Do you feel ashamed of this career?

[-]

HighwayStandard4737@reddit

I’m not a trucker myself but my dad is and I work for a logistics company. I don’t think the poor behavior of some should make all ashamed. I talk to easily two or three hundred truckers a week and yeah there are plenty of bad ones but there are also plenty that have been stand up guys. From the perspective of someone that deals with some bad truckers a good one can make your day. So if you try to be the good one I think you can take pride in your career.

[-]

Unfair_Analysis_3734@reddit

Also a lot of truck drivers don’t make a lot of money depending on company, equipment, etc. I imagine those who makes pennies on the dollar are pretty miserable. It’s crazy how wide the pay gap is in the trucking industry.

[-]

TaperingRanger9@reddit (OP)

As long as you have experience and don't have an accident on your record you can easily get a good paying job. Local or OTR. I started out making poverty wages then worked my way up to where I am now. I feel like the dudes making 50k per year are all either new or have fucked up a lot. I still think OTR is a scam though even if you're bringing in 6 figures.

[-]

potatocross@reddit

What blows my mind as a local driver, is when we get slow most of our drivers that get laid off can find other local jobs paying $30/hr+ without issue. Then I see posts from people living in their truck working 70+ hours a week making $500 a week.

[-]

timbocf@reddit

Local making $30/hr? Where do you live?

[-]

SummerBoi20XX@reddit

In Ohio one of my local LTL hubs starts at $34/hr. Granted that's one of the better ones.

[-]

timbocf@reddit

There ain't shit out here in Phoenix like that. They probably pay around $20 but a straight 40 hrs. I get 60-70 hrs and run regional at $30 an hr. Cant complain. I'd have to commute to Phoenix anyway if I ran local

[-]

Upset-Bullfrog-8312@reddit

There are no LTL companies in Phoenix? I thought everyone knew that LTL companies paid like that. Yes sometimes you have to drive to get to them. I’m an hour from Memphis. Tons of LTL companies and jobs. At many LTL’s you will have to work, and unload and load. Can’t just sit in the truck all day.

[-]

timbocf@reddit

I cant stay in this truck all day. I gotta stretch my legs every couple of hours

[-]

Send-Me-1-Dollar@reddit

The whole state feels stuck at that $20/hr mark. Arizona isn’t the cheap cost‑of‑living place it used to be, but companies here still pay like it is. I wish the wages would catch up.

[-]

Upset-Bullfrog-8312@reddit

I didn’t know Arizona was like that. Everyone just talks about the heat. One of my brothers lives in Florida. He says it’s the same situation. The cost of living has skyrocketed, especially homeowners insurance. But they don’t pay down there. Many have lost their homes because their homeowners insurance has doubled or quadrupled. He used to be an owner operator, but now hates trucking with a passion. He works for a utility company. That’s one of the reasons I got my CDL. The utility companies require it to work for them.

[-]

PresentBarnacle6557@reddit

I grew up in Peoria, (west Phoenix). I had to move out of state in 2008 because the cost of living increased so much more then the income. I moved to Kansas of all places and now make a high 6 digit income, granted I own my truck and trailer but run under someone else’s authority but at 85% it’s not bad hauling a hopper bottom.

[-]

DanimalPlanet42@reddit

What part of Ohio?

[-]

SummerBoi20XX@reddit

https://careers-daytonfreight.icims.com/jobs/17578/cdl-a-local-driver/job

[-]

Irishgoodbye777@reddit

Which one?

[-]

SummerBoi20XX@reddit

https://careers-daytonfreight.icims.com/jobs/17578/cdl-a-local-driver/job

[-]

ChemicalWriting6225@reddit

I live in Washington truck driving, over the pass everyday and make 300 a load. So I’m in poverty ;) guess I just suck then right?

[-]

TaperingRanger9@reddit (OP)

300 per load doesn't seem terrible at all. Unless of course you're maxxing out your clock for it

[-]

ChemicalWriting6225@reddit

It’s $1500 a week $1000 take-home ports are unpredictable. Sometimes you max out your clock sometimes you don’t.

[-]

12dv8@reddit

Not if you do 3 loads a day

[-]

West_Masterpiece9423@reddit

I’m local and got my CDL w/Pepsi years ago. My trainer told me right off the same thing you did: keep your manifest clean & you’ll never be unemployed. You may not like your schedule but you’ll have work. I’m still local 4/10s and earn a bit less because I don’t get as much OT, but boy, you get real used to 3 days off!

