Having Second Thoughts About Trucking

I have been doing a ton of research on the trucking industry and have come across several articles and documents about the industry as a whole. As a result, I am having second thoughts about it. I have several weeks before I start class at a local tech school, and want to be ABSOLUTELY SURE this is what I want to do. I don't want to start, then QUIT after finding out information too late, wasting my time and money.

There seems to be a legitimate concern about job stress, overwork, lack of exercise and poor diets that I had not considered. I researched this first, and found some distressing information about cholesterol. high blood pressure and obesity among drivers. Some of the 'solutions' involve walking or jogging at stops, but after driving for 8-10 hours, could I REALLY expect myself to get out and jog? I'm gonna want to REST!!! Speaking of which, sleeping patterns are rarely consistent and drivers have to get rest when they can. This is in itself is detrimental to health and can contribute to stress. I've seen it recommended that a MINIMUM of 9 hours of sleep is optimal for health. I know I can catch up, but the irregular patterns are the issue, not the amount. Currently, I go to bed around 11:00 p.m. and wake up around 7:00. I know THAT'S gonna change...

I'm not too worried about nutrition, however. But some of the research showed that most well-intentioned drivers will grab burgers and fries on the run, man cannot live on salads alone!! and to be honest, who wants to?? Although there are other BETTER choices (Subway) available.

THEN I researched some of the issues as far as federal regulations, and learned that new regulations (i.e. new provisions in hours of service rules: New Hours Provisions) actually contribute to lower pay and LESS rest for drivers. There is an effort to appeal to lawmakers for change, but seems like it's set in stone, for NOW anyway.

Just a few concerns I've discovered along the path to making this HUGE change in my life. While trucking is hard work and long hours, it also seems exciting and secure, with decent benefits and salary, which is my biggest concern for the remainder of my working life (I'm 55)...I would love to get responses from veterans and folks like me, just in the 'consideration' phase. Thanks!!!

It's all about the choices you make. I've been driving around for about 5 months solo now. I see all kinds of drivers. Small, big, tall, short, right handed, left handed, and so on lol. There are plenty of doctors who are over-weight and smoke and eat McDonald's several times per week, but they should know better.

My experience so far has been good. I actually have a pretty regular schedule even though I am OTR. I sleep 8 hours at least per day, I mostly start at 5-6am and end at 8-9pm. I don't drink soda, or eat chips. I eat some Cheerios in the morning and then a Subway sandwich in mid afternoon. There are Subways everywhere.

Plenty of people cook in their truck. I know a driver who cooks at home, him and his deer stew, deer jerky, and deer burgers... lol. Then he freezes the meals in little tinfoil containers that he can heat up in his 12v plug-in crock pot thingy. I am too lazy for that so I get Subway sandwiches with tons of vegetables on them.

I do small things like actually walk around the yard to look for my trailer instead of driving around, even when it's cold outside. That's not strenuous exercise, but I am sure it's better than sitting for another 15 minutes driving around the yard. I try to jog sometimes and I have those elastic band thingies which I use for weight lifting exercises.

Well, I can overcome most anything if I have a passion for what I'm doing, and I believe I have that passion. I've read a lot of 'bellyaching' from some bitter drivers, and have to take that into account. I sincerely believe I will do well and have a career I will love... SO those 'second thoughts' didn't last long!!!

The worst for me when I first started was the sleep situation. Sometimes a delivery needs to be made at 3am and you stopped driving for the day at 4pm the day before. That time will end up being your 10 hours off and you'll need to sleep. It's just the nature of the beast.

As for diet, you can pick up a little power cooler that runs on the cigarette adapter in the truck. It's a great way to keep sandwich meats and a few other things to keep you eating well. Not all food needs cooling, there's always good dried food as well. Some people don't like canned foods but it's an option.

To be completely honest, you have to going into trucking with a flexible attitude especially in the first year or you will not last. I watched a few guys throw it away after getting upset and hot headed over every little thing that didn't go their way. It's a tough gig but it's an adventurous career.

As far as starting out to find later it wasn’t the best decision, well C’est la vie. Dude, we all pursue things to find some other path may have been better, but how do you know unless you go? You don’t! You only know by looking back. That is called experience. You can’t claim it until later in life! I am convinced that is so you can tell someone else (that is if they are willing to listen). Experience costs. There you go, no charge. There is no being ABSOLUTELY SURE. Make your best educated decision and go. Don’t look back until way later when it is appropriate to decide a new course. Consider the road signs in your life. Which way are they saying to maneuver? You are wise by doing research, but it is only data in a given frame of reference. What is your objective? What is your desired outcome? What information are you processing i.e. what parameters are you measuring? Be specific in your evaluation.

Sometimes we have to turn some wheels to determine if our course is correct. And remember, education costs, even if it is not in the formal classroom sense. It is NOT therefore a waste: it is an accumulation of knowledge. We are not conditioned to consider things from that angle.

As to getting some exercise after working. Well, that is your decision. It really is an approach and mindset rather than a circumstance. And as far as REST? Good exercise is proven, study after study, to gear you for better rest. It sounds like you are looking for Mr. Goodbar. It is what everyone wants, but few can actually realize. You gotta work, and good work is good. Trucking, like most jobs, is good work. OK, so there are downsides to it. No Argument. Work is good! It all has some stress. Some stress is good! Hell, I have some stress when I’m out fishing!

