To the Wannabe Class of 2010!

I think there's some truth to it. I started the day I turned 21 with big visions of owning multiple trucks and making big bucks..lol.. OK, that didn't happen but I made over 82K driving for 2009 and broke 90K on my W2's with company paid moving expenses and bonuses. I managed this without knowing anything about trucking or having any family in the industry when I jumped in at the ripe old age of 20/21 back in 2001.

That said, it's not all roses - it cost me two great women and what should have been the best times of my life - I was driving while my peers were having the times of their lives. If I had finished my chemistry degree would it have turned out better? I don't know. Say this though - trucking ( especially Con-way Freight) has been very good to me. A trucking company paid for me to move into a brand new three level town home.

I was told there was no future in trucking 8 years ago.

OK, I'll have another glass of Cool-aid.

 

This is not 2001 . The trucking industry now hs the lowest number of people employed since 1995 and the number keeps decreasing as the number of CDL holders keeps increasing .

 

RickG - the reason that I answered that way is because you will have much better odds at getting on with a decent company if you stay somewhere for a little while. I know of one company that will not hire anyone that has had more than five jobs in five years, no matter what your safety record is. Yes, jobs are scarce, but through drivers being fired, quitting and not to mention the estimated 145,000 drivers that are going to lose their jobs due to CSA 2010, there will be openings. When companies have a choice, why not be better than the other applicants?

 

Exactly, if you're better than the next applicant, most often you will get the job.
Also, why does everyone assume that you have to work as a company driver?

What if that's not your goal? I see O/O ads in the paper, on the internet, even glued to light poles. Why not start your own company? People do it everyday.

No matter what you do in life, you can't be afraid to fail.

 

I knew I felt my ears burning. Nobody can save I haven't worked my #$$ off for these people either. I have worked all the magic a 62mph truck can with the limits the logbooks give me (and beyond them quite often). I've rescued so many loads to replies of "we owe you one" "thanks you're doing a great job" etc... etc... Then my thanks is a few days ago I was left out in the cold, quite literally, because my truck kept breaking down on me and they wanted to keep it out on the road till it had more miles. I have NEVER walked away from anything in my life without having a backup plan already lined up perfectly, but several times lately I am saying "wtf is the use when this is what my real value is to them"

If you're starting out you can be as committed as you want, have things lined up as perfectly as you want (know people in the industry, have a 110% work ethic, goals mapped out, support system, homework yadda yadda yadda) and you still may just come out on the ####e end of the stick. Sorry if yall think I am trying to rain on your parade, but maybe you need a little rain sometimes instead of the rainbows that the companies, schools, and government wanna shove up everybody's arse.

 

You're not bursting anyone's bubble. That is a 'fact of life'.
If you have never failed in your lifetime, you may never know how to succeed on your own. What I don't care for is, "aw truckin' ain't goin' nowhere these days, you might as well stay where you are", or "if you think you're going to make it in trucking, think again".

That stuff is neither helpful or honest. If trucking sucks so bad, why are so many people doing it? There will always be a certain amount of ####e to deal with. That goes for CEO's, O/O's, or CO's.

I need to know what mistakes others made, what successes others had.
Maybe then, when I make those same mistakes, the consequences won't be so bad.

Until you die, you are still learning.

 

Trucking can go somewhere, but I think more prospective drivers need to do more in depth studies than they do. Besides these boards go to a truckstop and by a driver a cup of coffee. Get advice from the older veterans of the road who can give you great advice (I call my dad or uncle anytime I need advice as I am 3rd generation at this). Then talk to the newer guys 0-5 years and see what they have to say about the industry since they are still having to carve their place into this society. Remember a veteran can tell you the tricks of the trade, he can draw you a map of anywhere you want to go and know about, but he can't tell you what it's like getting into the industry NOW.

I grew up with this lifestyle, my summer vacations were navigating for my dad and my Pawpa, first truck I ever drove was during harvest season with an old Mack going from the fields to the grain elevator. I thought I had a grasp on things even after doing serious studies.

I will also admit this is the closest I have come to failing yet in my life. Every job I have work I have excelled at and have an open job waiting for me at any of them. I've talked to Tarps alot when I get into my major ready to say F it moods on the road. His advice as well as my being unwilling to make the final decision to give up is what has kept me going out here.

I don't want to try and stop anyone from driving I just urge more people to do more in depth studies than are normally done.

 

And you have how much exp? Oh yeah; student.....

 

Training wheels and a helmet.

 

Lonewolf, I'm so sad that you've had such a difficult time while we've had a great time. If I could get you from your fleet and co onto our fleet I would. *sighs*

I'm not going to say "hang in there" I am going to say that should you decide to walk away or to stay.....I support your decision 120% and anyone without experience (and yes....first year does count) who thinks they know what trucking really is can kiss my little roll up doors.