Yes is the answer to your question, they told me the owner likes the trucks to look there best on deliveries and pick ups. The driver before me in that tractor kept up with the wheels and tanks and had them polished. I also purchased new chrome lug nut covers once and they paid for them too, no problem. I was just surprised they only paid half for the wheel polish. And yes the truck did go faster down the highway after that! lol!!!

Getting back to Pritchett, they pulled one of there OTR drivers off the road to help us out when I worked there and he was not a happy camper. His pay was almost cut in half until he finally stood his ground and they put him back on the road. They did strange things like that all the time. Like I said before I think they have some management issues where no one makes good decisions. I guess if you wanted to run local everyday and dont mind the smell of the garbage dumps then its a good job!

I guess I will continue to work and get hired due to the lack of drivers out there, dont get me wrong, I dont like job jumping either, there are companies that wont even call me back. But for the ones that do call me, once I explain each job they are ok with it. I explain to them what I am looking for and visa versa. The next job is hauling chemical tankers, not for everyone, but I did it for 3 years back in the 80's and they knew the company I hauled for even though they went out of business a long time ago.

sounds like everyone is against you.. why not just go o/o so you cant blame anyone else but you?

That's what I did, if you can't find any company that fits your expectations start your own.

My boss is still a jerk but who am I going to complain to, right ? lol

yeah.. me too.. i keep telling the boss to get a new truck yet he wont listen... man them arguments get out of control!

Hahahaha I was an Owner Operator back in the 90's. Not so sure I even want to stay in the trucking industry much longer as I see changes coming that are not so good. besides I cant believe they are paying rates that I got back 20 years ago, how can anyone make money these days? heading in to the next job with a good attitude I am just praying that maybe I will be treated ok, but hey after all this is the trucking industry so my expectations are low going in.

Not all rates are cheap, Instigator. You need to be willing to hold out or negotiate for the better rates. This week I have been sent loads that pay from just over $1/mile to over $6/mile. There are still way too many that are below $2/mile. If you are willing to haul for the cheaper rates there will be no shortage of brokers and shippers that will keep you rolling. I do get calls to haul loads with good rates.

Instiqator, its seems your exspertions will never be meet as in your posting you place tomuch on what the comps. sell you. as for the tanks and rims, as you put it they ask you to keep there trucks clean and nice. dont think that means spend the cash we will pay you back. at most you get a that aboy from me. never spend someone else cash with out a ok from them

Instigator, your posts really kill me. Northern morals? There are NO crooked companies up north? You ARE joking right?
If it's so good up north, I-75 has on ramps to the northbound lanes. Go get on one and truck on home. I'm sure Sarasota will continue to survive when you leave.

Hahahahaha no thanks, I moved from NYC for a reason! When I was driving there the trucking companies I worked for were all good, I guess the bad companies are all over, maybe I just never realized just how bad this industry has gotten. All I know is that the ones I worked for down here in Florida have all been crooked and cheating there drivers . I think I may have found a good job with All Star, went to orientation and I liked what I heard. Time will tell as I start my first run tomorrow.

Gman I guess the older I get the less I am willing to chase down the good paying loads, and yes I agree they are out there, but most brokers now a days are willing to cheat everyone as much as they can. I speak with O?O all the time and hear the same story all over the country, the brokers are getting more and more greedy and paying less and less. I could not be bothered trying to run my own truck at this point in my carreer, I would rather make what I make and drive for someone else without the aggravation and expense of owning again. Im glad to hear you get good paying loads and I wish you continued success you are certainly a rare one in this industry!