Your Favorite Thing About Driving A Truck.

So, me and my trainer are driving down the highway and we see some kids waiting at a bus stop. Maybe half a dozen or so, and ever one of them is doing the arm pump. Now, I’ve had my CDL for three weeks, so I think I’m a big tough scary trucker, right? So what do I do? I reach over and blip the air horn for them. My trainer and I grinned for the next 100 miles. What those kids don’t know is that most of us get as big a kick out of it as they do. So that brought a topic to mind. Other than payday, what is your favorite part of driving a truck?

I'll tell you a reason I like it. It's not the only reason, I just dont want list everything.

I enjoy being a large vehicle that separates me somewhat from the vehicles around me. In a car, if someone wants to beep their horn or make rude gestures it is difficult to ignore. But in a truck, I'm above the fray. If I'm going too slow in a construction zone for mr/mrs impatient, they can beep and gesture all they want. It doesn't bother me at all.

I know that's a silly example. Like I said though, it's not the only reason.

Unlike my previous 33 years working as a nurse, I enjoy driving for the simple fact I only have to depend on myself to get the delivery made from point A to point B, barring unforseen circumstances on the roads, that is. Haha. I enjoy the solitude for the majority of the day and not having to deal with so many different people and their "personalities" throughout my workday. It's just me, the truck/cargo and the road. When in the truck parked, I can cuss someone out loud for a few seconds if they **** me off. No one will hear me, but it helps relieve stress (wish I could do that to a few consignees, but I cannot have everything, lol). It was difficult blowing off stress in nursing. Also, unlike nursing. I know my schedule and don't have to worry about being told an hour before quitting time that "I am needed for a double shift, or to come in on my days/weekend off." The hours in trucking can be long, but I know what/when those hours are. In my mind, a big difference. Fnally, I just enjoy what I am doing now, compared to dealing with the effects of emotional burnout that my last few years in nursing caused.

I love the fact of being out there and do a job well. I get praise from my carrier dispatch and the company I work for by doing the job and making a good first impression. Maybe its the Marine corps in me but I love the travel and the "ME" time. Being a driver does like many other professions have its up and downs but as time goes on you realize that these are a time to learn and hopefully become a better driver for it. I've been doing this for a while now and I love the scenery. Those beautiful views at sundown that many screen savers on computers around the world show people everyday. The scenery is outstanding and being on the road lets me appreciate it instead of driving a desk!!

The view from my cubicle.

I enjoy the challenges each day brings. No matter if your going the same places over again down the same route the challenges are always different. I always strive to learn at least one new thing a day and challenge myself to improve.

Solitude.

I love the views. This may seem like a small thing or something that would grow boring eventually, but honestly, it doesn't for me. Watching the mountains and forests and rivers of the Northwest go by is something I enjoy every day. And the solitude allows for some truly deep thinking, or better yet, practice NOT thinking and just experiencing :)