[-]

HarryKuntz42069@reddit

Local pay depends highly on where you live. There are few options where I live so I had to take a pretty hefty pay cut to be home every day.

[-]

TaperingRanger9@reddit (OP)

True. I had to relocate to a major city because all the jobs in my hometown tried paying 22/hour

[-]

errie_tholluxe@reddit

Live on top of a major city and they're paying $25.

Some of the fuel haulers that going as high as the whole. 27

[-]

Tru3insanity@reddit

Kind of a chicken vs egg thing. Were they depressed gross assholes before they got on a truck or did working OTR make them that way? This industry isnt exactly kind.

[-]

SuchTax1991@reddit

I don’t feel ashamed but I hate this career or job. It’s not for me and I’ve done it for six years now with this being my last year.

[-]

mike-2129@reddit

Maybe I'm one of those selfish drivers. But i love being a trucker. Yeah it is a shit show out here. But I dont base myself off of others. Honestly I couldn't care less about some dude shitting off his catwalk or doing a 30 at the islands. I know im out here hustling like a mofo making money and doing my job well. I take pride in my work. It's clear not everyone does. But that doesn't effect me. I do me and drive my drive and thats all I care about is doing my 5 days out then back home. Trucking is way easier when you stop giving a shit so much.

[-]

Choice_Manufacturer7@reddit

Why would I be ashamed of the job that gave me access to a life I wouldn't have otherwise been able to access?

Not ashamed that my house is paid off, or the RZR in the building, the 2024 Silverado I bought new. The money in my retirement and bank accounts, the dry goods and canned food I have stored up.

I won't be ashamed when I enjoy my three weeks vacation, bonuses and overtime.

I wasn't ashamed that I was in position to help my parents when they needed it.

This is such is a stupid take in my opinion, I didn't do what I did when OTR, or what I do now locally for anyone else, I did it for my me and my wife.

Trucking allowed me to give my wife a year off work, I'm proud of that, it paid off my house before I was 40, I'm proud of that too.

Just because some truckers are nasty and gross doesn't change the fact that I took pride in my job and I was treated well.

Maybe I just got lucky, maybe my hard work all through the years finally paid off.

I don't know or care, but I am definitely not ashamed of what trucking did for me.

[-]

TaperingRanger9@reddit (OP)

How much are you making? I make about 90k per year and in my area it's just enough to pay the bills and live somewhat comfortably. I couldnt imagine buying a house or brand new vehicle off this income though.

[-]

Overall_Reputation83@reddit

90k being "just enough to pay the bills" means you are spending beyond your means. check your budget. I was paying my bills just fine being a forklift driver making 40k a year. Take advantage of your job and live somewhere way cheaper.

[-]

TaperingRanger9@reddit (OP)

I live in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. It's expensive here. And no I'm not gonna move to somewhere lame and boring to save money lol

[-]

Choice_Manufacturer7@reddit

When I pulled flatbed, that was the year my wife didn't work, I brought home about 1300 a week after tax.

That's about 85k a year.

Food service paid about 75k.

Hazmat tanker otr was up and down, I had a minimum weekly pay guarantee, on the top end I brought home 3k a week hauling anhydrous ammonia, average about 2k a week and when it was slow I normally just got the minimum. That year was closer to 95k.

I was off two months drawing the minimum.

I currently get paid by the hour, $27/h with overtime and killer benefits.

Eastern Kentucky resident.

[-]

TaperingRanger9@reddit (OP)

You must either be way smarter with money than I am, or Kentucky is way cheaper to live in than Washington.

[-]

robexib@reddit

You're not finding cheap on either coast, particularly the west coast.

[-]

Choice_Manufacturer7@reddit

We bought a used double wide, put it on family land, a hillside we paid to have worked into a house seat.

I purposely pay extra taxes every paycheck, my last full year otr I was paying 150/federal 100/state and when we filed taxes our refund was just shy of 15k.

That was two years ago and what finished our house payment off.

I pay 100/0 right now. Last year that netted me 5k refund. I do fully understand what I am doing, interest free load to the government, but it allows us to chunk down debt each year.

Every year, I hear the same shit about how that's financially stupid and every year I pay something off or use it for house repairs or just save it up.

[-]

lordyarom@reddit

I mean if you automatically had it sent to a high yield savings account and didn't touch it, you would be making about 4% more per year on that money. But if it works for you so be it.

