Thoughts from a buzzed 20 yr, former OTR, LTL & now Local Driver, 200 miles a day
Posted by Donjohnson33@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 64 comments
.. I hate I chose this profession, I literally have a 9 to 5 local job, rout Driver. Had you told me I’d have this position 7 yrs ago, I’d say “THATS HEAVEN” & it is, for this industry, but I’m so burned out. Ik every mile marker, every billboard, every tree! If you’re thinking about getting into this industry, don’t. Go become a welder, HVAC, Plumber, anything else. This is not it. It’s lonely, trapped w your thoughts, it’s just “a job”. I go to the gym 3 days a week, still slightly over weight, on BP medicine, CPAP. It’s just not it. Let the haters chime in
Resident-Sherbert-89@reddit
i have great news, you can always change professions! only person stopping you is you. it doesn't sound like trucking is the problem, it sounds like your job and your dietary choices are. i guess you can choose to blame your job for your health, the issues you listed are not risks of the job. there are plenty of trucking jobs that aren't back and forth on the same roads. I agree that there are also better options if you're starting out, the ones you mentioned. being alone with your thoughts is great if you are decent and managing them, which is also a skill that's built.
Cool_Thanks_4934@reddit
I wake up in the sleeper and think I’m just on A deep space voyage. Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages. Then I open the curtains….
Junior-Credit2685@reddit
I’ve been doing this so long, I think I literally have brain damage. I tried to take classes for another career, but I can’t even force myself to learn anything anymore. I’m so used to controlling my input with radio or podcasts all day, and not speaking to anyone.
maroonblood94@reddit
I can’t upvote this hard enough. LTL driver currently grossing $2200/week. Only 30 years old and two years in, and I feel like I’m getting dumber by the day. My social skills have declined significantly, my patience is less than ever, and I feel burned out 24/7. It’s easy work, but it takes a toll on you in a way that I never could have imagined.
TKOxBLITZ@reddit
Also in LTL, and at 25 I feel the same way.
Junior-Credit2685@reddit
It’s horrible that I’m not the only one that feels this way. But thanks for making me feel sane. I hope you figure out a way to get your brain back 🙏🏻
Difficult_Chemical_6@reddit
Gotta go to a company that changes your route or lets you bid on routes every 6 months or year.
DazednConfuzed62@reddit
Back to otr after being gone for 10 yrs. High BP, on a cpap, no social life. And it is so much dangerous than it was 10 yrs ago, and you go to a truckstop and hardly anyone speaks english. And having to pay to park and sleep, WTF!! I was actually making more 10 yrs ago than I am now. I'd rather be shoveling shit for $15.00 an hr. And if you're rural like I am, otr is all there is
Prestigious_Cup_5265@reddit
Most jobs have negatives. My uncle was a plumber and his knees were shot after many years.
Microshlongg@reddit
All I can say is that in this industry, you need to find a job that gives you at least one week off every 3-4 weeks because with this job, you're mentally tuned in 24/7 even if you go home daily. The best decision I made in this industry was to find a job that provided at least one week off every month or two and paid well.
Round-Letter3333@reddit
What company is that?
Microshlongg@reddit
It’s companies in the specialized fields. Tanker companies. (Hailing chemicals,cryo and oil)
Man-Myth-Potato@reddit
Nitrogen pumping is a pretty good industry to work 👌
duckbobtarry@reddit
This is one of those Reddit questions that will not get an answer, calling it.
