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JewelsnTools
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
Posts: 106
Location: IOWA
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:03 am Post subject: Frustration of the mid-life career change... |
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Have any of you come to trucking as a mid-life career change? Did you experience a sense of embarrassment at how long it took you to become proficient at your new career? After living life as a competent adult, suddenly becoming a "stumbling newbie" has been a real adjustment!
What happened that let you know, that moment, that you were going to do just fine? Did it come as a sudden realization that you'd just done something, without thinking, that had previously given you fits? What was it for you?
I know it's not possible to be "great", immediately, in a new field. It's just frustrating. Someone told me not to make it harder than it really is. I still appreciate those words.
When did you know you'd do just fine?
Jewels |
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Ridge Runner
Joined: 18 Oct 2004
Posts: 2432
Location: North Ga.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 11:18 am Post subject: |
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This might sound stupid but for me it when I looked at my pay check :)
Also April 15th :P |
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wildkat
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Posts: 519
Location: Somewhere on the Alaska Highway, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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jewels...I am not a newbie by any stretch of the imagination, but from my experience LIFE is a gamble, no matter what you do.
I am an owner/operator who has been at this for 27 years now & I still get butterflies when I get new things to do. And being a woman is sometimes even harder...always remember...this is a MAN'S world, no matter what anyone tells you. Strive to be PROFESSIONAL at all times, NEVER be afraid to ask someone to SHOW yo how to do things, not do them for you.
Check out some of the other threads in this forum, there is alot of good advise from other women, newbie & not. We are here to help if we can.
Good luck & welcome! |
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LadyNorthStar
Joined: 08 Jun 2006
Posts: 479
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
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| Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 12:51 am Post subject: |
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| Like wildkat I still get butterflies when doing new things.... but I always knew I'd made the right choice and that'd I'd be fine with my new career choice, from the second I got behind the wheel for the first time. |
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JewelsnTools
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
Posts: 106
Location: IOWA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:37 am Post subject: Second-guessing myself... |
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It feels good, knowing there's a place I can come to and get validation! It's been sort of tough, and I've kept things bottled up inside. Now, I know that the "butterflies" I've been having are actually normal---and will continue throughout my career! :D Since they're normal, I think I'll just sit back and enjoy them!
I have yet to see anything other than trainee pay, but I could see where a real check would drive the reality of my new job home.
It wasn't until you captured it in words that I realized what I'd been resisting==when I was asking how, others were hearing "do it for me"! No, no! I want to know how to do it for myself! I know that my being a woman had a lot to do with that, but I don't drive my truck with my...um...nether parts! :oops:
I'll keep reading, keep learning. This morning, as I turned wide in my personal vehicle, I realized that more has sunk in than I realized...and that I think I've already got a few drops of diesel in my blood! I caught myself looking for my trailer and had to laugh!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I'm already missing the big steering wheel, and I hope to soon get on with one of the two companies I'm applying with. Can barely wait to get back out there!
Jewels |
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Ridge Runner
Joined: 18 Oct 2004
Posts: 2432
Location: North Ga.
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| Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:53 am Post subject: |
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Quote: This morning, as I turned wide in my personal vehicle, I realized that more has sunk in than I realized...
Don't forget also that when your in your four-wheeler you can use the left lanes too!!! :oops: :lol: |
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JewelsnTools
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
Posts: 106
Location: IOWA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:03 pm Post subject: That's not right! |
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RR,
It's sooo not nice to make me spew tea (from laughing) on my monitor!! :lol: Did you see me on the highway or something??? :)
Thanks, WK, for the welcome. There's something about the people who seem to gravitate to this lifestyle that I can really relate to. Maybe this'll be like finding my own group of "swans"...
Lady, I love your beautiful avatar. What a glorious creature!! This sounds weird, but I love to smell their bellies. They smell like freshly-cut grass and wildflowers!!
Again, I appreciate the feedback!
Jewels |
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Ridge Runner
Joined: 18 Oct 2004
Posts: 2432
Location: North Ga.
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| Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: Did you see me on the highway or something???
No I didn't see you, but my wife hates it when we are in the car and I get in line behind the big trucks going up a hill. Force of habit. |
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JewelsnTools
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
Posts: 106
Location: IOWA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:55 pm Post subject: Now that's funny! |
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One of my instructors (school) told me that my driving styles would "merge"--I'd either drive my big truck like I drive my personal vehicle, or vice versa. I'd say he was right, and that I must not be the only one who chose to drive my own vehicle like I drive my big truck!
