Question:
Well it's been a whole year since I started driving. I can proudly say I have made it to that all important mark, however it hasn't been all easy. I first started out with a set of keys, a cell phone, and directions to my first pick up. No training, other than school. Just words of encouragement, and a "please don't wreck my truck!" from my boss.
I thought that he was completely out of his mind. Up until that point I had exactly 20 minutes pulling a 53' trailer. Later that day I was in Evans,GA picking up my first load. Well one successful load after another, and here I am..one year later.
yeah yeah yeah...so what have I learned?!?!
This can be, at times, a great way to make a living. Any OTR driver will tell you that, somedays there is nowhere they'd rather be. There have been many days where I absolutely loved my job, and days that I'd have started shooting if I had a gun.(no not really, but you get the idea) I have seen the most beautiful scenery this country has to offer, and been in some of the scariest neighborhoods around. I've helped other drivers, and been helped by other drivers, and been ignored by other drivers when I really needed a hand.
This can be a pretty easy way to make a living, or it can, and has been, an absolute nightmare. Several times a week, I just want to walk away from the whole mess. Usually within a few moments whatever that had me so upset I have either handled, or just said to heck with it and went to bed....sometimes in the middle of the day.
Getting into this line of work is a decision that needs to have a lot of thought put into it. More often than not you'll find someone driving down the highway in their personal cars, when a big truck passes by, and the motorist thinks to themselves " I wish I could be doing that"
Be very careful what you wish for........
I have been in and around trucking all my life. You could say it is in my blood. My first ride in a big truck was with my Grandfather in a 1965 B-model Mack. Red with Black fenders, and black painted rims. I will remember that day forever. I have never really felt comfortable in office settings. I have always been happiest behind the wheel of something, be it an airplane, a truck, or my beloved boat. I might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but if it's got wings,wheels, or a propeller...I can make it go, with a good amount of skill.
Some say that trucking is what you make of it. To some extent that is true. A lot of times you don't control the day...the day controls you. In this line of work you must be able to think on your feet. You must be able to solve problems with little or no supervision. I remember the first time I had a breakdown. I tried in vain to contact the office. No joy. So I sat there....9 different shades of ticked off, then I thought to myself....just do it yourself. A quick thumb through the truckstop guide, a 5 minute phone call later, I was on my way to the repair shop not 10 minutes away. Turns out the owner was in a meeting, and when he called me back later, I told him the problem, what I had done, and that I was rolling again. So you see a huge problem was nothing more than a slight inconvenience once I calmed down, and assesed my problem.
I have learned that being polite will, at times, get you everywhere. If you walk into a shipper or reciever in a bad mood, with a lousy attitude, you will find yourself in worse shape than you were 5 minutes ago.
I have learned that communication is probably the most important thing you will do on a daily basis, as far as the job is concerned. If you work for a company with a Quallcomm, use it. If you are like me, a call or two a day to your dispatcher will keep your life smooth and easy. Your dispatcher will never know if you are out of hours,tired,sick, or just don't give a rats behind that day, unless you tell them. More that a few times I have called my dispatcher first thing in the morning, and told him that on that particular day, I couldn't care less if the load got delivered. I have a great relationship with my dispatcher. Not being too much of a thorn is important, but I know that sometimes I am.
I have learned that there are times when the logbook gets put in the cooler for very specific reasons. Those who tell you they have never in their driving career driven illegally is outright lying to you. Period.
I have learned that getting lost just plain stinks. You must learn to recognize when something isn't quite right. Getting directions is a crap shoot on a good day. Always, always, always speak to someone in shipping and recieving to get directions. Make sure to ask for the shipping and recieving department too...otherwise you'll get accounts recievable( accounting)!
You must learn to cover your rear. If you are doing something you shouldn't be doing, it's your butt Cochese......! You screw up, the company will trod ever onward, and not miss a beat. If you get an overweight ticket, it is you who will get the ticket. If the load doesn't look right.....make sure it is before you go. Your dispatcher saying " I need you to do me a big favor." is usually the first ingredient in a recipe for disaster. Learn to say no. Remember the saying "Poor planning on your part, does not constitute an emergency on mine." Learn to say no.
A lot of people get into this line of work thinking that they'll be able to stop and smell the roses along the way. Most of the time that happens is of there is another vehicle skidding in the median tossing flowers into your windshield. You wanna smell flowers....buy a Winnebago.
Do your pretrip every day. Five minutes of your time can, and will save you hours down the road. Catching a flat while you are in the parking lot of a truck stop is a lot easier to fix when it's there......cheaper too.
Cleanliness is very important. Keep your self,and your truck clean. If you are to lazy to walk 100 feet to the restroom, instead you pee on your tires....you are just a nasty pig. Wash your damn hands when leaving the bathroom.
All in all it isn't a bad way to spend the day. Oh sure, traffic stinks, every motorist is determined to cut you off, you'll be having a great conversation with another driver on the CB, and some moron will chime in with "shut up stupid"
Like I said .......be careful what you wish for...
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After 31 years (off and on) on the road all I can say is:
Yeah, what he said
Great post Cessna

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Most excellant post.....
Thanks!!!! Lays it right out and doesn't pull any punches!!!!!!
Good luck to you!!!!!I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Lead, Follow or get out of my way!!!

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Good post Cessna!
Ya didn't sugar coat a thing.

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-JHappy Dwellers Society
Company Driver Division

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Excellent composition---truer words have not been writtten!
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And who said the "TRUTH" does not make for good reading , very well done

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What a load of crap!!!
I just wanted to say that before Zigzag did.
Actually, that is about as true as you can get it. Good post Cessna.This is USAF 2T2 and I approve this message.

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Cessna came out and told it like it is!
What he said reminds me of many of my weeks out here!

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Thank you all. As "veterans" of this board, each one of your opinions is important to me.
Trucking is something you either love or hate. Some people are out here just to get a paycheck, and that is great. Some people are out here because it is something they love to do. There is nothing wrong with loving your job. Sure, the downfalls of this profession are many, but nothing that you can't either overcome, or adapt to.
For me I love the freedom I am afforded. One phone call to my dispatcher, and I can get a load to the dreaded Northeast to visit my family. When I am home I am off for 3-5 days at a stretch. Gives me plenty of time to hop on a plane, or take that beautiful boat of mine out for a few days on the water.
The people I work for and with are absoultely the best. Should I walk away from this, I know that I have made some new lifelong friends.
For you newbies getting started, think long and hard about this. It isn't glamourous. Sure, you see the country...from the drivers seat doing 65 miles per hour. It was great being able to go to the Great American Truck Show in Dallas, and get paid to go there. My total out of pocket expences for that were $0.00.
However if you get into trucking, and come to hate it. Get out. You are doing yourself, and those around you a disservice by being somewhere you don't want to be. This job is difficult enough on a good day, you being mad at the world, and hating your job will only make it worse.

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Speaking as a "newbie" I also want to say good & informative post. I would rather hear it like it is and be a little better understanding of what to expect.
Sugar coating is good on bite size shreaded wheat and jelly donuts but when planning real life I like real info.

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That was cool.

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That was pretty dang good!

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Thanks for the help.I'm sure he will have the same positive attitude in a few years.
Camping is fun also,but after awhile the conforts of home are wanted.It takes awhile longer when your on a paid camping trip for the fun to wear off,give it time and it will.
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Thank you, sir. Very true words and inspiration. Works for me
Truckngirl...