NO!

The quality of life I have given up the last 5 yrs is not worth it.

The bad thing is I was the owner of a successful lawn care business and gave that up and sold it. Not realizing that the time I had put in so far building the business was just laying a solid footing. Two or three years after I sold it, it was grossing twice what it was when I sold it and grossing as much in 9 months of work as this semi does in 12 months.

I am actively going for a local job, and hope to give up OTR for good. Those of you that can put in a full career of it, 20, 30, 40 yrs of OTR.......... my hat is off to you! I cannot and do not want to do it.

__________________

It's the most money a high school dropout can make

...what part of NO don't you understand?

;^)

One of the biggest changes I have seen in the last 30 years as a professional driver is that the regulating agencies have done more to fix blame than they have to fix any problems in the industry.

Anybody remember that old song Willin', by Little Feat?

It is STILL our anthem.

AND, anybody from the 'old school' knows that the items mentioned in the words to that song have never caused any driver to hurt ANYbody.

So, what were the regulating agencies so scared of, solidarity in the trucking industry at the driver level?

Go figure.

AND, stating "That's the way it is." as some of you might, is part of the problem, NOT part of the solution.

SCB
You'r a grumpy ol cuss arn't ya!!!

First of all I will tell you that I no longer drive, I am now home with the kids while my husband drives. I would do it again, the first 4 years I spent with a local company in Corona, CA. were great! Great maintenance on the trucks, understanding boss, and the pay was good. That all changed overnight.Our boss passed away, new boss had different ideas on safety. I met my husband there, he was also a driver for the company. The last few years we worked there they treated us bad. They did not take such good care of the trucks, and wanted us to run even if it was unsafe. Because of this I went home with no work many nights because I would not drive an unsafe truck. One example, they refused to repair an exhaust leak IN THE CAB!!
My husband requested that the seat in the truck he drove be repaired, he did not refuse to drive it, we were in the middle of trying to buy a house and needed to show the income. He drove with that broken seat for several months. That landed him in about 2 1/2 years with no work! He ended up having 2 surgeries on his back. All this right after we bought our first house. We did not think he would drive again. He had to be very careful who he worked for after that, some companies would not hire him, others didnt take good enough care of their trucks. About 2 years ago we bought a truck, he will not have problems with how a truck rides, or the seat in the future. I know this is not exactly an answer to your question. Just a warning, dont ever tear yourself up for a load. In my experience if you refuse to drive it until its fixed the company tends to get the idea and keep your truck in good shape. Of course you have to be reasonable and use your own judgement as to when it is appropriate to refuse to run. Be careful, and have fun if you do go for it. I would do it again, I dont know if my husband would.

If you and your wife would rather stay local, there are many companies that will hire in your area. I can pass info for one of them if you want it.
Like everyone says there is good and bad. Make the most of it, and if you will be dealing with company mechanics, keep them happy

Does local pay as much as OTR? I know Schneider pay $695/week to start as a local driver (ad I saw a few months ago in the Press Enterprise), whereas team drivers to start, if they average 3000 miles per week, get $930 per week. Still would be interested hearing about those companies that you know of.

I have just had a couple of conversations with personnel dept. at
Robertson's Ready Mix about their bottom dump drivers. They pay $8/hr during training period and, like Schneider, if you leave you don't have to repay them. However, the won't tell what the drivers make driving their bottom dump double trailers, just that they are paid per load.

dave
Moreno Valley

Driving local can pay pretty well depending on the company. I will try to email you with some info.

__________________
FunnyFarm04

What is funny how some of these driver complain about driving, they complain about being on the road, the money, the conditions, just about everything. but you dont see them leaving the job. I started driving in 1995, and the pay for new drivers had doubled. where else can you see the country, make 50,000 ayear visit places that would require you to go on vacation to see and get paid for it. most of these drivers that complain about being on the road, dont go out and enjoy it. they sit the truck stops and watch tv or talk on the CB. I have an idea guys. get off your ### and go do something. the next time your stuck somewhere on a layover or and extended down time. go fishing, or see the sites of where you are. try this the next time your in a major city, see if a ballgame is playing or a concert. and go to it. I cant tell you how many concerts I have been to just because I got lucky and they wee playing in the town I was at. about the money, yes I make about 50000 a year. .38 a mile, I average 2500 miles a week. .38 x 2500 = $950.00 x 52 weeks 49,400. If these driver complaining are not making that, they are doing something wrong.

keep on trucking

Thanks Fireball.

Funnyfarm

I had gotten the impression that the higher pay was driving OTR in order to make up for not being home for 1-4 weeks at a time. If one drives local, one makes less money.

Driving as team drivers for Schneider gets one, if they do average 3,000 miles per week, $930 gross per week, as they pay teams 31 cents per mile to start. After six months it is 34 cents per mile. After one year, that makes $50,700 the first year driving. Again, that is if they can get each team member 3,000 per week. I did not think one could make that type of money driving local. Schnider pays local drivers to start $695 as a weekly salary. I don't know what it changes to after six months, but at $695 a week for 52 weeks, that is only $36,140 for the year.

I talked with Titan Transportation the other day. I happened to see one of their bottom dumps while I was drivng down to appraise a house in Anaheim. Sign on the back of the trailer said they train. Well, it turns out that is to train in the way they do things as they require one year experience. The dispatcher I talked with said their drivers are paid per load, and make from $800 to $1,000 per week. $800 x 52=$41,600 while $1,000 x 52=$52,000. Better, but that is after one year of experience.


dave