KW10001 said:
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Recently joined but have been an unregistered lurker for many months. I'm currently in college, working towards my bachelors. Most people probably expect someone with a bachelors to get a professional/corporate career, but I don't think that is where my heart lies. I can't imagine why sitting at a desk looking at a computer screen all my life doesn't attract me.
Welcome. WHAT kind of degree? How far along? Whatever it is... if you are close and can afford it, FINISH IT! It may be the ONLY decision in your life you will
NEVER regret!
I am one of those who
CAN imagine why a cubicle life is not for everyone. but, regardless of where you THINK your heart lies at this (assumed) young age, FINISH IT if you can! Like Joey Shabadoo (we all know him as CFM) says.... trucking can wait! It will BE here when you are ready. If it's NOT.... well.... dropping out of college to GO trucking would have been stoopid... right?
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Ever since I was a young child I remember thinking the sleepers on the back of trucks were the coolest thing. I dreamed of traveling the country, hauling freight on my own and never being 2 feet from my bed. The idea just always intrigued me. And today, my interest in trucking is stronger than ever.
I don't have such a strong memory of childhood intrigue with trucking, but I traveled ALOT as a child, and was "aware" of the trucks out there. Can't say as I even NOTICED the sleeper berth, but I liked the Stacks and the Hoods! Off and on throughout my life, in periods of unemployment, I kept considering Trucking jobs. I probably would have gotten in sooner, but I took their requirement of a "clean" driving record TOO literally. :hellno:
As for being only 2 feet from your bed? I think I understand that one. I LOVED the few times I've been able to drive SOLO (I'm mostly a team driver,) because... if I got a little sleepy, I could pull over ANYWHERE and jump in the sleeper for a quick nap of an hour or so. VERY refreshing!
If I read you right, and I have no idea if I do.... you seem to have a "calling" for the open road and an appreciation for the beauty of this vast country in ALL its diverse forms. I have no idea if you HAVE "traveled" or just DREAMED of it. But, I for one, would HATE to live and die in ONE little corner of this beautiful country.... without EVER really seeing or "experiencing" the rest of it!
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I think I hold some of the most important traits to a trucker. First, and probably most importantly, I love to drive. I also enjoy days, if not weeks of being alone and completely independent. In addition, I have no immediate family to worry about and the idea of living out of my truck is not completely crazy to me.
You pass.
Not EVERY trucking job requires you to live out of your truck, but it's good that you are prepared for that. The love of driving is somewhat essential...as is the
DESIRE to see the country.
MANY on this board, and in every truckstop, who thought they loved to drive, got TIRED of it after awhile. Truthfully..... looking at the SAME old highways out of the window of a truck is not THAT much different than looking at a computer screen all day.... if that is
ALL you see your job to BE!
I could tell tales for DAYS of the wonderful experiences I've had as a trucker. From the night I learned the "tricks" to Blackjack from a bunch of Florilli drivers (about 5 trucks) who were "overnighting" at a casino in the middle of nowhere, Nevada at the same time I was there.... to a day of chaining up over Cabbage Pass with a driver who followed me into the truckstop the night before as we got "snowbound."
If you DO it right.... trucking is a never-ending "book of life" that holds surprises and intrigue on
EVERY page you turn! You never KNOW what tomorrow ... or the next page...will bring. But, you just can't WAIT to GET there! :thumbsup:
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But other than these, what do you guys think are very important attributes for a trucker to have? And why did you become a trucker?
Well... I guess I already mentioned "curiosity." PATIENCE is another necessity. [I'm not too LONG on that one... but, I've managed to keep my cool, cuz it's just part of the job!]
Not to be
"misunderestimated" (according to Dubya... just had to throw that in...) is a basic understanding of MATH... and the ability to calculate hours of service to stay within regulations. Mistakes in that area can be VERY costly in this business.
And ONE more thing: You're going to meet or see some pretty ODD specimens of the human condition out there in the truckstops. Some will amaze you... others will disgust you. Some will befriend you... others will cuss you. IMHO... at some point it becomes imperative that you ACCEPT each and every driver as an equal human being... just trying to DO HIS JOB to support himself or his family. People are just people. When you are ALL lined up in parking spots... in a smelly, noisy truckstop parking lot (or distributor's waiting area,) ... there are FEW "advantages" that you can afford yourself.
The driver beside you is really no different than you.