Whats wrong with trucking??

[gula197]

I been reading these forums and other trucking forums about 4-5 times a week, and i saw a post about this guy saying something about its not for everybody but its a good career if you can hang in there. I dont know if this is me or not but it seems like 69% of the things i read is negative towards trucking. I dont know if these trucking forums are filled with drivers that wine like babies or just not satisfied with their job. I really want to start trucking but sometimes i question that desision about getting into the industry from reading the forums all the time, can someone shed some light on this topic please?

[Syncrosonix]

dunno about you, but when i was a real young lad, i remember seeing all those truckers that were making the money. it was also, i guess, more prestigious back then, too. fast forward to 2009, more companies complain if a driver wants to take more than 4 days off at a time. companies threaten to fire drivers for idling their trucks in hot temperatures all while providing a stupid oscillating fan. that oscillating fan won't do jack in hot temperatures. they'll also find stupid loopholes to get out of paying drivers what they're owed. too many companies get away with so much inhumane b.s.

if you leave a pet inside of a hot vehicle. you know you could very well go to jail for animal cruelty. if a company decides they want to somehow install something to remotely shut a truck off, that company is somehow not committing a crime. something like that makes an intelligent person scream, "WHAT THE FIZZUCK!?" only a ******ed person will think there's nothing wrong with that picture.

2 years in and i realized some months back that i made a mistake. it was fun, but i'm now at the point of where i'm mentally exhausted and tired of the bullcrap. the crappy pay doesn't justify this garbage. i'm sick of being around a bunch of uneducated rednecks who do this because it's their only option in life. eff that, i wanna get into something white collar after getting my degree. i'm sick of being around smelly, fat slobs with bad mullets, missing teeth, and ones who are convicted felons. there are also a crapload of religious nut jobs out there who make it their goal to convert you if you don't believe they way they do. i'm sick of those born again christains who cannot accept me because i don't believe in what they do. they're a bunch of self-righteous *****s.

y'know, i can see why CFM is the way he is.

[--grande--]

Well how I feel about trucking, is simple, it really blows, I flipping hate it, While im in the truck I thinking about what im going to do when I get home. But while im at home, im thinking about when im going back out on the road


Im waiting for an equipment operator jobs to open back up in this area and im out of the truck again, But I will always miss it

As far as the cry baby thing, go sit in any truck stop, with a C.B. and listen to all the *****ing and moaning. It is just the way it is, but you will find that a lot of the pissing and moaning is coming from company drivers. Yes O/O's complain, but it is normally about the fuel prices, and such repairs for the truck Im a company driver, but i have nothing to complain about other then my dispatchers are dumb, and cant figure out how to run me on a route that makes any since.

How well do you deal with stress, that is what is going to make you or break you out there IMO. Traffic, Shippers, DOT, Fuel Stop Cluster fk's, There is a lot of crap to deal with. I get stressed out daily, that just part of the job.........

they'll also find stupid loopholes to get out of paying drivers what they're owed. too many companies get away with so much inhumane b.s..

The company I work for is not that bad. And my home time is great

i'm mentally exhausted and tired of the bullcrap.

Yes That is why I walked away in '97 and started operating equipment, plus the money with the Union is way better

the crappy pay doesn't justify this garbage. i'm sick of being around a bunch of uneducated rednecks who do this because it's their only option in life. eff that, i'm sick of being around smelly, fat slobs with bad mullets, missing teeth, and ones who are convicted felons. there are also a crapload of religious nut jobs out there who make it their goal to convert you.

AMEN To That Brother

[Biscuit Lips]

I am just curious why you decided not to join the Army?

[Hawkjr]

New Drivers who get into Trucking who are promised the world by idoit ass recruiters only to find out that its not going to be no where close to that!! Finding out that Cindy or Joe didn't tell them about waiting a day or more inside your truck with nothing to do for a day at a truck stop filled with *****in ass driver's, tricks and johns (locations and conditions may vary) in a hot ass truck wtih no Trip pack...

Trucking isn't that bad...The most of the guys you see crying are OTR irregular route drivers who aren't getting their miles and so on... Happiness in trucking isn't something your going to receive overnight... It takes time, hard work and dedication and also a lot of sucking up.. I'm not happy at my current job but i'm making somewhat decent money and i'm working my way onto a better position.. No need to cry or quit and go to another company, like most other new driver's what of done..

