From a very young age, I was fascinated with trucks. Where were they headed? What were they hauling? What is it like to drive such a massive vehicle? And why do they look so darn cool!? Bottom line, I was simply born to experience the trucking lifestyle.
As I grew older, the trucking dream slowly faded and I attended college in preparation for life in an office building. After graduating, I took a job as a Corporate Account Manager selling computer equipment to Fortune 500 companies. But unfortunately, like so many others, the economic downturn hit and I lost my job in late 2008.
Before the first unemployment check was ever issued, I immediately remembered my old childhood dream of becoming a trucker. The timing was perfect and I decided to go for it. While researching the industry, I found this website, read Brett's book, and decided to become a blogger for the site. From the very beginning (before I even started my CDL school), I began documenting my journey into trucking right here on TruckingTruth.
Check out the full list of my blog posts here (there's lots of em'!)
During my trucking career, I traveled through all 48 continental states in all weather conditions maintaining a perfect service and safety record. I also became a certified CDL driving instructor and basically had a total blast living the truckers lifestyle. The years I spent truck driving were some of the most memorable in my life and I'm so grateful for the experience.
From the cab of my truck, using nothing but a laptop computer and a wireless Internet card, I taught myself everything I could about building websites and web programming. It quickly turned into a passion.
I now reside in Mundelein, IL, which is a quiet suburban town 30 miles north of Chicago as a full time web programmer and freelance writer. Being a part of TruckingTruth allows both of my passions to be molded into one. Who could ask for more!
When I'm not working on the websites, I can be found flying airplanes, chasing severe thunderstorms, watching sports, camping in northern Wisconsin, spending time outdoors, and simply enjoying everything life has to offer.
If you have any questions, please don't ever hesitate to contact me at mike.rogers@truckingtruth.com. Trucking was and will always be a passion of mine. I love talking about it, I love helping new and prospective drivers, and I love making the lives of experienced drivers a little bit easier. So no matter where you are in your trucking career, I'm here to help!
Add me to your Google+ Circle at
TruckerMike's Google Profile
For questions about becoming a truck driver, we highly recommend:
- Our Guide To Becoming A Truck Driver
- Our Trucker's Forum which is full of friendly, helpful people
- Our TruckingTruth Facebook Page
- Our Truck Driving Blogs with almost 300 articles from over a dozen authors
- Our Ask A Driver Page or Brett's Truck Driving Articles
BigRigDriving is for those interested in research, debates, and discussion of topics within the trucking industry
TruckingTruth is dedicated to those considering becoming a truck driver or are new to the trucking industry
Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving
- By Brett AquilaIf you're considering becoming a truck driver, this is the book for you!
Posted on 7 May 2012
With a mountain of information to learn during your CDL training, TruckingTruth's free online cdl training program is the way to go! Here's an overview of the program and some tips and advice for getting the most out of it. Continue reading →
Posted on 2 May 2012
Marriages in the trucking world are very difficult to maintain. The separation is tough on everyone. But if you remain committed and follow a few simple words of advice, things can work out just fine. Continue reading →
Posted on 1 May 2012
Going into the trucking driving field I knew my life would eventually move at a pavement pounding pace. Just how quickly that pace, and the entire process transpired would amaze me. Suddenly I found myself behind the wheel for my first run ever as a professional driver. Continue reading →
Posted on 27 April 2012
It takes two special, committed people to make a long distance relationship work. Trucking is really difficult on relationships, and life isn’t easy being separated from your “other half”. Continue reading →
Posted on 24 April 2012
For both managers and drivers we have all heard about how there’s a “driver shortage”. However, most trucking companies use “fuzzy math” to justify the claim of a driver shortage instead of looking at their turnover rates. This article will look at how trucking companies have re-defined terms in order to claim a driver shortage to prevent changing the way they do business on the back-end (in the office). Continue reading →
Posted on 17 April 2012
Stereotypes of truckers have been around a long time. Where did they come from, what affect do they have on you, and what should we do about it? Continue reading →
Posted on 16 April 2012
Having a husband on the road while you're home with the children is a tough situation for everyone, and you have to learn to understand how the other one is feeling and work together. Continue reading →
Posted on 16 April 2012
Getting started with CDL training meant a ton of bookwork in the beginning, working outside in temps below zero, and busting up some drive trains. Continue reading →
Posted on 12 April 2012
Home time with the family is precious for over the road drivers, and the last thing you want is for it to be cut short. But it happens from time to time, as it did here to my husband and our family. Continue reading →
Posted on 12 April 2012
Truck drivers throughout the years have almost always been paid by the mile. How did the system get that way? Would it be better to pay by the hour? Here's the scoop.... Continue reading →