OK I'm fed up with the BS and the back and forth.

Hello,

So here I am just completing my first week of school (a private school) and I join this website to see that every single newbie is complaining about what the recruiters are telling them, and that this industry sucks... and then these 15-30 year veteran drivers are saying just suck it up and deal with it. It doesn't work like that people... You cannot expect someone to suck it up when they had no idea what they were getting into to start with. So give it to me straight people!!!!!

I just spent 8 years in the United States Military making squat for everything I did. Is trucking really going to be as crappy as the things I dealt with in the military?

I mean, I'm already expecting that I'm not going to make $50-60K my first year, I'm probably going to get stuck with a crappy trainer, and my wife may leave me because I'm going to be gone all the time.

HOW MUCH WORSE IS IT THAN THAT??? C'mon, I don't want to hear the BS that a recruiter would tell me. I want to know HONESTLY what I'm walking into before I sign up with a company.


I can already say, I am enjoying school to no end, because I love driving, and I love driving BIG TRUCKS!!!

I already have spoken with a recruiter (for schneider) and asked generic questions, but is there something in particular I need to ask. Honestly everyone.... I'm scared, I don't know what I'm getting into, and I don't want another recap of joining the Military and finding out it's nothing (and I mean NOTHING) what I thought it would be!!!

 

Don't worry, you've made a good decision for a new career. You don't have to start with the mega-carriers. Have you looked at the trans-system website? 3 good companies there that hire new CDL grads. Get all the endorsements, especially tanker/hazmat. Get TWIC and a passport. All this makes you more marketable for the better paying jobs. The passport lets the company know you can enter Canada(if no criminal record) and the TWIC for entering chemical plants, seaports, and some military bases. Usually, the best annual pay will be with tanker or flatbed. Some companies offer regional, such as Western 11 states or Northwestern states. I always preferred running 48 states, but that's a personal choice. Watkins & Shepard has 3 terminals in WA; maybe contact some of their drivers and ask what their paychecks are averaging.

 

Find a local position or something regional. OTR is a tough way to make a living with a loving family at home. I'm not sure any amount of money in the world would be enough to make me leave something good at home. I'd rather work two or three jobs busting my ### 14 hours a day, 7 days a week if it meant sleeping in the same bed as my wife.

Of course I'm saying this during a *week* layover in Alabama. Ask me again in a week and my tune will probably change.

 

Yes there's bs in this industry just like anywhere else...but if you get into the specialized areas like tanker flatbed etc & prove yourself...you can make very good $$...my advice to you is if you want to make decent $$ as a new driver & be home regularly try flatbed or tanker..Don't believe everything on here...while vast majority on will steer you right... Just keep open mind about it... Good luck

 

Ummmm...you should've probably stayed in the military.

Yes trucking sucks...no bones about it. You're going to deal with more b.s. than you ever thought was possible. You have not seen over regulation until you have seen trucking hell the FAA isn't even as bad as the FMCSA. Its going to be a lot of long hours and hard work for dirt cheap wages. Your going to get stabbed in the back more times than I care to talk about. You will be lied to constantly, by recruiters, dispatchers, your company, etc. That the way it goes. And the reason? They know if you quit there's another bunch coming again in 30 days they can do the same thing to.

You will live out of that truck for months at a time, idk what you did while in the service, if you ever went to the desert you'll have an idea of what its like when your A/C gives out on you. Difference is its cool in the desert at night. Its still 90 in my cab at 3am when it was 100 outside. Get ready for junk equipment and frustrating delays breakdowns and getting little to no appreciation for what you do. Its the life of a truck driver.

The rookies are told to suck it up for a reason. You either suck it up or quit. My dads been driving since the 70s yea I've heard my fair share of suck it up and get over it. He's heard his fair share of it too. You have 2 options in this industry suck it up stick out the first year or so and move up, or quit and find a new career. Those are your only options. You wanted honesty I gave you honesty.

I still have days where I wonder what the hell I was thinking...and still have days why I realized why some of the old guys I've known over the years have asked my why my dad didn't teach me to do something better than driving a truck. But I still love this. Guess I get off on the pain. Wouldn't trade this for the world.

Yes I'm in a bad mood and being a pecimist.

#### doctor says I ain't allowed to drive for another 3 weeks...that's like taking booze from an alcoholic...I'm having withdraw issues lmfao.

 

Suck it up and deal with it.

 

I'm attempting too...starting to think I'll never see a doctor again aside from my dot physical.

 

well we don't know what you think it will be
so how could we know if your expectations are unrealistic

It is like the rest of life what you make of it

 

I did both, I don't know what to do, bend over or salute. Make Your world Yours. I can't help you. I slept in wrecked cars. I have three tractors paid for now. You get what You want. Hope this helps.

 

The BS level is directly proportional to the number of trucks operated by the company that you're applying to. More trucks = more BS. Keep that in mind.