Like Mr. Hobo says.. Trucking Isn't For Wussies!!! So question is are you a wussy??

[gula197]

I am just curious why you decided not to join the Army?

well my uncle has been in the army foy 30 yrs and i had the privileg of going on base and talking to some of the soldiers and thats what changed my mind

[Jay B]

well my uncle has been in the army foy 30 yrs and i had the privileg of going on base and talking to some of the soldiers and thats what changed my mind

Or, based on your complete lack of grammer, spelling, and punctuation, you could not pass the entrance exam.

[Skywalker]

well my uncle has been in the army foy 30 yrs and i had the privileg of going on base and talking to some of the soldiers and thats what changed my mind

I think you spoke to the wrong ones.... If your uncle managed 30 years, then it must not be all that bad right?

I did 10 years, two and half of that in Vietnam...and as far as I am concerned... I wish I had stayed another 20. Its a good career, and the pay is far better than it was when I was in.

If I had it to do over again.... I'd do it again, and stay til they threw me out!!

There are a lot of different MOS specialties in the Army, and curiously enough, there are quite a few that don't involve going into combat..... Hmmm, I guess that means I could've stayed out of the jungle?

[gula197]

Or, based on your complete lack of grammer, spelling, and punctuation, you could not pass the entrance exam.

shut up! i did pass it with a 92 so keep your negative comments to yourself i didnt start this thread for people like you

[Skywalker]

In answer to your original question....simply put: Some companies just SUCK! There are a number of them that fall into the group. But there are good ones out there.

One of the hardest things for new people to do is conform to the requirements. You are told when are where to be and how long you have to get there. Some people mistakenly think that they are in charge of the truck. In a few ways the driver is, but you have to do it on their terms. There are a significant number of people working in this industry, drivers, dispatchers, fleet managers, warehouse people, and others that seem to be psychologically unfit to do much more than live in a cave....and prove it on a daily basis. This is one industry where you can be fat, stupid, ugly and prove it daily and still get hired, and probably even keep your job. Let me repeat this one salient fact: Many people in this industry are fat, stupid, and ugly, and work very hard to prove it every day.

On the other hand, if you can get on with a reasonably good company, and get trained properly, and have a modicum of smarts, common sense, and self discipline.... and can stand to be away from home a couple of weeks at a time.... You might actually manage to cut it. Forget the notion that driving a truck is "romantic"...or that truck drivers are "the last cowboys"....thats all pure "bull****", pure and simple. Its a job, a means to make money, and thats all.

I've been doing it for 15 years, and have found my company and my niche. I'm content, and I get good home time, and I actually can and do run 100% legal and don't worry about much of anything....

Oh, there are also some very good and intelligent people working in the industry, some of them even post on this site.....

[heavyhaulerss]

gula197. I have been on o/o for over 10 years. trucking has worked out extremely well for me. It has been rough the last few months. but the way I look at it ... no one forced me to get into the trucking business & no one forces me to stay in. my life's circumstances are because of decisions I made, & only I change change them. so I dont complain much, or blame anyone. truck drivers are not the only ones hurting right now. you may just notice it more if your on boards like this. I am sure there are lots of other industries that it's workers are also complaining, like the auto industry, from the factory worker to the sales man on the dealer lot & so much more. I think times are bad for most every body, so you will hear more complaining. some are legit some are just whinners & some have self inflicted problems. just my humble opinion on this issue..

[repete]

I like trucking and I love my job, if I had it all to do over again, would I? Yes but I would have stayed in the army for 20 then started trucking, that would really help even out those lean checks when your starting or when things are slow. Think about it, 20 years really isn't that long when you look back on it!

[matcat]

I like trucking and I love my job, if I had it all to do over again, would I? Yes but I would have stayed in the army for 20 then started trucking, that would really help even out those lean checks when your starting or when things are slow. Think about it, 20 years really isn't that long when you look back on it!

20 years is only a quarter of your life

[GMAN]

There are good companies and bad companies just as there are good and bad drivers. Much of the problems some drivers have could be resolved by communicating with their dispatchers or driver managers. Some would prefer complaining than trying to solve their differences. There are some drivers who want everything their way and when that doesn't happen the get in a huff and quit. There are also dispatchers who have never driven a truck and don't have a clue as to how this business works and what a driver deals with on a daily basis. A lot of problems could be solved on both sides by sitting down and discussing their differences in a calm manner.

