Truck Driving Jobs

Skywalker · Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 5:34 pm Post subject:

thisisamazing wrote: Skywalker, I think you can always be relied on to have a positive outlook--very cool! Yeah, I agree: if someone wants to look down on you because you're actually working for a living, the problem is theirs. I'll tell you this, fella: I only know a couple of people who actually thought I'd go through with truckin', and those are the ones who know the value of a buck, who have a good outlook on life and are making something of themselves. Those friends of mine who laughed at the idea are the ones living with Mom and Dad, the spoiled kids who haven't yet realized that 24 is too frickin' old to act like an infant. There's no shame in making an honest buck, and I've no shame to say I earn my living as a truck driver.

I know what you mean.... I actually went back and checked out a few of the people that I knew from highschool... you know the ones... the ones everyone voted for as "most likely to succeed".... And the most amazing thing was.....they for the most part turned out to be some of the biggest losers in life. I joined the Army in 1967...got laughed at by alot of people as being stupid or crazy, and was personally voted to be the most likely to die my first day in Vietnam..... Ha! I fooled them... I ended up with a college education, had a good career in medical sales, more or less retired then started doing this....and most of the people I knew back then are still "mouldering" along in their sorry lives...bemoaning daily the fact that "life screwed them"...and yes, most of them lived at home with mommy and daddy til their parents wised up and threw them out....and if you do the math...they are all in their mid to late 50's...and a pack of "sad sacks"....

If I had to, I would shovel :dung: to make a decent buck.... but thankfully it hasn't come down to that. Status is fleeting, and it doesn't pay the bills.

Me, I'd rather earn my pay, be as happy as I can manage....life has been good to me despite its ups and downs...but overall...its been good.

movinit · Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 6:03 pm Post subject: Trucking

Let those who look down their noses at us say what they want. I bet most go home to their home that is mortgaged to the hilt; credit cards maxed out, car lease about to expire and not enough to pay it off in the bank, and a spouse that is never home for they are trying to work every minute to get no where.

We were in those shoes in the 80's and 90's. My wife was a corporate manager in the late 80's and who became a victim of the recession. I was fresh out of the Air Force with security being the only job I could find. We both went to trucking school, she with a private school and me I chose good ol? Swift.

We have been truckers for a long time now both locally and OTR. We are completely debt free, including our home. On our last home time we purchased a new 9 piece dining room set and a 5 piece bedroom set, totally more than $6500. We paid for it in cash! Say what you will about trucking, but it is one of the most secure jobs that pay well.

I say this to those who turn their nose up at it, who's the fools, certainly not us.

Skywalker · Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 7:51 pm Post subject:

movinit: You said it right!

Been there, done it....except that I owned 3 businesses, my wife worked with me...she had a bad heart attack and our main industry started suffering recession type pains...I saw the writing on the walls and sold out, and at that time I found out the true meaning of "you're overqualified for this job"....meaning you're too old...so I looked into this. Have done well in spite of the bumpy start.

Bought my liveaboard sailboat cash, refitted it cash, lived on it for 6 years, sold it at a profit, have fewer debts than before, and am now looking to buy a nice trawler in the 44 to 46 foot range. Life isn't so bad if you can handle your money and take the bumps in stride.

I can't say that I have had too many people look down on me for what I do....in fact most ask me about it....some say they're jealous...and almost everyone I have ever talked to says they have at least one son, brother, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, father, mother, grandmother, granfather, or a friend who drives a truck. Many have even said that they can't figure out how we manage to do what we have to do with all the idiots on the road.... :shock: Overall....there's only been one or two "boneheads"....and my answer to them is: If you don't like trucks, then put your money where your mouth is.....do a complete personal boycott of any and all products carried by trucks. They say, OK...I will.
Thats when I tell them to junk their cars, burn down their house, go naked and starve....and return to the woods and live their harvesting berries and chasing rabbits and squirrels to eat...cuz virtually everything they own, use, and consume in their daily lives was carried and delivered by a truck driven by a truck driver.... :shock: :shock:

Imagine that 8)

rackjabbit · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Wichita Falls,Tx

To answer brown's question....I drive for SYSCO. Ive been here for 3 years. I like the benefits,and pay,but the only bad thing about it is,the hours. We get cranked up around 4:00-5:00 every morning. It is stressful at times. Our routes are very tight scheduled. You run wide open from the time you leave the yard till you get your last stop kicked off. I do get a good workout everyday from throwing groceries..The problem about driving a truck for me is that its in my blood,and I do like driving,and at times,I get a hankerin for getting back on the road. I do like being home everynight,but Ive struggled with getting up 3:45-4:00 every morning for the last 3 years. I do talk to recruiters every once in a while to see what different companies have to offer. SYSCO is a good company to work for...awesome benefits,great pay. They pay delivery drivers "productivity pay"..which means we get paid by the case. The more cases we have on our truck,and the quicker we get done with our routes,the more we get paid. Needless to say,I can throw 100 cases in hour with my eyes closed 8) but it is back breakin work..I understand why our supervisers have bad backs lol..but thats what I do..Im a SYSCO man,or grocery man. Funny...I grew up on a John Deere combine,went 6 years on wheat harvest(finally got to go when I turned 21)now Im a chicken hauler...