Man-Myth-Potato@reddit
Oilfield did that for me for 6 years with a 14 and 7 schedule, then I got into nitrogen and hauling cryogenic and I've been on a 28 and 14 for the last 2 years. It's a decent job, I make pretty good money, and I get decent home time
WestCoastRadiation@reddit
Even better is 4 on 4 off, 14 hour shifts, make bank and by the time your exhausted your off for 4 days
genocyde26008219@reddit
I got into this after 10.5yrs military. Generator technician turned trucker who hates most people. Dedicated western 11 route. Only part that sucks for me is dealing with dispatch and their fuckery and being away from my wife and kids for 1-2weeks (more lately since I have been on breakdown status 5 times in the last 30days.). I’ll be leaving after that coveted “1yr of experience” and trying to find something home daily. It is what you mae of it in most situations. As far as health goes: don’t eat truck stop food. Watch caloric intake and be active. Even if it’s walking laps around your tractor and trailer. Calisthenics is nice too if you don’t have dumbbells in your cab.
ANiceDent@reddit
I had a warehouse worker tell me “im tryna get like you truck drivers, all y’all do is show up say what’s up and leave”
I was like if you only knew my guy, if you only knew.
IgnoringHisAge@reddit
lol, “What’s up?” in the morning and “What the fuck??” For the rest of the day.
Donjohnson33@reddit (OP)
I’ve worked warehouse & bro ik you work your ass off. Yep. I’m in AC all day, nobody watching over my shoulder etc. I can’t explain it though. The lack of human interaction, kinda turned me into an antisocial fr. Only people I talk to is my FANTASTIC Wife & my Family. But I just became withdrawn from friends. Social situations, I used to love, I don’t anymore. The isolation is no joke
CMDR-L@reddit
Ok. It's not good for you, that's fine. For me? I was jamming on a country road with sunrise this morning at the end of my shift and you now what? It was pretty alright. Just depends on what you appreciate, and what you can tolerate I guess.
Whickerbook@reddit
Saturday morning almost felt illegal, cruising down the highway, green pastures on both sides, sunrise lighting up snow covered peaks, bluebird sky overhead, blasting rock… and realizing I’m clearing six figures this year.
People are amazing at finding any reason to be miserable.
bigskycaniac@reddit
My plan is do this long enough to get out of debt, save up enough to become a mechanic, but hold onto my license for when I need emergency funds etc.
Donjohnson33@reddit (OP)
I’m “only” 47 lol I’ll never not have my license. Retirement just seems so far. I haven’t had a 3 day weekend since Thanksgiving lol But hey! I can back like nobody’s business lol Nothing about this job is rewarding
HarleyTrekking@reddit
After 39 years of trucking, I got out to farm full time. Now, instead of a day or two off every couple of weeks, I get an hour or so off every couple of months. Watch what you wish for. 😉
DueAd7980@reddit
Get with another trucking company so you can have more time off.
Split8Wheys@reddit
This is the real answer OP needs. There's other companies who won't work your ass off and give you plenty of time off when needed or in your schedule and still pay great.
Capital-Sorbet652@reddit
That’s always everybody’s plan.
Usual-Guarantee6346@reddit
Cdl comes in handy if you decide to become a diesel mechanic
Mirindemgainz@reddit
Never heard more complaining in this sub. If you don’t like your life, maybe you should change. The profession didn’t ruin it, you did by not doing shit about it.
potatocross@reddit
Everyone in my terminal runs on group calls all day long. Dispatch and management likes it because they know who talks to who so they can get in touch with anyone at any time one way or another.
Sometimes we have deep conversation, sometimes we bitch about the 4 wheelers, sometimes we talk about random crap. Every once in a while we just all horribly sing.
Helps break up the mundane 'passing this same tree again' that comes with short routes.
Mundtflapz@reddit
I would hate that. No joke, that sounds torturous.
I love the quiet of getting stuck in my thoughts, or listening to audiobooks or podcasts, or one of my many playlists. And I do the same route everyday as well. This job is awesome if it fits your default personality!
GabtsbyForaDay@reddit
I miss my first job, there was a group of 4 of us and we would shit talk all night long. Sometimes others would join but they usually left after a few minutes as we were pretty rough with our words. Was some of the most fun. And one of the guys said “man if hr was listening in on us, none of us would be able to get a job anywhere.” We were all different races and none cared or took offense and we all got shit on evenly. But damn some of the things we said to each other hahaha, good times.
