Why Did You Get Started In Trucking, And What Were Your Biggest Concerns?

I was excited about the lifestyle that came, excited by driving a big 18 wheeler, excited about the air horn lol and I rarely use it now, and I was nervous about causing car accidents.

Wow, these stories are gold! All of you are so inspirational! It takes a ton of courage to make the leap into trucking. There is no opportunity to "dip your toes in the water." You make the commitment, learn how to drive, get your CDL , and then you're out there in front of the entire world. There's no faking it. Whether you can drive a big rig will be clear for everyone to see, right from the start.

It takes a lot of courage just to try. Finding the courage to give trucking your best shot is a victory in itself. Before you drive a truck even one mile on the highway in school, you've already had a tremendous victory in your life.

We are planning a new section on Trucking Truth for stories like these. We intend to share stories from anyone who would like to share theirs. Don't worry - you'll hear plenty about this opportunity soon!

In the meantime, please keep 'em coming! These are great fun, and super inspiring!

When I was growing up in the hills of Eastern Ky, some of my earliest memories would be riding in the car with my family when some evil looking, dirty Mac , or Pete , would be loaded down with coal Jake braking down the mountain. Black smoke pouring out. I was always amazed because I saw them no matter the weather, or time of day. I always thought they were extremely cool. I joined the military to escape the coal mines and had my own adventures. As an armor crew member.(tanks). When my military time came to an end I was dumbfounded on what to do. The normal world doesn’t need someone to ride around in an armored box of death being able to engage and destroy targets up to a mile away. My other skills acquired were leadership and management. I didn’t want to do that either. I wanted to do my own thing and be my own man again.

After research and remembering my childhood I looked to trucking . I knew it was a way that I could have some freedom and “do my own thing. I found this site and did lots of research. And jumped in. I was a little intimidated by the thought of backing into tight spots and dealing with the motoring public.

After I got into my job in the dollar general account (had to get over my fear of backing real quick) I realized that 1. I loved my new job 2. I had some misconceptions that I could be a lone road warrior and had to deal with people quite a bit. But I didn’t mind it as much as I thought. 3. As long as I tried and stayed honest with myself I didn’t need to fear and I could do anything I put my mind too out on the road.

Papa Pig

Your avatar of “Odd Ball” from Kelly’s Heroes makes total sense since you served in a tank crew. “Stop with the negative vibes, man”.

My two primary concerns that I didn’t put in my original post were: (1) Would I enjoy it and (2) could I learn to back the trailer.

So far I’m doing ok with both. I’ll be going out solo later next week without the crutch of my trainer. Will see how I feel about it in 10 months when I complete my 12 months commitment with Prime Inc.

Hay Brett, (and everyone!)

Remember this article? Our OWN IDMtnGal (Ms. Laura) is represented within, but it SURE encompasses many of our members!!!

New Truckers Over 50 ~ Solving (perceived) Driver Shortage!

Fist Bump to Laura, and ALL our 50 plus'ers!

~ Anne !~

Papa Pig

Your avatar of “Odd Ball” from Kelly’s Heroes makes total sense since you served in a tank crew. “Stop with the negative vibes, man”.

My two primary concerns that I didn’t put in my original post were: (1) Would I enjoy it and (2) could I learn to back the trailer.

So far I’m doing ok with both. I’ll be going out solo later next week without the crutch of my trainer. Will see how I feel about it in 10 months when I complete my 12 months commitment with Prime Inc.

Hay Dennis;

If you watched a few of his 'short' videos on YouTube, Ray actually LOOKS like that, haha!

~ Anne ~

ps: YO, R.m. . . link the channel..... i lost it!

When I was growing up in the hills of Eastern Ky, some of my earliest memories would be riding in the car with my family when some evil looking, dirty Mac , or Pete , would be loaded down with coal Jake braking down the mountain. Black smoke pouring out. I was always amazed because I saw them no matter the weather, or time of day. I always thought they were extremely cool. I joined the military to escape the coal mines and had my own adventures. As an armor crew member.(tanks). When my military time came to an end I was dumbfounded on what to do. The normal world doesn’t need someone to ride around in an armored box of death being able to engage and destroy targets up to a mile away. My other skills acquired were leadership and management. I didn’t want to do that either. I wanted to do my own thing and be my own man again.

After research and remembering my childhood I looked to trucking . I knew it was a way that I could have some freedom and “do my own thing. I found this site and did lots of research. And jumped in. I was a little intimidated by the thought of backing into tight spots and dealing with the motoring public.

After I got into my job in the dollar general account (had to get over my fear of backing real quick) I realized that 1. I loved my new job 2. I had some misconceptions that I could be a lone road warrior and had to deal with people quite a bit. But I didn’t mind it as much as I thought. 3. As long as I tried and stayed honest with myself I didn’t need to fear and I could do anything I put my mind too out on the road.

1) Why did you decide to become a truck driver? What did you hope to get from it?

