Question for drivers
 

How many people love this job despite all the complaining and gripes I keep hearing about this profession?
And if any tell me what the positives are.

I work in a papermill but always been attracted to driving OTR,been called crazy for even considering this profession.

Not sure love is the right word as I would prefer to be independently wealthy and never work again ... but If I have to work, which unfortunately is a prenuptial requirement placed upon me by my wife 23 years ago...then I guess I'm doing what I want to do, and somewhat enjoy. How's that for an endorsement!

If you don't like someone looking over your shoulder everyday is a plus. But being on someonelse's schedule (pick up and drop appointment) and being out on the road in sometimes inclimate weather (rain, snow and fog) and traffic in the cities are some of the downsides. Also being away from family(if you have a wife and kids) is a drag for birthdays and anniversirys ball games and such.

I actually hate it and am in the process of thinkin bout getting ou of it,but I dont have any skills so I'm probably stuck

Well i did OTR and have returned to local, i love my local job, go in at 5:30 am, and am usually off by 3:30, never any later than 5:30, a 12 hour day for me is a rarity, oh and did i mention i have the weekends off. I haul sod so i get to do a lot of interesting things during my day, the driving conditions are totally different, i load and unload my own truck, so there's much more involved than just driving a truck. I know it's a little off the topic, but if you put in your due time with OTR and find out it's not your cup of tea, you can find a good local gig like me and love your job too.

I should clarify my answer by stating I drive local. I've done OTR and would again but only until I found another local job. I could not spend an entire career on the road.

Hey scania, what paper mill do you work at? I just left the Georgia Pacific(prevoiusly Fort Howard then Fort James) in Muskogee oklahoma after 29 years. I can't tell you how trucking is now but I am going to Central Tech in Drumright Okla on March 14 and then to CFI.
The trucking industy pay will only be half to 3 quarter of the standard paper mill pay but if you are in money shape to do it and want to I don't think you are crazy.

The fact that you're here and can write in complete sentence structures with proper grammar and spelling indicates to me that you're wayyyyyyyyy overqualified for OTR. You might think I'm joking or being sarcastic, but just walk through any big-city truckstop or monitor channel 19 (i.e. "Sesame Street") for awhile and you'll see what I mean.

It was a good job 20-some odd years ago, but no more. Now it's too many hours for the money, too much time away from home, and too much free labor. Yeah, you'll get guys bragging that they're pulling down 50k, but when you add up all the time on the job, it works out to like 10 bucks an hour to live out of a truck. The massive 120% annual turnover rates should be a major red flag. Look at it like this: a McMega carrier such as Swift with 15,000 power units is going through 18,000 drivers a year!!!! Now how good can the job be if that many people are coming and going like the wind?

If you want to travel, get an RV. If you want adventure, hock the wife's ring and throw a big party with hookers and elephants. If you want freedom, vote out a Republican or Democrat. If you want big money, then play the Powerball. Because, despite all the industry propaganda, you won't get any of that stuff driving a big rig today.

scania

i also worked at a paper mill smurfit stone.

here is a list of the pay differance.

mill
12 hrs shift $25 per hour=$300
trucking
12 hrs x (31 cpm X 48 mph ave) =$178

Also there is no or very limited pension and wi insurance for otr driver.

Re: Question for drivers
 

Well...despite how certain "Local Drivers" will think you are stupid, and dirt poor....compared to how well cared for they are... :roll: That line of crap gets so old and tiresome. :?

I am driving a brand new big, beautiful red Peterbuilt, with a brand new 53' Reefer. Really gorgeous Rig...and gives me some pride, as well as enjoyment. It has an APU which controls the cab temp between 60-85 degrees when I shut her down. It's an on board generator...so it also offers me a couple 110v power outlets to run anything inside I want. Right now it is also saving my butt...as I live in N. Michigan, and it is sub-zero up here...so temps like this will drain your batteries dead. The APU will sense the battery level and automatically start and recharge the batteries for me. Nice...huh! :D

I just did a run from N. Michigan to Sacramento and Central California, then back loaded to Chicago and Albany...another back load from Rochester to Detroit, then another back load from Detroit to Cadillac....and home. I made over $2100 for 7 1/2 days of driving...and my average time loading or off-loading was 1 1/2 hours.

