I'd Like Some Advice On Becoming A Truck Driver....

Scott - That's a bit of a career change for you I wish you the best of luck with it as well . I haven't heard of them but if your getting good feed back then awesome! Do it

My two cents without any political correctness is this.

When I tell women considering on entering a trucking career, "it's a man's world", that is not saying men are better than women or any such nonsense, what I am saying is women have more risks, and hardships out here on the road. I know plenty of women out here, whose work ethics and determination and not to mention skill would put any man's to shame. So as far as ability to do the job goes, gender has very little impact. What I do believe is this...

A woman out here puts herself at risk with the simplest of things most men take for granted. Parking overnight, can be a hazard for women. Very few of the truck stops and even rest areas have much of anything we could call security. Parking areas tend to have minimal lighting at best, amenities for drivers at most shippers and receivers most generally are coed, which ultimately means that women are sharing the same restroom with men. May not seem to big of a deal at first but when you are standing around waiting for your turn to use the rest room, other drivers out here will have seen what truck you are driving where you are parked, and other facts which can expose you to risks. Its a dangerous world out here, and do not let anyone play that little tid-bit down.

I am a 46 year old 220lb bald man, I stand 5'11" and do not carry myself like a victim. Even I have had my fair share of trouble out here. The latest being a run in with some hoopleheads in Hinton, Ok at the Love's Truck stop. In broad daylight, I had 3 guys try to lure me to the back of my truck so they could jump me. When I turned to avoid the conflict, the leader followed me into the truck stop and didn't even flinch! I was made a target because one of the guys watched me get some money from the ATM. Something as simple and innocent as getting a few bucks to eat at Sonic can mark you as a target. So, as a woman that risk might be double. Just saying...

Plain and simple, women are at more risk out here than men. That's not sexist that is just bare boned truth.

As to being thick-skinned I recommend that no matter your choice of career. I am always amazed by the stories I am told by my dispatchers, and other folks in the office who tell about a driver who files a complaint over someone else calling them some sort of name. Most generally the name calling rarely ever takes place face to face. (I suspect that has something to do with cowardice but that's just my hunch) I am not advocating for rudeness nor excusing it, but honest truth, no matter who may not like to hear it, your typical average garden variety truckers out here these days tend be people who for what ever reason place very little importance on respecting of others. Call me negative all you like, but at the end of the day a thing still is what it is.

If you choose to become a trucker, you will be insulted from time to time. No matter how much effort you put into your job you will be cussed at for doing a crappy job at some point. No matter your level of professionalism, at some point you will be lumped in with the turd trucker who ticked off the receiver or shipper or (gulp!) DOT Agent. This is only a very small portion of all the grime you are going to smell and get on your shoes while simply doing your job and trying to mind your own business. Its really not much different than any other job in that respect. Except out here, like someone pointed out you will be on your own which makes it pretty tough to handle at times.

Now all that negative stuff being said, I would never be one to presume to tell another person what to do. However, I think that the fact that I started trucking back in 1991, and spent the next 14 years trucking, then got out of the truck and after going to college for a teaching degree, I decided to return to trucking last year, says a lot about trucking... Why? Well I am a bit crazy suppose, I mean as I write this I am getting ready to head out after being home for 5 days. Leaving my beautiful wife, and my mind blowing amazing kids sleeping in their beds. Why? well simple

1) I got bills to pay, and

2) In spite of all the college credits I have under my aging belt, I am pretty damned good at trucking. I know it, and it knows me.

3) Being honest with myself, I love this job.

Number 3 in my not so humble opinion, is the key to anything in life. Be honest with yourself. Don't BS yourself on ANYthing. After all in this world you can get all the BSing done to you by other people at much less expense. Be honest with yourself as to why you want what you want, and what you know you are willing to do or perhaps more importantly NOT willing to do.

I wish you all the success you deserve, and encourage you to keep on learning. True enough, trucking is not for everyone, but then again, we need more truckers out here, who have integrity, professionalism, and honest folks who know think its important to respect their fellow man... errr woman... err I mean person.

I am not advocating for rudeness nor excusing it, but honest truth, no matter who may not like to hear it, your typical average garden variety truckers out here these days tend be people who for what ever reason place very little importance on respecting of others. Call me negative all you like, but at the end of the day a thing still is what it is.

