tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460510272940054493.post5642504111647709319..comments2023-03-23T07:19:04.491-07:00Comments on Red's mid life crisis: Breakdownredphotoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00355715972727564062noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460510272940054493.post-51614081324371839042011-05-10T16:30:02.740-07:002011-05-10T16:30:02.740-07:00I read your folks blog and got hooked into reading...I read your folks blog and got hooked into reading yours from a link they had in theirs. I can really appreciate what your going through. I spent 20 years on the road driving everything from a city delivery truck in Los Angles to log trucks in Oregon, and just about everything in between. Like you, my first driving experience was in the military. Driving GMC 20 ton dumps in Viet Nam, and duce and a half’s and buses in Germany. <br /><br />It's a big decision, going on the road full time. My wife and I raised our two daughters while I was mostly gone from home. You can't replace those times away, and a phone call is not like being there. I justified the job because we needed the money and things seemed to be tight all the time, plus I made good money pushing freight down the road for a couple million miles. <br /><br />Eventually the uncaring dispatchers, broken equipment, and crazy drivers will just be so much buzz in your ear. Like a fly in the cab if you know what I mean. Once you get hardened to the rigors of over the road trucking, the everyday issues of missed loads, late deliveries, lost weekends, and missed connections will just be a part of the “Job”. Shucks, you haven’t even had to make a delivery to West Coast Grocers yet. That’ll be an education.<br /><br />I finally wised up and got out of the cab and now ride heard over my clients computers as a technical support manager. I'm home every night, and I now see my grand children way more often than I saw even my own children when I was driving. My last gig for 5+ years was doing a weekly run either to California or Montana that got me home every weekend or I might have dropped out of the truckers league sooner if not for that extra home time. <br /><br />After the kids grew up and left home, my wife told me she didn't want to be home alone anymore. I realized that I needed to find something new. It took several years but I was able to train in a new profession and now am happily approaching retirement. <br /><br />There are local hauling positions available, so don't give up on making a living jammin gears yet. But, be selective and put family first. Take it from someone who knows, those family times and memories cannot be replaced and there is no make up test. <br /><br />There's still a bit of the trucker in me I guess, I maintain a CDL with all endorsements, just in case I get the itch. But I would have to take my wife of 39 years with me, or it's a no go for me. Oh, and I'd have to figure out how to take the grand kids too, and the dog, and my Mom. Cuz I'm not leaving anyone behind this time. Just my 2 cents worth.<br /><br />Good luck, and keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02041318794236375649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460510272940054493.post-47851282646018353542011-03-30T16:10:25.407-07:002011-03-30T16:10:25.407-07:00I echo Donna aka Froggi's thoughts. Maybe the...I echo Donna aka Froggi's thoughts. Maybe there is a possibility for you to find a local or short run driving job.Merikayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05378095339747943548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460510272940054493.post-80837562758641122072011-03-30T13:55:05.644-07:002011-03-30T13:55:05.644-07:00Everything happens for a reason, sometimes it take...Everything happens for a reason, sometimes it takes a while to figure out why though. You've got the training and skills, maybe try to find a local driving job for the short term? Good luck regardless....Donna McNicolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13232288000758900407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460510272940054493.post-26594837968144617152011-03-30T11:19:26.925-07:002011-03-30T11:19:26.925-07:00I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I pray...I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I pray that God will make your path clear to you.Carol Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09428623116947826625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460510272940054493.post-65501434716881595982011-03-30T09:23:41.725-07:002011-03-30T09:23:41.725-07:00Wow, that's a heavy load but know that there a...Wow, that's a heavy load but know that there are people who will help you bear it. You have a wonderful, supportive wife and a beautiful daughter and those are treasures beyond measure. You will find a way. Praying for you as always. Wonder what Pat at PCB has available??? Just a thought...Donna Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06161069942110860372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460510272940054493.post-43660864663009177412011-03-30T09:22:43.139-07:002011-03-30T09:22:43.139-07:00Red,
It's hard to say if you made the correct...Red,<br /><br />It's hard to say if you made the correct decision or not but in your situation I probably would have done the same thing. The trucking company should have at the very least put you up somewhere so you could wash, eat and sleep. <br /><br />The trucking company is trying to save a buck and in doing so lost a very good driver. How much money do they save by now having to hire a replacement and train them? I have heard there are good trucking companies out there that treat their drivers very well, perhaps you can find one and get hired on and make good use of a skill that you're obviously good at.<br /><br />I am in a similar situation where if my current job ends, I'll end up probably having to change careers and at 47 years old, I don't know what it would be or how we could survive financially.<br /><br />I wish you luck and God speed getting home.<br /><br />Safe travels,<br />ErikErik's RV Blog https://www.blogger.com/profile/17149039572885361450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460510272940054493.post-84710429606298434602011-03-30T08:58:23.108-07:002011-03-30T08:58:23.108-07:00I know in today's economy it's hard. You ...I know in today's economy it's hard. You just have to have faith that God is in control & will lead you. We will be praying for you, Red.<br /><br />Be safe & God bless!Alan and Marilyn McMillanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01473233016633229141noreply@blogger.com