Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

Or as I like to say, (in a nice way) Old Farts. A lot of these old drivers have been around trucking for 20 or 30 years. A lot of them will complain about the “new breed” of matchbook driving school grads sitting around the counter of a truck stop drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette. No matter how the conversation starts out, they will inevitably turn the conversation to – ‘back in the good old days.’

Which is fine for a history lesson. But the industry, the economics of trucking and trucks have changed dramatically in the last 10 years. But those that don’t learn from history are bound to repeat it.

What not to do

When I was asking questions about buy my own truck, the biggest answer I got was, “don’t”. I’m now on my third truck and first trailer and not doing too bad. I wouldn’t mind if anyone of them had taught me anything. But for the most part, I’ve learned and I’m still learning things the hard way. That’s not entirely true, I have learned what not to do and I’ve had to learn what’s good advice and what isn’t. I’ve heard too many stories of drivers not getting paid from brokers. Plus, I’ve heard a lot of horror stories of trying to hire a driver for another truck. So far, I’m going to know more than a few good brokers before I go out on my own and I’m going to really know a driver before I hire them if I get another truck besides my own.

It might be me.

I don’t sit around the lunch counter smoking (I don’t smoke) and drinking coffee (don’t drink much coffee). When I have, it usually gets me in trouble because I ask too many questions that people can’t answer. Like, if owning a truck is so bad, why do you own your truck? And what’s deregulation got to do with today? I usually just get the “young whipper snapper” look.

Who knows ya

A lot of the older drivers don’t use technology to it’s fullest, which I believe will separate the drivers that make money and the drivers that don’t make money. I know these old guys have a wealth of information. It’s just hard to sort through and to know if a particular person I’ve never met before, really knows what he’s talking about.

No matter how many Internet load boards are out there trucking is still a who you know but, more importantly who knows you industry. The best jobs and the best loads are the ones that aren’t advertised.

I would love to have a mentor that knows about running completely independent with a couple of trucks and drivers under them. And learn everything I can from them. But until then I will respect the older drivers, but take what someone tells me with a grain of salt. Think about what I’ve been told and decide if it’s worth keeping or ignoring. Then learn by doing it myself.