Things you need to think about....

Well Scott, your post is well thought out and certainly views the OP's post from the point of the person who wishes to be a driver.

BW900 didn't make a post to run off newbies but to explain to wannabees that this is a tough industry and that SOME do not belong in it. I got a lot of good advice from a number of people on this forum but I do believe the best piece of advice I got was from notarps when he very VERY rudely told me "if you want to be a driver, grow a tougher skin". I didn't like it much but he was right and that tougher skin has served me well.

 

Texas,

Well said. One thing I have learned (quite fast) is that truckers will tell it like it is whether the person on the recieving end wants to hear it or not....and thats not a bad thing.

Scott.... I appreciate your rebuttal, too. You have your goals and I am sure you have a plan to achieve them. Take the post with a grain of salt.

R/

Frat

 

I was sitting here thinking about this thread and I want to add something.

Scott I'm just going to talk to you as though we're sitting in a booth having some pie and talking about you becoming a driver.


Scott, you're looking into a new career and there's a lot you don't know. Heck I've been doing it for over a year and I've realized that what I mainly know is how much I have to learn. But I like you Scott and I'm going to give you a little advice: first off don't read every post as though someone is out to get you personally. Secondly, this isn't the same world you've been living in. Stop comparing it to your wife, your car, your past jobs and "normal" life. When you drive a truck or let's say when I drive my truck I'm driving 80,000 pounds down the road at around 60 miles an hour. I can't have an "accident". It's not allowed. You see Scott, the children in the back seat of the honda in front of me depend on me being a professional driver, sober, alert, calm, responsive and knowledgeable. If I have an accident.......I might just wind up killing that cute little girl who is singing "this little light of mine" in the back seat of that honda.

Lives depend on me.

Yes Scott it's just that hokey, just that corny, just that freaking life and death at times. So every word that BW900 said is true.

I hope you become an utterly fantastic driver, but if you can't meet the qualifications then please care enough about that little girl in the honda to walk away.

 

Thank you, BW9, you struck the nail on the head for me with this portion. I wanted to drive, but for whatever reason, the school I went to, or myself not getting it, it didn't work out for me. That doesn't mean I don't still want to do it, but I faced up to the fact I didn't have what it took to drive a truck.

I compromised and went to a cargo van, and I did love the OTR. There just aren't the loads for a cargo van in this area, so I gave that up and will be going back to what I know; an office. I'm not happy about it, but I'm doing what I have to do. These last few weeks of sitting home, looking for an income generator have been tough. I miss the road. At least I got the chance to give it a try.

I consider myself very fortunate to have a lot of friends, both here in this forum and in real life, who are drivers, and who have let me into their world. Maybe one day I'll get to ride in the passenger seat again. I have a great deal of respect for all of you and the job you do.

 

And we love you Teddy! I know I hope for the day the freight picks up and there's enough demand for the cargo vans again. *hugs ya*

 

Nana, I pray one day I get to sit down and have a slice of pie with you. It would definitely go in the "Highlights of my life" category. ~Hugs~