Local Fuel Hauling in Texas......by Cluggy

[Cluggy619]

Before when I started this, it was to show that there is a better way than to go OTR with a McMega Carrier like my favorite JBH.

However, I think that most people would like to know what the advantanges are to a local gig like I have. The fact is that OTR is slowly being phased out because drivers don't want to do it anymore, so they are looking for the local stuff. And this is creating a vacuum for drivers just getting started. So the McMega carriers are finding it hard to fill the seats of their fleet, mainly because word is getting out on those who screw drivers over badly. And new drivers no-longer can afford NOT to listen to the warnings. We all have families to feed, and bills to pay. No longer can a driver sit and wait for a load because a dispatcher got a chip on their shoulder. It's happening slowly, but the word is getting out, and we are looking elsewheres.

Which is why I will begin this post again. And this time, weather I'm banned or not, I'll leave it up.

I work for Southwest Petroleum Transport in Denton, TX. I have worked their since May 2006, with a break between May 07-June 07 to try out Coastal. I started back up with SWPT on July 1st, 2007.

Now May and June are the busiest time for the year, and I really did myself a disservice by quiting during that time. I lost out on $6000 worth of income when I quit. I did make a little with Coastal, and that amount was accounted for, which left me a remaining balance of a $6000 income lost. My bad. If I had remained at SWPT during that time, I would have cleared $1200+ per week, and kept my seniority, which would have allowed me to take 2 weeks vacations, instead of just 1 starting over again. Oh well, I'll try not to make that mistake again.

I get paid tomorrow the last check of the year, so I'll post what I made for the year with them, along with what I made at Coastal.

I hope this posting be of some value to you if you are looking to get into this line of work.

I'll see ya'll later.

Cluggy

[Cluggy619]

Happy New Year to all. Hope that this year is a good one for ya.

I finished out the year at SWPT With the following:

Last Paycheck:

• 29 loads
  11 Splits/diversions
  2 hours waiting time
  
  Total amount paid for Dec. 16th - Dec. 31st = $1699.00
  Christmas Bonus = $100.00 cash.

This amount includes 7 days off, some for the holidays, including Dec. 24th - 27th, working the 28th. Also have Dec. 31st off, and Jan. 1st off as well.

Year to date totals:

• $41,331.65 from SWPT
  $ 2,254.02 from Coastal.

In all, I lost out on about $6000 when I quit SWPT in May, and went to Coastal in June, and worked 3 weeks.... As I said before, if I have stayed instead of quiting, I would have gotten 2 months worth of pay during the busy season, which would have been at least $1000 per week. So that was a big lost. But still, not too bad considering that I work 5 on/2 off. I get Wed. and Thurs. off, and I could have worked on those days if I wanted to. But I didn't. :wink:

Now most of you make more, with a few making ALOT MORE. You are asking yourself, why even post that amount? Is this something that I'm proud of? No. I post this because there are some who are OTR and making less. And for that reason, I ask why bother? OTR companies take so much from a driver and pays less than I get.....something wrong there.

So I'm hoping to inspire those to make more who are not doing so good. If you can't make it OTR, you might want to try local, or at least a different company. Unless you are one of those who drive for their own reasons, and money is not the main goal. To each their own, I guess.

Just a thought. :wink:

Anyways, I hope everyone had a great Holiday Season. I sure did, and now I'm looking forward to the slow season.

Good luck to you all. :wink:

who gives a **** what you make. truth be told you make very little for unlaoding flammable liquids...in my opinion. you work more hours in a day than i do and alot of guys do. the best time to deliver fuel is sundays i beleive, so if you don't wanna work weekends. i would imagine you work around 12 hours a day, not including the drive to and from work..i may be wrong. that leaves 10 hours maybe 12 for dinner family and rest....all for 42000 a year. some people would like it some won't, don't paint your world to be the best thing since sliced bread, it very well may not be...for some.

[Graymist]

who gives a $&!+ what you make. truth be told you make very little for unlaoding flammable liquids...in my opinion. you work more hours in a day than i do and alot of guys do. the best time to deliver fuel is sundays i beleive, so if you don't wanna work weekends. i would imagine you work around 12 hours a day, not including the drive to and from work..i may be wrong. that leaves 10 hours maybe 12 for dinner family and rest....all for 42000 a year. some people would like it some won't, don't paint your world to be the best thing since sliced bread, it very well may not be...for some.