My hunband told me he's noticed a huge improvement in my "PMS" (Pi**ed Motorist Syndrome :lol: ) since I've been driving professionally.
It's good to know I'm not the only one!! |
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wildkat
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Posts: 519
Location: Somewhere on the Alaska Highway, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:26 am Post subject: |
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They most certainly do merge jewels..check my thread on dring a car. Some of the comments are hilarious!
BTW I love your signature!
I spend most of my time in the Arctic now, and believe me when I started that it was a lesson in fear itself! But I got over it.
One thing I live by in this industry & in life...Do the best you can with what you have to work with...& another older cliche...When the going gets tough...the tough get going! |
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Sizzle
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Posts: 207
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 12:19 am Post subject: |
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Jewels: Don't feel hesitate about learning a new profession. I too was concerned about "trucking". After the first week of classroom instruction we all went out to the "driving range". There were nine of us in the class and I was the only female. We all got into one truck as the instructor explained what we were expected to do. He let me get into the driver's seat and all the guys were terrribly envious. I was scared to death that I would hate to drive but as soon as the engine started and I took off I knew that I had made the right choice.
I was an Accountant making a lot more income than I am in trucking. I had been married for 1/2 a life time and put my husband through two degrees. He is quite well off now and I left without taking alimony. I am proud to say that I am living on much less and am much happier.
Every once in a while I tear up when I remember how miserable I was in my marriage and in the office with a lot of "bitchy" women. I tell people now that I don't know if I made the right choice because instead of bitchy women I work with horny men. However, I'm just joking. I'd much rather work with men than women.
I've had an awesome ride and will finish my third year in a few months. I've done driveaway [delivering new trucks to dealerships] and learned every gear pattern the first 21 months I drove professionally. I learned about things such as teflon fifth wheels and air tandems that I would have never learned by just staying in one truck the first 21 months. I also learned how to put trucks on the ground and install the axles in the back drives. It's made me a much more confident person knowing that I can handle what ever is thrown at me. Although, I prefer driveaway to freight I'm back to freight because our company quit hauling trucks.
I was hired by the competitor who took over hauling trucks from us but they wanted me to move east and I live in Colorado. You make considerably more income doing driveaway than freight. I say I live in the postcard and won't move for a job. Hence, I've sacrified income again for happiness.
Good Luck and you'll be more comfortable the more you drive and gain experience. We all did some unbelievable things when we first started driving. Anyone who tells you otherwise isn't being honest. |
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JewelsnTools
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
Posts: 106
Location: IOWA
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| Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject: Two degrees?? |
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Sizzle,
Thanks for sharing that! I'm finally beginning to calm down, after the initial shock of training. It was good to hear how you've put your time in, paid your dues, and come out with your fur shining! I needed to hear that.
It's still tough, especially now, as I once again search for a company that trains. At least now I know that the future pleasure, once reached, will be worth all of the present pain.
I LOVE this board!!!
Jewels |
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wildkat
Joined: 19 Feb 2007
Posts: 519
Location: Somewhere on the Alaska Highway, Canada
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Sizzle; In my 27 years on the road I can tell you some stories that would make your hair curl! And the ones on lonely nights that keep me awake either laughing my head off or shaking my head in wonder that I didn't kill myself or others. One day I'll share my story of my very first trip in the mountains! :lol: :lol: :oops: :oops: |
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JewelsnTools
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
Posts: 106
Location: IOWA
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 9:36 pm Post subject: That'll be worth hearing about! |
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WK,
Now THERE'S something that would be worth grabbing a big tub of popcorn, a few beers, and a blanket----just to listen to!
My mom laughed when I told her how I'd howled all the way up the hill, and then, bawled all the way down the other side!
We gladly await your stories!
Jewels |
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Sizzle
Joined: 10 Oct 2006
Posts: 207
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: That'll be worth hearing about! |
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| Wildkat I'd love to hear some of your stories. I was just prevented from sending you a PM because I have less than 50 posts. That's odd I've done it before. Please send me a PM so I can respond to you. I'll be home in Denver through June 5th. Probably won't take a laptop with me, won't be back again until the end of June. I'd love to swap stories. When I did driveaway I hauled 80 loads out of 100 into Canada. I know Canada better than the U.S. |
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