Hi, Folks

For those of you who've been trucking a while, may I ask you to please share the top 3 things that you love about your job?

Thanks,

JJ

 

#1 Freedom...Not having someone looking over your shoulder

#2 $$$$$$...There is no other job in the world that you can make the kind of money you can make in trucking without a degree.

#3 The view...I have seen all 48 states and most of Canada. Not many people out of this profession can say that.

With all that said....The 3 worst things about trucking would be a little easier to compile.

 

LOL, dollarshort...I appreciate a glowing top 3. Helps me to prepare myself for what I'm sure will be some scorching negatives

 

Well, I'm a local driver, so I probably dont count, but I do remember running all over, and the things that I loved doing. One of the things, was seeing the country. Just seeing other parts of the country. Seeing the tall cactus in southern Arizona. Reminds me of the many westerns that I watch. Going to California, and come to find out, southern California is nothing but a burned up desert. :P Driving up, and down the hills in the Dakotas. Seeing all the wheat fields in Kansas. All the tall trees in Georgia. My wife is from Georgia, and me being a dumb country boy, living in north west Texas, I often asked her, how in the world did she live with all them trees? Shoot, you can't even see the sun set. :P

I spent most of my time OTR on wheat harvest. (if you consider wheat harvest OTR) I grew up around my grandparents' farm, and I still work part time for an outfit, today. I rode on a combine on my grandparents' farm when I was 3, or 4 years old. Ever since, I've always wanted to go on harvest. I went 6 years on wheat harvest, but I will never forget the first time I went into South Dakota. Kansas was what I always thought it was. Flat, and lots of farm land, but I guess, I always assumed the Dakotas to be kinda flat also. All of a sudden, you get to South Dakota, and there are these big, rolling hills. I thought, "How in the world do these folks farm in these mountaints?" :P They do, and they do good, according to the market.

As of now, I currently drive for SYSCO. I have been here for almost 5 years, now. For the last couple of years, I have been running line haul. All my driving is at night. I drive in west Texas. Nothing but open range, and all the animals that come out at night. Not much traffic. I have made some friends with the other drivers that run line haul that I talk to on the cb radio. Seeing the cow trucks running into, out of Lubbock. Those gorgeous Peterbilts, and all those pretty lights. :P

You know, there are lots of benefits, driving a truck. Meeting other people at truck stops, talking to other drivers on the cb radio, and seeing different parts of the county. Just being out there, driving on the open road. There are some not so wonderful things, driving a truck. Being away from home, your family. Not seeing your family every day. Not being with the kids, seeing them play sports. It can be a rough life. Being out in all kinds of weather, and rush hour traffic in major cities. Having to sit, and wait for your loads, or waiting to get unloaded. Truck drivers can make a good living, good career driving a truck. It also can weigh heavily on a driver, and his family. There are many ways to look at the industry.

In what ever decision that you decide on in this career, I wish you the best. Always follow your heart's desire, and make the best out of it.

 

That's right JR but it has nothing to do with being a local driver! LOL! :lol:

(Just kidding, nice post!)

 

Ha ha. Very funny. :lol: :P

Yeah, I dont know why I said that. I guess, since I am home every night, and I drive on the same highway every night. :| :P Long haul guys kinda think we are just, running local. :P

 

1. The freedom- not having a boss directly over me every day and not being stuck indoors all day.
2. Job security- there is and will always be a need for truck drivers
3. The benefits and money- most trucking company provide health and dental insurance and although you work almost 70 hours a week the pay is decent.

Most peoples vision of truck drivers is one that is strictly out of Hollywood. "A single man that drives a semi down the highway at warp speeds and runs over anyone or anything that gets in his way. He is constantly swinging by a girlfriends house, and is always able to be home whenever he needs to be."

It is a job I truly love and I won't do anything else unless I had to. But like every job it does have its days. Some love it and stick with, others just do it to other possiblilities arise, and others do it because it might be their only option.

 

1. I have a very low opinion of mankind in general.... so this job gives me the ability not to interact with people on a personal level....or at least very little.

2. I make a decent living.

3. I have good benefits.

The company I work for is way above average all around, and they actually give a care or three for their drivers and work hard to keep us busy and treat us well.

I can't say I love trucking or my job....its just a job for me, not a way of life. What I would love to do is win a really big lottery....so I can buy a really nice trawler and go to the lower Caribbean for a lonnnngggggg time!!!

 

My thoughts exactly. Especially the last part!

 

1. The things you see from your cab.(Short skirts, titties, bj's, etc)
2. I can block traffic better than anybody out there.
3. I get to stay away from my wife for 12-13 hours a day. :lol: