Comments By T.W.

Yes, country air does me quite well and notice a huge difference away from the city.

It is a bummer I can't do what I like.

6 string I went to a lung specialist. I have two lung ailments - asthma and sarcoidosis. The second ailment was discovered 6 months ago. No cure.

Ironically, I get choked up driving my car in traffic jams.

I was kidding on giving you my CDL license. However, I am leaving trucking though.

I tried working for two trucking companies and the diesel fumes messed up my lungs something fierce. I don't want to deal with serious lung problems 10 years down the road. Diesel exhaust is a nasty irritant. It sucks because I enjoyed driving a big rig.

Good luck to all.

I think you have to be a little bit of an "outlaw" to survive in OTR trucking. Its a "nomad" lifestyle where you are living wild. You eat and sleep in a truck, eating mostly processed food, and sharing stories with strangers on the open road. Some are not cut out to live in a truck. Some would rather live in a comfortable hotel or be home every night in their own bed surrounded by familiar friends and family.

I am a mix breed. I like both worlds.

Hi guys,

I am pretty excited right now since today I got hired on with a midwest carrier. Today I met my trainer at a Pilot truck stop. I was coughing and short of breath while walking around the semi's idling(diesel fumes). We drove his truck onto the highway and my asthma improved when we left the truck stop. The diesel exhaust blows away from the cab when driving.

History: I was diagnosed with asthma and mild sarcoidosis a few years ago so I have to be careful with my lungs or it could develop into pulmonary fibrosis as I get older. My lungs have been abnormal for years, but functional and normal lung volumes. My medical is clear.

So why did I choose trucking if I have lung issues? 1.) I grew up on a farm -- so operating heavy machinery is something I enjoy 2.) I got laid off as a teacher and had no desire to go back 3.) Right now I work in retail and can't live on the low pay 4.) Trucking is my way out of poverty and has more opportunities

I am a natural when it comes to trucking. But my lungs are my only hindrance and know I should not be in this industry. I struggle with the "money vs. health" concept every day. But its tough to walk away from $800 per week when I can't even make that in two weeks in retail.

Anyone in here have asthma or can share ideas and methods to cope with it in trucking. Such as not sleeping in truck stops and looking for cleaner areas to rest? Crank a window? Maybe getting an air purifier for the truck? I want to make trucking sustainable.

Thanks.

I have a college degree. All it got me was a teaching career that ended in a lay off. I have struggled with sending resume after resume to get another job. No luck. I bounced around in sales for a while too. Its a tough economy out there -- even with a college degree. STEM degrees are the rave now--which mine is not STEM. I like to follow Mike Rowe's advice from Dirty Jobs. Dirty jobs are the best paying jobs for those that can't find work or if their college degrees are not paying off. I consider trucking a dirty job. Oil field trucking is another dirty job. Plumber, welder, ironworker, electrician -- any trade is decent paying. Trucking offers security. Yes, it can be single man's game - but hey some family men do it too to pay the bills.

I am considering joining this trucking outfit. Anyone hear of them? It is regional. I'm thinking of living in the truck since my apartment lease is ending.

Benjamin I am from Chicago and live in Ohio now. How do you like it there?

I keep seeing these ads pop up for "Freight Brokering" and learning how to be an agent.

Is business legit? I hear many are making 100k a year. Total Quality Logistics comes to mind.

What are the pros and cons of freight brokering? Is the turnover high? Is it a stable industry?

TurboDan great point. I am the same page. Create a Federal mandate to approve a CDL license for all 48 states. That way no need to transfer. Power and money corrupts a system. Every politician has to have their hand in the pie.