I hauled between 38k and 43k of freight...and only found a few spots I had to drop 2 gears. Most mountains I dropped one gear...or left it on Cruise control and she huffed and puffed steadily. I'd set the cruise at 2.5 to 3 mph over posted speed limit. It has an on board computer that gives me exact readout of road speed, rpm's, mpg, and even horsepower.

I'm doing a repeat run starting early Tuesday morning. I got home last Friday night...so I'll have had 3 full days off.
Anyway, that is a picture of my Trucking adventures. I love this Company. My Boss is a childhood Bro. This is a family run Company. I run mostly Pete's or KW's and 50' spread or 53' tandem Reefer's. We go anywhere and everywhere. At times I am also called upon to run a Dry Van, or one of our Flats. We have a 53' straight Flat, and also a 48' step Deck. I love the Flat loads....I usually make :shock: bigger money 8) and get to wear my lambskin vest...my mirror sunglasses, and chew toothpicks. :D ...That's standard.

There is so much to love about this business....so it isn't as bleak as some knuckle-heads want you to think. Of course life is what you make of it. I've been fortunate....but I also have had to play rough and pay my dues. You will take the good with the bad. Those challenges can be just as important to you, in your life as a Trucker.

I've run some older rigs, and spent lots of hours working on them. I've had some low pay. I've sat waiting for freight. It's all good. :)
Of course when you find what suits you...then you begin to really reap the benefits, and live your dream.

As some said...OTR is a good learning ground to become qualified and experienced for local work. You may find you hate OTR...or you could be like me and enjoy the hell out of it. Now....I'm divorced and 55 years old. I can go out there and not have anything to stop me or make me feel regrets. Younger guy's ...especially with a wife and kids...it's much tougher on them to be running down the road like a "Roadhog" oblivious to anything behind him. :lol:

I can say I am one who does absolutely "love OTR" and I'm living a dream. I have some plans for my future, which includes driving out of Scotland with my Bro "Wot"....and some day...looking up some of our Canadian Bro's and doing some runs up that-away. My sister spends her winter's in New Zealand...and I am hoping to go drive there one winter...maybe give "cutekiwi" a call. I figure I'm good to go for at least 12 more years of OTR....God willing.

Best of luck to you....if you want a career change...yes!!!! Trucking is a great industry to find your niche. I heard all the negative crap too. It is just from ignorance...or some other issues I am not qualified to diagnose.

Roadhog please tell me that by certain "Local Drivers" you do not mean all local drivers. I have no ill will towards anyone who enjoys OTR. I believe we are free to do whatever makes us happy including OTR. I'm not judging, its just not for me. I sometimes run 500-600 miles a nite so I like the road but I'm a homebody and want to end my shift where I started. 10-4? But I could get into an extended road trip driving a chromed out hood with a kickazz sound system! If I offended anyone I apologize.

yeah roadhog, i don't really appreciate that comment, i don't come on here bashing, or downtalking OTR, i respect you guys for the sacrifice you put in, i share "MY" experiences as far as OTR goes, just because i didn't care for it, i don't feel i speak for everyone. And never have i come on here saying that local is so much better than OTR, as far as i know, just me and the other poster have posted stating that we drive local, so you're comment is directed towards one of us, i try to be respectful in all my posts, and i don't look for disrepect from other drivers. I'm glad you enjoy your shiny pete, i've got a 96 mack CH600 with 800,000 miles on it, and i bet i take just as much "pride" in it as you do with your brand new pete and brand new refer unit. The original poster looked for opinions on how we as drivers enjoy our jobs, and when i say "driver", i feel we're all one in the same, therefore allow me to post my comments about local driving without catching the flack from a super trucker running coast to coast in a shiny new pete.

