The Daily Vent - Divas, Primadonnas, And Trolls

Several recent posts prompted this vent…please consider the following if you are researching trucking as a career:

- This is not an easy job for many, many reasons. Too many to list here. This is why whenever a new person reveals their intentions they are referred to the Trucking Truth Starter Kit as outlined here: Truck Driver's Career Guide, and here: Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving. Please we urge Newbies to invest some quality time with these two pieces. This is the “go” or “no-go” point. If there is anything contained in either of these you are unable to work through, wrap your head around or accept, there is really no point in continuing. "Why" you ask? Because experience and history have proven it will only serve as an exercise in futility and frustration. Do not think for one minute that you will be able to change the status-quo, buck the system or expect to be treated with kid gloves as if your situation is unique and somehow important enough to elevate your needs above all others. Not gonna happen…never. Please look beyond the excitement and anticipation of driving a big shiny rig for "company of your choice". Think about placing yourself in the driver’s seat after reading those two links before investing any additional time. Ask us questions; what do we think, etc., if there is any doubt. We are happy to help, but rather reluctant to sugar coat the truth and prolong meaningless debates as if pushing the proverbial rope across the floor.

- High-maintenance people BEWARE; this, trucking is definitely not for you. This includes Diva’s, Prima-Donna’s, Politicians, and Freeloaders. Please heed my warning, it will never, never, never work out for you. No disrespect, just telling it like it is and trying to expedite and lessen the pain of your decision. So as indicated by the most recent example, this is not like the fast-food chain advertisement where you; “have it your way”. No, heck no, trucking requires a level of resilience unfamiliar to 98% of the 8-5 working public. If you’re the type of person requiring everything to be exactly to your liking, unwilling to reasonably compromise, think on your feet,…move on and please don’t waste our time with trivial ramblings of little, to no significance.

- When the experienced drivers of this forum offer intelligent, logical advice based on their personal knowledge and first-hand experience; what exactly is the point of debating the truth to “infinity and beyond”? Do not think we are going to change, alter or compromise what is fact and what is fiction to suit the whims of a neophyte individual? Not happening here. That "junk" is readily available elsewhere. Although at times it can be entertaining and amusing, when feckless pushback persists, it is almost never relevant to the objective of helping new drivers conquer the challenges of trucking. Understand a large number of this forum is made up of road worthy Cowboys and Cowgirls who are well beyond their first rodeo. We have all fallen off the bull, dusted off, and know how to climb back on... Learn from our mistakes. Granted I am not suggesting we are a bunch of tight-a**, stuffed-shirt, “no-fun” group of drivers, but debating the shape of the truck’s throttle? Really? That particular thread is listed at the very top of the “who cares?” category. I mean, “Good Grief” we are not rally racers in need of heel-toeing to maximize speed exiting a turn. If my boot fits the throttle and can push it with minimal resistance, revving the engine, well hot-damn, I am good to go.

- To close this diatribe of ramblin’ & whinin', I offer substance, the "cheese" to go with the "whine"; if you are a hard-working, self-motivated, pragmatic individual looking for a challenge, the freedom and at times surprises, then by all means have a go at this. We'd love to work with you and help you get 'er done. Divas, Primadonnas and Trolls need not apply. Sure, we'll have a little fun with you, toss you around the pool a bit, but in the end, unless you get serious, we gotta move on. Hope you understand.

There,…now I feel lighter, having shed the burden of that stress…

Although this was presented with a moderate level of “tongue-in-cheek” sarcasm, the underlying point is spot-on. I do believe the vast majority of folks visiting TT are probably sincere and serious with their intentions, willing to put forth effort, and wanting to learn. Every once in a while though, a complete anomaly pays us a visit from the outer limits as a reminder “why” the trucking companies are so thorough and relentless in conducting background checks, medical qualification, and job history.

Here is a link to a series of posts that approached the subject of personalities on a more serious note: Do You Have the Right Temperament for this Job?

Be safe my friends…peace out.

Rick

How did you guess that I get it my way, G-town? I required a blue Freightliner mid roof Cascadia with a 72" sleeper. Oh and none of that on guard or lane departure crap. I require that I run a ton of miles. If I get there a day early, I better just Tcall it and let someone else sit thru the live unload. I need another load because I have miles to run. I better get a $1000 bonus check every quarter. Just because I am awesome, I expect to do recruiting videos. My Dispatcher knows to make sure I am always preplanned before I deliver. I don't do sitting and waiting on a load. When I deliver in my home town, I better be able to take my 10hr there. I expect to be givin the newest accounts to run. I am number 1 so it only fits that I am the first at a new shipper.

I am given all of that because I am AWESOME!

(Sorry G-Town - just couldn't resist. Everybody knows how much I am willing to bust my tail. Just trying to show what hard work will get you. With a twist of humor of course)

How did you guess that I get it my way, G-town?

I am given all of that because I am AWESOME!

(Sorry G-Town - just couldn't resist. Everybody knows how much I am willing to bust my tail. Just trying to show what hard work will get you. With a twist of humor of course)

I don't know Patrick, how did I know? Maybe because of the humble way in which you conduct yourself? Just a SWAG...

Hard work will get you that and then some. I agree, you, me many others on here are living proof of that. Over time though, not day one. But your attitude going into this was realistic, not entitled, and you are clearly not a Primadonna. (Calling you that, now that'd be funny).

