The trucking lifestyle is one to which one must grow accustomed. When people hear the such expression, they are unsure of what it implies. Many of us were raised in a region of the country with specific laws, dialects, social mores, and beliefs. Drivers of trucks are thrown into various scenarios, as well as geographical places with a broad range of climatic variations and a whole distinct job and personal life scenario. People who are adaptable and flexible do better in life than others.
Coming from the extremely blue state of New Jersey, my mouth dropped as I walked into an Indiana community fund-raiser. In addition to selling multiple pistols and automatic weapons at auction, the area was also smoke-filled. I said, “This is ridiculous!” when my trainer questioned why I was using my phone to film the events. Two decades have passed since we were prohibited from smoking indoors, and you are giving away a Tommy sub-machine gun? Witnessing this occurrence is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was a little frightening to see t-shirts that said things like, “Do not tamper with my Freedom, Family, or Guns.” I had no clue whether somebody around was armed and ready to assault me. But I started to understand that whoever fired first would probably be shot by someone else.
Another surprise was the country’s religious makeup. Billboards with the phrases “Heaven or Hell… Where are You Headed?” do not exist in blue states. In contrast, Planned Parenthood is praised rather than vilified in the blue states, unlike other regions of the nation. I was amazed when I drew near a 50-foot overpass on the motorway. Everything around me appeared to have changed.
The difference in cost of life was another marvel. Shopping in the Midwest kept me going because it seemed like going to the “Bargain Basement.” Prices were 60% lower than those on the East Coast. My trainer could not understand why I was so excited.
The Erratic Weather
Driving teams may cause your body to respond in a frenzy due to the vast distances they can go. I spent one day in Miami, where it was 90 degrees, and the next in Chicago, where there were two feet of snow and strong winds. Over the mountains, the abrupt elevation changes made my ears pop and sometimes gave me headaches.
I traveled to Wyoming for the first time during Easter weekend when there were four feet of snow. Where were the fluffy bunnies and tulips? Happy Easter! Instead, I navigated through snow drifts that resembled the smoke from a Universal Studios film from the 1930s. I waited for Bella Lugosi to emerge from the white mist and rush for my blood.
I was astounded at the variety of weather throughout the nation. Although it is relatively dry in the West, snow in the Northeast may be moist with sleet. Even the ice appeared rougher in some places and slicker in others. My phone notified me one day that “Tennis ball-size hail and 80 mph gusts are coming.” Another person said, “Tornado clusters may be probable.” This Jersey Girl only has memories from The Wizard of Oz to go from while learning about tornadoes. Let us face it; I can be a true witch at times. Homes fell on people. After my father, brother, or neighbor drove for 30 years, I now hear new drivers say, “I know what to anticipate since he drove for 30 years. I simply want to laugh because I am fully aware of it. Well, you get it.
The Crazy Schedule
A newcomer’s hopes of becoming a truck driver may be dashed in addition to all of these environmental contrasts by the persistent “Hurry Up and Wait” mindset and the complete absence of regularity. There is no “get up at 7:00, shower, have breakfast, and start working” routine. There is no “I am concluding my day at 1600 every night and heading home to visit my family.” Even local drivers sometimes miss going home since they often put in much more hours than the average blue-collar worker.
Truckers must schedule meals and baths while rushing to complete deliveries and spend the night with clients. Some clients with whom we spend a lot of time may not even have bathrooms. I entered a port-a-potty today with Febreze, Lysol, and a 100-count box of Assurance wipes after waiting more than 7 hours to be unloaded. Indeed, I had to sterilize it for 15 minutes before using it.
Sometimes I can work my whole shift behind the wheel before stopping at a truck stop for a hot dinner and a shower. On other days, I rush from one client to the next, hardly having time to catch my breath, much less tend to my needs. Sometimes I have to use water from my vehicle in a plastic cup to brush my teeth. Everything revolves around reaching that client. Several of us have devised creative methods to take showers in the trucks, complete with shower curtains and water collection tubs. In a truck, camping gear may be really useful, but we need to be inventive.
You Will Miss The Daily Conveniences
After some time spent traveling, I started to value the things that “regular” people take for granted. I used to take something for granted. A steamy shower with strong water flow. A soothing tub to soak in. I have a huge washer and dryer that are free and always accessible. For a trucker, routine chores vary greatly. A “regular” person who has to go to the toilet in the middle of the night just stumbles to another room while keeping his eyes closed and does not switch on the lights. His private residence has immaculate surfaces and an aura of fragrance and bleach.
