Trucking Isn't For Everyone, Even Those Who Dream To Be A Trucker For Years.

In the previous months I posted my experiences as a student driver, and then as a new driver for a company that gave me a chance (despite my 9 felonies). I was given that chance, then got out on the road and realized a few things that told me I wasn't fit for trucking:

1) 11 hours driving a tractor-trailer is mentally exhausting. While I love driving, and love the open road; driving 11 hours straight was extremely hard on me. When I drive cross-country in my car it's a very casual affair. Taking a load of wire from City A to City B isn't a casual affair, and I just couldn't hang. I blamed my mistakes on the new company, but it was really me that couldn't endure the 11 hours straight with minimal stopping.

2) My health: My legs swelled up to the largest they've been in years.

3) I like to be around other people and socialize. Days in a truck by myself (yes, even for the week I drove solo) drove me crazy.

Well, now I'm back at the Carnival. I'm much happier here. I am getting to use my newly earned class A CDL , and I'm getting tons of exercise. I will be driving only several thousand miles this year, but I will be much more content.

Brett, you have an awesome resource here. I have no ill feelings towards your responses to my last post. Bottom line is you're right. I just can't hang. Not every one is built out to be a truck driver. I think I'm destined to be a carny, and I'm not ashamed of that. I'm making $500 a week with free housing and use of a company vehicle. I couldn't ask for better!

For all those shooting to be an OTR or Regional driver, PLEASE, make sure you can hang with the long hours of straight driving. It's not for everyone.

Hey man! I must say, I'm rather pleasantly surprised you're back. I figured we'd heard the last we were going to hear from you but I'm really glad for the update. It's nice to hear that things are working out well for ya.

I'm making $500 a week with free housing and use of a company vehicle. I couldn't ask for better!

I can't argue with ya there!!! Nice!!

And hey, you still have the Class A, you still get to do some driving, but you'll have a lot more downtime and a huge group of friends to travel and party with so I think you're in a great place.

I'm also glad you weren't offended at all by my reply in the other forum because I certainly meant no disrespect. Like you said, trucking isn't for everyone and sometimes you have to give it a whirl before you find out.

Years ago I took a break from trucking, went to school for Harley Davidson, and became a Harley Mechanic at a dealership for about 2 months. The hours were lousy, the pay was lousy, and the lifestyle was so boring I thought I was gonna kill myself so I dropped the idea entirely and went back to truckin. But ya know what? I learned a ton and I'm thrilled I pursued that opportunity.

So all's well that ends well as they say and it sounds like things ended up very well for you. Like you said, what more can you ask for, right?

Atleast you tried. Good luck out there. Your happy man, that's all that matters.

Michael, not everyone is cut out for trucking, just like not everyone is cut out for working in medicine, computers, or any other field. But whats important is that you have found your "spot", where you are happy, and content. Who knows, that may change in time. But I've always said that life isn't about a 40 year career...life is about ADVENTURES !! My life has been a string of adventures, and I wouldn't change it if I could. I've learned and grown and experienced great things during all of my adventures. Did I get rich ?? Heck no...but I'm happy, and there isn't alot left on my bucket list...