That's 100% true. Which is why...

No matter your level of professionalism, at some point you will be lumped in with the turd trucker who ticked off the receiver or shipper or (gulp!) DOT Agent. This is only a very small portion of all the grime you are going to smell and get on your shoes while simply doing your job and trying to mind your own business.

That last statement is one of the main reasons I preach having a great attitude and treating people with kindness and respect. Truckers have a horrible reputation which they've certainly earned over the years. There are a small percentage of what I would consider true professionals out there, but most drivers don't even come close. That leads to good news and bad news.

The bad news was stated above - you're going to be looked down upon like a piece of garbage by a lot of people you come across out there. The big-mouth jerks that came before you are the ones to thank for that. A lot of people simply grow to hate truckers. And believe me, many of them will not hesitate to tell you that to your face within 30 seconds of meeting you.

The good news is that you can really set yourself apart by simply having a friendly and kind disposition. I mean, how often in life do you get bonus points and even make more money by simply not being a jerk??? You'll get better treatment overall than most drivers. Dispatch will treat you better, as will dock workers and DOT officers. This certainly will not work with every last individual you come across out there, but it certainly will make a world of difference when it comes to how much you enjoy your life and career out there.

If you're going to start a career in trucking, be prepared for an endless series of very difficult challenges and make sure you handle yourself like a true professional. It's a tough life out there but also very rewarding for the right people. Keep in mind however that even if you're right for trucking, you have to know how to get the job done safely day in and day out and you have to know how to treat people with kindness and respect or you're not going to be happy at all with your trucking career.

Mandy, I to choose the community college route because I was a carpenter for 30 yrs and have no experience driving a rig. So 240hrs at school will help. But you have to do whats right for you. Good luck with what ever you choose.

Scott - That's a bit of a career change for you I wish you the best of luck with it as well . I haven't heard of them but if your getting good feed back then awesome! Do it

Yes it is. I decided I was really tired of dealing with the worst 5% of society. Then throw in the office politics and I'm ready to walk away. I've always loved traveling, love the open road, and am a very independent person, so I'm more than excited for this new chapter in my life!

Mandy, I to choose the community college route because I was a carpenter for 30 yrs and have no experience driving a rig. So 240hrs at school will help. But you have to do whats right for you. Good luck with what ever you choose.

I went that way because I didn't want to be tide to any one company.

Roy- This might come off sounding snark-ish just know that isn't meant to.

I see where you are coming from and I totally understand that its dangerous out there sorry that happened to you and am glad that you are ok. They could of jumped you on the way back to your truck glad they didn't.

When ever I do a road trip alone down to san Diego from sf. I always stop at loves truck stop now I understand that I am in a car. But I have parked beside rigs in the dark and I one time had some dude looking all up in my car once he noticed I was there he walked behind the car I quickly jumped in the driver seat started my car and booked it to a shells gas station parked in front of the store and fell asleep there. So danger can happen anywgeee to anyone day time night time trucker or not and trust me I have had my fair share of danger on the road alone that wasnt the worst one for me. I see your concerns though and thank you for heads up.

Oops I meant Rex, not Roy sorry

So I am sitting here watching youtube (I don't have tv) ice road trucking I believe its called and it showsKKelly and a few men going down this mountain where one side is wall and the other side is one wrong move your dead. I know that they are in another country, Bolivia I think. But do we have roads like that here in the us. Am I going to have to go through dangerous canyons or are our roads a tad safer than that the farthest I have drove is Utah (by car) and in my dads big rig we went to TX. From sf. Ca. I don't recall any scary mountain or canyons though I could of been sleeping.

Ordinarily the biggest challenges you'll face as far as terrain is concerned are long, steep downhill grades. You have to be careful to use the right gear and take care not to overheat the brakes. But as long as you stay on designated truck routes, the terrain itself isn't that dangerous.

Now if you get stuck on some back road through the mountains where a truck doesn't belong you can get in very dangerous situations. There are a lot of roads that wind through mountains and the turns are so tight a truck may not even be able to make it around them. And if you can make it around, they are blind turns and you have to take up both sides of the road to make it. It's extremely dangerous to get in a position like that so you have to make extra certain that the directions are correct and you know where you're going whenever you're off the interstates in mountainous terrain.

I've been on a few roads over the years that were pretty hairy. But it's rather uncommon.