OMG you’re right about that, but if you really only paid $2k for schooling you are extremely lucky. Most trainees have paid $5k - $6k for training, and financed it at loan shark rates so by the time they pay of the loan, CDL school has cost them $12k.

One of my bigger gripes about the job. Non drivers you meet all think it’s such a wonderfully liberating job where you get to go to all these exciting places. I say, "Sure, you get to all the finest interstates and truck stops in America." Anytime it is feasible, I take back roads and stay off the interstate. That allows for a little more scenery and breaks up the monotony a bit; but that probably isn’t a good idea unless you are a seasoned driver. It’s too easy to get yourself into trouble and end up places trucks really shouldn’t be. Also, if you work for a larger carrier, they usually dictate the route you must take.

That's why I try to not drive all day and sleep all night. It’s pretty easy (most places) to get a parking spot at five or six in the morning. For that matter, I can go weeks and not stop at a truck stop except for fuel and a quick shower. I prefer to park places where I have less chance of getting hit while I’m sleeping.

This is another reason I do not go to truck stops, although the problem is nearly as bad in other public bathrooms. Though I’m not happy about the urine on the seat, but what baffles me is all the feces you often find on the seat. How one could accidently defecate on the seat is beyond me, and even worse, why one would not clean it up after one’s self.

This one is definitely not truck driver specific. I have not always run with the blue collar crowd, and I can say from experience that this problem exists across all socioeconomic demographics. I have seen as many attorneys, accountants and corporate upper level management types do this as I have truck drivers.

That is the same in anywhere in any industry.

[QUOTE=SPACEAGE7000;446918] What is it with you guys who have those "Say no to cheap freight" signs on their trucks? Have you guys forgotten about how new guys are supposed to get started in this industry?Only the big carriers are willing to take a chance on a new guy
You really don't know what that is all about? As Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) was fond of saying "It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt."

As much as hate all forms of insurance, this one really isn’t their fault. Experience plays a huge part in how likely a driver is likely to get into an accident. You ding another truck in the truck stop, no big deal… a few grand fixes the problem. You hit a four-wheeler out on the road and the company is often sued for millions. I could tell you factual stories you wouldn’t believe about some of the crazy lawsuits I’ve seen litigated over the years.

Agreed, but no job is worth bragging about. I in fact, detest braggers of all sorts.


I've had days where I feel the same way. You either have to find some way of making it interesting, or you need to move on and find something else to. I found a way of making it interesting.

Shouldn't you do that with any career choice? You know, there was a pro basketball player who got injured and couldn't play anymore, so he went back to school to fulfill his other lifelong dream of being a dentist. He made it all the way through to the point where he actually had to work on somebody's teeth before he realized his hands were too big to do the work. True story, I promise you. It always pays to do as much research as possible before making a life changing decision.

As others have mentioned already, many of us do not do this because we have to. Many are degreed individuals. I say this not to boast, but to make a point: I attended what was at the time, one of the top 20 small private liberal arts colleges in the country. I am a licensed life insurance agent. I have successfully managed several businesses. I'm a certified welder, heavy equipment operator, and am competent enough in several other fields that I could find work there if I wanted to. Still, I drive a truck for a living. There are times I absolutely hate what I do, but there are also times that I truly enjoy it. Few things in life are all good or all bad. This job allows me to set my own hours and run my business the way I want to run it. If I fail, I have no one to blame but myself. Same thing applies if I succeed. I can cuss like a sailor and tell dirty jokes on the job and it’s okay. I don’t have to wear a suit and tie and I still make more money than a lot of white collar workers. This job offers me a compromise between the white and blue collar word. I can dress and act like a blue collar guy, but I can make white collar money. Everybody’s situation is different. I have to admit that I didn’t much enjoy working as a company driver, so I did something to change that. I have a feeling that you aren’t going to be happy anywhere you work. Many people aren’t. No matter what the situation, they will put all their effort into finding something to be unhappy about.

I hope you put more research into what you can expect that economics degree to get you than you put into trucking. People graduating with a BA degree in Econ are making less than a lot of truck drivers. You think truck driving is boring? Just wait til you become a number cruncher.

 

I can see you and belpre are going to be good buddys on here.

 

DUDE, if u don't like it,then get out of it.Don't complain since that won't do anything to your situation.Last time i checked this was a free country,with no one holding a shotgun to your head and telling you what to do.

As far as for myself i enjoy the best of it every time i'm out there.Being my own boss,not having to tell anyone what to do,how long to work, when i want to be working , and other things, makes this job perfect for me.I always see the challenge in this,whether putting up with an idiot on the road or doing a good job for my brokers.All depends on the attitude that you wake up every morning!Simple as that.

 

No matter what you do for a living or how much you enjoy it, there will be things that you don't like about your career choice.

 

If one has to work at liking something then its probably not for them.

 

I see no reason to work at a job that you don't enjoy. Life is too short. If you don't enjoy driving a truck then find something that you do enjoy. If you are doing something other than driving and don't enjoy it find another career, whether that is driving a truck or something else.

 

My intent was not to be contentious, but simply point out that while yes, there are things about this industry that leave a good deal to be desired, there are also good aspects of it as well. With most situations in life, they are what you make of them. Happiness IS a choice... no job or person or amount of money will bring it. I’ve known millionaires who are miserable and I have also known people living well below the poverty line who are happy.

I don’t blame SPACEAGE7000 for not being happy with his career choice, many people have to try different fields out before they find career that is a good fit for them; but I do blame him for his lack of research before plopping down his money and going to truck driving school. Clearly he has found his way to CAD to express his displeasure with our industry. I would think that it would have been just as easy (perhaps even more so) to seek out CAD before committing himself to CDL school and ask us for an idea about what he should expect. He’s lucky he only blew $2k, since the average going rate seems to be $4k - $6k. I do know that before I spend a quarter of the money he did on anything, I spend some time researching my potential purchase to make sure that I make an informed one. He’s registered his account in October ’08 and has initiated four other posts besides this one, and in none of them did he try to find out what he could expect as a newbie driver. Pretty much any one of us could have told him that the odds of him graduating CDL school and immediately gaining employment as a local driver were somewhere between slim and none.

I truly wish SPACEAGE7000 all the luck in the world with finding a career that fits his wants and needs, but I have serious doubts as to whether or not he’s going to find something that fulfills those working in a cubicle making $40k or $50k a year with his economics degree.

 

I was talking about the OP being good friend with belpre. :thumbsup:

 

You have a life. It may not be the one you want, but you do have a life.

 

That's right young MackDog. Looks like it might just be that time once again. It's been a while. We're definitely due, I think. Do I have your permission to carry on MackDog?

Looks like the diehard/apologist OTR sect led by our blue headed friend has gotten a bit too comfy once again.

An honest and heartfelt post yields nothing but ridicule, deflection, second guessing and arrogance. Looks like someone needs to step in and shoo these myopia's back to their corner once again. I know just the fella.

I'll be right back.....................:thumbsup: