What's good about this job?

[rodcannon]

I've read a lot about the pitfalls of truck driving on this forum, the parts of the job that drive people away.

So what's good about it? What makes drivers want to stay?

I'm not asking this facetiously. Experienced drivers, please tell me what it is about the job that you like.

 

[lunachic]

I've read a lot about the pitfalls of truck driving on this forum, the parts of the job that drive people away.

So what's good about it? What makes drivers want to stay?

I'm not asking this facetiously. Experienced drivers, please tell me what it is about the job that you like.

That's a very good question,
Alot of these drivers have always been drivers. and if you read the post alot r from familes of drivers.
Befor the bottom fell out of our great country, You could make a living.
Now it's not a matter if u want to stay.
What else is there?
And even then everyday trucks r parking,
Some have been able to hold on alittle longer,Only because the trucks have been paid for. But now even though u have know payment the cost to run is more then what the loads pay(fuel) not to mention a breakdown or tire.
Alot of the companies are going to per mile, another way to screw the truck.
and when u lease u almost have to, alot r using forced dispatch.
be very careful of brokers and who u load for.Some of them are only still in it to suck the last bit of blood they can.
u might not get paid, and try to find them if u dont.
Trucking as life in America as we knew it , is know more.
But unless you are rich and can snap your fingers and the world bows to you.
You fight like we are doing, because it is all we have.

 

[BANDIT]

That's a very good question,
Alot of these drivers have always been drivers. and if you read the post alot r from familes of drivers.
Befor the bottom fell out of our great country, You could make a living.
Now it's not a matter if u want to stay.
What else is there?
And even then everyday trucks r parking,
Some have been able to hold on alittle longer,Only because the trucks have been paid for. But now even though u have know payment the cost to run is more then what the loads pay(fuel) not to mention a breakdown or tire.
Alot of the companies are going to per mile, another way to screw the truck.
and when u lease u almost have to, alot r using forced dispatch.
be very careful of brokers and who u load for.Some of them are only still in it to suck the last bit of blood they can.
u might not get paid, and try to find them if u dont.
Trucking as life in America as we knew it , is know more.
But unless you are rich and can snap your fingers and the world bows to you.
You fight like we are doing, because it is all we have.

Good Answer and Well Said Young Lady.........

 

[Robert929]

I've read a lot about the pitfalls of truck driving on this forum, the parts of the job that drive people away.

So what's good about it? What makes drivers want to stay?

I'm not asking this facetiously. Experienced drivers, please tell me what it is about the job that you like.

You asked what's good about trucking and all that I've seen is others opinions about what's not. With that being said, for all of the things others can attribute to what's wrong with trucking as a whole, shouldn't speak for the whole industry. When people (drivers) choose to be manipulated by these companies and sign on to work for pennies, why would you expect to be treated like anything less than what they view you as???(a slave)!! For some reason most of us Americans seem to cling to some entitlement here, like someone owes us something. That may be true for some individuals who may read this and get offended, that was not my purpose. For those who rightfully feel as if they are owed something, how are YOU going about getting what's yours??? What are you willing to sacrifice to get what's yours?? I'm just a company driver who still has aspirations of owning his own equipment someday. Why, not because I'm entitled, but because of who I am. I chose not to whine, not to complain, but to try to better myself by trying to find a way to make all that is wrong with this industry work for me. It can't be all bad, too many O/O's and drivers are making it work. Granted there are trucks being parked everyday and fuel is steady on the rise, but to call for a strike, or a boycott? 1. Has that ever worked? 2. What, if anything is hoped to be achieved by that? 3. Are we not part of the same consumer pool that would feel the brunt of empty shelves at Wal-Mart, or the grocery store etc. I'm just asking. My final question and this is a pretty good one, I think. 4. Who is going to go to the negotiation table on OUR behalf? OOIDA, are you frickin' kidding me. Aren't they the ones fighting for YOUR/OUR rights right now. Who nominated them, and when was the vote? What were our choices of nominees, and what qualified them to speak on our behalf, again I'm just asking. I haul heavy equipment, and I'm making more money than I ever did!!!! In 1993 when I pulled my first big trailer, fuel was .99 cents a gallon. I worked off of comission (%) pay @ about $40,000 per year. I don't mind saying that with my experience I'm salaried at slightly over 6 figures, with benefits, at a financially stable company. That's the good, the bad and the ugly of it for me. Yes things could be a whole lot better, but if we give up and don't fight, and keep waiting for someone else to fix our problems, the illegal immigrants will have completely taken over. That's a whole different subject though. After proof reading this I feel that I need to clarify some of my statements by saying that in no way was this an oppurtunity for me to take a shot at OOIDA. I'm sure that it's members actually believe that they are doing SOMETHING for them........Peace. If I didn't stick to the subject on the thread I'm sorry, but it felt so goood to vent.......Late.:blah:

