Now Where Did I Put My Red Shoes?

In the movie classic "Wizard of Oz" the good witch Glenda tells Dorothy to click the heels of her red shoes together three times and say "There's no place like home". The movie ends with Dorothy waking up in her bed surrounded byworried family members...

My training time is over. I have put in about 310 drive time hours. My evaluation was excellent - but I have no job. No openings is what I am being told. This is not at all unexpected. In talking with other drivers, both for "my" company and others, I have heard story after story of waiting for a load, sometimes days at a time. "Freight is slow" is the catch phrase heard over and over again. MSNBC says my company has reduced the number of its drivers by 4% in the first quarter of this year. I have two options: I can stay with my trainer making about 300/week or take an unpaid leave of absence. After 30 days on this leave the company deems me as having voluntarily quit. Now I am not sure what I would be quitting from - I'm not hired as a driver! Well, anyway as you may have guessed from my previous posts I opted to go home. I really don't believe that I will get a job with this company.I don't think the company has been devious; they just haven't been completely honest and up front with us.

My time was not wasted. I have learned a tremendous amount! I have a new found respect and admiration not only for truckers, but for anyone who spends a long time away from home and family (military comes to mind). The company I trained with has given me a certificate that says I am a qualified driver. Now I can look for work that is more local than the western United States. I am proud to say I tried trucking and won! It's "my" company that lost.

To those who want to pursue a job in trucking I would strongly urge you to consider all that the members in Trucking Truth have to say. They have been there, done that, and bought the tee shirt! The knowledge presented here is invaluable to you as you make your decision. Trucking is not for everyone. There is no shame in deciding that it isn't what you thought it would be.

So, as I close this post. I salute those who bring freight to us. You job is difficult and you are not appreciated as you should be. Keep up your good work. Who knows, we may meet by the roadside some day.

Keep the bugs off your glass and the bears off your ... tail. God bless, Farmer Bob.

Related Articles: