Boil It Down -- What Do You LOVE About Trucking?

I've been a busy bee today, taking notes and doing a little studying (considering the career). I'm wondering from y'all on the road -- what do you LOVE about the job? What keeps you coming back after your resets and home time? Is it just saving for retirement? Habit? Naa, there's gotta be that ______. What is that for you?

Everyday is different and the office window has a spectacular view!

Cheers,

G

Of course I have a video om this lol...

Why Trucking? Positives and Rewards

1.The office view (yes, even in Winter). 2. The solitude I gain spending the majority of my day with 3 people only - me, myself and I. 3. The simplicity of what my duties are. Get a load, deliver that load, return to base (or other) for next load. Yeah, I know there is much more involved, but as it's basis, that's what we do. 4. Knowing others are counting on me to get their product to them on time. Now, if they would only clear the ice from their declining docks, so I can leave after delivery.

I love that as long as im where I'm supposed to be, when I'm supposed to be management doesnt bother me. I came from careers where someone was always looking over my shoulder. I also enjoy waking up in a new town everyday. Watching the sun rise over the Kansas prairie last week wasnt too bad either. Lol

First and foremost is the money. Secondly, I enjoy being left alone to do my job.

I haven't done OTR so I cant touch on that, but I love the adventure each day brings. I love cruising down the open road, seeing different cities and how their way of life differs even though they're only a couple hundred miles away. Last week I put in over 16 hours logged (I have an exception I can use) on a day and the day went much faster than some 6 hour nights I had working in a warehouse. The money is excellent and provides for my family quite nicely. The best thing is there will always be a demand for drivers and there are so many different jobs that require you to drive a truck. Some guys love OTR, some linehaul doing the same route every night for over a year, and others spend their entire career doing local pickup and delivery. Plus, how freaking sweet is it to drive something that big? The sense of accomplishment backing into a tight spot with minimal adjustments is nice too when it works out

I enjoy the scenery in different parts of this country, and Canada, too. I get a rush in the fall when the first snowflakes are seen, when the leaves are changing colors, watching the farmers planting, and later on, harvesting the crops that will feed the multitudes.

I enjoy the terrified looks on the car drivers faces when I am making a right turn at what I know is an easy intersection (but they don't know it). Swing really wide, crank it right some, then aim right at them. At the last moment, pull it the rest of the way back to the right to watch their horror because they just know the big truck is going to run over them.

I enjoy helping the newer drivers (and sometimes the experienced ones) back into a parking spot or a dock. I explain to the ones that will listen just how to do it. I'll climb right up on the steps beside them and talk them through it.

I enjoy seeing any older rig still getting the job done. Like the wrecker on my avatar. Any day I see a cabover is a good day. The most I've ever seen in one day is seven. I remember when two out of three trucks were Transtars or Aerodynes.

I like talking to the truly old timers like Jerry Fritz, Don Crouse, Candy Bass, Tim Ridley, Doc Osbourne, and others. I mainly steer them towards a subject, then let them spill the knowledge. I run into someone in this group of legends about once every three months. I wish it were more.

I enjoy traveling on a side road I've never been on. This list becomes smaller all the time. What's over the next hill?

I enjoy seeing the old buildings in the towns and cities we travel to, through, and pass by in our journey. I've always had a keen interest in architecture, especially large churches and cathedrals.

I get a thrill on going someplace terrifying for a first-time visit. Hunts Point Market in NY, the docks in Philadelphia, anywhere in Washington, DC, and downtown LA all come to mind. I did them all and lived.

I enjoy easy docks with plenty of room all around. I also usually get a kick out of a really challenging spot once a month. I love it when there's a bunch of other drivers watching me nail it. No better feeling than getting a trailer in a spot most consider an impossibility, or one that may take another driver 30 minutes.

I enjoy sunrises and sunsets, seeing wildlife in the fields beside the road, watching a Bald Eagle soar over the Interstate , or a Raven land on the mirror while waiting for the customer to open the gate.

I enjoy going home to the mountains after a couple months driving, but I long to be back driving after a few days off, too.

I enjoy finding small truck stops with a great greasy spoon cafe.

I enjoy being parked early in a busy city, then seeing the late arrivals show up after dark, circling the truck stop lot in the hopes of getting a spot that they didn't plan ahead for.

I'm glad I'm not the only one:

I enjoy the terrified looks on the car drivers faces when I am making a right turn at what I know is an easy intersection (but they don't know it). Swing really wide, crank it right some, then aim right at them. At the last moment, pull it the rest of the way back to the right to watch their horror because they just know the big truck is going to run over them.

I'm considering making the same switch to get out of current job and becoming a otr driver cause to me I sense a romance to driving otr. From what I hear from most truck drivers there is the good, the bad and the ugly being in this industry and having the ability to conquer each scenario is rewarding in it's self. That's what I found to be passionate about truck driving is the fact that your out surviving on a daily bases to do a job. Truckers are f'cking Warriors!!!

Cheers