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My father's dream job was always working as a long haul trucker. Once my parents divorced, he hit the road and I'd never seen him happier. I didn't see him as m
by jmacd 5y ago
My father's dream job was always working as a long haul trucker. Once my parents divorced, he hit the road and I'd never seen him happier. I didn't see him as much, but the random phone calls from payphones all over North America were always super interesting. There was always a story of some sort.
The work itself didn't sound great. You basically have to sit around and wait for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 hours. You are always managing against the clock because if you time out (maximum working hours in a day) and can't get your load delivered on time, that's on you. Even if the schedule wasn't very realistic to begin with.
For him the lifestyle, seeing weird and interesting places, and getting to meet new people every day was what he loved and it made up for all that downside.
He's retired, but when the pandemic hit and there was a shortage of drivers, he and his buddies relished the chance to get back on the road. I thought he was doing it because he needed the work, so I tried to send him some money to cover rent etc. He happily took the money (he's no fool) but was perplexed as to why I thought that would mean he'd stop driving.
In terms of bathrooms, most of the good truck stop chains in Canada not only have bathrooms for drivers, but "VIP" lounges with TVs, very cheap showers, etc.
- nlh 5y agoSpeaking of “timing out”, I always found it remarkable how commercial drivers have to play by a different set of rules (and enforcement) than we civilians. You and I drive on the highway basically blind to this parallel system. I experienced this when a company I ran many years ago had to dip its toes into commercial vehicles (we were moving rental cars and had always just driven them, but got a small trailer & pickup truck to help). One of our guys got pulled over by a DOT enforcement officer once (we had no idea that they even existed) and got written a stack of tickets that we didn’t even realize were possible - code violations, stop-work order, etc. etc. etc. It was a fascinatimg (and expensive) lesson and peek into that world.
- zebnyc 5y agoI applaud you for trying to provide for your parents. I used to do the same, I even gave my dad a lump sum which allowed him to buy an apartment. Nowadays, I try to ask if he needs money before sending money.
- RegBarclay 5y agoI've threatened off and on for years to get out of software work and go drive trucks. I love to drive and go places and I enjoy handling large vehicles. I understand the realities of time management and that driving has it's own set of work and life challenges. But I'm still tempted.
- TravHatesMe 5y agoI always loved mowing lawns. Something about it is so satisfying. I've always dreamed that I would someday quit software and go around trying various jobs. Cut lawns for a bit, be a bartender, drive a truck. Although some jobs require training / licensing, it would be fun to pursue for a few months. Too bad I have kids and responsibilities and bills to pay.
- jmacd 5y agoThe fantasy can be different from reality. It will either be better than you imagine, or far worse. My father got married and his wife was excited to come on the road with him (there are many "trucker couples") and for a few years it was great. She loved seeing all the new places, meeting people, etc. Eventually she did get tired of it, as 99% of us would, and she thought "ok, we will settle down" and even had one of her friends find something nice that they could afford in a town she wanted to be in. My father went along with it, helped with the downpayment etc but then when she was like "ok, time to find you a job in this town" he basically said "yeah, umm... just get the divorce done and I don't need anything." ... and he hit the road ...