 

[lunachic]

You asked what's good about trucking and all that I've seen is others opinions about what's not. With that being said, for all of the things others can attribute to what's wrong with trucking as a whole, shouldn't speak for the whole industry. When people (drivers) choose to be manipulated by these companies and sign on to work for pennies, why would you expect to be treated like anything less than what they view you as???(a slave)!! For some reason most of us Americans seem to cling to some entitlement here, like someone owes us something. That may be true for some individuals who may read this and get offended, that was not my purpose. For those who rightfully feel as if they are owed something, how are YOU going about getting what's yours??? What are you willing to sacrifice to get what's yours?? I'm just a company driver who still has aspirations of owning his own equipment someday. Why, not because I'm entitled, but because of who I am. I chose not to whine, not to complain, but to try to better myself by trying to find a way to make all that is wrong with this industry work for me. It can't be all bad, too many O/O's and drivers are making it work. Granted there are trucks being parked everyday and fuel is steady on the rise, but to call for a strike, or a boycott? 1. Has that ever worked? 2. What, if anything is hoped to be achieved by that? 3. Are we not part of the same consumer pool that would feel the brunt of empty shelves at Wal-Mart, or the grocery store etc. I'm just asking. My final question and this is a pretty good one, I think. 4. Who is going to go to the negotiation table on OUR behalf? OOIDA, are you frickin' kidding me. Aren't they the ones fighting for YOUR/OUR rights right now. Who nominated them, and when was the vote? What were our choices of nominees, and what qualified them to speak on our behalf, again I'm just asking. I haul heavy equipment, and I'm making more money than I ever did!!!! In 1993 when I pulled my first big trailer, fuel was .99 cents a gallon. I worked off of comission (%) pay @ about $40,000 per year. I don't mind saying that with my experience I'm salaried at slightly over 6 figures, with benefits, at a financially stable company. That's the good, the bad and the ugly of it for me. Yes things could be a whole lot better, but if we give up and don't fight, and keep waiting for someone else to fix our problems, the illegal immigrants will have completely taken over. That's a whole different subject though. After proof reading this I feel that I need to clarify some of my statements by saying that in no way was this an oppurtunity for me to take a shot at OOIDA. I'm sure that it's members actually believe that they are doing SOMETHING for them........Peace. If I didn't stick to the subject on the thread I'm sorry, but it felt so goood to vent.......Late.:blah:

Well lets see. when u grow up company kiss ass driver u want to own your own equipment. What's to vent about, u mix a jackass and a horse and you get a mule. It could be your company next closing doors.

 

[Robert929]

Well lets see. when u grow up company kiss ass driver u want to own your own equipment. What's to vent about, u mix a jackass and a horse and you get a mule. It could be your company next closing doors.

Your absolutely right, it could be. One of my many questions is why call me out of my name when you don't even know me? YOU probably don't even drive, just like causing hate and discontent. I get it though, seen your kind all over. Not happy with you life so you TRY to make everyone elses as bad or worse than yours. That's cool. When I grow up, what did you get that off of the latest cb jargan that your husband told you? I don't have the time, all though it would be fun, all of the name calling is un-called for. In the event the company that I'm employed with were to meet an untimely demise, I'm not gonna cry about it, and I damned sure ain't gonna come onto a chat site to boo-hoo and give haters like yourself more ammo to spread more plague over the world. You need to find GOD and grow up, as for me, I'm gonna be alright. We appreciate your concern......Peace.