feederfred · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 281 Location: Nevada

I am a feeder driver out of the Ontario, CA hub. I worked my way out of package cars after several years. I am home most nights and also run a Reno bid. I make excellent money, have full Teamster health and welfare and will retire in a few years with a good pension. The downside to working at Buster Brown is being micromanaged by the guys in the "London Fog" raincoats. They are very strict with their rules, but we have a strong local that protects us pretty well. You do have to work your way up though. Try a few years running 25-40 stops an hour in an un-air conditioned package car with some clown riding with you timing you. Feeder and line work here is a vacation compared to that.[/code]

NC_TRUCKER · Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:24 am Post subject:

YOU AIN'T SLEDDIN' UNLESS YER FLAT BEDDIN'

When You Care Enough To Drive With The Very Best!

beenthere · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Ohio

Thanks for the welcome Snowman7 and no sir I drive out of the Toledo, Ohio terminal. I just transferred up here from Athens, Georgia last July and so far I love it up here. The runs are good and miles great. Plus for someone who is sensitive to the heat the weather up here is a plus for me.

Again thanks for the welcome

cooper30 · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 2 Location: ME

[quote="FlyByWire"]Am I proud to say I am a truck driver? No, not at all.... [/quote]

Shoot brother, I'm a meat cutter. Imagine that as an ice breaker. :lol:

With the exception of 5 years in the Marine Corps, I've been doing this for 21 years. I'm so desperately hoping I can save the $$ to go to school to get my CDL-A and then change my career.....and hopefully negotiate my way into a good deal. ;)

LilCohen1978 · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 11

Got a interview w/UPS Freight for a part-time dockwork w/CDL in Richfield
Ohio just would like to find out some info on the company

LilCohen1978 · Joined: 21 Aug 2006 Posts: 11

Got a interview w/UPS Freight for a part-time dockwork w/CDL in Richfield
Ohio just would like to find out some info on the company

choperbob · Joined: 30 Mar 2005 Posts: 707 Location: Tucumcari,NM

i drive for transport america. i have only been driving for 13 months and all with tcam. they have a good safety record, their pay is above average for beginners. after a year i make $.355/cpm. i usually average 3000 miles a week. i get home every time i ask, tho i like to stay out for 2-3 months at a time. their training was great. it really helped when i went out on my own and had to back into places that i swear no way could a truck get into. all in all a good company.

Snowman7 · Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 1042 Location: the Buckeye

LilCohen1978 wrote: Got a interview w/UPS Freight for a part-time dockwork w/CDL in Richfield
Ohio just would like to find out some info on the company

What happened with Roadway?

Griff · Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 67 Location: kansas

Don't post alot on this board but ill chime in that I enjoy my job. Working Intermodal home nightly and off on the weekends still getting my 70hrs a week in. Pay is fair im lookin at 50k this year. Also get to drive a shiny 06 pete 386 daycab if your ever in Kc area and near any of the railroads you will prolly see me or one of the other three like it.

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outofworkjoe · Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 2 Location: PHILLY

I drive for USfoodservice, in philly.Were a Union shop my rate of pay is 21.71 an hour,that will go up 1 dollor next year. 3 weeks vac+ 5 sick days+5 pers days Its very hard work,but the pay is good.Do I love this job NO,I hate it but the money is good,Going on 5 years now.

ColdFrostyMug · Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 703 Location: New England

outofworkjoe wrote: I drive for USfoodservice, in philly.Were a Union shop my rate of pay is 21.71 an hour,that will go up 1 dollor next year. 3 weeks vac+ 5 sick days+5 pers days Its very hard work,but the pay is good.Do I love this job NO,I hate it but the money is good,Going on 5 years now.

I had an offer on the table to pull for those guys when I was looking for local work but I turned em' down. Food-service delivery is back-breaking work, man. Nothing like popping a fully-loaded hand-cart down a ramp covered with ice and snow. Then you get to back that truck into some wicked-tight places such as restaurants, lodges, motels...bascially anywhere there's a kitchen.

That's why I'll stick with runnin' LTL freight. I mostly just bump docks and move pallets around with a pallet jack if I have to. Let the towmotor and the supertruckers lump the heavy freight! Every now and then I'll get a residential delivery which can be a pain in the rear. But for the most part I don't fingerprint any loads.

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