Trucking Industry

[purplepassionpit]

So many here paint an ugly picture on the trucking industry even before recession hit. Isn't there anything good about the trucking industry?New drivers only ask for alittle advice and most of you give them nothing but negative feedback.Surely you can find something possitive to say can't you? It's not just the trucking industry there is good and bad in ALL JOBS. You all find nothing good about the trucking industry.You're not going to find that perfect job.Do you think the trucking industry is the only one that's hurting right now?Well you better think again my friend.So instead of scareing the new drivers why not be more friendly to them.It does anger me when I read what the new drivers have to say then the replies they get is UNCALLED FOR.That's why I say what I do on their behalf.You all were once knew and don't tell me you were'nt.So then why condem them for wanting to pursue their dream?If you don't have anything nice to say then don't reply to their thread.

[kalamity_jane]

Originally Posted by purplepassionpit

So many here paint an ugly picture on the trucking industry even before recession hit. Isn't there anything good about the trucking industry?New drivers only ask for alittle advice and most of you give them nothing but negative feedback.Surely you can find something possitive to say can't you? It's not just the trucking industry there is good and bad in ALL JOBS. You all find nothing good about the trucking industry.You're not going to find that perfect job.Do you think the trucking industry is the only one that's hurting right now?Well you better think again my friend.So instead of scareing the new drivers why not be more friendly to them.It does anger me when I read what the new drivers have to say then the replies they get is UNCALLED FOR.That's why I say what I do on their behalf.You all were once knew and don't tell me you were'nt.So then why condem them for wanting to pursue their dream?If you don't have anything nice to say then don't reply to their thread.

Pollyanna....sorry to say adults share a lot of information that isn't pleasant to hear. You can complain to your hearts content but you won't change a darn thing, and you help no one when you suggest that sharing that information is negative. The trucking industry has problems and that has been true for sometime, talking about what has been and what is in realistic terms is exactly what's called for. Just my .02.

2&99....

With peak oil, global warming and the fact that our country is bankrupt I personally don't see us getting back to business as usual any time soon...I'm talking years.

As you pointed out we have been living on credit in an artificial balloon and we were warned. We (collective we) didn't listen and our financial system was manipulated, unregulated and built on borrowed/non-existent money. Now we (and our children and grandchildren) get to pay the piper.

How we do that involves changing how we do things.

I agree that those in the know aren't telling us how bad it is...they don't want to scare folks more than they already are. However, at the risk of joining you (you're such a downer!) it's bad and it's serious.

[tween5and99]

Originally Posted by kalamity_jane

Pollyanna....sorry to say adults share a lot of information that isn't pleasant to hear. You can complain to your hearts content but you won't change a darn thing, and you help no one when you suggest that sharing that information is negative. The trucking industry has problems and that has been true for sometime, talking about what has been and what is in realistic terms is exactly what's called for. Just my .02.

While hoping this doesn't damage your reputation permanently - I agree. But man...for whatever reason, she clearly ain't lettin' go o' this bone.

However, at the risk of joining you (you're such a downer!)

That is quite a risk! You may have to change your screen name - I suggest Evil Knievil!

[icantinaturner]

Originally Posted by purplepassionpit

So many here paint an ugly picture on the trucking industry even before recession hit. Isn't there anything good about the trucking industry?New drivers only ask for alittle advice and most of you give them nothing but negative feedback.Surely you can find something possitive to say can't you? It's not just the trucking industry there is good and bad in ALL JOBS. You all find nothing good about the trucking industry.You're not going to find that perfect job.Do you think the trucking industry is the only one that's hurting right now?Well you better think again my friend.So instead of scareing the new drivers why not be more friendly to them.It does anger me when I read what the new drivers have to say then the replies they get is UNCALLED FOR.That's why I say what I do on their behalf.You all were once knew and don't tell me you were'nt.So then why condem them for wanting to pursue their dream?If you don't have anything nice to say then don't reply to their thread.

I completely agree that it is stupid to knock wannabes/newbies but driving OTR deserves the negative feedback. I also agree that there are good aspects to OTR trucking:

- The job is easy and darn near anyone can do it if they can drive a car.

- There is no such thing as a person too dumb, lazy, homely, smelly or out of shape to land a trucking job.

- The schooling needed to perform the job is easy.

- The flakes ensure that the turnover rate is high; therefore, there are plenty of openings when times are good.

- Job security is terrific in good times and it is almost impossible to get canned unless we do something really stupid.

- We function with a minimum amount of adult supervision and pretty much set our own schedule. If we're late for appointments we can usually lie our way out of it and not get canned.

- It is not necessary to "dress for success" and coexist with other workers.

- We get to see some interesting scenery and go places we might not otherwise have an opportunity to visit.

I'm overlooking other positive aspects, but it sure sounds like a "dream job" for someone who doesn't aspire to much, no? For the person accustomed to punching a time clock, competing with many others to land a job, working hard under close supervision, performing to a higher standard with the threat of losing their job hanging over their head and maintaining standards of personal hygiene, appearance and conduct, trucking is the dream come true. If they are sloppy housekeepers, hate yard work, have a nasty partner, irritating family members, snotty kids and live in a dump, there is no better place to be than on the road in a big shiny large car.

The ugly part pf trucking is real. The "bad" aspects of trucking (the lifestyle?) can ruin your health, your relationships, your family, your future and your mind. I can think of few jobs that take such a heavy toll on those things.