[-]

RectumRavager69@reddit

That's actually very smart. Only way it wouldn't be is if you could've invested it in something else you believed in but you're effectively investing it in yourself so there you go.

[-]

Ayrria@reddit

Kentucky is a hell of a lot cheaper than WA. I moved to WA June of 2024 from TN and I still have sticker shock at EVERYTHING here. But, I also make more money here than I did in TN.

[-]

Lopsided-Move6309@reddit

Most regular "respectable" jobs don't make 90k a year though.

[-]

Old-Wolf-1024@reddit

Paid off house,paid off business,new car in the driveway…….$92K combined income between the 2 of us. All depends on where you live.

[-]

KangarooStill2392@reddit

Thats the problem though, a lot of people dont take pride in the job. This goes for drivers and the companies that employ them.

[-]

Ok_Internet_5058@reddit

me too, trucking allowed me to buy my wife

[-]

wukillabee2744@reddit

Hope you got yourself a nice Slavic woman!!

[-]

Overall_Reputation83@reddit

nah im not ashamed. It's just a job, and most people I speak with have the same opinion.

[-]

zigzag1060@reddit

You blaming all the trash on the side of the road on truckers? I’m sure some of it is but I’m willing to bet most of it is coming from 4 wheelers…. If you’re not proud of your profession maybe you should move on to something else. I was proud when I got my chauffeurs license and I’m still proud of my CDL! If you know you know……. I’m proud of my profession and I won’t let the asswipes ruin that for me.

[-]

SaxonJax@reddit

I am not ashamed of it because I can honestly say I am a professional, I dont so any of those things. I treat the road, other drivers and my job with respect.

Would I do this again if I could start over? Fuck no.

It was a mistake becoming a driver and I do feel like I have wasted the last 14 years of my life.

[-]

Crzymk101@reddit

I do ive been driving for fedex ground for 15 year's and we don't get drop/hook pay it takes 1 hour to find your trailers.. We have to go thru morning rush hour traffic daily for under minimum wage . We have to park our personal vehicles in dust and dirt and potholes in the lot .. I get nails ,scratches,dry rotted tires and my bumpers bottom out on the potholes ... Anyone driving thru Georgia or Alabama on i20 daily will get harassed by the dot police or mccd in georgia and alea in alabama ... fedex has implemented front bumper sensors that go off constantly in traffic ,ai cameras that talk to you all day,and stupid ass motive driver app you use on your phone or tablet that constantly disconnects.. So you may ask why don't you go to another carrier the answer is I carry a dog for stress anxiety and I'm too old to start a the bottom again.. Once I leave shitex I'm done with trucking permanently ... Good day to all....

[-]

Hard-Coconut-@reddit

I'm sorry😔

[-]

choobbss@reddit

Not at all, it provides for my family and as long as i dont make stupid decisions it will continue to.

Some people are just gross thats a people thing. just like some are assholes (fuck you line skippers). I drive flatbed and for us id say about 95% of them are good dudes, the other 5% can go drive into the grandcanyon, most of us will help each other out without asking (mostly folding tarps) when we are just sitting.

[-]

daaankfloater@reddit

I wish I would have gotten in 10-15 years ago before everything started getting worse with no end in sight. Not wanting to make this political, but literally NO ONE in office has done anything that has made a night and day difference in this industry or any other unless it specifically benefits the rich and powerful. That being said, this industry is fucked

[-]

yardbirdtex@reddit

HELL NO.

My daughter is two months old and I can’t wait for her to see this country.

I make damn good money and one day I’ll own a W9.

One day we will be heading over Teton Pass and I’ll tell her about the day I fucked up and accidentally dragged 80,000 pounds over that shit.

One day we will drive to Alaska together. Maine. Washington. California.

Idgaf about the POS’s that treat this earth the way they do. I don’t. And one day I’ll show her.

So take pride in what you do and do the damndest you can to protect this profession until the day you leave it, cause when you do I’ll be riding shotgun with my little girl and she will come back home and tell all of her friends how amazing it was to sleep next to Mt. Whitney. Sleep on the plains of this beautiful country and how the Indians would take years to travel this country, and her and her pa did it in a day or two.

So don’t feel bad. This is on YOU. Be a professional. Be the change you want to see in the world. You can do it, we do it.