Since then i only talk with one of the guys and the other two just fell off the earth.
potatocross@reddit
Same with us. Nothing is out of bounds. Anything to stay awake and make the night go faster.
UptownSoulja94@reddit
This is the way
Row30@reddit
It’s a lifestyle, and you’re either made for it or you’re not.
KingNebyula@reddit
I feel that. The money is decent but fuck do I wish I did something else with my life before real bills kicked in. Now it seems impossible to change careers.
king_rootin_tootin@reddit
When I was 11 years old and my father finally let me leave the house on my own and go up the street to the corner store, I did just that...and I walked, and walked, AND WALKED. Why? I wanted to see what was down the road. In silence, peace, just me and a road I'd never seen.
When I got my drivers license I would often drive...up the road. Alone. Just music, maybe an audiobook, and a road I've never been down before.
Trucking is just that: driving down the road, alone, listening to music or audiobooks and, most of all, not dealing with the worst thing there is: HUMANS
I hate humans. They are are useless species and the less time I have to deal with them IRL if I'm not in the mood, the better. My own thoughts have always been significantly more interesting to me than the shrill sound of a human trying to make conversation with me.
I occasionally like being around some, but for me, humans are ghost pepper sauce: best appreciated in small quantities, as too much of both inevitably turns into a big pain in the ass.
As for health, I've met a couple of ripped OTR truckers. How? They eat right (slow cooker in the sleeper) and jump rope everyday and keep an adjustable weight set under their bunk. It's absolutely doable.
Some of us were born for that kind of work. Someone had to sit on the mountain pasture and tend to the sheep. Someone had to man that lighthouse. And now, someone needs to drive that truck.
Big_Chemical_5165@reddit
I respect your outlook. This comment basically sums up the reasons I can't wait to be done with CDL class and hit the road.
I_hold_stering_wheal@reddit
I only did trucking for 2 and a half years or so. I became a robotics tech. Better pay. Same hazards. Better time off. Much more interesting work
t0psh0ttaNYC@reddit
I don't think you get it. Every profession has the same pessimistic, cynical, "grass is always greener on the other side" sort of view.
This is a mindset thing.
CronoXpono@reddit
I think what’s sobering and frustrating about trucking is that all the things we don’t deal with are hardly a plus on their own. It’s like a thousand steps we avoid don’t make the ones we do walk any easier. It’s not a lot all at once but it adds up slowly and one day, you feel like tossing in the towel.
RackingUpTheMiles@reddit
I'm only here to make my money and go. I'm gonna finish college and I'd like to try going to med school.
bamefreak@reddit
If health and less mileage was something you wanted, could you not work for sysco or something like that? Its part of the reason I chose touch freight.
DueAd7980@reddit
CDL is great as a secondary profession. You get tired of one, take a break and do the other. 😆
MatrixUserNumberJuan@reddit
I work in a warehouse now, i make more money per hour away from home and i eat shit and sleep at home AND i get 2 days off per week. Shits crazy.
Gonzotrucker1@reddit
Cpap is your own fault for taking the test. I will not take it.
trucker76@reddit
Look for an LTL company if you can. Work 5 days a week and weekends off. I run linehaul so I work nights but I'm home everyday and see my family.
FlatbedtruckingCA@reddit
This is the way.. home every day and still have time to do the things i like during the morning and weekends.. family time is important and having time for friends is equally important.. its a tough industry and burn out is real.. seldom talked about but at the end of the day, we have to do what we have to do to keep going and keep a proper balance of life and mental health.. i feel for all the guys that do otr/regional..
Uk-One-7665@reddit
Dude if your depressed don’t spread it. Some people will love this industry and all you’re doing is making it harder for them to wanna test the waters. We need more positive people in this industry. This sub needs to be more pro trucker and less my life sucks.