With all due respect to your opinion, if you're not interested in the post, simply switch threads. How do you know whether or not other readers will not be interested in how much he makes ? Besides, he's not the first driver to have published his earnings on this board....check Cyanide's and Mike3fan's posts.

What you fail to take cognizance of, is the fact that he made this money while running local. Do you realise that when you run local, you don't spend about $400 a month on on-the-road personal expenses like food, showers, laundry etc ? That alone amounts to $4800 for the whole year. So, in all fairness, to get an accurate picture, one should actually add that 4800 bucks to Cluggy's earnings, 'cos money saved is money earned. Also, if you cared to read his post thoroughly, you'd have read that he missed out on 6000 bucks, which he otherwise could have made.


As far as time spent with his family, your contention that 10-12 hours a day with the family ( ( even if it's for $42,000 ) is not as good as 2-3 days ( or 48-72 hours ) after being out for 2 weeks , is laughable at best, and an insult to one's intelligence at worst.

What Cluggy's trying to point out, is that there is an alternative to OTR life, for those who are so inclined. He doesn't claim that local work is going to put him on the Fortune list of billionaires.

So for those willing to work 70-80 hours a week, and get paid an average of 700-800 bucks ( you do the math for the equivalent hourly rate ), all power to them....some do it out of choice, while for some, they have no choice.

sorry to have insulted anyones intelligence, 42,000 is awesome. money not earned is not money saved...sorry. money earned and saved is saved. therefore i disagree. and also you may want to include sleeping in the 12 hours a day at home with the family. and does he magically appear at his truck everyday with no tme spent commuting? i did not say that he may not have it good nor did i disagree, just saying do not bash otr or linehaul to make a point unless you can stand up to have your choice criticized. and i think i would have failed to "recognize", not "cognicize".

[Graymist]

sorry to have insulted anyones intelligence, 42,000 is awesome. money not earned is not money saved...sorry. money earned and saved is saved. therefore i disagree. and also you may want to include sleeping in the 12 hours a day at home with the family. and does he magically appear at his truck everyday with no tme spent commuting? i did not say that he may not have it good nor did i disagree, just saying do not bash otr or linehaul to make a point unless you can stand up to have your choice criticized. and i think i would have failed to "recognize", not "cognicize".

One doesn't really have to tax one's intelligence much to deduce that the objective of my post was not to bash OTR...it was to simply counter your point that no one is interested in what he makes, and whatever he makes is a pittance.

Also, my dear fellow, I meant to used the word "cognizance" and not "recognize"....if the former appears alien to you, then do be so kind as to check the English dictionary. Do not advertise your ignorance.

That aside, your above post is neither here nor there ( if you know what I mean ). One needn't be an Einstein or an Oppenheimer to realise that your logic ( or the singular lack thereof ) is so glaringly garbled.

I choose not to join issue with you any further, in this futile exercise. You are free to espouse your vituperations as you see fit.

Hope you have a wonderful and prosperous New Year.

i will never come to this site again, what a bunch of (*(^ sucking *******s. i get better conversations on the cb radio with an illeagal mexican that does not speak english.

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...hlight=#287060

not much life CFM to bring back something from months ago?

i will never come to this site again.

Stick to your word, *****hat.

[buckshot150]

I work local and work more hours now than I did OTR. Do not make more $$ and eat atleast 2 meals on the road. So I don't save any money there. Also have to drive back and forth to the terminal. So now I am out gas money. It is not always good to go local. But I have a young son who I can tuck into bed at night and shower in my own shower and sleep in my bed without being awaken by a bum or lot lizard. It all has ups and downs. Just wish I could make OTR pay and be home like Cluggy. He is just showing some what could be made.....Now I feel like looking for another job. Thanks Cluggy. My 35,000 for the year don't look so good.

[Cluggy619]

jedfxg, I don't have a clue what your problem is.

My post is simply to allow others to see what I have done in the past year, and what I'm doing for the present or future.

As far as bashing OTR drivers, I'm not. I'm just letting them know that there are companies who will pay them what they are worth. I work about 9-11 hours per day I work, and 5 days out of the week. I take 3-4 loads per day. And I'm guarantee at least $1500 per paycheck, which comes down to about $750 per week. And so far, I've always made more.

As far as magically appearing next to my truck, I live 13 miles from my work.

