Things you need to think about....

I'm gonna say some things....You may not like what I have to say.



NEWBIES!

This industry is tough!
This industry is not for everyone!

QUALIFYING...

I've read some posts over the last few months from people complaining that the tests that you have to endure to be qualified to work at some companies are too hard and should be made easier.

These tests are there to insure that YOU can meet the minimum physical standards REQUIRED to do the job!
If you can't meet these requirements...You're NOT qualified for the job!
If you can't climb into or on to a trailer...You're Not qualified for the job!

CRIMINAL RECORDS...

In this industry, You are often in places that are handling and shipping high value products.
In most cases they do not want a person with a criminal record (particularly involving theft of property) in their facility...Therefore many companies have policies with regard to these types of criminal records.

It's not discrimination...It's good business!

I would NEVER hire a driver with a record if I had an equally qualified applicant that didn't have one.

If you don't understand the reasoning behind this...Tough!


PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS...


If you have preventable accidents such as single vehicle roll overs or leaving the road type accidents....They are generally 100% your fault!
Why would a company take a chance on a driver that rolled a truck or ran off the road when they could just as easily hire someone who hasn't done these things?

DRINKING AND DRUGS!!!

Do these two even need to be debated?

I've met people that had open container violations IN A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE and couldn't see why it was a problem!
I've seen guys fail a drug test and then complain because it wasn't "fair".

If you take drugs...You have NO BUSINESS driving a truck!

If you drink and drive...EVER!
You have no business driving a truck!

Either of these two offenses show a serious lack of judgement and personal responsibility and that in my opinion is the larger underlying issue.

JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO DRIVE A TRUCK...DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU CAN!


Lots of people want to drive trucks!
Lot's of people go out and do it for a minute!
Lot's of those people...SUCK AT IT!

Not that many are really capable of being a trucker...You might be one of those people that are not cut out for it and when you get out here...You might just find out that you're not cut out for this type of work...You'll just have to live with that!

Now...The bottom feeders will hire you, train you, put you in a truck and use you up and spit you out...But they'll never turn you into a trucker.
Maybe they'll turn you into a short term steering wheel holder...Maybe they'll turn you into a halfassed driver but unless you are one of those rare individuals that have it in them...You'll never be a trucker.


Sorry to break the news to you folks...But that's just the way it is!

 

Well said Driver

 

Well said. ###### Nik you stole my line!

 

In 3 or 4 weeks when I FINALLY get out on the road, I'll find out for sure if I have what it takes.

Im not your typical New Driver, My dad is a driver, I've wanted to be a driver since I was like 7 years old so 14 years + or - of research and trying to learn everything that I could about the trucking industry and what it takes to be a driver. I got my CDL when I turned 18 and driving big trucks came pretty natural to me.

I really hope I have what it takes, and I also hope that I can someday be 1/2 as good of a driver as many of our experienced members here.




American Trucker

 

I didnt steal it Hillbilly great minds think alike!!!!!!

Well keep your eyes and ears open remember it's hard to learn with a closed mind and impossible to hear good advice with an open mouth.
Pay attention and stay focused always STAY FOCUSED when you are behind the wheel.....leave home at home dont pack your home troubles up in the truck with you ( easier said than done I might add ). Keep your door shut and keep moving, the first year you may suffer from the tourist bit some but try to NOT make it a habit. You'll be ok but be safe out there

 

Nice post if a little harsh though. Keep in mind that everyone has to start as a newbie. Starting as a newbie does not mean you cant be a trucker. I know in this economy alot of people are looking at trucking as a savior. You may not like that but people need to work. People will get work whever they can.

I myself have been an auto technician for 17 years. In those 17 years I have went to continuous training classes on almost a yearly basis to keep up with new technology. My last company I worked for 4 years. My previous one I worked for 8 and the only reason I left was because I moved. I got fired recently from a hot shot new manager in the store so he could promote his buddy to my job. Pretty sick to get fired because of that. There are no jobs in the town I live in unless I want to flip burgers with some 17 year old for 8 bucks an hour. So please forgive me if I look to a new career, that doesnt require me to goto school for the next 4 years, that may give me an opportunity to continue to support my family.

As far as preventable accidents are concerened... sometimes things happen. Thats why they call them accidents. A few years ago my wife totalled my brand new monte carlo. The streets were horrible in the dead of winter. She was driving to work. Another driver comming from the other direction lost control and swerved into her lane. Her options were to hit him dead on or swerve to the right. She swerved to the right and also lost control went off the road and into the guardrail. The other driver just kept going. Was it preventable because she went off the road? What was she suppose to do? Does that mean if she wanted to be a truck driver that she cant be because of that?

Criminal backgrounds. Some people make mistakes in life. It happens. Some of those people reform. Now I understand that noone wants a common criminal to work for them in fear of getting ripped off. However, if every company in the world took that attitude then that person would never get a job. If that person could never get a job then guess what happens... he goes back to being a criminal. People have to survive. Im not saying its right to be a criminal but if the person is reformed then its not right to shun them from the planet. Is trucking somehow so special that it should not give you an opportunity if you made a mistake even just once in your life?

Drugs and alcohol.. yeah I agree you shouldnt be driving a killing machine if you drink and drive or drug and drive. You shouldnt be driving period.

You are correct. Trucking is not for everyone but who are you to say who it is and is not for. One never knows if trucking is for them or not unless they are given the opportunity to see for themselves.

For you longtimers out there that have experience.... Yes you have alot of knowledge the newbie does not. Eventually you longtimers will have to retire. If newbies do not replace you then what happens to the industry? Im glad you are here to offer your advice and knowledge... alot of you though seem hell bent on keeping people from this industry though. I got a newsflash for you.... You are no more special then any human being out there. We are cutting teeth to make endsmeet as well. I dont know why you post crap to put down a newbie. Perhaps its because you feel your job is threatened. Perhaps you feel its us low newbies are keeping pay down because you are not the special elite that are the only ones on the planet that will do this job anymore. I dont truely know the reason. What I do know is that instead of trying to dissuade people from starting in this career you should try to encourage and guide them with your knowledge instead. There will always be new drivers. Without new drivers the industry will die... thats a fact. I dont mean this to all of you. There are alot of you posters that do offer advice in the hopes that someone can benefit from it. There are also alot of you that push people away because you dont want us here... those are the ones who I refer to.

 

Good post there W9, that's the truth, hard and fast!

 

Scott7975,

Don't take his post as a personal attack. I see nothing wrong with the way with which W900 presented his point of view. For me, its good feedback from a hand that has more than likely been around the block within this industry a time or two.

It was not a personal attack at the like's of you or I.... at least that's not how I take it.

R/

Frat

 

HARSH? I personally know BW9 & trust me when I say that he wasn't harsh. He actually candy coated it, dipped it in chocolate, & hand delivered this bit of information to you on a golden platter.