[Snowman7]

A lot of people get into this with unrealistic expectations. The "job" is not adventurous, romantic, exciting, fun etc etc. Although it can be fun at times, especially in the beginning, it is a "job". You don't get to run when you want, where you want. You go where the freight is, when there is freight. You run when you're tired, when you're hungry, when you're sick. You are trapped in a six by six foot box for days or weeks at a time. Your time is abused by shippers, receivers, and dispatchers. The amount of uncompensated free time is incredible. It further feeds your frustration level. You waste your whole day (unpaid) getting loaded or empty because of everyone else's inefficiency and then you have to drive mad, tired, and generally pissed off all night long to make up for it. You make well thought out plans to be home on a certain day and as that day gets closer and closer you find yourself getting farther and farther from home because there just isn't any freight going in the right direction. Dispatch can't or won't help you and frustration grows out of control once again. You sleep a couple hours here or there when you can. Try to squeeze in a shower, meal or laundry when you can. You piss in Gatorade bottles. You apologize to family members who are pissed off at you because you can't get home to honor your promises but they just don't understand. When there is no freight you sit for hours or days (unpaid) waiting for the cell phone to ring or the qcomm to go off. You don't get to watch your favorite TV show or sports game because there's no time to stop. I could go on forever. Bottom line is that its a "job". A job that is not physically hard or mentally hard. But one that requires an unbelievable "time" commitment. You are rarely off duty. You rarely get to do what you want to do. It's that commitment that wears you down physically and mentally. Your mind goes numb from lack of use. Every highway looks the same. You lose contact with family and friends. Some days all you want is a home cooked meal and a real bed. When you do get home your so exhausted all you want to do is veg out and relax. But you have your chores to do. Your significant other gets ignored. For all this you earn 35-55k a year. For some its worth it but for many its just not enough money. It's not always like this. Some days are good. A gorgeous sunrise or beautiful landscape. A perfect high paying run with no complications. Good music on the radio. It happens occasionally. Some folks love the lifestyle. To them it's not about the money. For me it's just a job. I have a boss. I do what the company wants when they want. I drive local. When the job is done I go home. My time is my time. I could never do the OTR thing for a living. But it's a job that for the most part I enjoy while waiting for my winning lottery ticket.

[AC120]

Well said, Snowman7, well said.

[69XKE]

I've asked myself this very question several times over the years.

I drove for about 8 years, went through a divorce, ended up managing a very busy bowling center and getting married again along the way. Great job, hated the baby-sitting, didn't see eye-to-eye with corporate. So, on the advice of my now-wife, I returned to the road.

I've been back out 18 months. And just a week ago, my wife and I were on the way to see the grandbaby when she asked me "What did you want to be when you were a kid?".

I replied that I wanted to be a DJ. I did that for 13 years. I also remembered being in love with the sound and smells of that big yellow diesel-powered school bus going up and down the hills near our home in CA. Even then I noticed the different operators driving styles, notably that some used the clutch and some didn't.

So, having answered her question, I realized that I really enjoy what I do. Not every aspect of it, but most of it. However, I don't see myself doing the OTR gig for more than another 5 to 7 years or so (I'm 48 now). Still have to get two step-children thorough college and the ex has to sell the house I'm still legally obligated to. THEN I'll think about leaving OTR work until the next financial calamity arrives.

Skywalker made a great point. He found the right company and the right niche for himself. In essence, you have to find out what makes you content and happy, at least for the moment. But never lose sight of your goals. I think people in all walks of life tend to get bogged down in "day to day life" and forget about "living". It's particularly easy in this line of work, IMO.