Feeling-Bowl-9533@reddit
This sub is one of the few places we can “talk” to actual people about the shitty parts of the job and have them understand. Our relationships with non-drivers generally fall apart, at least partially, and outsiders don’t necessarily understand what it’s like to go for a month where you don’t have an actual conversation with a single person. Being left alone is great until you can’t go back to being not-alone, but sometimes it takes a while to realize that. The things that make us sad or angry or depressed don’t make sense to a lot of people who have never had a similar lifestyle. Let us bitch!
GabtsbyForaDay@reddit
Yeah my gf got mad at me recently when after our weekend trip i stopped by and picked up a used xbox and chatted with them for 30-45min. I was mad that she was mad, thought for a minute what to say and told her something like “you don’t know what it’s like to be alone 95% of the time and go a week without speaking to someone in person really. I see you maybe one day a week and the rest i wake up alone, work alone, and come home and alone. So for 24 hours 5-6 days a week I am with me, myself and I. So if i can have a conversation i enjoy i want to be able to talk.”
She was silent for a few minutes and apologized.
People don’t get how hard it is, yeah we are sitting and holding a steering wheel but the stress is hard. Almost daily now someone does something that could cause a bad accident(live and work in Southern california) and having to pay attention for 9-12 hours straight and work all hours of the day(my start time changes daily) takes a toll.
Feeling-Bowl-9533@reddit
I’m definitely mentally done with the job. I have a lot going on in life right now, but as soon as a couple major events wrap up I plan to leave. Until then, this is the most secure job I could have.
I plan to go into something customer-service oriented when I leave, at least part time, to essentially rehab myself. I realized the other day talking to a waitress that I literally cannot hold a conversation anymore that’s not “hi—what do you make—do you like it—gotta go, bye”.
I used to be a bartender, I was known to my regulars as being able to talk to and get along with anyone. I feel broken, not in a sad way, just like I’m missing a part of who I was and I don’t like it.
My friends don’t like the phone, and I’m never awake or not driving while they’re up. I’ve probably had about 10 real conversations with a person in the last three years. It’s brutal.
Donjohnson33@reddit (OP)
Ok! Let’s not use this TRUCKING forum to share how we feel about, checks notes. TRUCKING! You must be a Dispatcher lol
Uk-One-7665@reddit
And clearly you missed the point of my response 👍
ExtentAggravating733@reddit
People should know the pros and cons before starting. It's not all sunshine and rainbows.
Pluperfectt@reddit
and Unicorn farts . . .
Uk-One-7665@reddit
Totally agree, but telling people to not become a trucker at all is crazy. We should encourage others to at least try it. We all know it’s not for everyone but how else are they gonna know.
THExPILLOx@reddit
There's a reason it's called toxic positivity.
Donjohnson33@reddit (OP)
Btw, not depressed lol Have a beautiful Wife & life. Work sucks lol That simple
tvieno@reddit
I understand what the OP is saying and I won't discount it. Me on the other hand, I have always loved driving. It is in my blood. I've been local for 10 years now and I still have the get up and go. I don't miss OTR at all but I still love driving.
raddrobb67@reddit
I was a technician for dish network for twelve years before becoming a truck driver. I averaged 150 to 200 miles a day plus busted my ass in the Georgia heat doing 4 to 6 insalls/upgrades a day. My days were usually 12 to 16 hours a day 6 days a week. Becoming an otr truck driver was a blessing. I have nightmares about dish network to this day.
mason2393@reddit
Local driver here and I agree with all of this. Sometimes I think I should've just stayed in the military. It sucked too at times but at least I had people to talk to about it. Job is absolutely lifeless and unrewarding at this point. 8 years in and I miss the beginning of being a truck driver when there was some excitement about it at least.
Gilgamesh2000000@reddit
I service trucks emergency roadside. The amount of decent people in this profession is unmatched. I see the loneliness and shoot the shit with allot of truckers on service calls. Mental health is real and sometimes a good conversation with a fresh mind is good. Take the time to spark a conversation with a random person once a day. Even if it bombs it’s something to laugh about.