Question:
Has anyone ever regretted going into the trucking industry, such as leaving an old crappy job going into trucking thinking that it will be better but its not and then your stuck because you don't wanna waste the 5g's you tanked into trucking school?
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Answer:
I've never regreted choosing trucking, though my circumstances are not like the newbies of today and the choices I had when driving were much different.
I never went to a trucking school. I started driving off my granfather's farm in VT as a preteen. I have always driven trucks. But I have also done many other things to make a living, like running a construction company out of Ma for fourteen years.
But even then I had two flatbeds for delivering my equipment and materials, as well as hauling a few loads now and again when things were slow.
When I decided to drive for someone else, I was able to jump into a small company as I had plenty of experience. I never drove for any of the large carriers and never had to experience much of the things I read about in this and other forums that seem unique with the dweller carriers.
Heck, I've never even used a Qualcom!
«"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers."»

Answer:
Yep. I made the mistake. I like driving, but the crap that comes with it sucks. On the job 24 hrs a day (teams) which figures out to less than minimum wage. Eating out of cellophane packages everyday( or Arby's,subway,burger King), or you will spend all your income in food. Company treats you like a slave, because basically you are when you are on the road. Two or three day layovers without pay($20 a day after 36 hrs laid over. Driving is great. It's just those dam truck companies. For your info, my trainer was doing a survey on the road of all company drivers on CB asking how they liked there company. Hew had been doing it for quite some time. He says the only company he never heard anyone ***** about was Martin. Apparently they have happy drivers. Wish I had went there, but too late now. I'm back home with the family now every night, got a job here. Maybe I will go back on the road, but right now I have a bad taste for it thanks to the company I was with.

Answer:
I don't regret going into trucking. Now that I am burnig out of it, I am getting out soon, so that I don't regret not getting out of trucking while I had the chance...
@#*!%$^@!
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Answer:
Originally posted by StagnantVirus:
Has anyone ever regretted going into the trucking industry, such as leaving an old crappy job going into trucking thinking that it will be better but its not and then your stuck because you don't wanna waste the 5g's you tanked into trucking school?
I can't wait till I go on the road. The only thing I have regretted was going into the restaurant and food service Industry, biggest mistake of my life. Hopefully this time its for the best not worst. -->
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
Never once have I regretted getting into this job - I've gotten tired of it a couple of times, and gone off to do something different, but it's always been there when I wanted to come back.
Trucking is the ONLY job out there where you NEVER have to worry about being unemployed.

Answer:
If you feel you must try truck driving, then by all means do it. It is not difficult to get into this industry as a driver. It only costs between $3,000 and $6,000 for driving school and that is about it. This money could be spent to learn other skills or trades, but to go to college today or learn other things may cost you much more. And the cost to start your own business today is even more. So if you want to drive a truck, you can do so without too much difficulty, given you have a clean record.
Now a couple of things. Most new drivers come into driving and know nothing about it. It is a lifestyle more than it is a job. And not an easy lifestyle either. You can make good money, but when you think about how many hours you work, it actually works out to less than minimum wage. Most new drivers think it is like in the movies and is lots of fun. You are like a highly paid tourist. I can tell you that this is not the case. Going on vacation, even by car, is nothing like hauling frieght along interstate highways through all seasons and never having time for family, friends, or personal pursuits. Think about your kid's birthday, or a family reunion that you will miss because you are waiting on a load 1000 miles away in a cold, snowy drop yard with nothing to eat but fast food. Can you live with this? What about driving for 8 hours in bad weather to get a load somewhere and the dock worker treats you like garbage for no reason and you have to wait another 10 unpaid hours just to get it unloaded? Or how about spending a whole seven days out on the road just to bring home less than you did at the job you left to go into trucking?
All of this happens out there quite regularly and people who want this lifestyle must live with it. Can you? There are reasons why companies that hire new drivers have a turnover rate that approaches 90-100% per year. I am not trying to steer you away from becoming a driver if this is what you want. Just some insight into why so many feel they have made a "mistake" by becoming drivers.