[Hawkjr]

A lot of people get into this with unrealistic expectations. The "job" is not adventurous, romantic, exciting, fun etc etc. Although it can be fun at times, especially in the beginning, it is a "job". You don't get to run when you want, where you want. You go where the freight is, when there is freight. You run when you're tired, when you're hungry, when you're sick. You are trapped in a six by six foot box for days or weeks at a time. Your time is abused by shippers, receivers, and dispatchers. The amount of uncompensated free time is incredible. It further feeds your frustration level. You waste your whole day (unpaid) getting loaded or empty because of everyone else's inefficiency and then you have to drive mad, tired, and generally pissed off all night long to make up for it. You make well thought out plans to be home on a certain day and as that day gets closer and closer you find yourself getting farther and farther from home because there just isn't any freight going in the right direction. Dispatch can't or won't help you and frustration grows out of control once again. You sleep a couple hours here or there when you can. Try to squeeze in a shower, meal or laundry when you can. You piss in Gatorade bottles. You apologize to family members who are pissed off at you because you can't get home to honor your promises but they just don't understand. When there is no freight you sit for hours or days (unpaid) waiting for the cell phone to ring or the qcomm to go off. You don't get to watch your favorite TV show or sports game because there's no time to stop. I could go on forever. Bottom line is that its a "job". A job that is not physically hard or mentally hard. But one that requires an unbelievable "time" commitment. You are rarely off duty. You rarely get to do what you want to do. It's that commitment that wears you down physically and mentally. Your mind goes numb from lack of use. Every highway looks the same. You lose contact with family and friends. Some days all you want is a home cooked meal and a real bed. When you do get home your so exhausted all you want to do is veg out and relax. But you have your chores to do. Your significant other gets ignored. For all this you earn 35-55k a year. For some its worth it but for many its just not enough money. It's not always like this. Some days are good. A gorgeous sunrise or beautiful landscape. A perfect high paying run with no complications. Good music on the radio. It happens occasionally. Some folks love the lifestyle. To them it's not about the money. For me it's just a job. I have a boss. I do what the company wants when they want. I drive local. When the job is done I go home. My time is my time. I could never do the OTR thing for a living. But it's a job that for the most part I enjoy while waiting for my winning lottery ticket.

Belpre or Lebron?? what have you done to our beloved snowman?? Bring him back!!

[--grande--]

A lot of people get into this with unrealistic expectations. The "job" is not adventurous, romantic, exciting, fun etc etc. Although it can be fun at times, especially in the beginning, it is a "job". You don't get to run when you want, where you want. You go where the freight is, when there is freight. You run when you're tired, when you're hungry, when you're sick. You are trapped in a six by six foot box for days or weeks at a time. Your time is abused by shippers, receivers, and dispatchers. The amount of uncompensated free time is incredible. It further feeds your frustration level. You waste your whole day (unpaid) getting loaded or empty because of everyone else's inefficiency and then you have to drive mad, tired, and generally pissed off all night long to make up for it. You make well thought out plans to be home on a certain day and as that day gets closer and closer you find yourself getting farther and farther from home because there just isn't any freight going in the right direction. Dispatch can't or won't help you and frustration grows out of control once again. You sleep a couple hours here or there when you can. Try to squeeze in a shower, meal or laundry when you can. You piss in Gatorade bottles. You apologize to family members who are pissed off at you because you can't get home to honor your promises but they just don't understand. When there is no freight you sit for hours or days (unpaid) waiting for the cell phone to ring or the qcomm to go off. You don't get to watch your favorite TV show or sports game because there's no time to stop. I could go on forever. Bottom line is that its a "job". A job that is not physically hard or mentally hard. But one that requires an unbelievable "time" commitment. You are rarely off duty. You rarely get to do what you want to do. It's that commitment that wears you down physically and mentally. Your mind goes numb from lack of use. Every highway looks the same. You lose contact with family and friends. Some days all you want is a home cooked meal and a real bed. When you do get home your so exhausted all you want to do is veg out and relax. But you have your chores to do. Your significant other gets ignored. For all this you earn 35-55k a year. For some its worth it but for many its just not enough money. It's not always like this. Some days are good. A gorgeous sunrise or beautiful landscape. A perfect high paying run with no complications. Good music on the radio. It happens occasionally. Some folks love the lifestyle. To them it's not about the money. For me it's just a job. I have a boss. I do what the company wants when they want. I drive local. When the job is done I go home. My time is my time. I could never do the OTR thing for a living. But it's a job that for the most part I enjoy while waiting for my winning lottery ticket.

Would you mind if I printed out a copy of that to give to all my dispatchers.

None of them have ever been in a truck, wait one has been. The others have no clue.

Great Read

[Orangetxguy]

Would you mind if I printed out a copy of that to give to all my dispatchers.

None of them have ever been in a truck, wait one has been. The others have no clue.

Great Read

That will cost you $20.00 a copy.

Someone's gotta make money here!!