Question:
What are some of the public's biggest misconceptions/stereotypes of truck drivers? Are they right or wrong if so how?

Answer:
I'll start:
Stereo Type #1: Tuckers are truckers because they don't have the skill to do anything else.
This may be true in some cases. But it's also true of:
Police Officers
DOT Officers
Actors/Actresses
Models
Salespeople
College professors
Dispatchers (according to some drivers anyways)
Telemarketers
and several other jobs. So what's the point? A lot of people are in jobs because its the only thing they really have the skill to do. How many doctors do you know are qualified to drive an 80,000lb tractor/trailer?
stereotype# 2:Truckers are foul and nasty
Its these same people who make these claims that, when at the movies, when finished with their popcorn and soda, simply dump it on the floor.
There are pigs in all walks of life. Its just that truckers live in their trucks on the road and so the messier ones become a bit more obvious.
sterotype# 3: Truck drivers have no respect for 4 wheelers
Hey... unlike most 4-wheelers, a truck driver's driving record determines his/her very livelyhood. More than likely...those who say this is someone who had a close encounter with a vehicle that weighed about 35 times more than theirs...they darted out or did something else stupid... and through the competence of the t/t driver.. an accident was avoided.
Truck drivers are cursed for being too slow. Yet when one passes a 4 wheeler on the interstate they say "look at that idiot... he shouldnt be driving that truck".
Drivers are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
Most drivers however, couldn't give a crap less what anyone else thinks. They have their reasons for driving (usually because they love it).. and thats good enough for them.

Answer:
#1 misconception, they are well paid
"They have their reasons for driving (usually because they love it)"
But hate the job.
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Answer:
Yes and no, ZigZag.
It depends on what you mean by "well-paid". Most drivers (unless the company tries to screw around with their paycheck...which I don't deny DOES happen), will net around $500.00 a week...more if they have a few years verifiable OTR under their belts.
Now, is an average of about $500.00 to $700.00 per week sufficient compensation for all that truckers have to endure? No. Not even close.
Most of the drivers in OTR... despite the disgruntled ex-OTR trucker, sob stories, do what they do because they love the life of a trucker. They love that rig, they love to travel, and they love not doing the usual same 4-walls, same 8 to 10 hour shift grind.
One thing zigzag IS right about... drivers sure as hell don't do it for the pay.