 

[Cerberus]

Your absolutely right, it could be. One of my many questions is why call me out of my name when you don't even know me? YOU probably don't even drive, just like causing hate and discontent. I get it though, seen your kind all over. Not happy with you life so you TRY to make everyone elses as bad or worse than yours. That's cool. When I grow up, what did you get that off of the latest cb jargan that your husband told you? I don't have the time, all though it would be fun, all of the name calling is un-called for. In the event the company that I'm employed with were to meet an untimely demise, I'm not gonna cry about it, and I damned sure ain't gonna come onto a chat site to boo-hoo and give haters like yourself more ammo to spread more plague over the world. You need to find GOD and grow up, as for me, I'm gonna be alright. We appreciate your concern......Peace.

totally uncalled for. why you gonna run off in the mouth and attack Luna ? she made a comment from your original comment. guess you didn't like it that she didn't agree with you completly and acted like a child and attacked her. i think your the one that needs to grow up. she can fight her own battles on here but when somebody on the forum just attacks another forum member for no reason , i take it personally. chill out man.

 

[Flatbedpete]

Your absolutely right, it could be. One of my many questions is why call me out of my name when you don't even know me? YOU probably don't even drive, just like causing hate and discontent. I get it though, seen your kind all over. Not happy with you life so you TRY to make everyone elses as bad or worse than yours. That's cool. When I grow up, what did you get that off of the latest cb jargan that your husband told you? I don't have the time, all though it would be fun, all of the name calling is un-called for. In the event the company that I'm employed with were to meet an untimely demise, I'm not gonna cry about it, and I damned sure ain't gonna come onto a chat site to boo-hoo and give haters like yourself more ammo to spread more plague over the world. You need to find GOD and grow up, as for me, I'm gonna be alright. We appreciate your concern......Peace.

I have a question. If I am correct you were offering a job for someone to be tiller on a SL. My question is this, I have a load sitting now, I would like to know what you would charge me to move a 18000 series Manitowoc from the port of Indiana to Spokane WA. Give me a per mile rate, everything included. Since you are in the SL business, you should have everything needed. If you have a good price, I can sub contract you to move it. Now in the past I have passed on moving windmills, Military equipment, and some just plain old big and heavy things because the rate will not increase to cover the increase of fuel. But then again I don't have little 400 hp trucks getting 12 MPG like some claim. I have nasty 900 hp tucks that get about 2 to 3 mpg. We have pulled 276,000 pounds also through the mountains. Don't even go there that this can't be done. Its called money. You have no clue as to how much it cost in permits, insurance, escort vehicles, and peoples wages to get this done. I agree today we live off of supply and demand. The demand for fuel is high so we pay the price if we want to go on. But when the demand is not enough to cover the demand of cost things will slow down until it becomes an emergency, and then is when the price goes even higher. So back to my question. What would you need to do this load. How cheap can you do it for.

 

[Cerberus]

dude you have pulled 276,000 lbs ? holy shit. i am impressed. i bet you just cringe when you see a hill with that kind of weight much less a mountain. that is awesome dude.

 

[Flatbedpete]

dude you have pulled 276,000 lbs ? holy shit. i am impressed. i bet you just cringe when you see a hill with that kind of weight much less a mountain. that is awesome dude.

With 900 ponies, 15 direct and in 11th I can still hold 30 to 35 up a 6% grade. Now what is sad my little pete with 48,000 on the sled will do about 19 to 21 up the same hill with only 425 and a ten direct in 6th. The little one makes me more nervous, just not enough

 

[Flatbedpete]

The problem is not getting up the hill. The problem is getting back down, so when you are at the top, you start looking for lower gears, apply the jake, and start stabbing the brakes as you come down to just hold a safe speed and not overheat the brakes. In the one spot in NV I am climbing at about 20 mph and when coming down the other end coasting I have hit 95. Good thing there is not allot of action on 80 at that point. The wife went with me one time and you can still see the claw marks in the dash.

 

[Robert929]

totally uncalled for. why you gonna run off in the mouth and attack Luna ? she made a comment from your original comment. guess you didn't like it that she didn't agree with you completly and acted like a child and attacked her. i think your the one that needs to grow up. she can fight her own battles on here but when somebody on the forum just attacks another forum member for no reason , i take it personally. chill out man.

I ran off at the mouth??? WTF? Look all I can do is pray for haters, 'cause y'all's mind got control of your hearts and your hearts should have control of your minds think about it. I didn't mean to come off and hurt noone's feelings, but if you're gonna disagree with me, at least have the decency not to call names. If you do, at least have the fortitude to be called on it. I don't care if anyone agrees with me, and that's for real.... All of you internet thugs, don't right click on the trigger, I mean put the mouse pad away!!! If that line went over your head, then press rewind........Ooops, did I do that??
Get off the gas, it's too expensive!!!!....Late.

