.
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Congratulations Sir!

TripleSix · Jul 20, 2021

Six9GS said: ↑

I didn't, but I don't think I would have cared. I'm about as macho as a banana, so such 'manly' things as not crying in front of others I'm not very good with.
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That was a good read. Here’s the banana song.

Dockbumper · Jul 20, 2021

pavrom said: ↑

...swift academy ....lol
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I don't get it.

pavrom · Jul 20, 2021

Dockbumper said: ↑

I don't get it.
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They bashed all over for bad drivers ....but their school is academy

Six9GS · Jul 20, 2021

@Suspect Zero
Unfortunately, for family reasons had to sell it many years ago. I was reviving the car at about the same time, late 90's, as I was first getting online and is where the Six9GS comes from. It was what I was into at the time and for lazy reasons, always kinda kept it for screen names when I needed one. The guy who bought it from me is a retired NYPD guy who live in upstate New York. He has about a dozen different old cars, mostly Buicks. He still has it and has done wonders restoring it. I had basically just revived it from sitting for 10 years with a busted engine. It's my pic on this forum because I was asked, very politely I might add, to switch my original avatar. Apparently it looked too much like one of the regulars around here at the time and folks were confusing mine for his. So, I had this pic handy and the rest , as they say, is history.

Goldenfan · Jul 21, 2021

Pavrom from reading on here I'd put Swift ahead of CRST, CR England, and a few others as far as their companies go. Swift is the biggest and has the most drivers giving them more exposure than anyone else. They also have a lot of long time drivers that seem happy so theres nothing wrong with that. There seems to be a lot of bashing of them and anyone that works for them which seems stupid to me.

Six9GS congrats and good luck in the future.

Dockbumper · Jul 21, 2021

Goldenfan said: ↑

Pavrom from reading on here I'd put Swift ahead of CRST, CR England, and a few others as far as their companies go. Swift is the biggest and has the most drivers giving them more exposure than anyone else. They also have a lot of long time drivers that seem happy so theres nothing wrong with that. There seems to be a lot of bashing of them and anyone that works for them which seems stupid to me.

Six9GS congrats and good luck in the future.
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Pavrom is just one of those guys that "follows the crowd". Has probably never had an original thought in his life.

freebeertomorrow · Jul 21, 2021

im trying to recall where i was at 2 years experience. probably trying to unstick a low boy from some random county road intersection.

or pulling it out of a field with the equipment i was hauling.

either way i honestly enjoyed everything about my driving career thus far with exception to the delivery portion of food service.

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