The negativity

Just because he's leaving a job making 80k a year to get into trucking doesn't mean he'll regret his decision.
I'd rather make 50k/yr and enjoy what I do, than make 80k/yr at a job I hate.

 

I'm with you.
It doesn't matter what others do.
Its all about what you do and how you perceive things in your daily life.
I spent about 4 years loading and unloading trucks, routing, dispatching, even drove on occasion as a warehouse manager.
Decided to switch to driving and been doing it about 14 years.
I have had my good days and bad days but I agree, the good far out weigh the bad.
It's just human nature and proven science.
Something good happens you tell 3 people, something bad happens you tell 30.

 

I agree with your wife. GO FOR IT.
Give it everything you got and it will reward you.
You do hear a lot of negatively directed comments in this industry, but don't let yourself get caught up in the scuttle butt.
Most of that comes from new drivers that haven't got a clue, some come from the old drivers that don't seem to be happy anymore, and some from drivers that just have nothing better to say, and then there's those that just never have anything positive to say about anything.
I say to you WELCOME.
Find your niche, whether it's van, skateboard, reefer, heavy haul, regional, dedicated, or otr.
Ask a ton of questions. Don't be afraid to admit you don't know. Be willing to learn and you'll do great.
Expect that you will have great days, days that are frustrating, and days that seem endless. But after so many years at one job, you are head and shoulders above most in that area.
Again welcome. Keep the rubber on the ground and between the white lines.

 

The term is terminal rat.

 

Like the ones that complain about the lack of miles then turn down a 1500 mile load because it has three stops and then ##### about.how the company sucks and they cannot make any money?

Most of the complaints are only part of the story and when you dig deeper you realize most of the issue is with the driver doing the complaining.

 

Memories.... Squeezing a deuce and a half with trailer between 500 year old buildings and traffic on the narrow streets of tiny German towns. The Germans get really mad when you knock the corners off. One of our Patriot launcher dogs found out the hard way.

 

Can't be. Union job with Government pay and benefits? Stop it! Put in your 20 years....smoke as much dope as you want...and then retire on my dime.

 

Germany was my training grounds. Whipping M915's through town, Those 40' trailers on some of those streets cost like a 53' does here.

 

Alpha Battery 1/7 Air Defense Artillery
Rhine Ordinance Barracks, K-Town
94-96