But, a trucker must put on his entire uniform, exit his vehicle wearing gloves and a thick coat, walk through the snow in the middle of the night when it is windy, and keep an eye out for any threats. His eyes are overwhelmed by the store’s bright lights after passing at least 100 vehicles on his way there. The restroom’s odor and grimy, rusted fixtures are certainly present. The subsequent stall still smells like another trucker. His pulse rate is too high to go back to sleep after returning to his truck’s berth, and the air brake blasts rip through the darkness.
Constant Change Is The Norm
All plans are, at best shaky since the workday is always changing. Your plans may change at any time due to the weather, traffic, accidents, or even dispatch. Sometimes, customer appointments are off. Sometimes businesses relocate without providing the carriers with the new address. Cities and states sometimes alter their exit numbers, bridge weights & clearances, and routes without updating the GPS satellites. The Rand McNally Motor Carriers Atlas, considered the bible of trucker navigation, will not be updated until the following year’s publication.
Also, driving laws vary from state to state. In my hometown, many avoid crossing roadways because they fear cars. Cars pound on the brakes in other areas of the nation to stop pedestrians. As vehicles pass on the shoulder and people cross parking lots out of fear of being struck, I know I am getting closer to home.
When possible, sleep must be snatched. I traveled 550 miles to a truck stop at 2 am last night, got some fast food and a drink, and then rolled across the street to my delivery. During the following seven hours, the client woke me up three times while I was unloading at the door. I had already been handed my next load, which would not give me enough time to eat or shower before I departed. I probably would have pulled my tail to get there as a rookie driver. I messaged dispatch and informed them I needed to submit an ETA after I took care of myself since I am an experienced and well-liked driver on the fleet.
To be safe is not to be a bum
I used to feel like a bum when I had to close down because of the weather. Working while I have objectives to achieve would go against my work ethic. It took me a while to stop feeling bad when I had to shut down because of strong winds, snow, ice, etc. I initially felt like I had to “get ‘er done” because I wanted to prove myself. I eventually learned that it sometimes entails parking until everything is secure.
My fleet manager was thrilled to see me stop after just traveling 180 miles in six hours, contrary to what I had anticipated. If I stopped going, he had a reason to reschedule the appointment, but if I continued and was late, the weather did not qualify as an excuse. He is also extremely aware of everyone’s different degrees of expertise, so he does not expect a new driver to manage the weather like an experienced one. As it was the opposite of what I was accustomed to, it took me some time to get used to the concept of doing nothing while at work.
What Makes Trucking So Great?
What makes trucking so awesome, then? The freedom, in my opinion. If I deliver on time, I may drive as much or as little as I choose. Nobody cares whether I travel 500 miles today and 300 miles tomorrow. It is up to me whether I drive for four hours, take a two-hour sleep, and then travel for another six hours.
Because I consider each load separately, I never have the “Oh my God, I dread Mondays” sensation. My “week” is only as long as that load, so if I need a day off, I have to send a message to dispatch requesting to be rendered unavailable until I want to drive.
I do not often have to speak with dispatch. I leave after sending all of my tasks to the truck’s computer. I will coach someone to earn additional money if I want to; else, I won’t. I can spend a few days at home at a ski resort one month and at the beach the following.
Between trips home, are you exhausted? No issue. I am directed to the terminal, where I park my vehicle and get a 34-hour reset to relax. I used to despise my work and never wanted to go in, but now I never want to leave. I used to have a knot in my gut, anticipating a daily confrontation with management. Today, I barely ever speak to the man I believe to be my employer. Yet because I am constantly in command, it is a little difficult to tell. Albeit a significant shift, it is fantastic for me.
Not everyone has the self-control, independence, and ability to maintain an unpredictable schedule needed to do this work effectively and economically. It does not imply that somebody is helpless, foolish, or unmotivated. This indicates that trucking is not for them. As for me, having four siblings helped me become resilient enough to handle anything.
I found the task fairly simple once I got into it. The only real pressure I put on myself is to arrive at the customer’s location early or to choose to drive in bad weather rather than leave my car parked. I do not worry about broken equipment, unreliable coworkers, or poor managers. Essentially, the delightful, unfettered experience I discover every day far outweighs any problems I may have.
That attitude is important. Give trucking your all if you dare to attempt it. Be adaptable, but do not give up right away. Keep at it for a full year to acquire your bearings before deciding what to do next.
