Intelligence has nothing to do with driving a truck. It's your attitude and the attention you pay to what you're doing while out on the road everyday. I know people who hate working here and what they do, but I have the opposite opinion.
Ever since I was a kid I yearned to drive a big rig after I was given a ride from Maine to New York City to visit relatives when I was about 15 through an acquaintance that my parents knew. I was in heaven. The freedom, the scenery, no boss, the CB radio, the nice guys in the truck stops. It was in a produce truck that would deliver to a warehouse in my relatives' neighborhood. This is what I wanted to do with my life I thought, but life had other plans.
I have a degree in International Business & Economics, speak two languages, was vice-president for sales and marketing of a major foreign company and was on the track to the top. However, I loathed every minute of it. Sure the money and prestige was great, but I wasn't happy. The stress and pressure was high, much traveling, constantly on the phone, deadlines to meet, budgets to make, reports and forecasts due, people to hire and fire, always kissing ass, etc.
I checked with a few OTR companies who hired newbies and decided against it even though they would train me. The pay was really quite low (I thought drivers made good money) and I would be away from home for at least three weeks a month and with a family that wouldn't cut it. One of my neighbors worked for Estes and he was home every day. Sometimes we would talk and he would tell me that he got another raise and the company was like family and that he was really happy. I told him of my desire and he said that he would get me on if I got my license, but I thought about the low pay and time away and told him I wasn't interested.
One day out of the blue while we were talking he told me that he made $60K last year. I blew it off thinking it was just fluff and big talk. I then called his bluff and asked if I could see his W2. He said sure and showed it to me. I was floored! He really did make that much. I did some calculations and figured I could manage that as my house was just paid off the year before. I asked if I, a new driver, could really get on if I got my license and he said sure, as he had connections and Estes was expanding. My dream would come true!
I talked it over with my wife. She had no objections if I was happy. Believe it or not, I submitted my resignation a week later, much to the shock of my peers and higher ups who thought I was nuts in throwing away a "good career" to drive a truck and I applied to a driving school. I gave up sitting behind a desk for sitting behind a steering wheel. Three weeks later I had my license and a week after that I was hired by Estes. I started out as an Extra Board driver and did that for three years before landing my own run. I was home, like clockwork every Saturday morning and back out Monday night as an EBD and every morning with my run. The company treated me like family and I was truly happy. I had made the right decision.
That was nearly 15 years ago and I must say that it was the best move I ever made in my life as I have never been happier. It really is my calling and I couldn't imagine doing anything else as this is not work for me. I used to wake up in my former life dreading going to work and figuring out how I could get the day off or leave early and the days would often drag on. Since I started driving, I have never even thought of taking a day off. Everyday is a new experience and it is still as enjoyable as it was the day I started. Besides, the pay was, and still is, fantastic. If I ever need extra money I can work a Saturday or a holiday for 3 bills. Not bad for doing something you like. To me it's like free money.
Estes has changed over the years and it is not as "close" as it was once was, but I still like what I am doing. I've never had an accident and have over 1.4 million safe miles but, if by fate, I ever have one and do get let go, I will retire, comfortably, as I cannot imagine doing anything else or going back to the rat race. It's also why I use the signature I do. Some may say I am too intelligent to drive a truck, but I say I was intelligent enough to take a chance and do something I love.
