I would also like to make a reply I would NEVER do LTL myself I loved doing the OTR driving. For me it was the feeling of knowing that today I would not be seeing the same freaking roads again the same people again the same traffic again. I could be sent to LA one trip then go to Seattle then all the way to Boston or Miami and that happened more than you could think of. Yes I ran hard and I pay for it now however my doctors have finally figured out what caused my Epilepsy. I was rear ended in my POV 3 weeks prior to my first seizure and that was the trigger just took a few weeks to show the full damage. I never made less than 1200 week for my last company and because I ran so hard I now get with my dependant benefits starting next month 1900 a month on SS but I earned EVERY FREAKING PENNY. CFM stop spewing your Teamster crap they to this day refuse to give my father his pension he RIGHTFULLY earned because he crossed the picket lines during the last great shutdown in the 70's he had a family of 6 to support and you can not do that on 50 bucks a week strike BENEIFITS.

 

Now THAT...is a Yoopr Class quote....may I use that? :lol:

 

i dunno mixer drivers here make $13/hr thats $520/week and around $450 take home roughly. you have to put up with the guy who has the foundation telling you what to do and you dont even work for him.


now im looking at getting a job where i get a percentage of the load i haul which is like 23% 5 days out home on weekends, primarily east coast work no NYC. this could be very good or somewhat bad.

i think they need to confiscate every copy of smokey and the bandit, bj and the bear, convoy, and all the other "truck driving" movies except the already truckers copies that is, cause it seems everyone has a false pretense on what it takes to be a driver cause it's fun and games and all truckers are nicey nice.

sure some guys got it good, and some complain too much there are thousands of companies if you dont like the one your with look for a new one. best way to do this is talk with other drivers.

 

You must be a young driver.

These movies portray the Trucker (back in the day) in the earlier times when the Industry was respected, and they were the "Kings of the Road." ...and it still portrays todays new Driver's who grew up through that life and times.

We do not have to be any different. Life IS what you make of it.

You must meet an older Driver. They STILL are the "salt of the Earth" and will help another Trucker when he needs help...no matter what.
The CB traffic was fun and the life on the road was at times like the movies, and even times better. Driver's were known by their "handles" as well as they could walk into a Diner 2000 miles from home and be greeted like a dear friend..."Hey Roadhog...how are you...haven't seen you in a month....have a seat...coffee...black with a hug...right?" haha.

Tell you what...I still live and drive like "they did" and enjoy my trucking experiences. Part of the reason I come here as well.

Last week I helped a new Driver move his ornery trailer tandems. I adjusted his brakes so the wheels would quit rolling and hold....and flipped the pin lock lever to where he needed the tandems set. He thanked me...and thought I was one of those old timers that has been driving for a lifetime. I told him no...I was a rookie myself not too long ago.

 

i just meant how those movies make it seem like home time is very easy to get. seems most get into it cause of these movies mainly SatB. yeah im only at it 3yrs now but the family has been in it for well over 25

 

I was going to respond to ridge runner, and left a rather long responce.

I decided to delete it.

Good luck.

 

and that means what exactly?

 

I ,personally, have no beef with you, Cluggy619, nor CFM. I just wish he could post something other than, basically, the same old tired line. To each his own. Ever heard the saying = different strokes for different folks? His posts ALWAYS down anyone who chooses OTR, like we're all a bunch of dumb little sheep being led to the slaughter. For me, money ALONE doesn't equal happiness. I also tend to ENJOY what I do, regardless of how much I make, and yes, it's more than sufficient for me and mine.

Your quote is pretty much describing what CFM does, almost every time he posts. :wink:

 

When you drive over the road and are paid mileage or percentage, you are being paid what you are worth. The smarter and harder you work, the more you make. If you work on mileage, you will be paid a higher rate than someone just starting out. When someone works by the hour, they may or may not be paid what they are worth. Some people work hard and are good producers. Others seem to do everything but their job, yet are usually paid the same rate, at least if you work in a union environment. At least when you are paid by the mile, you are being paid what you are worth. If you are being paid $0.30/mile and run 1,000 miles then you are paid $300. If you run 3,000 miles at the same rate you will be paid $900. What could be more fair? There are inequities in every job and industry. No job is perfect. Driving is no exception. If there is a perfect job where everything works right all the time, I have yet to find it.

 

Ok....you got the entire post just before I deleted it. So you know who that was ment for.

But I do see your point. :wink: