Lesson Learned

[wanderer03]

I learned a valuable lesson on the importance of chosing a career field that I am suited to. For too many years, I made the wrong choices because I was concerned about society looking down on me or I wanted a lot of money. Never once did I consider my personality, temperament, and likes and dislikes.

I drive for a bus company and I've never really been happier. I love to drive and I get paid to do it. I don't love social interaction but there is surprisingly very little of it other than brief pleasantries. Certainly it is substantially less than socialization in an office environment.

I highly recommend folks on the spectrum that can drive and like to do it to consider a career in commercial driving. Another bonus is that you are not as easily replaced because of the critical shortage of drivers. You aren't as apt to be terminated for simply being disliked.

 

[Ronin82]

i whole-heartedly agree! I deliver auto parts for a living. Basically, they pay me to drive all over town, listen to my radio, work out, and keep track of other peoples' money. I'm great at that!! And there is literally about 5-10 minutes of interaction with other humans per stop (average 10 stops a day). I've made it a contest to see if I can get through a stop without saying a word. I have, but I don't do it that often. Actually, a couple of stops I've made "friends" with the people there

 

[wanderer03]

i whole-heartedly agree! I deliver auto parts for a living. Basically, they pay me to drive all over town, listen to my radio, work out, and keep track of other peoples' money. I'm great at that!! And there is literally about 5-10 minutes of interaction with other humans per stop (average 10 stops a day). I've made it a contest to see if I can get through a stop without saying a word. I have, but I don't do it that often. Actually, a couple of stops I've made "friends" with the people there

Shout out to a fellow driver! It's a great life and we won't get rich at it but it's work life happiness.

 

[Ronin82]

Now if I could just find a way to keep taxes paid and set back enough savings for emergencies, it'd be a perfect job!

 

[wanderer03]

I face that same problem. Driving is the closest thing to a perfect job that I've ever had. I'm hoping that come this election cycle, it will be easier for the working person.

 

[wanderer03]

Ronin82 Do you own the delivery truck or do they provide it for you?

 

[Ronin82]

Its my truck, I own it. its just a pick-up truck

 

[wanderer03]

I am thinking of maybe working for the local bus sales company delivering parts if I lose this absolutely cherry route that I have. I truly hope this will be my run for quite some time. I know nothing is forever but if I could have it for two years at the minimum, I would be happy as a clam.

The independent contractor thing scares me a bit because of the amount of executive functioning necessary to do it. Planning for fuel, taxes, vehicle maintenance, etc is enough to make my head spin like the tazmanian devil. I have rather significant and profound deficits with things like this. As of yet, I've been unable to find a strategy to overcome. I'm truly in awe of people that can do this.

Like Sportster, I drove a semi for a bit. Loved it on the open road, hated the city traffic for the sensory overload.