Comments By Dan E.

Be safe people.

That is scary and was not in a difficult spot. An entrance ramp to I77 in Beckley. Actually 2 two rollovers in WV yesterday. I hate this stuff.

That is scary and was not in a difficult spot. An entrance ramp to I77 in Beckley. Actually 2 two rollovers in WV yesterday. I hate this stuff.

Screw this. I don't need money that badly that I don't have a couple hours to myself. Thanks for the honest reply.

Dan asked?

So let me get this straight, you don't even have a couple hours to unwind during the day? The pay would have been an advancement for me but I am not willing to work every waking moment of every freaking day. Is that what you are saying is required?

Dan,...have you read this yet? Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving

and this: Truck Driver's Career Guide

The hours a trucker works are not like anything you have ever experienced or can understand. There is time to unwind, but again off-duty time is for eating, showering and sleeping. We are required by law to break for 10 (simply put) hours before we can legally drive for 11 hours again.

My job is different than an OTR driver (like Sambo and Tractor Man). To put some perspective around this; I am on a dedicated account delivering to Walmart stores and Sam's Club,...anything less than a 12 hour day is infrequent, and yes, at times considered a blessing. However realize I actually want to be on-duty (working) for on average a minimum of 12 hours each day, otherwise it's likely money was left on the table. It's a balancing act. Once I log-out and off duty, eating and sleeping are the priority. Sleep is really important and part of our responsibility to be well rested, alert and ready to drive when the hours are available.

So let me get this straight, you don't even have a couple hours to unwind during the day? The pay would have been an advancement for me but I am not willing to work every waking moment of every freaking day. Is that what you are saying is required?

I really don't think you will have much time for Video Games on the road. After you find time to eat and take a shower and use the restroom, you will barely have time to get 6 or 7 hours worth of sleep. At least that is my experience.

Did you need that hand holding? I know I would. Were you ready to do it alone after those hours?

Thanks guys for some thoughtful replies. After thinking about it on the flip side from a new perspective. I never put my life in another persons hands which is what I feel I would be doing if I slept in a truck while a stranger was driving. How can they pay you enough to put your lives on he line to train new guys? Seems like that would form a serious bond and I can't imagine how this would work out. I guess I have trust issues.

Dan E like it or not, your life as a trucker is in other people's hands all day long,...other drivers.

How would you suggest they train you? At least at Swift there is 50 hours of supervised hand-holding, after that, the next 150 hours of driving is team running.

I wanted to drive for Maverick, TMC, or Reohl, but you can't get company sponsored CDL training from those guys if you live in WV even though I watch multiple trucks from these companies drive up and down our interstates. I am disappointed that they can drive thru my state but not offer jobs to good candidates because we live here. That is bs IMO.

Thanks guys for some thoughtful replies. After thinking about it on the flip side from a new perspective. I never put my life in another persons hands which is what I feel I would be doing if I slept in a truck while a stranger was driving. How can they pay you enough to put your lives on he line to train new guys? Seems like that would form a serious bond and I can't imagine how this would work out. I guess I have trust issues.

That is West Viginia. And the handful that do accept trainees require team driving during company training which is a deal breaker for me. I want to do this job but I want my trainer in the seat next to me. I don't want try to sleep while some stranger drives, and I don't want to drive while someone who should be training me sleeps. I guess that is the price of company paid CDL training.

Been in the USAF for the past nine years, the past three as a dog handler. I'm pretty well burnt out with the way the military is going and looking for a change, don't worry fellow vets I wont be throwing 9 years away I'll go Guard or reserve to finish my time. Been looking for a new career and I continuously circle back to driving truck. Anyone care to give some insight on how it is nowadays? I haven't heard much since this is really the first time Ive asked about it. Any help would be much appreciated.

V/r Robert

interested in teaming? I am also about to step into this career.

Anyone gone thru Will Trans company sponsored training or otherwise have driven for them at any point? They werent my first or second choice but it appears living in WV gives me very few options as far as company sponsored training. Interested in any feedback or opinions that I can get. Thanks