 

[Robert929]

I have a question. If I am correct you were offering a job for someone to be tiller on a SL. My question is this, I have a load sitting now, I would like to know what you would charge me to move a 18000 series Manitowoc from the port of Indiana to Spokane WA. Give me a per mile rate, everything included. Since you are in the SL business, you should have everything needed. If you have a good price, I can sub contract you to move it. Now in the past I have passed on moving windmills, Military equipment, and some just plain old big and heavy things because the rate will not increase to cover the increase of fuel. But then again I don't have little 400 hp trucks getting 12 MPG like some claim. I have nasty 900 hp tucks that get about 2 to 3 mpg. We have pulled 276,000 pounds also through the mountains. Don't even go there that this can't be done. Its called money. You have no clue as to how much it cost in permits, insurance, escort vehicles, and peoples wages to get this done. I agree today we live off of supply and demand. The demand for fuel is high so we pay the price if we want to go on. But when the demand is not enough to cover the demand of cost things will slow down until it becomes an emergency, and then is when the price goes even higher. So back to my question. What would you need to do this load. How cheap can you do it for.

First of all, I wouldn't quote a load "all inclusive", that's a suckers move! I'm sure you know that, that's prolly why your load is still sitting,'cause you want something for nothing!!!! Manitowoc 18000 series, I'm not that versed on that model, no lie, but I will tell you this the price you want to pay, will prolly cost you that to get my 13's out of Texas!! Right now I'm moving Holland dollie loads and even if I wasn't, look at where the load is going. If you actually have the load your talking about, and it's not some agent friend of yours or your dad's load or something like that why don't you pull it???? I mean your bragging about your 276,000 pound loads or whatever you said, dude, the Nelson 19 I pull is 200,000 empty, with one truck. Now that's no weight and I'm not here to play who can match resume's, but if I were running my own business, you would turn my bid down immediately!! I didn't research what a Man 18000 series was and how many trucks it would take to move it, but I do know that there would be a hell of a premium, just because of where it was going. Good luck in moving it, if you really have it, but I suspect that there are plenty of cut-rate haulers right there in the state of Indiana. You prolly work for one of 'em, not a shot 'cause every company cuts rates, that's the reality that noone brags about, but nevertheless, it's reality. Try the best of Indiana, D&G, out of Valpariaso, In. If they can't do it noone can..........Agent for Bennett Motor Transport.......lmao.....reallly though! Why would I go to Washington? That's a dead freight area, your so well versed in freight rates and so frickin' smart, what would YOU haul it for, Mr. 276,000.....Oh btw, was that payload or gross, 'cause that really ain't heavy, kinda routine down here. Transformer moves for Centerpoint Energy here in Houston, direct discharge......397,000 and that was the lightest of three......That was last month, not tryin' to resume drop, but I'm a salaried employee, and we don't have to go to Washington or Indiana to make a living. Not trying to start no drama, just tellin' you like it is.........Wrong guy, just so you know, and yes, I'll be that whatever y'all refer to me as company driver.......Careful who you call out, you may end up the exact thing you speak out against............Peace...Move your freight, if you got it.......Btw, I'm still offering a job for a tilllerman....32-36,000 per year. Motels paid, insurance paid for tillerman, vehicle provided, motels provided, all the tiller has to pay is for his food, and do his job. If the person doesn't live in the Houston, Tx area he will have to be able to transport himself to and from the office.... Anyone else out there offering that, and posting it????

 

[Robert929]

I have a question. If I am correct you were offering a job for someone to be tiller on a SL. My question is this, I have a load sitting now, I would like to know what you would charge me to move a 18000 series Manitowoc from the port of Indiana to Spokane WA. Give me a per mile rate, everything included. Since you are in the SL business, you should have everything needed. If you have a good price, I can sub contract you to move it. Now in the past I have passed on moving windmills, Military equipment, and some just plain old big and heavy things because the rate will not increase to cover the increase of fuel. But then again I don't have little 400 hp trucks getting 12 MPG like some claim. I have nasty 900 hp tucks that get about 2 to 3 mpg. We have pulled 276,000 pounds also through the mountains. Don't even go there that this can't be done. Its called money. You have no clue as to how much it cost in permits, insurance, escort vehicles, and peoples wages to get this done. I agree today we live off of supply and demand. The demand for fuel is high so we pay the price if we want to go on. But when the demand is not enough to cover the demand of cost things will slow down until it becomes an emergency, and then is when the price goes even higher. So back to my question. What would you need to do this load. How cheap can you do it for.

