Won't Be Driving - Thanks for the Help!

Wishing you luck in what ever you decide to pursue - it is/will be a complete change of lifestyle - glad you figured out it wasn't for you BEFORE taking the leap...

 

One can never be absolutely sure if this job is for them or not unless they actually do the job. Unfortunately, in order to get to that point there's a pretty big commitment involved, both financially, and, to a certain extent, emotionally.

I'm in no way trying to talk the OP back into considering trucking, but maybe some other "potential driver" may read this and get some value out of it. Maybe not.

Everything read here on this board and the others out there should be taken with a grain of salt. Many people come to this industy with no idea what they're getting into. Some have a good experience, and some don't. Everybody is made up differently, comes from different backgrounds, and have different levels of expectations.

Some people get into trucking with high expectations and are dissapointed. Others come to it with lower expectations and are pleasantly surprised.

To some people, trucking is a "gift from heaven". For others it's a means to an end. (That's me). I'm willing to do what I've got to do for now, in order to get to where I want to get later on. And as unpleasant as it is (being away from home, living in a truck, etc) it'll be worth it in the long run assuming I keep my eye on the ball. That, for me, is the challenge. I'm easily distracted and have a wide variety of interest. To others, it's not at all what they're looking for.

As far as my comment about "a gift from heaven", I'm thinking of the driver I met in Oklahoma City fueling up at the Pilot one day. I'm in one island, minding my own business, fueling the truck and this driver pulls up to the next island. I don't pay it too much attention until I see the door swing open and this guy is sitting there. Not one of your more attractive fellows I can remember thinking. He then lays this metal bar thing on his floorboard and procedes to exit the truck. It took him a good 30 - 40 seconds to get himself out of the truck. Once he got that accomplished he reached up and grabbed that metal bar, which ended up being two of those walking cane things that sort of attach to the elbows and has the handle sticking out for your hand. Anyway, he started walking over to the pump and I could see immediately that he must be suffering from cerebral palsy or something. I didn't talk to him but I know I was just blown away. Here's this guy with a very debilitating condition that wasn't letting anything stop him. He was making his own money, living on the road and driving an 80 ton truck down the road. It was just awesome!

So, if you are just starting your search into driving OTR I'd offer a few suggestions:
1. As I said, don't let one or two posts here make your mind up for you.
2. Go down to the local truck stops and talk to some of the drivers pulling through the fuel island. Ask them if they're just fueling and leaving or are they going to be parking for a while. If they're going to park, are they willing to give you a peak into their truck? That can be a touchy subject; don't take "NO" personally. After all, that's their home! Also, I'd discourage you from walking around the parking lot and approaching the drivers. In fact, let me say DON'T do that. Talk to them at the pumps or in the restaurant or coffee shop, whatever. Don't approach them in the parking lot once they're parked.
3. While you're at the truck stop, grab some of the recruiting magazines that are there by the entrance/exit by the fuel islands. There are tons of ads in them for drivers.
4. Call your local job service office and see if they know of any programs that will help you get training if you decide to move forward. The Work Force Alliance is another organization to check. It may have a different name in your area, I don't know.
5. I'd bet there's trucking companies near wherever you live. Go there personally and ask if you can talk to the manager, any available drivers, etc. I've found that most people are more than willing to talk with someone who's genuinely looking for helpful info.
What I said earlier about taking what you hear with a grain of salt holds true when talking to people in person. Don't be surprised if you talk to drivers who are less than happy. There's a lot of things on the road that causes stress and that driver you happen to be talking to may have just been cut off a few minutes earlier by some bozo and so now, right at that moment, he happens to hate trucking.

Hope this post is helpful.

 

Here's a bit of advise from the old hands back when I was OTR. Don't know if it rings as true today as back then. (but I bet it does)
"If your going OTR for the money, your messing up. You have to love it, love it so much that you would just about do it for free."

 

Good point Joker! If you are thinking about jumping in just for the money you are in for a rude of awakening! Even when its in your blood it can be a love/hate relationship! No matter what it is definitely a sacrifice and incredible lifestyle change!

 

Good decision call! If you ended up hating it chances are you wouldn't make any money at it. Smart man for doing your homework instead of plunking down $6000 to go to school to see if you like it!

 

Yep a smart move.
btw, I'm one of um that WOULD NOT do it for free!
I started reading these forums thinking about going back to it. Reading has bought back some bad bad memories. Some good, most bad.

 

I am not to keen on letting people peek in my Truck, If I stop at a Church for Sunday Meetings, I let the kids look at it and sit in the seat, but thats it.