[-]

Lane8323@reddit

Not at all, able to have a great life even with the way the economy has been going. Actually feel pretty fortunate to do what I do, get paid what I do, and not have to stress about finances. I roll around listening to podcasts & audiobooks all day. Nothing to not be happy about

[-]

Bamfurlough@reddit

I occasionally have thoughts like this, but you can only control yourself. In the past few years I've developed a lot of pride in my job. I try and conduct myself like a professional and any other driver that doesn't do the same can piss off.

[-]

NoRelation1491@reddit

Naw, just wish I didn’t have to work as much, but that fuel hauling for ya, and a guaranteed $100k is nice.

Linehaul is the next step.

[-]

TEEx6@reddit

I feel ashamed? Heck no! If we stop the world stops.

[-]

AutumnBrooks2021@reddit

The only ones that need to feel ashamed are the ones that are acting like pigs.

[-]

do-it-now-0829@reddit

I feel ya OP!!! In general the filthiest, grossest, laziest group of people I have ever been around. Like you mentioned, it’s not all of us but I believe it more than 65% of us. Some of the things I have watched truckers do just blows my mind. I mean the other day in Idaho I pulled off on an off ramp to take a break. On this particular off ramp there are 2 big trash cans. There was trash all over the place, piss bombs, 💩bags, a couple sleeper mattresses. I walked over to the trash can to throw away a couple Body Armor bottles and the trash was dam near empty. I checked all 4 cans and all were less than 1/4 full. That’s only 1 on/off ramp. We have all seen what most truck stop parking lots look like too🤦🏽‍♂️ We need to do better!!!

[-]

East_Indication_7816@reddit

Kinda .its a job that does not require brains . But its a good thing because im able to rest my brain

[-]

Plain_Chacalaca@reddit

I knew a cellist a long time ago. We were discussing various professions and our perception of the people in them. Toward the end of the discussion she said, “do you know who are by far the worst, the worst of them all by a large margin!!??” “Who?” I asked, wide eyed. “Musicians!!” She replied.

Since then, every time I meet anyone who is in a group of whatever kind, they always tell me that (the group they know best) is the worst. So I learned that people just like to criticize whoever is closest to them. Take it all with a massive grain of salt.

I appreciate truckers and most people who depend on them (pretty much everyone) do too.

Check out the White House Tribute to Truckers from a few years back.

[-]

TotallyNotJoking101@reddit

If you feel ashamed remember, a single trucker can gross more than a surgeon if youve built your company properly.

[-]

Pitiful_Yogurt_5276@reddit

If I could get fucking hired Id have a chance to be.

Drove a school bus for 6 years and USA doesn’t want that to be a career.

Everybody and their mom acts like 6 years of driving a huge ass vehicle, with insanely precious cargo, and doing pre trips and air brakes tests counts for shit.

[-]

Gonzotrucker1@reddit

They don’t give a shit about other motorists. Today I went to pass a guy in Louisiana got half way by him when he decided to match my speed with a line of cars behind him.

[-]

csszen@reddit

Yes, I graduated last year with the degree in computer science and embarrassingly. couldn’t find a job so I got my CDL in January and now I’m driving trucks instead of having a six figure remote tech job that I was promised when I started college back in 2021. Now I’m $40,000 in student debt, and I feel like I wasted my time.

I have over a year of experience as a Jr software engineer and about 3 years doing IT helpdesk can’t even land an entry-level role

[-]

Irishgoodbye777@reddit

I am at least slightly embarrassed, announcing what I do. I felt enough of this.

[-]

Top-Sheepherder-3657@reddit

It's just a job dude. It's a very boring job with a very low barrier to entry.

The barrier to entry is low enough that peoples perceptions of the job are as such.

It pays the bills, I work for a very good company and I'm very good at the job but I don't really give a fuck about it when I'm not at work.

[-]

cleanuponaisle4@reddit

I am embarrassed FOR those other drivers. Not the other way around. I am proud to drive a semi and I take pride in my truck, my appearance, and my work.

[-]

18-Spinning-Wheels@reddit

Im ashamed of many drivers, not the career.

[-]

Superb_Yam_5511@reddit

Towards the end yes. That's why I got out. Every time I opened my curtain at a truck stop I just saw the nastiness most foul example of what a human could be, or I would see a 80 year old hunched over walking to the store with their coffee mug. I didn't want to be either of them. I was on home time at a Walmart with my family and a woman with a cane was walking to her semi truck with a cart of groceries. Had to be 400lb with $400 worth of junk food. I offered to help put her groceries up in the truck and take the cart back with us and she tried to swing her cane at me. My kids were horrified. By the time we got done grocery shopping I already texted my 2 weeks notice.

