Why did YOU become a trucker?

Something I wanted to do because I'm so tiny, and also because my dad was a driver. I've never cared for 'normal' jobs for females anyway.

 

I'm got into trucking because there was no way I could keep up with cost of living for a family with the income I was getting working in Madison. The pay scale in Wisconsin isn't that great. Trucking was a good option...too bad I keep getting into crappy companies, but that too shall change eventually.

 

both my grandparents did it, 4 of my uncles did/do it, and my father does it. Guess It was in my blood before I even had a say in the matter.

 

I have 2 loves in life.... Driving & Aviation!

I always wanted to drive when I was a kid & even went & applied at some driving schools when I was in my late teens to early twenties. Of course I was accepted but then I opted out because I didn't want to be away from my then girlfriend, turned wife, turned ex-wife!

So I took my second option! I began working at CLT in the mid 90's. I loved working with airplanes! How many jobs can brag about working with multi-million dollar aircraft? Then Sept. 11th. hit..... The Government strengthened all the background checks for airport badges. Even the people currently badged had to be rechecked.... Although I had unrestricted unescorted access to all points of the airport for many years..... I failed too pass the background check because I lied on my original application. So..... I lost my job!

Now what to do.... No job.... Recession.... 2 kids & another on the way....

I went trucking! Now I own my truck & trailer.... And I still get calls from people I use to work with at CLT who have climbed the corporate ladder at different airports wanting me to come work for them.... Then they tell me starting pay is $9 a hour & I hang up!

 

whaaaat? Red 9$ an hour is slim pickins, you should be taking that job and selling that truck and trailer!

 

Let me tell you.... In August of 2001 I was making $10.55 an hour. It was barely paying the bills & I had A LOT of RESPONSIBILITY! Imagine one of these woooo haaaaas driving a truck having the responsibility for a Boeing 747.... British Airways brought in one 777 a day & I was the only one trained & educated enough to service that aircraft.

I miss it... I really do! But the money just isn't there! More & more people are traveling on the highways, so the airlines just aren't profiting.

I get a kick every time I drive CA-58 between Barstow & Bakersfield.... There is something out there with Jumbo Jets sitting around. I don't know what it is, My first thought was a aircraft graveyard. But then someone told me it was a rebuilding station. Regardless..... My eyes aren't on the road in that small stretch!

 

you were a mechanic? I can't believe you did'nt make more cash than that. I would hope that as an o/o your income has doubled?

 

No. I wasn't an A&P. Wanted to go to training for it. And the company I worked for would of paid for it.... But there wasn't a accredited school near Charlotte.