Why do most new drivers quit?

I really don’t think that much has changed over the years with regards to people sticking around.

I went to C-1 in Indianapolis in 1991 and as I remember within a year I was one of the few that were still driving. I’m sure most of the people didn’t make it two years.

I went with Star outa Morton, Illinois and my first trip with a trainer went like this.

I met the trainer and threw my gear in his truck and he told me to wake him up at the 76 in Breezewood Pa. lol. I did it but it was not a great ride.

I think there has always been newbies that quit. It’s a great job If a person wants it. I always wanted to be a driver so the transition was pretty easy.

Many people don’t really WANT to be a driver and they don’t seem to last long. I don’t think age or generation matters.

 

I remember the early days when I first started. I think any trucker who tells you they didn’t contemplate quitting maybe within the first six months is not telling the truth. We all did. If you’re new, you’ll consider it too. I hate to put it this way but I suspect it’s like someone who is sentenced to prison in those first few weeks the realization of reality is coming true. You have to adapt to the lifestyle and for many it’s not easy. You can paint in your mind before you go into over the road trucking how it’s going to be but until you experience it you just don’t get it. You either quickly develop a go with the flow easy-going mentality or you’ll snap one day pack your stuff and leave. Because nothing out here is ever going to go how you think it’s supposed to go. You’re going to sleep at all different hours in all different strange places, you’re gonna be tired about half the week, in my case I’ve only been home 15 days in the last year but some of that is by choice.

During the first three months I did the old, “that’s it I’m out of here” probably a half dozen times. As I stuck it out and develop some thicker skin for this game we play out here those episodes in my mind became less and less frequent. I’m now a year and a half in and have accepted this is probably what I’m gonna do until I retire. during the first three months I did the old, “that’s it I’m out of here“ probably a half dozen times. As I stuck it out and develop some thicker skin for this game we play out here those episodes in my mind became less and less frequent. I’m now a year and a half in and I’ve accepted this is probably what I’m gonna do until I retire. You’ll develop a love-hate relationship for over the road trucking if you stick it out. It does have its good moments, they are far and few between, but they do happen. You will also get to know yourself and the way you didn’t ever consider before. A way you didn’t even know existed before. And you better like yourself because that’s who you’re going to spend 99.9% of your time with. LOL

 

It's the pay for what you do. It takes too long to make good money ($70k+). Also maintaining your CDL and having to live by different rules for life than other people to make only 50 grand or so your first year is not cool. It's an outdated industry. It needs a refresh. Trucking companies should take a look at how most other companies treat employees. Employees that go home every night, make more money than us and don't have to adjust their lives to hold onto a CDL.

 

And I have to say the stigma tied to being a truck driver is no joke. If you're younger and single in a major city expect to be judged by the opposite sex while dating. You're gonna be considered a loser by most, even if you're clean in shape and "normal". My friends with families and their own trucks making $100k plus still are judged by neighbors making less but with a typical job.