[-]

TaperingRanger9@reddit (OP)

God i hope im not still doing ts when I'm old. I dont even want to still be doing it when I hit 30.

[-]

timbocf@reddit

I started driving BECAUSE I can do it when I'm old. Bonus that I make more money than I ever have before. And get more time off (home every weekend)

[-]

fusillijhericurl@reddit

Then why do it at all?

[-]

OkSheepherder9172@reddit

just go and make alot of money then

[-]

CapitanPino@reddit

Amazing that we're somehow lumped into this disgusting group. You realize truckers aren't the only assholes dumping trash out in the roads as far as the pass goes.

As for truck stops and other places that's just what it is. Dirty people in EVERY industry make the entire thing look bad. That goes for living in ghetto ass places too. It's consistently the same small trashy group of people/family that's fucking it up for everyone.

I'm not ashamed though. I'm not responsible for anyone else's actions. I do the best I can and that's it. And I know im a clean person. I dont care bout the image anywhere near as much as I care about what my bank account and my health is looking like.

[-]

imissryder@reddit

While I agree with the sentiment, you're from Washington. I've not been to a single city that wasn't disgusting.

[-]

BUDZ_MONEY@reddit

Truck shows.

Some are just rich dudes who can put a million dollar show queen together but in my experience alot them are just hard working people who take great pride in the piece of equipment that they work and maintain

Watched a dude get out of the seat from a multistate run and just start polishing and waxing but isn't begrudgingly about it

I feel like it's A. Lifestyle B. A job and I feel the shows really display the Lifestyle side

[-]

Existing_Meeting_318@reddit

There are people like that in alllll fields

[-]

Existing_Meeting_318@reddit

Nope

[-]

DFA_Wildcat@reddit

I'm not proud of having a CDL/Class 1 license. I think of it more as a tool in my toolbox of things I can do. I also have 5 journeyman trade certificates, a pilots license, etc. If something needs to be done I can do it, legally. Personally I couldn't drive truck as a career, doing to same thing day in and day out would kill me.

[-]

Zaphod-Beebebrox@reddit

Nope . I feel underpaid but not ashamed.

[-]

CronoXpono@reddit

My shame isn’t trucking specific. I’m ashamed that the “work hard” lessons have turned to shite slowly. It’s about who you know and if a job feels like being even remotely equitable.

[-]

Lpgasman1@reddit

I used to be that way when I went back to my high school and tell people I'm a driver. They would say oh you were so smart and gifted. Then I would reply back I make more money than they do with no college and debt of a masters degree. Usually mad them mad after that

[-]

icy_penguins@reddit

After 23 years, when I say i despise truck drivers, I mean it. I hate what are considered "truck drivers" now. There's hardly any pride in most of these guys in the last 10 years. You can see it in how they dress, how they present themselves in public, how they act, how they drive and how their equipment looks. Its fuckin sad honestly.

Im an old school guy, owner operator, 3rd generation doing this, i still take alot of pride in what I do, I take pride in my reputation and my equipment. It has afforded me opportunities that I wouldn't have got without it. I do farm/ag stuff and this field of trucking still has that overall pride that trucking used to have.

Definitely not proud of the industry as a whole.

[-]

bmf1989@reddit

No, but I wouldn’t say I’m proud of it either. But that’s fine, I don’t work to feel some kind of inner pride

[-]

Extreme-You6235@reddit

Most logical answer on here I’ve seen.

[-]

Extreme-You6235@reddit

Trucking is great for anyone who has a clean driving record and no other options. Talking to my white collar friends who make as much as me or more (100k/yr) but work from home half the time, only work 35 hours a week, set their schedule, receive meaningful raises. My company gives out 1-2% annual raises every year 👎🏾

So many local driving jobs you see on indeed are nights, weekends, on call, touching freight for $30/hr. What a joke.

[-]

strawhat_chepe@reddit

After hitting exactly 2 years as a driver, I quit. Money isn't there and the time lost will never be replaced, all that just to deal with the nonsense of the road, dispatch, and receivers.

I miss the traveling part of the job and all the different restaurants I would eat at but other than that, the field is not it.

