Solitude Becomes Every Truck Drivers Heaven Or Hell - New Article From TruckingTruth

We have a new article up today called Solitude Becomes Every Truck Drivers Heaven Or Hell and anyone considering a career as an over the road driver should take a few minutes to read through it. And if I may, I'm hoping a few people might even "Like" or share or "+1" the article at the end.

One of the toughest aspects of an OTR career in trucking is the time you spend alone, away from your home & family & friends. On the surface it may seem as if you have a grip on this situation. You'll be gone a lot, sure. But when you get home you'll jump right back into the mix, make up for lost time with your spouse and children, and life will go on just fine. But there's more to it than that. An excerpt from the article, and one of the key points, is:

Sometimes the isolation you experience after returning home from the road is the part you’ll find to be the most unbearable of all.

I know a lot of you deal with this every day of your lives and it would certainly help those considering a career in trucking if you would share your thoughts and experiences here with them. I hope this helps people understand the gravity of the decision to become an over the road driver, especially if you have a home life and family you really cherish.

Trucking can be an amazing career for the right person, but it certainly isn't one big bed of roses. I love to talk about all the great parts, but it's so important to understand the realities of life on the road before signing on the dotted line.

Solitude Becomes Every Truck Drivers Heaven Or Hell

This is a great article and great advice. I remember going off to school for 8 or so months. Coming home was nice but it really didn't feel like home anymore. You go spend time with old friends but its not the same. You become an outsider. They talk about what they all did a few weeks ago. Great time for them, but you weren't there. You now miss out on the inside jokes. Just like your life went on while away, there's did as well.

I wasn't prepared for that then. Now going into trucking you have to add the isolation. In school I had peers on the journey with me. In a truck going across this country you're on your own. Ive always enjoyed being on my own. I have a small family and only a few friends. I think I'll thrive in a truck. That alone time will be tough. At least with modern technology the old world is just a text message or facebook post away. Sure its not the same but it at least its something to bridge the gap. Those old school drivers had it rough.

Good article, Brett. Right now, I spend about 98 percent of my time in solitude. Driving a truck would actually give me more time around others. Being alone really does not bother me. Never has. Paired with a love of driving, love of traveling to places I have never been, and not feeling the need to have an actual house to live in, make me the ideal candidate for OTR truck driving. There is no question in my mind that if I can stay safe and avoid the mistakes related to safety, I will thrive. There is no job at my age and with my background that I can go out and make from $28k on up that I would be more suited for.

Yeah Tim - it definitely sounds like trucking might be right for you. It really pays to be the fiercely independent, strong-willed type that enjoys a challenge and an adventure. And if you aren't concerned with returning to a home and family, the travelling is a ton of fun.

Personally, after having slept in my car, during the snowy season, where ice formed on the inside of its windshields from my body heat, I found solitude in a sleeping bag. Then I knew that truck driving would be a perfect fit (more roomy at that, though I will always bring a sleeping bag along for the ride).

I'm independent...give me a steering wheel, a radio that doesn't buzz, a never ending cup of coffee, a load in my trailer, and a shipper knowing I'm heading his way...and I'm a happy little fluffy lady truck driver !! I can also be quite happy teaming with TSB...we get along great being around eachother 24/7. So I'm flexible...but I do need tunes....gotta have those tunes...