Question for the truck-drivers on here.

[Southern_Trendkill]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a CDL and driving trucks when I get out of the Navy. Right now I'm an aviation electrician, and I know that pays a lot better in the civilian world than truck driving, but I honestly hate this job with every bone in my body. I'm not sure if it's electrician work itself that I hate, or just Navy BS that makes it so miserable.

I've made several road trips before, the most recent (and longest) being from Whidbey Island, Washington, to Brunswick, Maine. I did that trip by myself in 3 and a half days, and, while not particularly exciting, was the most fun I've had in a long time. With this experience as a guide, I'm starting to look a lot more seriously at truck driving as a career.
It seems perfect to me because I love driving, I hate working under supervision, I enjoy solitude, and I don't really get lonely.


I know we have a few truckers on this forum, and so I was hoping you guys could offer some insight, opinions, stories, etc.

 

[Boggin]

my dads a trucker, i asked him what he thinks and he said its not all just driving, well in his case anyways. he is looking to get out of it after 30 years because alot of companys have assholes for dispatchers, and alot of people are hard to get along with while your a trucker, but other than that it is ok if you like driving.
oh and if your buying a truck, get a new one. cause used ones are nothing but junk in most cases. once they get over the one million mile mark they start to loose rear-ends, transmissions, clutches, etc.
and he also said that the only engine he would ever have is a Caterpillar

 

[B2 Addict]

I have only been driving a truck for 8 yrs, I believe in that time I have aged 20 yrs. I have been off the road for almost 5 months now due to economic downsizing, but, I highly doubt I will ever go back out on the road. I will not tell you what to do because everyone is different, I can only tell you what I know.

I also love to drive, hate working under supervision, enjoy my solitude, & don't really get lonely.... The only thing I enjoyed about truck driving was getting to see the country & that quickly wore off. Yes, it is nice to be to yourself & you may not have anybody over your shoulder, but you almost always have somebody on your back!

The unreasonable time schedules some companies put you on are ridiculous, the DOT regulations that vary widely from state to state are a PITA, you will always have that DOT officer &/or company dispatcher on a constant power trip that acts like a robot with absolutely no human characteristics whatsoever, the stupid moron in the passenger vehicle that thinks you can stop on a dime & can't figure out why you need so much room to make a turn....I could go on & on & I'm sure someone else will add to my list.

The money you can make is good if you want to run your azz off, but the money you spend out on the road can get ridiculous, you used to be able to get a free coffee with a fuel purchase, but even that is quickly going away. I'm as frugal as it comes, but when you have to pay for everything you do, the money you make goes quickly. You will get to share facilities with nasty drivers that have no manners, no respect for others, & absolutely no sense of clean hygiene, but don't worry, the truck stop janitor used a hose pipe, a dirty mop, & some air freshener so that shower would be "clean" for you.

It may seem like I have nothing good to say about it & you're right, I don't. If you like being driven like a mule, having your location being monitored by the dispatcher Nazis that hate their jobs, themselves, everyone else, & talk to you like shi?, having nasty lot lizards knock on your door at 2 am after "visiting" with the driver next to you that never showers & has chicken bones all over the floor of his truck, so on & so on, etc, etc....you will like truck driving.

Oh, I guess there is one good thing...if you are into fake gold, pirated adult videos, or "hot" electronics for cheap, you can pick up a large variety from the crack addicts across the country who will run to you to make a sale like pigs at feeding time every time you walk across the parking lot.

Ok, I have to stop now, I could go on & on.This is obviously just my opinion, take it for what it's worth. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.