[-]

Odd-Tangerine-257@reddit

i love driving. first year was kinda rough not making any money but in denver they have loads of jobs and mostly local even fresh out of school. i decided to give up my apartment to go otr to save $ and figure out where i wanted to move or relocate to next and more i'm traveling all over the country while making money. last time i took off was thanksgiving but i just booked my first and second cruise. one next month for my partners bday and one in december for mine. i'll be otr everyday till those dates come around. i'm also saving money while paying down my debt. i really can't complain. before this i did corrections and before that healthcare and both those jobs i felt stuck and trapped and broke. i love this job. even more more since im no noone at western express so im finally making enough money to save.

[-]

Interesting_Cut_4554@reddit

Unfortunately you are right I was the same way coming out of cdl school I was proud of having my license until I hit the road and realized the things ima have to deal with and it's other drivers and their bs but it's ok im just getting the experience I need until I can go local

[-]

Most_Adagio@reddit

yes. I do. People will hate me for saying this but trucking is for people who are simple. I did this because i never knew what i wanted to do even though i had many high value qualities. Now i work directly for my federal government.

[-]

chazzzzmak1972@reddit

The truck drivers that throw their pee jugs on the side of the road need to have their CDL’s revoked

[-]

Ninja-Storyteller@reddit

A little. But even before I became a truck driver it was considered an embarrassing job to have. The stereotype of the unwashed bearded drunkard is fading, but still existent.

[-]

Significant-Use-5136@reddit

i’m proud of the job I have.proud of the work that I do sad to see in the same industry that I work with ignorant, fucking savages, filthy piss bottle and shit bag tossing troglodytes wearing flip-flops and gym shorts living in filth, and sleeping on the piles of trash that they refused to clean out of their rig.

back when I was a boy in the 80s riding along with my pop in his old freightliner cab over it was a different world, and it sure has evolved into one that is very fucking different. much less pride in your ride and your job these days.

[-]

firemarshalbill316@reddit

I don't feel the same. Nasty ass drivers and all that stuff I do agree with. Washington State is one of the most beautiful places I lived in.

However, I don't blame the drivers for being unprofessional. They weren't professional in the first place. None of us are.

You went to school for 3-4 weeks to learn to get a CDL license, not how to be a professional driver. You went out with a trainer for 4-6 additional weeks and they are in the same boat as you; not professional. We are no more professional than a regular licensed driver. We just drive bigger, longer and heavier vehicles.

This is why we are consider unskilled labor by the Department of Labor because we don't get a enough hours to be called professional.

In this entire global supply chain we are the lowest paid but do most of the work. That's economics 101. Pretty much everyone else in the chain is better paid than you. We are cavemen and cave women. The goal is to keep the supply chain running and pay the least amount to the ones who take the most risk vs reward.

I'm not ashamed of being a driver. This is a stepping stone to my financial freedom. Period. When you get tired enough of the bullshit and start engineering your escape from the rat race you'll see what I mean.

I don't get upset with a system built to profit off the backs of others I use it to my advantage.

Be safe out there mate. And take care of yourselves and each other.

[-]

Lopsided-Move6309@reddit

No, like any other job I had I'm just providing a service for pay. I like this one because it's simply getting from one point to another and I don't have someone breathing directly down my neck all day. The pay varies by position, but you can earn a good salary. Better than most degrees and it's usually easy to find another job no matter how many jobs you've had in the past.

[-]

AdagioEducational124@reddit

Become an owner operator. That's the only way you will make the best of this career. 80 percent of truck driving is full of slouches and overweight idiots. Most of these people come from low level warehouse or prisons. It's an easy career to get into. It only takes 3 weeks. Any highschool educated adult with a near perfect driving record can get into truck driving.

I left the industry because of how controlling truck companies are to their drivers. Some of these drivers get instantly fired without a warning for wearing headsets while on the road, making a safe legal bobtailed u turn, parking on the side of the road, etc. Mind you, you can even get fired for an accident that is not even your fault. CDL is so easy to get and so easy to lose. I care about Job security. Being a company driver doesn't give me enough job security and I don't have the money to buy a truck and be an owner operator. So I left the industry back into the medical field, not having to worry about losing my job the next day.

[-]

jacklisterr@reddit

Trucking is one of the most depressing jobs you can have and nothing will change my mind on that.

