Comments By Serenity

Hi.

Haven't been here in some time...on the forum, I mean. I get the emails about articles from TT and read them. This article basically summed up what I've experienced since I started to venture out and look for more information about trucking. And I'll tell you, those people did a number on me. The sheer volume of negativity that I saw out there on the "information highway" actually turned me off from exploring more about this industry. I wanted to drive a truck, but the things I saw...

Video of a guy "dancing" in his seat, filming himself with his phone while driving. And I don't mean chair dancing, he was literally up, moving around, not paying attention to the road at all.

The....unsanitary things that some people do at truck stops...and I don't mean inside the truck stop.

The "tricks" people play on each other at truck stops...why? Why would people do this? Why would you mess with someone elses truck? I didn't find any of it funny.

The stories...the endless stories of "lot lizards", as well as stories of those who would try to take advantage of you if you're female. And all I could think was, "But I would have to go x amount of miles before I could ever bring my dog who would definitely prevent that...is this really that unsafe?"

The hatred for certain lines - the endless mocking for anyone who drove for a certain carrier or two.

The one sided stories about how someone was "forced" to do something or get fired.

The endless complaints about pay, which, in a nutshell was, "You all aren't going to get paid anything that you can even live off of, don't even bother!"

The overall sour attitudes in general, and the fights between truckers.

Then there were the accidents, the one article I read about the trucker being shot for his money, of which he didn't even have that much, and the giant crowd of truckers who called everyone else a few choice names for not driving in extreme bad weather, and causing problems for those they thought were "driving too slow" in those extreme bad weather conditions.

I thought to myself, 'This sounds like the road is filled with a bunch of (jerks) who excel in complaining and trying to make everyone elses life really hard for their own entertainment."

I do not doubt that these things happen, and happen often, but your article brought me back around. I have one last personal thing to overcome, (what the hell do I do with my pets), and then I'm going to get back into pursuing this. The idea of sitting in an office until I retire makes me want to vomit. I can't. I don't know if trucking and I will get along, but I want to try - because I have to be out, moving, seeing things, experiencing things...and I know that the best experiences I've ever had all had sacrifices that I would have liked to have done without, but I would never have had the good experiences without them.

Yes. Listening to the internet will have you believe that everyone in trucking is a miserable SOB, but I don't think it has to be that way. Thanks for the article.

I've put a lot of thought in to this, as well. My thinking started years ago when I drove for a living but using my own car or a company van. I was the one who begged for the long trips. All the other drivers were happy to let me take those jobs because they wanted to be home at 5pm.

I found this place on accident one day and devoured information. I thought I was going to go and do this right away. The company that I want has school in AZ...and I realized that we would be in 120 degree heat while trying to learn how to drive and that didn't seem like a good combo. So, instead I got my things in order, followed tons of trucker sites, FB pages, etc, have been soaking up the info...and learning what I can outside a truck. Now, I just need to study for the permit, pass, hope my first choice takes me on, and get going.

While doing all of that, I have been thinking long and hard whether or not this really is what I want to do...and I've always been 99% sure. The other day, I was sitting in someone's car waiting for them to get back, and was people watching to pass the time. I realized that every time someone got in to their car, I thought how lucky they were to be going somewhere...it wasn't about having to wait...it was about that adventure of getting out on the road and going...just going.

I think it IS in some people's blood, and asking them to work at a desk or in one spot would be like asking an artist to put down their paints.

Besides, some of us have families that we want to get far away from.

Hi all, just thought I'd post an update. I posted a little while back about failing my first 3 test attempts because I timed out during the 90 degree alley dock each time. I went back to my school to practice last week and finally, the alley dock maneuver started to click. I wasn't great at it but pretty decent. Plus the extra time at the school really helped my shifting. It's much smoother now with hardly any missed gears or grinding. So I had my 4th attempt today and passed!!!! And wouldn't you know it, now that I know how to do the 90, I got a parallel.

Anyway, I leave for Crete/Shaffer on Sunday. I feel really lucky to get on with this company. Sooooo excited!

Congratulations! We don't always get what we want when we want it, but eventually all works out in the end. Respect for not giving up...you have earned this.

They just started recruiting from my area.I looked them up on here and there website but neither one said about the passenger policy.If there is any driver from Knight on here could you shine some light on this subject?

Actually, I just found it but it might be a bit dated because the last page of their review says "no pets" which is no longer true, they do allow pets.

Anyway, rider policy from the review on page 5 of 5 on this site:

"What is the company's rider policy?

After 6 months of safe driving experience, drivers may have approved riders on the truck over the age of 10 years old. "

They just started recruiting from my area.I looked them up on here and there website but neither one said about the passenger policy.If there is any driver from Knight on here could you shine some light on this subject?

From that same review page, further up, it only says:

"Enhanced Rider program"

I would give them a call. This is the company I want to get started with, and I have talked to them. They are extremely patient answering all kinds of questions. Looking at your history, it looks like you already have your CDL - so definitely call them. I've talked to a few companies, and this one sounds like such a great company to start off with - and looks to be pretty darn good to stay with. I'll find out in a few months if they let me come on board...in the meantime, good luck to you.

Also, there's some dude on YouTube who works for Knight. His YT name is: Mr.Sinnizter DaTrucker The recruiter I talked to actually gave me that information. Ha. Again, best of luck, and if you do get on with them, come back and tell us how it is - some of us really want to work for them.

I stand corrected. I did find a job available from Schneider up in Alaska. I also put in a terminal search and was able to find a couple more:

Carlile Lynden Transport

Sweet.

Apparently both Schneider and PAM have operations in Alaska.

Thanks for that. Hmmm, when I look on their sites, they don't show any facilities in Alaska (AK), PAM doesn't even have that state in their drop down menu, and they both may advertise in AK, but when you look at the actual job, it says for the "48 states".

That's what I've been running in to a lot while trying to find any companies up there. Companies will advertise, but it turns out the job isn't actually located there, it's for the lower 48. Surely someone has to have a company up there.

Was wondering if anyone has any info on trucking jobs in Alaska? I don't even see the state on the menu on another page on this forum.

Here's what I would like to plan:

Get trained, pass, get on the road as a solo driver, put in 3 years of hard work to gain experience.

At that point, I'd like to move to Alaska because I will have saved the majority of my earnings in that 3 years, and Alaska is where I've been wanting to move for awhile. At the same time, I would like to continue driving a truck. I realize that Alaska gets a lot of their things flown in, but trucks are still needed to deliver.

I've looked on the internet and I just find the random lists that you find when looking for any job, not actual companies. Does anyone know of Alaskan based companies that I can look in to for future reference?

Thank you for your time.

Good grief... I was kidding! That's what we are here for! You're good, no worries.

Meh, it's not the first time someone has said that. I like to be thorough in my quest for knowledge. = )

By the way, I did read that book...it's what prompted the question about most horrific thing that have happened to others. After I read the story about blocking rush hour traffic in NYC, and having to drive up an embankment in the snow because they ended up on a parkway, my imagination went wild with what other crazy things people have endured.

Serenity asks a lot...

Sorry.