What makes for a happy trucker?

Who has half a brain and understands the HOS rules

 

Big HP motors, Lots of chicken lights, and 8 inch straight pipes!

 

good directions,long runs,good scenery and keeping the wheels rolling!!

 

Your employer is not responsible for your happiness. Once you get beyond that hurdle, things will improve immensely.

 

While I understand where you are coming from, I really don't read the OP that way. I think he actually is looking for some serious feed back. But then, that is just the way I read it. . .

Oh come on Everett! Don't ya know that if the troops ain't beachin' they ain't happy?

Only YOU can decide to be happy. Now I'm not advocating looking at the world through rose colored glasses. But I AM talking about your state of mind.

I think that most drivers that are miserable on their job, would be miserable no matter what they are doing. You have the ability to control your thoughts, and your outlook on life.

I also believe that a person who feels they are "trapped in a job they hate," is throwing their life away. What a waste.

Very well said!

I don't care what job you are in, there are positives and negatives. For me, running through the Rockies was something that I loved. I also enjoyed those runs across the big rez, usually listening to some book on tape or CD.

When I had the ability to, I would try to run the scenic routes during the daylight. But I'd rather run the plains states at night. And I'd MUCH rather run the Metro areas at night, but due to drop and pick times, that often did not happen.

Again, it is all what you make of it. Do your trip planning right, and your life will be much easier. Until you learn how to do this, you are just more or less a robot, with your dispatcher telling you what to do, and when to do it.

It does not HAVE to be this way, usually. If you do work for a company that insists that you run it THEIR way, that is a good sign that you need to look for another company.

 

finding an opening at the fuel island

having the fuel island pumps work the first time and not leak fuel from the nozzles.

having the windshield wash bucket full with CLEAN water and some soap

having a long handled pole with the squeegee and sponge to wash the windows AT the pump I AM AT, not 10 pumps away...!!!

having an air hose at the fuel island that isn't broke

finding a parking space in the truck stop

finding not only a CLEAN toilet, but one that HAS toilet paper..!!

having soap at the sinks and paper towels...!!

having to find a table in the restaurant. that is CLEAN, and the waitress comes right over.

having my food served me HOT and with plenty of gravy on my chicken fried steak....!!!

having CLEAN shower rooms.

having CLEAN comfortable chairs in the tv room.

having a tv, in the tv room, that gets MORE THAN 2 channels....

not having to hear some arse driving through the truck stop with his jake brake on...

being able to drive out of the truck stop, NOT having to pay for parking...!!

beyond these things....???

nothing i can think of makes ME happy....

 

HA! Nice one Rerun!

I like the proud feeling of driving a beautiful, just washed (not at the streakin beacon!) decked out rig! I love driving in the desert at night and stopping to pee and look at the sky! I like taking a break up on Donners and going for a hike on the Sierra Nevada Trail. I love New England in the fall and the first good snowfall. I love sitting at the truckstop gazing out the window and listening to the CB (people watching is classic during those times!) I like going to new places and meeting interesting people. The occasional hotel with cable tv and your own shower is nice too! I like driving through Mt.Eagle and TN in the morning. The diversity of the country and scenery and covering lots of ground is refreshing. Leaving CA is a fresh breath feeling. So is getting in and out of LA without running into traffic makes for a smooth day. Drop and hooks are also a wonderful feeling. The occasional visit to the terminal to hear other drivers stories is entertaining! Best of all I love running down 75 into Fl and rolling down the window to smell home is near! Great post just don't ask why we hate driving!

 

This all sounds like the makings of a "Chicken Soup for the Trucker's Soul" compilation.

 

Working for a company that respects you as a driver. When you have a problem they work with you and not agains't you. Look at IRT and that driver Rick. Would you want him driving you truck? It takes some time for the company to respect you but it's a plan to work at. It's nice to hear when you call the company and tell them you have a problem with the truck and they tell you do whatever you feel is right. That's what made me happy because alot of other stuff fell into place because of it.