[Rev.Vassago]

Originally Posted by Uturn2001

Yep it is not easy and it is not for everyone. I would sooner drive a truck all day long though than wear a tie and sit in an office or sweat to death in some mundane factory any day of the week.

And yet, you don't do either.....:roll2:

[repete]

Originally Posted by Rev.Vassago

And yet, you don't do either.....:roll2:

WOW, we don't beat around the bush do we Rev? LOL

[bentstrider]

Another thing I've got to add about trucking vs. other careers are the number of college grads I know that respect the Hell out of my job.

At this point, the only other thing I want to do is either corrections or state-police, but I'll wait until I get back OTR.

That way it's easier for me to follow up on applications in places like AZ or NM and their respective correctional agencies.

Seems like in California, the pShrinks are in charge of all aspects of law-enforcement hiring.

[mccfry]

This would be a tough job if you are needed at home and you cant be there, It is definitely a job better suited for the unattached loner type.

Originally Posted by all18wheels

yeah, sorry for the uncalled rant.
i apologize for knocking the OTR job for those who really like it.

as far as food service goes, i would pick a fast foos chain to drive for like Jack in the Box or In and Out.

yeah, traffic would still suck
tight parking spaces, yeah. but im getting used to that.
the construction site i delivered to the other day was pretty tight and curvy going in. and even worse BACKING out.
as far as AM deliveries go, i dont mind that. almost all of my drops are AM anyway.

i get frustrated sometimes. maybe its being on the road and feeling helpless when im needed at home.
sometimes i do the math on my pay to hours ratio ( i know thats a mistake) and feel like im not really making a good living.
truth is, i really am. i do really well for a first year driver. but it does take alot of hours away from home to get it.

i long for the day i can see a 4 3am-3pm shift paid hourly and home nightly with good health bennies.

i live in sacramento, anyone have any suggestions, i love to hear them

[all18wheels]

Originally Posted by golfhobo

Only ONE driver..... take a look at your own sigline.

Seriously, I wish you the best. All I can say is hang in there. You'll get what you need. You know as well as I do that trucking takes patience.

Do your research. Find the companies that offer that schedule you want. Then, when you ARE at home... go find them or their drivers and just ASK how to get on with them.

you got me there

[Kevin0915]

Reason I chose trucking? Cause I feel it is easier being your own boss, it is your fault for not earning enough money, and i HATE KISSING ASS in order to get promoted. I worked in the airline industry for 8 years, never once got a promotion. Then i worked in the casino business for 6, ONCE got a promotion because of my credentials, but never again.

Seemed the ONLY people getting promoted were 'friends' or those who really asskissed. I refuse to kiss anybodys tail for a promotion. I don't like the idea of an office job, i HATE suits and ties, and i HATE to feel like i have to impress anybody. Why waste your time worrying about what someone else thinks about you, when it dont matter in the long run anyways.

Why did i choose trucking?? My office is 3.79 million square miles (minus Alaska and Hawaii). I get paid to drive a truck (yeah i know there is alot more to do than just that) and get paid to see land i wouldn't normally get to see. It is kind of a cross between the best part of working for an airline (flying for free) and being my own boss.

[BIG JEEP on 44's]

Originally Posted by Kevin0915

Reason I chose trucking? Cause I feel it is easier being your own boss, it is your fault for not earning enough money, and i HATE KISSING ASS in order to get promoted. I worked in the airline industry for 8 years, never once got a promotion. Then i worked in the casino business for 6, ONCE got a promotion because of my credentials, but never again.

Seemed the ONLY people getting promoted were 'friends' or those who really asskissed. I refuse to kiss anybodys tail for a promotion. I don't like the idea of an office job, i HATE suits and ties, and i HATE to feel like i have to impress anybody. Why waste your time worrying about what someone else thinks about you, when it dont matter in the long run anyways.

Why did i choose trucking?? My office is 3.79 million square miles (minus Alaska and Hawaii). I get paid to drive a truck (yeah i know there is alot more to do than just that) and get paid to see land i wouldn't normally get to see. It is kind of a cross between the best part of working for an airline (flying for free) and being my own boss.

When you drive a truck for a company like Swift...you haul the freight they tell you to and where/when it goes...And even in trucking you will purse your lips now and then...And then you have the DOT regs that you follow and can restrict what you make...In short trucking is hardly the free spirited adventure you paint it to be.

[Kevin0915]

Originally Posted by BIG JEEP on 44's

When you drive a truck for a company like Swift...you haul the freight they tell you to and where/when it goes...And even in trucking you will purse your lips now and then...And then you have the DOT regs that you follow and can restrict what you make...In short trucking is hardly the free spirited adventure you paint it to be.

Really? When i get a pre-plan, do i not have the choice to accept it or decline it? I might not get to pick and choose where I want to go, but i can choose where i don't. Granted loads have deadlines, etc. But i know this when i get the preplan. And what i plan to do, is get on my DMs good side. I'll start out for the first month busting my tail for him. When he sees that I want to roll....and earn money, he will almost let me pick where i want to go. If a DM has 10 loads, and 2 drivers he KNOWS will get them there, and 15 others who will puzzyfoot, who do you think he will call on first? and pretty sure he will let them pick which ones they want (logisticly speaking).

Your CDL is nothing more than a contractors license. If you show you are willing to work hard, more doors will open for you. Want to start out being hard to work with, or give the impression that you can't go anywhere without mom and dad holding your hand, then you're going to get the crappy loads....if any at all.

As far as the DOT regs, sure they govern how many hours i can drive, etc. But they dont govern how much i make. I get 70 hours to drive in 8 days. I should be able to drive 3500miles in that time if i have the freight available to move. does the DOT rule of 10 minutes to put out my triangles when you breakdown, limit how much i make? no. Me being broke down on the side of the road will though. Next time i get a paystub, ill look for FICA, state tax, and DOT witholding. ;-)

and the point of my post, was saying my 'office' is the open road.....not some 9 by 9 cubicle cluttered with paperwork, and the need to wear slacks and tie.

[dobry4u]

How many times do you think Swift will let you turn away a pre-plan before they send you packing?

[BIG JEEP on 44's]

Originally Posted by Kevin0915

Really? When i get a pre-plan, do i not have the choice to accept it or decline it? I might not get to pick and choose where I want to go, but i can choose where i don't. Granted loads have deadlines, etc. But i know this when i get the preplan. And what i plan to do, is get on my DMs good side. I'll start out for the first month busting my tail for him. When he sees that I want to roll....and earn money, he will almost let me pick where i want to go. If a DM has 10 loads, and 2 drivers he KNOWS will get them there, and 15 others who will puzzyfoot, who do you think he will call on first? and pretty sure he will let them pick which ones they want (logisticly speaking).

Your CDL is nothing more than a contractors license. If you show you are willing to work hard, more doors will open for you. Want to start out being hard to work with, or give the impression that you can't go anywhere without mom and dad holding your hand, then you're going to get the crappy loads....if any at all.

As far as the DOT regs, sure they govern how many hours i can drive, etc. But they dont govern how much i make. I get 70 hours to drive in 8 days. I should be able to drive 3500miles in that time if i have the freight available to move. does the DOT rule of 10 minutes to put out my triangles when you breakdown, limit how much i make? no. Me being broke down on the side of the road will though. Next time i get a paystub, ill look for FICA, state tax, and DOT witholding. ;-)

and the point of my post, was saying my 'office' is the open road.....not some 9 by 9 cubicle cluttered with paperwork, and the need to wear slacks and tie.

Kevin you don't even have a year in yet do ya...hmmm