Profile For Jake T.

Brett,

I get what you're saying. You as well as other drivers will always be a greater authority on trucking than I can ever be, try as I might. I concede that to you. I don't need to get schooled on the philosophy of "writing vs living" - I've had to live that since I chose this professional path.

Anyway, I'm going to continue with my endeavors, despite the naysayers. You do not have to read any of my writings. I thought this would be an interesting excercise in learning about something that has been in my life and community since I can remember. I guess I'll just continue to talk to the friendly folks on other forums and have nice conversations with some friendships I have cultivated online. I can't say this has been a "positive" experience from the moderators despite being a "positive" forum! However, the other folks have been great and I appreciate their support and input. I give up.

Thanks to all! Great ideas.

Michael - Brett just gave me the same talking to. I won't repeat my response but I'll give you a truncated version -

I understand that folks in this industry are trepidatious about writers and journalists because they aren't insiders and there is the possibility of misrepresenting the industry as a whole. Then again, this could be said for any industry - but I'd rather attempt my due diligence in research rather than stopping altogether. My old man was a driver and just plain would not talk about it. I don't have the opportunity to speak about it with him now, so here I am - and on several forums I have found a great deal of community, engagement and help. I'm hoping to find that here (though I think I already have) and at least attempt to start discussions with drivers and just find some friendliness online.

Of course getting in the cab myself would be ideal. However, since I've chosen this life path (of writing, which is my passion) that's what I'm sticking to. I've written about film, music, culture, lifestyle, food, business, health - and while I do none of those professionally (I consider myself somewhat of an authority on music) and while I will never be able to nail it 100%, I'd rather try to understand trucking. Talking to other folks online, they feel there are some topics and issues that are horribly underrepresented, and while Trucking Truth is easily the most civil and eloquent forum I've been active on, that shouldn't disqualify their opinions and support.

Wow! Well, I gotta say, I'm not offended per se - but have a little faith, man! I love writing and I've written about tons of different subjects within contemprary culture. I'm truly not a musician (at least, I've never considered myself to be) yet I've made part of my living for the last 3 years in the realm freelance music journalism.

I've taught before at CSUs (you say "kid", but, whatever, I guess I am) and I always told my English students that they could write about any subject if they do enough earnest research, talked to people, and sought the truth. I don't work for any slanderous publication - I truly want to understand more about trucking and inform future truckers and the general public about the profession.

I agree that the last thing we need is another uninformed opinion. They are truly useless. But what's wrong with an informed opinion? Of course I'll never be able to understand the culture of trucking 100% - that would be incredible foolhardy to think so. However, to say that I'll never understand it and should give up, well, not only does that seem entirely defeatist to writing in general but that negates the point of any sort of journalistic endeavors.

See, I'm trying to do something positive here, and for the forum that promotes themselves as holding the positive and honest views I figured this would be a great place to turn to. I've been on other forums making friends and explaining my case - same as on here - and people have been incredibly friendly and helpful - even some sharing my cause on their social media pages.

And if I never "get it" well, I'd rather fail trying to understand as opposed to giving up because people have failed before me. So no, I'm offended, Brett. The people on these boards have been very welcoming to an outsider like me. I genuinely think trucking is interesting and have had a fine time disucssing some trends in the industry and gaining more insight into the culture. Isn't that in part what the forums are for?

Jake said in another thread:

I'm a recent college grad who loves to write and contributes to online sources/blog frequently with my writing. I'm heavily interested in writing about a variety of topics, but the trucking industry is one that is growing and with that comes a great deal of information that needs to be accounted for. That in mind, I need help from the folks here - what topics in the industry are interesting or worth writing about? Are there any issues that you or your loved ones behind the wheel have faced that you feel aren't addressed? Anything controversial in the business that seems to divide you and your friends?

It didn't dawn on me that you were the college kid who wanted to write about trucking. Jake, please do the world a favor and find something other than trucking to write about. If you haven't lived it you can't possibly begin understand it. Half the people out there driving truck don't seem to understand how this industry works. You're certainly not going to understand 1% of what the trucking world is all about by asking us some questions in a forum.

To be brutally honest, at the risk of offending, the last thing this world needs is another uninformed opinion. The media and the Web in general are already saturated with sensationalized lies, slander, and self-serving rhetoric. We spend most of our time in this forum dispelling myths and misinformation, which is why I answered your question without even thinking about who was asking it or why. We get questions like that all the time from people who are researching this industry and trying to find out the truth about this industry and what it takes to make it out there.

If you're so interested in trucking then go out there and live it and share your experiences with people. Otherwise leave it to the people who have been there to help others understand what it's all about. There isn't a thing in the world you can do at this point that's going to help anyone. I don't mean to offend, but that's how it is.

If you're looking to fill a gap I would suggest writing about insulin dependent diabetics in the trucking industry. There are very few resources or literature to assist insulin dependents in getting and maintaining their CDL. I just recently went through the whole process myself and it's kind of inspired me to start a youtube series about how to go through the process and what to expect.

Wow, great idea for a topic. I truly would not have ever thought of that. I'll get to researching! (If you have any info or links, I would very much appreciaite them!

Wow, thanks, Brett. That was incredibly informative.

Thanks! I'll look into the information you gave me.

Hey everyone,

One topic and issue that I've seen online are drivers feeling upset about "driver mills" - in other words, schools that turn turckers out to get them on the road and to get their money. Is this a real concern? Does anyone have experience with this issue (or perhaps how upcoming drivers can avoid it?)

Thanks.

All good points here. Thanks for the input so far everyone.

Not trying to start a huge debate here, I'm just curious what some experienced truckers think about Tesla's foray into the trucking industry.

http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-semi-will-shake-trucking-industry-roots/

All sides of the conversation are welcome.

^ Now that is an excellent idea. Thanks for the input!

Welcome Jake!

As a voracious reader and a soon to be trucker, I know what fascinates me is the people. Everyone here has a different story; how they got here and what they are like now. People who don't know tend to think of truckers as beer-gutted hard-partying types with the intelligence of a fairly smart baboon. There are some other forums that will reinforce that thinking. A little time here will show you just how untrue that is.

And there are always the "war stories." I'm a big fan of those as well.

Thank you! That's an excellent idea. Though new to the indsutry I definitely know about that myth. That will be fun to write about!