Question:
Ever realize that the POSTERS who constantly COMPLAIN about TRUCKING , cut up and chastise anyone who might be interested in trucking and constantly compile what they feel are useful statistics are *STILL DRIVING A TRUCK*.
If you HATE trucks , trucking , or truckers go try another occupation, you will soon realize they are all the same in many ways.
You would probably get crappy wages , crappy equipment ( or at least not the standards you feel you are entitled to ) , have to deal with foreman or supervisors who may not like you or show favors to others. Maybe work in bad weather or worse have to live away from home for short or long periods of time.
This FORUM is to help out the NEWBIES not chase them away.

Answer:
This FORUM is to help out the NEWBIES not chase them away.
Hmmm....I thought this forum was to inform
Newbies in all the aspects of the vocation.
It's definetly not all bad or good but they should have any opinions/facts from both views
on the issues. To refer to anyone as Boneheaded is well,kind of Boneheaded. -->
Mike
_________________
Mike

Answer:
RoadHugger,
Thanks for your "BONEHEADED" post! -->
It was very helpful to all the Newbies!
-->
************************************
Indiana RoadRunner
A legend in his own mind! You called a couple liars, liars!! -->
You have got to get in touch with their feelings!
(As bad as some of them type, it’s about the only way you can figure out what they’re saying!)
************************************
Indiana RoadRunner
A legend in his own mind! http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/dowjones/20021112/bs_dowjones/200211112138000732
Wyle E. Coyote
Supergenius!

Answer:
"Royal did not intend to insure abnormal credit risks of this type and magnitude," Royal Indemnity said in a complaint filed in June in state district court in Jefferson County, Texas.
Serves those co-called smart guys right!
They give out money to any screwball that wants money to learn a trade. Thing is, many of these screw balls are just not cut out for the job!
They saw those TV shows and decided they could drive with a monkey and have big boobed woman chasing them.
Trucking must be in the blood!
Driving a truck, must be who you are. Not who you wish to be!
I hope all those loan companies go broke! Serves them right!
If I buy a house with a loan. I must be pre-qualified!
So should anybody that's trying to learn a trade!!
Which driving a truck is!
It's a trade, not a game!

Answer:
Well I see 3 of the EXPERTS have responded , 2 responses have no bearing on the topic unless there was a hidden message 'REGARDING LOANS' of some sort?
RH your post has valid points , so many paint the picture of trucking as being poorly paid MOTORIZED homeless people , but fail to mention that there are other jobs that can fall into the same category if not worse.

Answer:
nothing hidden about the fact that 70% can't or don't pay back the loans
it's right there in black and white that truckdriving school ain't the road to riches for many and that the industry has many undesirable people in it.
Probably a percentage of the 30% that do repay the loans,don't do it while driving a truck,they found out it wasn't for them once they found out the whole story about the industry,but being decent people they do repay the loan anyways.
"subprime nature of the borrowers"
hidden message(lowlife's)people you wouldn't lend nothing to.
Wyle E. Coyote
Supergenius!

Answer:
well, i got a loan to pay for school, am still driving, and still paying the loan back at the unbelieve interest rate of............
.
.
.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
........23%!!!
If at first you don't suceed, get a bigger hammer

Answer:
Call me crazy, but I see a lot of nonsence here, over the top. Yes I have also noticed the over board discourgaement of the trucking industry, Ya know I some times think, it is possible for drivers to discourage others from getting into the business, just so there driveing ability becomes more of a demand, lets face it, this field of work is not for everyone, that being said, let it roll. I can ***** w the best of them, I just dont want to.
Also, is there any loyalty among fellow drivers?
is there proof, of such a thing.........
wONT BE LONG B4 I BREAK THIS RUSTY CAGE AND GET ON THE ROAD,LOOKING REAL FORWARD TO IT, CAUSE SITTING HERE ON THIS DAM TIME BANDIT(COMPUTER) DONT PAY. how much do the lot lizards charge? -->

Answer:
"Ya know I some times think, it is possible for drivers to discourage others from getting into the business just so there driveing ability becomes more of a demand, "
I'm really not worried about anyone moving to CT. to get my job and most other posters that tell the whole story don't even drive anymore.
leave the e out of driving -->
I have the time to let people know what they are getting into before they take on a student loan and than find out it ain't what they thought it would be.Around $5,000.00 for school is a lot of money.Most people have no idea about trucking,anyone can guess it's pretty cool cruising down a wide open interstate,but there is a little more to it,thats the purpose of this newbies forum,to let people know why there are so many companies looking for drivers.If someone knows all the facts and does decide to go ahead,they won't be saying wait,nobody told me about all this.
I met one trainer that lost 5 students in 10 days,they didn't have a clue and decided it wasn't for them,they still have to pay for the school. -->
Wyle E. Coyote
Supergenius!

Answer:
You newbies with little or no experience ought to take heed when you hear so many miserable people moaning on the CB and here on Trucknet. Trucking is a hard, lonely life where the pay often breaks down to below minimum wage. Man, you'll hear truckers saying "Sure, I'd rather flip burgers but Burger King won't give me 80 hours a week". Do you realize how crazy that sounds?!? In this sense, trucking is like a trap because once you're in this industry for awhile, you'll find out that you have no job skills or experience to bring to another employer. Go ahead and write down "Truck Driver" on a resume and see what happens. That's right, your resume will go right into the trash unless it's for another driving job.
Go into trucking only if it's your last option. If you've got bills to pay and mouths to feed, then you gotta do what you gotta do, right? But if you have the means, I'd say go to school and learn a skill or trade like electronics, HVAC, plumbing, draftsman, nurse, radiological tech, etc. Why drop $5,000 - $10,000 on a CDL mill when you can get a real job with better hours and better pay?
Watch out! That old timer with the bad back and the 'thousand-mile truckstop stare' who's crying on the CB just might be YOU in a few years.
http://www.subway.com

Answer:
Flatbed's post is a good example of what they say when you say something that hits home!
GeneThePoolLifeguard and Zigzag, good points!
-->
************************************
Indiana RoadRunner
A legend in his own mind! You guys and gals are the experts and you are absolutley correct about wanting us newbies to be sure we know what we are getting into. I can only speak for me. But the way I see it I have been gone for up to 6 months at a time with no home time (Cruisin). My income will be supplemented with my military retirement. and the school will cost me $500.00 (T/A picks up the balance). My brother and my uncle have both been truck drivers, and I have talked to both, not all good, not all bad. Something that I've wanted to do for many years, but had to put it aside to complete my military career and get my retirement. If I do not at least persue my dream I will not be happy. I probably could settle into a job making more money based on my expierience, but I may never be happy. If trucking doesn't work out(I hope it does), I know I could get a job doing somthing else, Im not worried. I appreciate all the advice. Im here to learn.
Ike -->

Answer:
At the risk of getting my butt handed to me again.
I don't see any reason why. ike you have an
understanding that all opinions should be weighed.
All the opinions here pro and con are factual
in the posters experience.
Mike
_________________
Mike