What MOUNTAINS would I encounter between The Port of Indiana and Spokane, Wa.?? Let me see, Pipestone in Montana, you call that a Mountain, really? We can talk specs on trucks all day long, doesn't get the job done, I wouldn't brag about 276,000lbs loads, 'cause that's really routine, I mean our dual lane goldhofer weighs 220,000lbs empty, and that's just 20 lines!!!! We have more. When I grow up I want to be just, no exactly, like you. Too smart to keep his pistola in his holsta.......Peace and have a

 

[Robert929]

I have a question. If I am correct you were offering a job for someone to be tiller on a SL. My question is this, I have a load sitting now, I would like to know what you would charge me to move a 18000 series Manitowoc from the port of Indiana to Spokane WA. Give me a per mile rate, everything included. Since you are in the SL business, you should have everything needed. If you have a good price, I can sub contract you to move it. Now in the past I have passed on moving windmills, Military equipment, and some just plain old big and heavy things because the rate will not increase to cover the increase of fuel. But then again I don't have little 400 hp trucks getting 12 MPG like some claim. I have nasty 900 hp tucks that get about 2 to 3 mpg. We have pulled 276,000 pounds also through the mountains. Don't even go there that this can't be done. Its called money. You have no clue as to how much it cost in permits, insurance, escort vehicles, and peoples wages to get this done. I agree today we live off of supply and demand. The demand for fuel is high so we pay the price if we want to go on. But when the demand is not enough to cover the demand of cost things will slow down until it becomes an emergency, and then is when the price goes even higher. So back to my question. What would you need to do this load. How cheap can you do it for.

What MOUNTAINS would I encounter between The Port of Indiana and Spokane, Wa.?? Let me see, Pipestone in Montana, you call that a Mountain, really? We can talk specs on trucks all day long, doesn't get the job done, I wouldn't brag about 276,000lbs loads, 'cause that's really routine, I mean our dual lane goldhofer weighs 220,000lbs empty, and that's just 20 lines!!!! We have more. When I grow up I want to be just, no exactly, like you. Too smart to keep his pistola in his holsta.......Peace and have a blessed day big boy...

 

[Flatbedpete]

What MOUNTAINS would I encounter between The Port of Indiana and Spokane, Wa.?? Let me see, Pipestone in Montana, you call that a Mountain, really? We can talk specs on trucks all day long, doesn't get the job done, I wouldn't brag about 276,000lbs loads, 'cause that's really routine, I mean our dual lane goldhofer weighs 220,000lbs empty, and that's just 20 lines!!!! We have more. When I grow up I want to be just, no exactly, like you. Too smart to keep his pistola in his holsta.......Peace and have a blessed day big boy...

Well you seem to have all the right stuff, whats the price? that is all I need to know, oh I forgot, will also need to see what you are insured for on cargo and general liability or what your licensed and bonded to do if your price is right.

 

[Flatbedpete]

Also forgot if you are the owner or just an employee of Barnhart you should be able to give a reasonable quote

 

[Robert929]

Well you seem to have all the right stuff, whats the price? that is all I need to know, oh I forgot, will also need to see what you are insured for on cargo and general liability or what your licensed and bonded to do if your price is right.

As I have stated on other posts and threads for that matter, I'm a company driver, so I don't have the insurance you require, nor am I bonded. But I suspect that if your on this site trying to find someone to move "YOUR" freight(hahahaha...rlmao) maybe we need to see your Boc 3 and all of your papers. I've reached out to you once, Mr. 276,000, I won't be so civil from now on!!!!! BTW, what Heavy Haul freight is there in Illinois???? Caterpillar, are you serious, Komatsu, are you for real? Yellow Iron? Well I guess someone has to haul it....WOW. I'm really tryin' to leave it alone, help me out with this matter.

 

[Robert929]

Also forgot if you are the owner or just an employee of Barnhart you should be able to give a reasonable quote

Guy, I don't, nor have I ever, nor will I ever work for Barnhart. They wouldn't pay what I require to do my job. Just so you know.....Peace.

 

[Flatbedpete]

Guy, I don't, nor have I ever, nor will I ever work for Barnhart. They wouldn't pay what I require to do my job. Just so you know.....Peace.

Well it is late, and I need my beauty rest and in my case I had better pray for a coma. Have a good night