Answer:
If trucking ever becomes a job to me, I will quit. Ditto to what cadillac said.
I am not a truck driver because I drive a truck, I drive a truck because I am a truck driver.
Daytripper
"We have met the enemy, and he is us." pogo

Answer:
I went to school and started with a company that seemed to be okay but the now known Burlington Motor Carriers is now Celidon and they let me go right after training I meen I just got back to take the solo test and they sent me home along with 1500 other people. Go figure! I still want to drive truck but it put my family in a major set back and now I drive a trash truck and get one hell of a work out. The job I do now is okay but when I get home I am still to tired to see my family but I make good money. So either way it would be the same except for the weekends. At least I stay in shape--> One of these days I will go back to OTR when me and my family get into a agreement and we have enough money for me to be gone for 2 months and take a pay cut at the same time. Until then I'll be a trashman. Waste Management is always hiring drivers and if you want to bring home a 600+ weekly paycheck go and check them out you get payed to stay in shape! Thats it for now.

Answer:
This job. They pay is very good for the little work I do. What other job can you spend 3000 on schooling and earn 40k your first year? I love this industry and my job. I do get tired of the people that complain about it. I always ask them why they do it if they do not like it? This job is not for every one. Of the 100 that get into this and think it will be great find it is not for them ,10 out of 100 may last a year. Just because one dosn't like this industry dosn't mean every one feels that way. If the drivers that are not pationate about this field of work would get otu of it we would have a lot less problems. People that tend to have good feelings and like there jobs tend to do better at them. So if you do not like to truck and all the stuff that come with it then chances are you can not be a good driver. Why would you do something you do not love?
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Wood's Country Store
202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
For those that do regret it, they must not have done very good research. One dosn't have to do much research to come to the sight that this is not a picnic. I guess some just do not plan things out. That is why they have to put the picture of a hand getting hit with the blade on a lawn mower deck. Some people just do not plan.
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Wood's Country Store
202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
My only regret was not getting into end dumping sooner you make more and are home everynigh, only problem is for example the people I work for is that the insurance company needs the drivers to have 2+ years driving exp. with tractor trailor so my hard time spent in a box is paying off 900-1100 a week and home every night is great for the area I live in. It does involve 12 hour days though 5 days a week though.

Answer:
I gotta agree with Daytrader.
Never felt that I regreted
This job. They pay is very good for the little work I do. What other job can you spend 3000 on schooling and earn 40k your first year? I love this industry and my job. I do get tired of the people that complain about it.
For those that do regret it, they must not have done very good research. One dosn't have to do much research to come to the sight that this is not a picnic. I guess some just do not plan things out. That is why they have to put the picture of a hand getting hit with the blade on a lawn mower deck. Some people just do not plan.
As far as the planning thing goes, you can plan to your hearts content, but then sh*t happens that is beyond your control and you still end up living through it.
You gotta remember the Marine Corp Motto;
"Improvise, Adapt and Overcome!"
Another motto that I've learned is;
"Illigitimi Non Carborundum Est!"
You ask, "What the hell does that mean?"
Well, it's Latin for;
"Don't let the B a s t a r d s grind you down!" --> --> --> -->
You are better than some 22 year old, self centered S.O.B. Dick 'Ed -->
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"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)

Answer:
Originally posted by daytrader:
What other job can you spend 3000 on schooling and earn 40k your first year?
And after 25 years, you are still earning about $40K...
If the drivers that are not pationate about this field of work would get out of it we would have a lot less problems.
True, but you forget that many drivers do this job because they are too stupid to do anything else-what choice do they have?
Why would you do something you do not love?
I don't know. Ask most Americans, ho work at jobs they would rather not be doing. Trading their happiness for false security of a steady paycheck.
@#*!%$^@!
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