Now, their are other companies who pay more, and in some cases, a whole lot more. There are also companies who don't pay their drivers worth a damm. Is the money I make standard? A little low for most drivers. Like you said, $42000 is not alot....did you figure in that I had 6 weeks off this year? Maybe not. Am I happy with what I made? Yes.

Now, if all you want to do is bash on my post, go ahead. Show the people here that the money I make is low. Show them where they can make more. Because their are drivers who don't do as well. In fact, I would welcome anyone to post where they work if they clearly make more than I do. It will help those who don't. :wink:

[Karnajj]

I thought this idiot was banned?!?!?!

[shadowsknight]

Cluggy has a point. OTR isn't worth it anymore.
I leave the house on monday and return friday. I run intrastate Texas pulling a flatbed for TMC. Sometimes I come home during the week when I have a local delivery. These jobs are out there if you look for them.
On my last paycheck for the year my final gross is $51,533.36.

When trucking companies first started they were local only. Then little by little then went regional and then eventually to OTR. Now is the time that the trend is reversing and companies are starting to offer more regional options.

[countryhorseman]

Running local now, I make about 8% less than when I was OTR. We do not have set schedules or runs, so some weeks I have lots of time with the family and others not so much. Typically I am home 6 out of 7 nights, with the exception of my Bossier City and El Paso runs, never during the same week.

Yes, there are some good non-union local jobs to be had! Some pay better than others, some have other benefits. Have to agree with Cluggy, Coastal does not pay well, and the new guys get the oldest trucks. I research all the fuel haulers in my area extensively last year, and none of them paid relative to the risk.

Oil Field companies right now are enticing, if you lie within a decent distance of the terminals. Schlumberger and Halliburton are hiring, and pay very well. Schedules very and there is physical work involved.

JB is definitely phasing out their OTR divisions and focusing on Dedicated and Intermodal. Other companies are headin that direction also.

Good look to all in the endeavors!

[Cluggy619]

I thought this idiot was banned?!?!?!

I was. I came back. I could always be banned again.

If your so against me being here, go cry to someone else. I don't give a chit.

I'm back now, and will continue as long as I can..... :wink:

[Cluggy619]

I think we are missing the point.

I don't care if you are local or OTR. However, I do care if you are not making it. Companies have thrived on the back of their drivers, and they need to be identified. As stated before, 42K per year isn't much, but there are drivers only making 20k-30k being OTR, and that is just wrong. As long as drivers believe that this is the best they can do, these companies will continue to keep drivers wages down, instead of giving us a fair share of the pie.

And you know what? It's working, because of the internet, boards like this one, access to information. These sub standard paying companies will soon have to raise their wages to a fair amount, or go out of business.

I'm going to do my little part in providing this information to where drivers can get at it. That's all I'm doing. A very little part, about my experience and pay with SWPT.

If more drivers did this as well, more information would be available for drivers looking for their next job. And more information can only help when picking out a company to work for.

Good luck to all. :wink:

[Colts Fan]

I just talked to a transportation manager for Pilot Travel Centers regarding a fuel hauling position. Sounds like a good deal. I asked him if my lack of experience would be a problem. He said they generally want a year but they take it case by case. They just don't want to train someone how to drive, so I am good there.

Crossing my fingers. Home every night. 50-55K per year.

[Cluggy619]

I just talked to a transportation manager for Pilot Travel Centers regarding a fuel hauling position. Sounds like a good deal. I asked him if my lack of experience would be a problem. He said they generally want a year but they take it case by case. They just don't want to train someone how to drive, so I am good there.

Crossing my fingers. Home every night. 50-55K per year.

The drivers who haul for Pilot here in Texas are very happy with their jobs. If I lived closer to the D/FW metroplex instead of here in Denton, I would have look them up. Hope you get the job.

Good Luck.

[gmh]

Cluggy, is your $1500/2wk 'guarantee' actually guaranteed, or just that unless you were a total f-up you couldn't go under it? Also, is that gross, or net? You say 'paycheck', so I assume the latter.

[countryhorseman]

GMH,

You need to go back and read his post, that is $1500 for a two week period, as he stated it anyhow!

Cluggy, is your $1500/wk 'guarantee' actually guaranteed, or just that unless you were a total f-up you couldn't go under it? Also, is that gross, or net? You say 'paycheck', so I assume the latter.

G