Taken out of context or as individual points, one can definitely debate things as you did. You however were not the intended audience.

Your funny reply not with standing, I'm sticking to my story. If you don't agree in part, that's fine, but you aren't a newbie anymore.

I agree whole heardetly with you. I just decided to have fun with it. We have seen posts where people demand things that walking into this industry they are not entitled to. I have taken my share of lumps. I was just pointing out some of perks you can receive by practicing what we preach here. I just phrased in ways we have see the true divas state it.

I am still "technically" new. I haven't hit my golden year yet. Still 3 months to go. those who put their nose to the grind stone will receive the special favors. It is all about being as efficient as possible. Delivering freight on time (or early) safely.

I have noticed the different approaches people take to get loaddd early or deliver early. Old School prefers to do his manipulating over the phone. I prefer to show up, flash the puppy dog eyes and whisper sweet nothings. Take today as an example. My appointment to deliver was 0800. I had to start my clock at 0400 to be on time. My next load had an appointment to get loaded at 1400. my shipper was 2 hrs south west in IA. My receiver for the next load was 3 hrs NE of my receiver this morning. If I would of taken it as it was I would of barely made it back to the same area I delivered at. I was finished getting unloaded by 0900. I made it to the shipper 3hrs before my scheduled appointment. I was done and riling back NE by noon. Now I am parked 30 mins from my receiver. I saved myself about 3hrs of tomorrows clocks.

Do not think we are going to change, alter or compromise what is fact and what is fiction to suit the whims of a neophyte individual?

That was great.

Yeah, I let this particular someone stick around a little too long I can see. The questions were a bit odd, but it actually gave us a chance to answer a lot of questions for a lot of people so that's always good. But once he started with the sexist remarks and insults, and people started throwing tomatoes, it was time to usher him off the stage.

It's nearly impossible to convey to people the level of commitment this job requires. I know some people adjust well to it. Former military and serious athletes, and some former business owners can adapt because they understand what it is to go above and beyond what most people would be willing to do to accomplish their goals.

Do you have the ambition and the discipline to push yourself beyond what most people would be willing to do?

I think that's a good question one should ask themselves before taking a shot at this career. People who have gone "above and beyond" in their pursuits will know they have what it takes. But if you don't really know what I mean by that or you can't think of any solid examples where you've pushed yourself to extremes at something then trucking will likely be a lot more than you had bargained for and you're going to have to step up your game in a big way.

I think an awful lot of people think, "Hey, it's just trucking. You're just driving around delivering things. How hard could it be?"

It can be so very, very hard.

It isn't that bad. It could be a lot worse. We could be doing it while getting shot at and trying to avoid IEDs. Not to mention incoming rockets and mortars while you are trying to rest up for the next day. Seems pretty darn easy to me, lol.

But I agree. Unless you are willing to go above and beyond the typical 9 to 5. This life is one very big rude awakening.

It isn't that bad. It could be a lot worse. We could be doing it while getting shot at and trying to avoid IEDs. Not to mention incoming rockets and mortars while you are trying to rest up for the next day. Seems pretty darn easy to me, lol.

But I agree. Unless you are willing to go above and beyond the typical 9 to 5. This life is one very big rude awakening.

And yet at the same time I've witnessed a whole lot of people getting killed in wrecks because one person made one tiny mistake or there was just one moment of inattention.

That's the thing with the dangers of trucking. They're rarely obvious. There's almost never any sort of warning. Things are quiet and peaceful, you're enjoying a little Bob Seger on a sunny day in July, and suddenly there's a huge fireball and several bodies are rolling and bouncing across the highway.

Or you're cruising along a sunny day in rural Arkansas and a big rig suddenly starts barrel rolling directly in front of you, without warning, and you can see nothing but truck parts and gigantic piles of sod and smoke filling your windshield.

Or you're easing down a mountain minding your own business when a truck comes racing by you and lays it over in the next turn, directly in front of you, creating a massive cloud of dust and smoke and truck parts the size of a 10 story building right in front of you.

All true stories that I witnessed, along with dozens of others.

No, trucking certainly doesn't feel like you're in a warzone. But you can certainly die just as quickly without a moment's notice. Maybe that's what makes it so tough. It lulls you to sleep. One moment you're thinking, "Heck, this is fun and easy. It's not like I'm being shot at. I can't believe they're paying me to do this. Look at those beautiful mountains over there!" and the next moment you blow a steer tire and you're barrel rolling down a mountainside.

But I agree. It's not like you're being shot at.

The point I was making, it could still be everything Trucking entails, plus being shot at. If you don't mind adding being shot at to the mix, and being away from family for a year at a time, you can make 6 figures driving truck in a war zone as a civilian contractor.

The point I was making, it could still be everything Trucking entails, plus being shot at. If you don't mind adding being shot at to the mix, and being away from family for a year at a time, you can make 6 figures driving truck in a war zone as a civilian contractor.

What kind of 6 figures? The problem is, most drivers that are just drivers, can't shoot back. And a lot of this stuff runs without escort (I have friends that have done contract protection work over there).

We risk our lives with the dummys in 4 wheelers here enough - without adding IED's & snipers to the mix.

Rick