what is the biggest reason for newbie to quit?

i also grew up with it,and i remember a time when all i wanted to to was be like my dad an drive them trucks!!!! and as time went on and i learned more and more and the cost and the maint, an haveing to learn not to count on a tire guy or a mech ,you did it yourself to keep the cost down,,,,,,what alot of people dont understand being a o/o is a full time job with a hat of many colors,I.e dispatcher,mech,fuelman,tirechanger,office manager,cook, driver, and most of all buisness man, you become the universal person,that handles everything,,,,,the question is are you ready to do more than just hang on to that steering wheel????????????

 

I think when we all started, we were in shock, were homesick, and the idea of "getting rich on the road" is a big time fail.


When I first got on the road, I spent a whole entire month away from home. Before that, I didn't even spend 24 hours away from home. Yeah...that was rough. Then just to think how different trucking was when I first got in it........ Not all gravy. Not all about "seeing the country" for a living. Not all about "freedom". Was it tough? It sure was...And it took awhile to get used to it....

I think its all about paying your dues.


Take my advice....as hard as I thought it was, I DO NOT REGRET IT AT ALL. I love what I do. Am I rich? Not with money. Do I get homesick? Every Time I leave the house, but I know I am coming back. And that is what pushes me.


Don't give it up. Some people are born to be truckers. They have diesel in their veins.

Besides, it costs a lot of money to get trained these days......

 

I have been driving for almost 4 years now, to me trucking is a breeze compared to the long hours I worked as a construction project manager. Stress doesnt compare. Managing people, payroll, construction schedule, bidding, contracts, buyout, job visits dealing with permitting, inspections, government employees power and water authorities, architects ####### owners etc... and having a schedule that stands no matter the weather which means working saturdays sundays night and day. I especially love my new company, been there a few months now...small outfit with 12 daycab trucks flat bedding, home every night and off every Saturday and Sunday, talk about a low stress job. They are looking for one more driver and cant find one...imagine that. pay is 30% per load, only tarp if required by weather, trucks run 75 mph, run Georgia, SC and occasional Alabama and NC


I guess what im saying is there are jobs in trucking that dont require you to live off of truck stops.

 

Finding out that recruiters are natural born liers!

 

The new guys get out on the road and figure out that they made more money at Burger King...

 

Now ive been there in nyc , get in -get out, the bridges are terrible for tolls fee, so plan too have $200-300 in cash money, i went too the bronx , before 911 , not easy to deliver flour and live unload in middel of street, nobody help ya ecept the unloaders and 40 foot chain and j-grab hook, rest of the people stand around and wacth, wouldnt help get you out, to get of the city, then after 911 it was like night and day , they get along side you and tell you what corner too turn , help you make the turn, same place i was going too unload, what a diff , but most times they want you in and out of nyc in a hurry, most places are not made for big trucks, Everett.

 

Many find out its not the DREAM ( Fantasy ) job that its gets portrayed as on TV and in the MOVIES.

You do not get to get to go where you want and have countless side trips and adventures ( BJ & THE BEAR ) you get to be the SAVIOR of the poor done bys ( MOVIN ON ) you do not get to drive recklessly and endanger others ( Smokey & the Bandit or BLACK DOG ) and lets not even start on ICE ROAD TRUCKERS.

Its a job , that has you away from home and family for part of or for all of your carreer, yes you might end up with a BIG SHINY LARGECAR but also all the BIG COSTLY BILLS that go with them.

 

a newbie finds out they spent good money to go to trucking school, only to relize that any thing that has to do with trucking sucks big time,local otr any of it.

 

You are right.

Personally, I hate Chicago worse!

 

I'm confused?! If trucking sucks so bad why have most of you saying it sucks so bad have stayed in it so long? If you make more money at Burger King why not park the truck and go flip the burgers. Just sayin'. Wal-Mart needs greeter as bad as the BFI's need new drivers. No I don't drive yet, but I have done alot of other things. It's all the same The boss is right you are wrong! No matter what so get happy or change jobs.