[-]

Ayrria@reddit

I’m not ashamed of my career. I make great money and live comfortably with my partner in Vancouver WA area. It afforded me everything I have, and it allowed me to safely escape my abusive ex husband. I have a better life because of trucking.

I’m also extremely spoiled with my job. My boyfriend and I drive 3.5 days a week on a dedicated run. We have 3 days at home to really live life.

[-]

ghettojayleno@reddit

Not proud. Not ashamed. Its a dead end job that pays the bills for now.

[-]

JulianneElise@reddit

I think what you describe is more society’s mentality in general these days, rather than truck drivers specifically. Though some drivers fall into that description, way more do not. The majority of people out there have no clue what drivers go thru every day to accomplish each load delivered. And that’s not even taking into account sickness, worries, and life in general every one deals. Take pride in what you do and the VERY important part you all have in providing not just for your family, but ALL families. Be proud of yourselves as you have MANY reasons to be 🙏❤️🙏

[-]

After-Fig4166@reddit

Nope, I take my job seriously. I do whatever it takes to keep my license clean. I’m very respectful with customers. I do food delivery and the pay is great. I own a home, wife and 2 kids, have my own car, she has hers, and a family car. Money is good that she is able to stay at home with the kids. Kids don’t lack anything. I’m out all day during the week but get weekends off.

[-]

Ok_Bug_6470@reddit

Not ashamed but it’s just a paycheck and I can’t support the industry blindly anymore. There’s more educated folk out here than in most bluish shirted industries but it’s a paycheck. Anyone can get a CDL and the foreign drivers, sorry but it’s fact, don’t want to adapt to how our traffic flows and works and new drivers think they are just as good as a million miler but can’t shift or deviate from their sleeping patterns for a day. Box trucks are trying to take ownership of the middle lane and they are teaching new drivers that all drivers cheated like Chicago based companies on logs so that’s who made all the problems and are all about the rules, new fake rules. People record everything and take video of drivers when they aren’t working. We have to give dozens of anonymous people access to our phones and all of our data and we have to have copies made of our cdls for anyone to see and steal in the name of security. Like I said, it’s a paycheck. Used to all that mattered was if you could drive safe and deliver on time and make the company money. Man woman white black nobody cared but now, it’s laughable what we have to do out here. Oh yeh, no HiPAA rights either, I think we’re the only occupation for that.

[-]

TheIzzyRock@reddit

I’m proud of my job, because I know I’m not the one leaving trash and I also don’t care what people think about me, only how I feel about myself

[-]

Exotic_Bathroom5382@reddit

Other people's behavior makes you shamed? 😂 Both my younger siblings have Master's degrees and are working on Graduate degrees. They regularly try to make me feel like shit. That's there kinds of "ashamed" I thought I was walking into in this thread.

[-]

fusillijhericurl@reddit

Nope. I do very well. Anyone who thinks less of me for being a driver isnt worth my time. I see posts like this on here more than i care to. Some people worry way too much about what other people think.

[-]

familyedit@reddit

Veteran driver here of over 36 years and I can't say that I feel ashamed I can say this is not the profession that it was when I started so many years ago I'm now 60 years old, and I have 7 years until I retire until I am done with this crap.

[-]

ArtisticAd9404@reddit

Not at all. The people who matter to me know I’m not like that. But I’m gonna let you in on a little secret, we are hardly the only miserable, disgusting people in this world. All walks of life have their share of miserable disgusting people. My mom operates a shuttle service for a large pharmaceutical company, and some of the stories I’ve heard in her 30 years of doing that are enough to Make most drivers blush.

[-]

Gullible-Syrup-6896@reddit

I used to feel that way. I come from a pretty well off and highly educated family. I spent a lot of time and money chasing a degree only to decide I hated that job and loved driving. Once it was something I wanted to do rather than what I needed to do, all of the shame went away. Now I'm an eccentric instead of a failure.

[-]

MadMysticMeister@reddit

Do i feel ashamed for the behavior of others? Fuck No. I am proud of myself, i work extremely hard, i am diligent in making sure I’m doing my job correctly and safely, and when my day ends i know that i earned my rest, there is nothing for me to feel ashamed of. I am a blue collar man working hard to get to heaven, if i see another trucker acting a fool i feel even accomplished knowing that i am better than they.

[-]

Kkalemauser@reddit

Nope. Not ashamed. Bills are paid. I was able to buy a house.

Over my 20 plus years of driving, I met people who look down upon me. Told me to “get a real job”.