I drive local never did the OTR thing so i cant put my 2cents in on that but i like my local job.,

It can be a good job for someone inebt to an office job or a 9 to 5 job. money can be good, but it takes making good choices as to who to drive for and some time. Healthwise, im finding that it can be really bad for you...Bad food, stress, sleep deprivation, vibrations and general lack of exercise takes a toll on a body. Exhaust fumes and carbonmonoxide, hazmat literally poison you. I have to go to the chirocractor weekly to fix the compression of the spine typical to a driver. Battling stomach Ulcers from stress, coffee, food preservatives, fats and my smoking habit.

hey "ONE" does your insurance pickup your chiropractor visits, i've been driving for 4 years, and i race motocross and my back is shot, i'm forced to sleep on a couch, can't sleep in a bed without waking up in the morning not being able to move, my boss undergoes the shots on a yearly basis, and said it helps out a lot, but wasn't sure if my Blue Cross would pick it up, i know it's off topic, but i figured while you brought it up i would ask the question.

I haven't started driving yet but soaking in all the pro's and con's as well. There are certain "Local Drivers" who never post anything positive about the industry. But, don't let that sway you about going OTR. Based on what I've read you won't make a ton of money so there must be some other pro's to consider, or most would simply bail on the job altogether. Each has their own perspective on the job I suppose. OTR makes sense for me because I'm single and won't have to pay rent or utilities. I also don't like dealing with people or the 9-5 corporate suck-up nonsense. So, if 80% of my time is being alone that's just fine with me. I also like seeing new places and going where I haven't been. Doing alot of reading here has given me a little insight to the hassles of the job, so at least I won't be going into it with rose-colored glasses. Evaluate the pro's and con's, as they relate to you not the whiners and complainers, and decide if you think you can put up with it or not. Oh, stay away from negative people. As in any job, the negative types will just try to get you to sit on the pity potty with them. Positive folks will teach you how to turn the tables in your favor.

You can usually find something postive about most any situation.

" Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions . Small people always do that , but the really great make you feel that you , too , can become great." ( Mark Twain ) :wink:

Good quote, Bluesman.

Thank you GMAN .. Here is one more, write these down, put them in your wallet . " Try not to become a man of success , but rather a man of value." ( Albert Einstein ) Those 2 quotes will get you through most anything in life.

They do: 120% average annual turnover rates. How you like dem apples? :D

Like I said, if the job was as great as some people here paint it out to be, there wouldn't be these astronomical churn rates. Fact is, the numbers tell the tale and OTR is becoming the choice of fewer and fewer.

To the original poster, use OTR as stepping stone for something better like tankers, roll-off, construction, LTL, etc. For God sakes, don't make a career of it. It'll age you before your time and rob you of precious moments with friends/family. All that for 9-10 bucks an hour? No thanks. Leave it to the diehards.

Well at least this post is better than your first post.
I try to ignore most of what you post ( belittling OTR ) because that's what I have in mind. Putting my time in then getting something local. IF I can find something that pays decent.

Snowman...I've known you a long time. Of course I don't mean "all local driver's." I respect you and your posts. Sorry you felt otherwise.

