Is it really easy?

You'll understand it in 20 years.

Heck, there's times now I wonder if I even understand it....

 

Son, some of these gentleman here might not take so kindly to blanket statements. Here is a nicer way to say such a thing, " Some drivers, a very select group of individuals , who are the slobs on the highways give such a negative connotation in just about every sentence almost uttered by another non driver period."

 

Its not so much that driving OTR wears you out physically, it's the mental and emotional strain of sitting in that seat for 10 hours that wears you out and makes this job hard. I know from reading your previous posts that you run pretty much a five state area but if you would actually go OTR you might understand where some of the drivers are coming from. Try NYC or DC during rush hour where everyone waits till the last minute to leave for work, you have hundreds of drivers all running late and trying to hurry and believe me some will even try to run the big truck over. Theose are the days where it can take you four or five hours just to get two or three miles up the road, then at the end of the day your running longer just to make the miles up. But until you lived it you will never understand how it is.

 

Kinda like dodge ball for grown-ups......

 

I knew everyone would get all emotional and distraught over my comment.. Those guys need to leave the feelings at home. I am not disregarding the stress at all, read my previous post. I might not have very much OTR experience, but the month I have, was me driving, and tarping and strapping everything myself.. I had an old school Iron Worker for a trainer, so trust me, I broke my sweat, and did everything.. He felt comfortable enough with my abilities to let me do everything from day 1. I got stuck on 95, or 85, which ever one goes through DC, on my way to Baltimore, so I understand EXACTLY what you are saying. I also get stuck in that traffic, in Cleveland, and Pittsburgh all the time(I know those cities arent quite as bad as NY and DC, but same concept).

There is a difference between stress and hard work. I know I don't know everything, and plan to continuously learn everyday.. as should even you guys who have your time in. Us "newbies" can teach you just as much as you can us.. But I am also not stupid, to think that truck driving is "hard work".. It has glimpses of hard work, but those glimpses are trumped by the free ride down the highway. I know it is hard to admit, and most of the old timers probably won't, but what WE do is easy enough.

But thank you for actually responding out of intelligence instead of emotion. And for understanding what I was saying.. Some of you guys need to sack up and stop getting so #### upset. lol.

 

Oh, and things are only as stressful as you allow them to be. I am hardly stressed out through out my day, because I realise you can't control every situation, and also that people are idiots lol.

 

Mister free world or word, I have a name for such relagating attitudes such as yours , you sir ,may be stout of back now,, maybe it is your way of speaking I have not decided yet, , one of these days, it will come back to bite you in the posterior. This not physically demanding as as iron, as I have never done it, I cannot say anything to prove or disprove that statement, perception can be freind, also your foe. Just coming from the words of wisdom of another two bit cowboy, " son, that big banty rooster can crow all he likes, don't mean he can't be whipped just the same" just don't be that rooster that crows too loud .....

Please do not take this the wrong way, it was intended for information, but the bit about the rooster rings true true, a man with quiet confidence is blessed, one who has to speak for himself is cursed . The generalgist of this horse is this, a young breys and bucks just to be doing it sometimes, the old horse will brey & buck only when need be....

 

Go back and read my comment....

Because now it REALLY rings true.

Your "arrogance" that you have worked harder and then blow off a comment that this is a mentally challenging job echo's your youth and inexperience.

I have shoveled concrete for weeks on end. I have worked hard physical demanding jobs as well.

The thought you have that this is not a demanding job like iron will haunt you.

The mental challenges the first 12 hour snow storm you MUST drive will stress you in a way your body will scream for relieve from.

I hope you fair well on that day. Because when you get done with it you MIGHT understand where biggare1980 is coming from.

Enjoy the road. It will chew you up and spit you out in more ways than tossing iron will ever even think of doing to you.

 

I didn't want to open that can of worms now, was trying to ease into it so that maybe my old phrases actually took hold sometimes it not what you say how you say it that matters. Worked with the colts they understood a calming presence better then a big man with a short pigtail of rope.....

 

The thing of it is, is that you guys are ASSUMING I haven't had any experience with city driving, or bad weather driving, or any of the other stresses of driving. You know what assuming does.. I live in Ohio for god sakes. Drove all last winter. Oh, and when I was OTR, we hit quite a few storms in Iowa. You say arrogance will destroy me, but doesn't it say in the "Smith System" and "Defensive Driving Courses", you drive defensive, but also have a cool and confident head on your shoulders? Hell, your even taught that in Regular Drivers Ed in High School. You say the road will chew me up and spit me out, but you have NO IDEA who I am. I am not one of these weak newbies, who has nothing to work for. I have a family I have to put bread on the table for.. Nothing chews me up and spits me out, because I don't give up. When I put my nose to the grind stone, I get done what I am trying to get done, no questions about it. I garuntee you, if I choose to, I will have a long and healthy career in this industry.. Period.