Where Are You From, What Did You Do, And Why Be A Trucker???

Hope this finds everyone happy and headed home for Thanksgiving, if possible. Since I was told about this site, I have read quite a number of interesting posts. There is one that I have not seen, but maybe, it could be, no one cares to know, I do.

O.K., I think we can all agree that today’s Truck Drivers are a very diverse group of folks. We have men, women, big people, little people, husky (fat) people – ME, skinny people, etc. We got masters of the English language and some that can barely talk any American at all.

Point is, 1) Where do all these folks come from? 2) What did they do before? 3) Why on earth would any sane person want to be a Truck Driver? Think about it, life on the road, living out of your truck, away from family and friends, driver managers, shippers, dock workers, scales, highway patrol, and the worst, 4 wheelers.

I’m curious and want to know, do you?

I’ll go first: 1) San Diego, CA 2) Navy USS Merrill (DD976) – ’86 to ’93 // Local Driver -- ’93 to 01/15 // Headed out OTR – 01/15 – Now 3) Simple, I'm 54, I have seen more of the world outside the USA than I have seen inside this great country. Daughter is now grown and on her own. I’m single, nothing tying me down, ready to see America. I'll let trucking pay my way. Best part, I don't have anywhere to be, so I'll enjoy the ride. Simple

All right, How about you?

I'll bite...but first since I a love trucks, especially older ones, Jerry what did you learn on?

I will pause an let you answer this question...thanks G

I grew up in a family business my grandfather started in 1956. Been a welder and mechanic my whole life. my uncle taught me to drive big trucks when I was 16. I am 50 now the kids are grown and trucking is something I have always wanted to do so my wife and I are hitting the road

1)- I am a Philly product, born in Ridley Park PA, moved to King of Prussia PA in the mid sixties. I currently reside in a north-western suburb of Philadelphia. I bleed Eagle Green...no comments...have nothing left at the moment.

2)- I worked my way before and through college, Temple University, by driving (surprise) dump trucks for a local excavation company, eventually moving on to a 10-wheeler. Loved driving, really did. After graduating, I continued driving part time for that company until the mid 80s. Full-time I worked in the computer technology field for over 30 years, specializing in transportation automation/process and change management in; trucking, distribution, manufacturing, railroads, and a brief stint in pharma. Through my jobs I was able to travel the country and for a short period Europe.

3)- Is it any wonder that I ended up here? For me the journey was always more fun than the destination. I love driving and I love trucks. Almost four years ago (now) at age 52, I had become rather burned-out with technology, corporate politics, and finally realized that I was not happy working in the field anymore. Truck driving is what I turned to. Although it's a demanding, at times thankless job, I thoroughly enjoy it and the dedicated account I am assigned to. Everyday there is a new, sometimes unexpected challenge. This is what I will be doing for at least the next 10 years (God willing) until I am finally ready to retire.

1)- I am a Philly product, born in Ridley Park PA, moved to King of Prussia PA in the mid sixties. I currently reside in a north-western suburb of Philadelphia. I bleed Eagle Green...no comments...have nothing left at the moment.

2)- I worked my way before and through college, Temple University, by driving (surprise) dump trucks for a local excavation company, eventually moving on to a 10-wheeler. Loved driving, really did. After graduating, I continued driving part time for that company until the mid 80s. Full-time I worked in the computer technology field for over 30 years, specializing in transportation automation/process and change management in; trucking, distribution, manufacturing, railroads, and a brief stint in pharma. Through my jobs I was able to travel the country and for a short period Europe.

3)- Is it any wonder that I ended up here? For me the journey was always more fun than the destination. I love driving and I love trucks. Almost four years ago (now) at age 52, I had become rather burned-out with technology, corporate politics, and finally realized that I was not happy working in the field anymore. Truck driving is what I turned to. Although it's a demanding, at times thankless job, I thoroughly enjoy it and the dedicated account I am assigned to. Everyday there is a new, sometimes unexpected challenge. This is what I will be doing for at least the next 10 years (God willing) until I am finally ready to retire.

There's already a very long thread with this very info!

There's already a very long thread with this very info!

thanks, news to me.

There's already a very long thread with this very info!

thanks, news to me.

Thanks, Persian, for brining up the link. I've thought about updating that one, but I'll pass the torch to anyone who wants it.

FYI, towards the end of the thread, I compiled a list of who makes up this community.

There's already a very long thread with this very info!

I feel as if the search function is a very under used feature in this forum. I use it a lot and find all kinds of valuable information and questions that have already been answered.

I'll bite...but first since I a love trucks, especially older ones, Jerry what did you learn on?

I will pause an let you answer this question...thanks G

That's a short story on its own. I went to work for a Caterpillar, Equipment Rental Yard, in San Diego, CA, after high school, July,1979. I was hired as a mechanic's helper, lot cleaner, equipment washer, etc. for minimum wage, $3.10 hour. The yard had a 3 axle Kenworth, Cummins motor, 13 speed RoadRanger, pulling a 45' long Trail King. Our driver was Junior McDonald, a 60+ year old, log truck driver from Oregon, He was a Stud Driver. There was a mechanic, Mike, that had his CDL and did the back-up driving when Junior was off. Every year, Junior went to Oregon, the first 3 weeks of October, to tend to a ranch he owned there. Well my good fortune came in August, that same year, 1979. Mike quit to take a job at a Caterpillar Dealership in northern California. Now they needed a driver by the time Junior left for Oregon. I suggested, or should I say, begged, them to teach me. I thought it would be so cool to have a CDL Class A at 18 years old and drive a semi hauling skip loaders, track loaders, road graders, etc. Junior taught how to drive and what it meant to be a Professional Trucker and the responsibilities that go with the title. The rest is history.........