bad pay companies

Trucking has always been good to me. Everyone talks of the "old" times. Well when those times were in the present there were people talking about the old times and how great or bad they were and how kids today have no idea. I used to ride with my dad who was a trucker in the late 80 's and we use to talk about this. Back then was pretty much the same as now except a lot more c.b chatter, still the same vulgar language though, more pay phones and no Q.C. When a truck broke down there weren't 20 drivers pulling over to help him like people would have you believe. There were 400 pounders waddling around, and guys sitting by pay phones waiting on a load. There were crappy trucks, shirtless drivers and trucker bombs a plenty.

Newbies still couldn't back, truck stops were crowded, and wouldn't you know it drivers were still complaining. Now there were these things called "cabovers" and they were kinda cool looking.

Point is its trucking, there have been crappy trucking jobs probably since the beginning. How far back you want to go, ox and cart? What is the most common advice given on here? "Do your year and things get a lot better". What other industry can let you advance that far in such a short time? By my second year I made 50k. Now I am over 80. This industry will always chew people up because it's living on the road, stress and deadlines. No matter how great a company is they can't change that.
The industry isn't broken, or at least no more than it has ever been. Trucking is all I know, all I want to do and hopefully all I'll ever do. I love this job!

So my advice to rookies is give it a shot, you might like it.

 

Nicely put ethos,
I agree with you, the new drivers should focus on their training and get the most out of all of it. the Income will come. I strongly believe these large companies take advantage of their recruites. It is what it is, and your advice is good..... get it done !

 

I can't seem to find (or have access yet) to the "thanks for post" button, but definitely a great one, Ethos.

I was originally very excited to enter the world of Truck driving, but then started to get very worried when the very schools and companies I was ready to begin with were said to have manipulative hiring, training and working practices and low pay.

I'm still moving forward, but more cautiously and hoping to find a good school and training carrier that isn't looking to throw me under the.... truck, and just put in the two years and move on.

I have a lot of patience, a very hard work ethic, and no family, mortgage or life making me need home time constantly so I figure I'm well suited to the career, in general. I'm just hoping to find a company that won't keep me sitting without pay or a load, will give me respect as a driver and individual, and will pay decently and accurately. It's sounding as if it's a dream job among many available nightmares, but I'm hoping to navigate it. Thanks for this site and thread!

 

There is no reason you have to put in two years before you change companies. If you get hired on with a company you don't like start applying to better companies. There are a ton of non mega and non bottom feeder companies that will hire new drivers. They require work to find them. Granted the area you live in plays a huge role in finding those jobs. I've said it before on this forum many times and I'll say it again. Those who resign to the fact that they have to sign on with a bottom feeder company to get their foot in the door are too lazy to pound pavement and find a good job. Best of luck to you!

 

Throw the respect thing out the window. I'm telling you, once you have that CDL in your hand, you're not a real person anymore. The government controls your lifestyle and how/when you sleep. Your company controls your comfort and schedule. People/Shippers treat you like dirt. And you live in a urine stench filled parking lot. I've never once felt respected so far, lol.

 

Amen brother. Even your first year, working for under 30 CPM is inexcusable and people who do are just ruining pay for the rest of us.

 

How about Stevens transport

 

what is the amount we spend on the road, (working) , 1 full week , 7 days . food, drinks , smokes , snacks, showers, and coffee. do not include phone and your other insturment applications.
On the average I spend 200.00 to 275 .00 , I can spend less although Ilike too treatmyself too a decent meal everyother day. I do under 100.00 for 7 days when I have too. I can go 2 days spending very little but then that 3rd day comes and I find the time and urge to have a good meal or 2 .
another words imagine your making just over 600.00 for the 7 days.... now subtract your road cost... monthly payments for phone and other nessessitys and now your responsibilities at home . hmmm.

 

what is your road budgets ?

 

You would buy lunch everyday if you worked a normal job by your standards, nice meal every other day. You would have a phone still so what's the difference?