Gary A, get clear on what you are looking for and how one pursuit may work and another may not. Are you married? Kids? What are your reasons to get mobile? Why would you want to stay in a fixed place? Etc…

Best to ya…

Gary, unfortunately researching the trucking industry can prove to be futile. There is an inordinate amount of false information for one to sift through to try and make any sense out of it all. Suffice it to say that in this business you are in command of your own time management and your own choices. There are many who have made poor choices when it comes to their own health, but you can find that in almost any profession. I've seen plenty of overweight Doctors who smoke excessively, but that is not a good reason to not want to be a doctor.

If you eat too much and don't get enough exercise, you certainly can't blame it on the fact that you are a truck driver! I've seen plenty of drivers at the truck stops working out right outside the cab of their truck. I've seen some of them with their bicycle strapped to the back of the sleeper so they can jump on it for a ride at the end of the day, and others taking a walk or jogging after their day's labors. You can be a real estate agent and complain that you are too tired at the end of your day for some exercise.

People have a funny way of doing the things that are important to them, for some it's more important to take it easy when they ought to be disciplining themselves into doing something more beneficial to their health and well being. If the things you mention are important to you then you will have no problem being creative enough to make them happen while being a truck driver. Besides you can always become a flat-bedder and get a good work-out with each new load you pick up, then all you'd have to concentrate on is preparing some healthy meals for yourself. And even that isn't all that difficult.

All of those answers were awesome. The people in this forum are amazing. When I read Gary's concerns I thought "Oh here's one I'll most certainly be able to contribute to." Nope, not really! You guys nailed it.

All I can say Gary is that I agree with the sentiments above. You will most certainly be able to maintain your health and well-being out there if you have the desire and discipline to do so, which is no different than outside of trucking. You will have erratic sleep patterns and it's a challenge finding healthy foods and time to exercise out there. But all of it is totally doable. I used to go jogging regularly and had dumbbells on the road with me. I also had a cooler where I kept lunch meats, yogurt, and cottage cheese. I would keep dry foods in the cabinet like granola bars and various fruits & veggies.

Truck driving requires people who are rather self-motivated and fiercely independent. In other words, people who are willing and able to take care of themselves and figure things out on their own. If you're that type then you can do well in trucking, and that includes your physical & mental health and well-being.

WOW! Looks like this site really lives up to what it says-GREAT advice and support! You guys rock! Thanks for the advice, great food for thought!! After much further reflection, I realize that I can make whatever time I need, whether I have to get up an extra 30 minutes early to do a quick run or find a local gym (I have a membership to LA Fitness that's good across the country). Either way, the excitement and adventure are too much to ignore, and I am a VERY independent person with a pretty good sense of discipline. So I KNOW I can take care of myself, work hard and enjoy every minute of this great new adventure!

I honestly cannot see myself going back to a cube for 8-9 hours a day sitting in front of a computer. You have to depend on too many OTHER people to get things done, and that in itself is VERY stressful for me. It's a death sentence, in my mind.

Thanks guys, you all helped more than you know! I sincerely appreciate your advice and good wishes and will be asking lots of questions (I warned ya!) and reaching out to y'all. I intend to keep y'all informed every step of the way. ry THANKS! Gary

Any job is what you make it. As Old School said, it is all about choices. I chose flat bed because I get to do something other than just drive. I know that isn't for every one, but a choice I made. The cooler is a great idea, that I adopted day one. Cold water after sweating your butt off getting a load secured and tarped or a gatoraide to get the electrolytes back to normal after all that sweating. Breakfast is yogurt, coffee and about every 2hrs a piece of fresh fruit or a Cliff Bar to keep the rumbles in check. Humus and Cheez-it's are the bomb. There are microwavable rice cups with beans and lentils, etc. Lots of healthy options. I'm an early riser so that means I can usually be set before the truck stops fill up, but spending the night at a rest area, Wally World, shipper/receiver allows for good clock management AND you can get your rest. Also, don't spend too much time on the internet. Every job has its "goods and others". You don't want to leave this existence saying, "I wish I had....." Life is full of risks, but you will never know unless you try. At the same time, if you have real doubts, trust that little voice in your head/heart and follow it - positive or other wise. As Brett and others say, "It is a lifestyle, not a job." For me its all about sliding into to home plate at the Pearly Gates, with a beer in hand and a worn out body screaming Woo, hoo! What a time that was!

Hey Gary.

I am in the middle of my 4 weeks of mentoring. I can tell you 2 things. You are what you eat. It's up to you to excersise.

Sleep is something get used to. Your body will adjust to that. I learned quickly to rest when the time is available. Here is my routine.

Get up, pretrip walking around the truck and trailer a few times to see if there was anything I might have missed. About one time around the block at my house. It helps wake me up also.

Drive 7 1/2 hours take 30 min break. Rest area preferred. No chance of junk food from a truck stop.

Drive 3 hours. Take my 10 hour reset. Truck stop for the night. Eat a little junk food as the body needs energy. I will walk around the truck when I get out and after I eat, just to check and make sure everything is on the up and up. Shower at the stop. Walk the truck again. By that time if I am not tired I will walk the lot of trucks admiring and chuckling to myself at the other trucks. You would be surprised what will pass for DOT.

Then I rack out if not teaming.

I eat healthy snacks low in carbs and high in fiber.

Hope it helps.