At A Crossroad

There is a fine line between having a healthy respect for something and a gripping fear. Some people are great under pressure, some people fall apart. In the end you have to decide for yourself with brutal honesty whether or not you can handle the pressure. You're going to be on slick roads in heavy traffic surrounded by minivans full of children on a regular basis. You're going to be going down huge mountains grossing near 80,000 pounds. Pretty much every day driving a rig you're within a few feet of a major catastrophe about 1000 times. Some people can control their thoughts and stay focused on the task at hand. Others begin to crack and fall apart.

I think one of the best ways of deciding if you're the man for the job is to picture your wife and children driving along on icy roads in heavy traffic next to a tractor trailer. Do you want to be the one behind the wheel of that rig with the lives of your family in your hands or do you feel they'd have a better chance with someone better suited to handle that sort of pressure?

Someone has to drive rigs for a living. Personally I always felt like I was cut out for the job because I'm great under pressure and I can drive the heck out of anything, amongst other reasons. When the pressure is on, I want to be the guy that climbs behind the wheel and takes the risk and responsibility of getting the job done safely on my own shoulders. I feel I can handle it as well as anyone.

Do you feel the same way about yourself? That's the question you have to answer with brutal honesty. Because once you're behind the wheel it's all on you. The responsibility you'll have is enormous.

Yeah, People like you shouldn't drive truck!

You don't know if you can afford the low pay. You have a short temper with those who train you. You have health issues. Most importantly, you're scared to drive!!

That's a no brainer if I ever saw one...

Keith

I dont know if i should give my 2 cents but here it goes. I find this site is for helpful info and its people like this guy that make it difficult for new drivers to get into this industry. Like you im fixn to start my career as a driver. I spent 8 years driving truck in the military. My experience you will run into people like david while your driving. They think they are gods gift to trucking. But ill tell you they are the ones that kill people with that no fear aditude and they are the first ones that pull over at the first signs of snow. Even with 8 years under my belt I still have a healthy fear of driving and my fear in my opinon saves lives. I feel safier with people like you driving next to my wife amd little girl than i do with people like david. If you end up driving ill see you out there :) i go by chip