Truck Driving Job Hoppers – by a job hopper

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by led-foot, Aug 27, 2009.

  1. led-foot

    led-foot Bobtail Member

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    Aug 26, 2009
    Slatington, PA
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    :biggrin_25510:You might be one of those people that just cant seem to understand why drivers move from job to job, but if you indeed are a truck driver with more then 5 years under your belt I think you will understand the reasons why.

    :biggrin_2552:To start with I have been driving a truck since Jan of 1995. Ya I know big FD but to get back to the point, up until the price of fuel went up and companies started folding up by the hundreds every week, I could get a driving job anywhere I wanted, it did not matter how many jobs I had they would hire me, after all they where all crying fro me to come work for them. But recently I have found this is no longer true, this is due to the lack of freight, companies, piss poor economy and many other reasons.

    :biggrin_2553:Some of you will call me a crybaby and you are entitled to your opinion, but it is my opinion that the trucking companies made me the way I am. I can only hope I can change that hopping attitude. Because I don’t know at this point how many companies will actually hire me anymore, not because of my MVR or DAC but because I am a hopper.

    :biggrin_25513:I have come to a point where I am now unemployed because of this. So I plead with you don’t let this happen to you. Stick with one job for at least a year before moving on, or end up like me, unemployed and broke.
     
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  3. chief

    chief Heavy Load Member

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    Jul 15, 2007
    Flavor Country, NC
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    I can understand job hopping - if you're someone who doesn't do any research of the company you're thinking about working for. or if you ignore all the red flags. or if you actually believe all the BS in the ad, or the BS the recruiter tells you. but if you've driven a truck for more than 2 or 3 years, you know what to look for, you can spot the BS and you recognize red flag issues. if you still pursue the job after ignoring all this stuff, shame on YOU, NOT the company.
     
  4. V8-MACK

    V8-MACK Light Load Member

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    Aug 18, 2009
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    In the last 2.5 years I,ve been hoppen around to, but I went to co.s for reasons besides just a job. One co. told me after 30 days I could be a trainer, 55 per day my miles and the students miles sounds good right. Well in orientation I was told no it,s 6 months plus 30 days, my instincts tell me walk out,but I stay for a bit. You have to talk to companys about the reason you quit, and make it sound logical, co.s know there,s bad ones out there. It helps to have hazmat,tanker,passport,and twic card,then your the man and choose who you want to be with and look 2 or 4 years down the road.
     
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  5. led-foot

    led-foot Bobtail Member

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    Aug 26, 2009
    Slatington, PA
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    Well I think I will take the advice that another driver gave me on this board earlier this week and just stick to the next company that hires me for as least a year no matter how much BS they pass my way. I just hop I don’t get stuck in one of those 62-65 mph trucks and get paid for everything I do.

    _________________________________

    Trucks Rock
    If it weren’t for trucks you would be living in a cave beating animals with a stick to eat
     
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  6. jakebrake12

    jakebrake12 Road Train Member

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    Chances are if you do find a job where you really get paid for all work performed it will be in a 62-65 MPH truck. There are exceptions but not many. Forget the trucks.

    Gas Hauler had a great point about looking for a company to stick with on another thread - look for a company drivers retire from.
     
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  7. 1nonly

    1nonly tease-y-ness

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    The burning sands of the SW
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    I job hopped early on in my career. I did it because I was trying different things. There's many ways to drive (local, regional, OTR) and many kinds of freight to haul. I did some experimentation before settling into what I want, which ironically is what most drivers start with- OTR with a dry van.
     
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  8. RangerBIll

    RangerBIll Bobtail Member

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    Aug 30, 2009
    Montrose, CO
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    Did each of those jobs teach you any new skills. If they did, then your hopping was building your resume and making you a better driver. If not, you were wasting your time.
     
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  9. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    Mississippi
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    That's exactly the problem. I'm guilty too. We jump on jobs thinking we have to have one immediately. When we would have been better off waiting for more information. And allowing that information to soak in for a week or so.
     
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  10. doubledragon5

    doubledragon5 Road Train Member

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    Lewisville TX
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    When I started back in 05 I went first to Werner (2 weeks) then US Express (1 month) left because they could not get me a trainer. (Swift 8 months) left because JB said more money more miles. JB 1 month 3000 miles in that month. Went back to Swift to finish off my yr. Then went local in March of 07 and still with same company.. This company for the most part has been good to me. They have trimmed the fleet literally went from 50 bulk tanker drivers to 28. Not sure who many of the rock/sand fleet were trimmed.. This company is basically go down hill, we notice this each week with less work, and them not wanting to spend the money of fixing their trucks.. If it is not a safety issue they let it go.. Luckily for me my truck is 3yrs old and in good shape.. I plan on staying here until either I get fired, die, retire, or find something better when the economy comes back..
     
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  11. RangerBIll

    RangerBIll Bobtail Member

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    Aug 30, 2009
    Montrose, CO
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    For anyone who'd judge a person by the number of jobs on the history-Have you ever worked for a company that went bankrupt underneath you and left owing you wages?
    Have you ever had one downsize you out a job? Or one that made promises it never intended to keep? Or experienced how an economy can wreck a trucking company?
     
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