The truth of the matter is that this is a job. Some people enter this business with false expectations and are disappointed with the realities of the job. Not everyone enjoys being by themselves on the road. It is true that you will be away from home and will likely miss some things about being there. There is not another profession like trucking. Some of us enjoy it and others don't. You can make an above average income but will make some sacrifices. There is no profession which pays as well that you will not make some compromises. I have yet to meet anyone who has achieved any degree of success in ANY profession who has not made sacrifices for their dream. There are those who want the income but are unwilling to give what it takes to get there. This industry does have a high turnover. There are other industries that have higher turnover rates. Fast food has a 300%+ turnover rate and you won't make nearly as much. Just look at what has happened to the IT business. Trucking is one of the most secure professions you could enter. If you keep your nose clean and have a good MVR, you have job security as long as you can pass the physical. Older drivers are at a premium. You don't have to worry about being fired because of your age. If you are willing to work hard, you will be rewarded accordingly. Granted, most companies don't pay the best starting out, but if you can survive the first year, you will see your income increase based upon your experience and longevity. $40-50M per year is achievable within a short time. In some segments of this business, you can double that amount or more, but that is not the norm. If you have a good work ethic, you should do well. If you need someone to look over your shoulder and have constant supervision, you won't like this business. Those who succeed are self starters who know how to manage their time. If you blow your paycheck and waste your time in the truck stops playing video games you will find it difficult to make it. Nothing in life that is worthwhile comes easy. I have worked hard all my life. This business has been good for me and my family. I know how to manage my time and plan my work. And I don't work for $10/hr. :wink:

very well said GMAN! :wink: thx from the truckers who knew what the job entailed and still enjoy it.

You dont have to apologize bro, I was worried "I" offended "YOU". sniff sniff ...I love you man...sniff, here, take my Budweiser. :lol: :lol:

Yes sir that about covers it.

Millersod....please understand....I've been around CAD quite awhile. I know who is local....even if it is not listed in any one post. I don't wish to get inot a pissing contest, so I decided to not point any finger specifically.

I've worked long and hard to get where I am at....and I am working even harder to stay there. I was focused and determined...with goals. I paid my dues, and did the "rookie" crap to succeed. I hit the ground running, once I got my CDL...and so if I happen to be "on top" now....it's because I earned it....and I was focused to get to this....as well as I mentioned...I am fortunate as well, and have been blessed.

I love trucking, and keeping a positive attitude about it. The poster asked if anyone "loves" trucking. I do...and always will.

Sorry if I rattled your cage. It was an accidental bump. :)
Keep posting Bro....in just 82 more posts....you'll be a 'super trucker' too. :lol: :P

amen bro! :wink:

Why sacrifice when you don't have to? Trust me, there's far easier ways to make 40-50k then working 80-100 hour workweeks in OTR.

To this I would agree with you. However, the sacrifices that trucking demands and what you get back in return don't equal out. Most people figure this out after awhile and leave the biz, which accounts for the massive turnover rates.

If you want to compare your job to fast food, then go ahead. But my company has a 6% turnover rate. Why? Because drivers are paid well for their time, are able to be at home with their families, and don't work for free. The polar opposite of OTR.

I am one of these people. I am unwilling to live on the job working double the hours for what I can make at a regular 9-5 job.

Only because it can't be outsourced. But that won't stop the trucking companies from getting cheap foriegn/Mexican labor here behind the wheel. It's just a matter of time. In fact, Celadon and a few other carriers are already doing it.

That's because nobody else wants the job (the so-called driver "shortage") and the carriers are desperate to put meat in their seats.

Those who succeed figure out how to "work" the logbook to run more miles. Those who follow the rules and don't break the law and log it as they do it won't last very long.

No, after 5, 10, 20, 30+ years you can top out at a whopping $13.00 - $14.00/hour with no overtime after 40 hours. After 3 years of OTR, I walked into a local job that STARTED at over $18.00/hour with overtime after 40 and home everynight. That alone should show what a ripoff irregular-route OTR trucking is.

Oh well, I've about said my peace and then some. Let the flaming begin. :D

:D you'd like that ...huh! :?

goooooooooooooo teamsters. :roll: Ppbhffffffffft..dribble :lol:

ROFLMAO :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Who did you work for Coldfrostymug, when you wre OTR for 3 yrs?

Hey GMAN I must admit I am a little worried about the cheap Mexican labor, what's your thoughts on that?