Other people think truckers are rich, thinking we are all O/O’s and not knowing anything about what being an owner means.

I don’t care. I’m not responsible for other people’s feelings.

[-]

TaperingRanger9@reddit (OP)

"Get a real job" is a crazy thing to say. Even though i have certain feelings about it, it's definitely a real job. And an extremely important one at that. Whoever told you that is a cunt.

[-]

Kkalemauser@reddit

I agree. He was a pool cleaner. So he drives a pickup truck to clean pools. I pointed this out to him and wanted him to explain how we are different. No answer. It’s wild.

[-]

BeLikeAFrog@reddit

Trucking has changed just like society has changed. Instead of people working together to make everyone's day easier it has become nothing but me me me.

[-]

crudeshag@reddit

Waste of time . Better off with any other trade . Way she goes.

[-]

crudeshag@reddit

But not ashamed , just a worthless career path. Some of these supertruckers think they're gods gift to MURICA though

[-]

THExPILLOx@reddit

No, it's a perfectly fine blue collar job.

I'm also not ashamed of the trash, I did community service as a young man, and the amount of trash on non truck routes compared to truck routes was negligibly different. Humans suck.

When I apprenticed as a mason, the job sites were trash. Guys smelling like they hadn't known soap in a fortnight, cars so trashed when they got out trash would fly in the wind.

When I worked healthcare adjacent, I had to legally report 7 co workers in 5 years for abuse.

Humans suck. A person can be cool, but people are bad lol. Lots of pedophiles work white collar jobs.

[-]

TaperingRanger9@reddit (OP)

You're right. People in general just suck.

[-]

TruckerBiscuit@reddit

Fuck no. The entire country stops without truckers.

[-]

crudeshag@reddit

Lolol MURICA

[-]

Naborsx21@reddit

No, I think if you feel ashamed of what you're doing honestly you're living a fucking losers life.

Have I .struggled with it before having dropped out of college? Sure.

I then met chiropractors who think they're gods gift to mankind for rubbing your shoulderblades, veterinarians that claim to have 30 years experience and just want to put your dog to sleep, cops with 10 years experience that don't want to step out of their car,

I think the idea of being ashamed of any career is kinda bullshit. There's always going to someone way more knowledgeable than you that's going to be nicer than you can ever be in a shit scenario being the nicest person you can imagine. You can always be kinder, you can always be friendlier, you can always be more helpful to your fellow drivers. That doesn't mean you have to stop reporting habibs or unsafe drivers or whatever, but you can always take pride in a job that's well done.

[-]

machinehead3413@reddit

I do honest work for above average pay. There’s nothing for me to feel ashamed about.

[-]

anydamnnamesleft@reddit

I’m not a trucker, but I have the utmost respect and appreciation of truckers. You sacrifice a lot, work long, tedious hours, are often in dangerous situations, and it’s often a thankless job. Most everything we have got to us via a truck. Truckers keep us going and are truly the lifeblood of society. There are bad apples in any profession. You simply need to decide if you’re going to be one of those or one who is honorable. If it’s the latter, hang in there, hold your head high, and represent. Thank you, truckers, for all you do!♥️

[-]

TaperingRanger9@reddit (OP)

I appreciate it <3

[-]

Old-Wolf-1024@reddit

Not ashamed at all. Driving a truck has kept a roof over my head and food on the table. That being said,my favorite comment(compliment) is when anyone outside of trucking tells me,”You don’t look like a truck driver “

[-]

Snappypants9@reddit

I am fairly new but am noticing that there is a huge mental aspect to driving truck - there are all sorts of reasons to be resentful to all sorts of people. But I can only control me - part of what I do to deal with this is clean up the slip seat trucks I drive and when I get a moment and the mood strikes me - I do a bit of liter patrol. It’s not much but it helps keep my head straight.

[-]

Ill_Aside_5662@reddit

I am in some ways, when I'm around people who have "professional" careers. The good thing is people think it's a high paying job when it really isn't.

I love driving and I always have, I got my CDL at 18 years old. I'll die with the steering wheel in my hand. But it's hard sometimes with all the stuff we gotta deal with, other truckers are my biggest stress IMO.

[-]

truckingham@reddit

I think it depends on the crowd. I’m in a country band in addition to driving, and everyone I meet at shows LOVES to find out my “day” job is truck driving. I also take a lot of pride in my ride, even though its a cascadia. Really helps.