KEN'S KORNER - NOVEMBER 2004
TRUCKING MYTHS & TRUTHS
By Author, Educator and Big City Driver Ken Skaggs

They say a lot of things about trucking. Some are true, but, of course, some aren’t. Here, I will attempt to dispel the myths and uncover some of the truths. Some of the very reasons why people get into trucking aren’t totally true. While on the other hand, once they dive in and get their feet wet, they find new reasons to stay (or leave). Sadly, there may be some disappointments, but there should also be some exciting revelations.

For example, I’ve heard many drivers say that they got into trucking for the women. They must have met a driver somewhere, once, who convinced them that they would be seen as a rock star in they eyes of all women, once they got behind the wheel. They imagined that this carefree lifestyle of traveling to exotic places would entice all the women and cause them to look at drivers with starry eyes. I hate to burst your bubble here, but driving a truck is nothing like touring with Britney Spears (unless, of course, you get hired to actually be her driver). Hey, it can happen.

Some drivers concoct some kind of fantasy about having a girl in every city and bouncing around between them, seeing one whenever he’s in town. This hallucination usually includes imagining that they would patiently wait for him to show up each week and he would tell them that they were the only one, only to shuffle off to the next one, and then tell her the same thing. And although there are some drivers out there who are doing just that (having multiple women in multiple cities), the truth is, these are just cheaters who found a good excuse to be gone. These guys would have multiple women even if they had a regular nine-to-five job. The only difference would be that the women would live in the same town.

I’m sure that a lot of women look at drivers as respectable, hard-working men and good providers for their families. As such, I’m sure that many women will find them attractive. But the truth is, a driver is usually too busy to be looking for a woman. Don’t get me wrong, many drivers have found love on the road and in the least likely of places, but for the most part, you will be alone, unless you bring someone along with you. Of course, there are more women than ever driving trucks these days, so finding a mate on the road is increasingly becoming more possible and even likely.

Many would-be drivers also have the idea that they will get to travel to exotic places. They see themselves sitting on a beach with a pina-colada in their hand, enjoying the breeze and the sounds of the surf. The truth of the matter is, you can do this if you really want to, but not as often as you’d like. Most of the time, you simply won’t have the time. You may get to drive past Mount Rushmore, for example, but more often than not, you will only get to see it in passing. If you blink, or if you are too busy avoiding the road-hazards around you, you will more than likely miss seeing some amazing things around this great country.

Some people get into trucking for the money. While it may be true that truckers make more money than most other typical working-class people, it is also true (especially for over-the-road drivers) that you will incur way more expenses. Eating out every day can break you, as can shopping at truck stops. You have to learn to curb your spending in these areas to truly enjoy a decent paycheck. Get a cooler and pack some food from home so that you don’t have to eat in restaurants every day. And buy all your supplies from Wal-Mart or K-mart instead of at the truck stops. Another great way to realize more cash (if you are single or can take your wife with you) is to give up your apartment. Just put your stuff in storage and live in your truck for a while; doing this can allow you to save some serious money for once in your life.

Some people who have always worked hard, dream of getting a job driving a truck. Their dream is to have a job where all they have to do is drive. They see it as a lazy-man’s job, where they can just sit on their butt and rake in the dough. Although it is true, especially for over-the-road drivers, that your job is mostly just driving, I have some sad news for you: it’s not easy. In fact, it’s pretty darn difficult to sit and drive for such long hours, day after day. Believe me when I say that you will earn every dollar. You won’t have to earn your living so much with your back, but it will be difficult nonetheless. You’ll get to use your mind instead of your back, which can be more self-fulfilling in its own way (I know it is for me).

It’s all about planning and time-management. Everything is possible, if you find the time to do it. I was watching one of those infomercials one day, which was all about getting rich, and the speaker said something I totally agree with and it even applies to trucking. He said that all successful people have at least one thing in common, which is, they all manage their time wisely. And on the other side, all poor people have something in common too - they don’t manage their time very well.

The secret to success in trucking (and every walk of life) is to learn to manage your time wisely. Once you learn to plan your trips and plan exactly where you will be able to spend some of your time off, you can begin to enjoy all that trucking has to offer. This is a great country and its sights, sounds and people are something truly awesome to experience, if you can find the time. Good luck!