Why I joined trucking, was because of a good few reasons to be frank and honest. I have an Uncle who drove truck for a good bit when I was just young and I had always wanted to go trucking and get my own rig and at the time I was in a dead end job travelling an hour for making $10/hr and was told I would NEVER make any more than that whilist working there. Hugh. Well, I was working on a mechanical engineering degree and that was not working out; so I joined the CDL program in workforce solutions which was CDS Tractor Trailer Training. I needed to prove to myself and others I was capable of even getting the CDL in the first place, and so I signed up and got the grants and started attending class. Also there were people in my family and friends who thought I would never be able to achieve an accomplishment such as a CDL. l did not know of it till later on. I also wanted to go out and explore the U.S. like I never did before. I knew income was great and to be had in trucking. I came here when I was half way through school. I now have 1 year 2 months of experience doing various transports. I have hauled dry van cargo, reefer cargo and flatbed and step deck cargo and I have my Twic card so yay! God is so good to me.

2) What were your biggest doubts, fears, and uncertainties? I doubted that I could memorize ALL those individual words and parts of the truck to inspect in my test, I also had a bit of a time with shifting. I feared that if I failed I would dissappoint my family and I and I would doubt my ability to arise to the occassions for bigger and better things in life. I also knew that my track record for tickets at the time was horrendous and that it could cost me the job I want. So I was uncertain about that issue. Then I know that with some of my learning abilities being slower than others it could take me so much longer to accomplish and achieve this dream and to realize it all.

I finally got into a company in 2017 and from there, yes indeed there have been hiccups but I am still here! Failure is permanent if you allow it and I wont.

God bless yall!

Whats his YouTube channel?

Papa Pig

Your avatar of “Odd Ball” from Kelly’s Heroes makes total sense since you served in a tank crew. “Stop with the negative vibes, man”.

My two primary concerns that I didn’t put in my original post were: (1) Would I enjoy it and (2) could I learn to back the trailer.

So far I’m doing ok with both. I’ll be going out solo later next week without the crutch of my trainer. Will see how I feel about it in 10 months when I complete my 12 months commitment with Prime Inc.

Hay Dennis;

If you watched a few of his 'short' videos on YouTube, Ray actually LOOKS like that, haha!

~ Anne ~

ps: YO, R.m. . . link the channel..... i lost it!

When I was growing up in the hills of Eastern Ky, some of my earliest memories would be riding in the car with my family when some evil looking, dirty Mac , or Pete , would be loaded down with coal Jake braking down the mountain. Black smoke pouring out. I was always amazed because I saw them no matter the weather, or time of day. I always thought they were extremely cool. I joined the military to escape the coal mines and had my own adventures. As an armor crew member.(tanks). When my military time came to an end I was dumbfounded on what to do. The normal world doesn’t need someone to ride around in an armored box of death being able to engage and destroy targets up to a mile away. My other skills acquired were leadership and management. I didn’t want to do that either. I wanted to do my own thing and be my own man again.

After research and remembering my childhood I looked to trucking . I knew it was a way that I could have some freedom and “do my own thing. I found this site and did lots of research. And jumped in. I was a little intimidated by the thought of backing into tight spots and dealing with the motoring public.

After I got into my job in the dollar general account (had to get over my fear of backing real quick) I realized that 1. I loved my new job 2. I had some misconceptions that I could be a lone road warrior and had to deal with people quite a bit. But I didn’t mind it as much as I thought. 3. As long as I tried and stayed honest with myself I didn’t need to fear and I could do anything I put my mind too out on the road.

Whats his YouTube channel?

Papa Pig

Your avatar of “Odd Ball” from Kelly’s Heroes makes total sense since you served in a tank crew. “Stop with the negative vibes, man”.

My two primary concerns that I didn’t put in my original post were: (1) Would I enjoy it and (2) could I learn to back the trailer.

So far I’m doing ok with both. I’ll be going out solo later next week without the crutch of my trainer. Will see how I feel about it in 10 months when I complete my 12 months commitment with Prime Inc.

Hay Dennis;

If you watched a few of his 'short' videos on YouTube, Ray actually LOOKS like that, haha!

~ Anne ~

ps: YO, R.m. . . link the channel..... i lost it!

When I was growing up in the hills of Eastern Ky, some of my earliest memories would be riding in the car with my family when some evil looking, dirty Mac , or Pete , would be loaded down with coal Jake braking down the mountain. Black smoke pouring out. I was always amazed because I saw them no matter the weather, or time of day. I always thought they were extremely cool. I joined the military to escape the coal mines and had my own adventures. As an armor crew member.(tanks). When my military time came to an end I was dumbfounded on what to do. The normal world doesn’t need someone to ride around in an armored box of death being able to engage and destroy targets up to a mile away. My other skills acquired were leadership and management. I didn’t want to do that either. I wanted to do my own thing and be my own man again.

After research and remembering my childhood I looked to trucking . I knew it was a way that I could have some freedom and “do my own thing. I found this site and did lots of research. And jumped in. I was a little intimidated by the thought of backing into tight spots and dealing with the motoring public.

After I got into my job in the dollar general account (had to get over my fear of backing real quick) I realized that 1. I loved my new job 2. I had some misconceptions that I could be a lone road warrior and had to deal with people quite a bit. But I didn’t mind it as much as I thought. 3. As long as I tried and stayed honest with myself I didn’t need to fear and I could do anything I put my mind too out on the road.

Sure took me some hunting; here ya go! Ray Muncy (Papa Pig) on Y/T!

~ Anne ~

Haha thanks Anne, I just saw this. Kinda miss all that labor