This guy is a glowing example of what this thread is about.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tru...lake-city.html

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Brickman, read your link, really have no problem with someone following their dream, I sincerely hope that person gets some guidance or help selecting the right place so it does`nt become a nite mare

Sassy, If all the newbies did go other places other than the meat in the seat, people prcessing plants, they, the companies "may" have to clean up their house to attract newby drivers. Do you think that might work.

No good lucks from here, just hope you don`t get burned to badly jumping into the fire. BE Safe

Drifter1948,

Why? I wish I knew the answer. There is however, good money to be made and a lifestyle that will let you do most everything you want. It all depends on finding the right company for yourself. I have posted a lot on here reguarding OTR vs local so I will not go into it again. I just don't see how these folks find the majority of these companies acceptable? Yet these same companies have ads for hiring in every newspaper and truckstop wrag. Why do they have to advertise so much? I wonder if it is because their business is growing tremendously or do they have a huge turnover because of the way they pay/treat their drivers? I'm betting on the latter.

Drive safe

Alot of newbies to the industry have never even sat inside a truck let alone know which company treats their drivers better or worse.

It is great that we have forums such as this 1 which permits us all to compare and contrast the companies we have had dealings with. Unfortunately there is still a huge segment of the public that does not know about sites such as this 1 and still many more that do not have a computer nor internet access.

The influences the newbies have are traditionally from their teachers and mentors at the driving school they attended which are usually supported by these companies that have the "less than stellar reputations" we see.

The good thing for many of these guys that go to the larger companies (after completing trucking school) is they are climbing out of poverty and have a profound sense of gratitude to the company that gave them that chance. This may be a big reason why you have drivers staying at Swift and Werner and JB Hunt for 10 years or more.

Those drivers are the ones that do well year after year and are held up as examples to the new recruits. With hard work and perseverence a driver can make a decent income at any of these companies.

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Knowledge is Power

Well your showing 38 years in this Industy, I dont know how youve never seen this in the mix when it comes to trucking.. I see your from Canada and that as well may be your answer..As long as I can remember, trucking companys unless you was with a linehaul op. like Roadway,Yellow, etc..Youd have a high chance of getting screwed over with truck load common carriers..Why I have no real Idea. But in the late 70s after the last real O/O strike this nation has ever known..Its been a way of life..O/Os had alot of power when it came to their #s..Now they are a Dying breed..theres very few real O/Os out there anymore compared to company trucks.Lease drivers dont count..Their company drivers with all the O/Os expence..And companys have to much power over them..Real O/O answered to no one, accept the law and legal issues pertaining the industry.. And No company had control in any way over them..With companys gaining the power they did with the decreseing #s in O/O.. It I believe made it easy for them to bully just an ole every day driver around..And throughout the years it gotten better in some aspects, and yet alot worce in others..ex.DAC one of the biggest crocks that a company can destroy you by if you let them..Well Im sure theres other points that others might add but I believe this is where alot of it started..

I don't have his years, I started in '85. But, I went through the strike with family members. It wasn't pretty.

When I started, I started with a friend who owned 5 trucks. He treated me good, gave me my start. I left him for a larger company job. Got treated even better there, picked my runs, ran when I wanted to, and came home when I wanted to.

The turn as I see it, came in the early 90's as other carriers started to model themselves after JB to survive. JB was living proof that you could screw anybody over, and fill the seat with 2 drivers within 48 hours.

Trucking will NEVER be the same as it was in the 70's and 80's.

We were required to get 7 mpg, or hit the door. We got it every week. So much for high tech engines of today.

The loads paid $1.25 a mile, fuel was .68 a gallon. And everyone was complaining about cheap freight.

Now, they want the freight pulled for $1.00 a mile, and the fuel is over $3.00.

Seems to be the perfect model of bankruptcy, or slave labor. You choose.

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

With the OTR accidents out there, is it 9 times out of 10,newer drivers that are (responsible or involved in the wrecks) in the last several years , vs., the long time drivers of years ago?
If that is the case, who is behind the Dumbest Friggn Idea for this action?
I am SURE the INSURANCE is going thru the roof, compared to years back.

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"LilTruck"

Actually, you are wrong. I hate to admit that.

The stats show the most likely driver to be involved in an accident has 4-5 years experience.

They say the reason for this, it is about the time a driver gets TOO comfortable with his abilities, and lets his/her guard down or gets to confident in his abilities in adverse road conditions.

Although I have the experience, I've never been able to drive 65 on ice like I see some drivers try. Key word being try.

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

Yea I was too young to be anywhere involved in that strike..My Dad was, and had 5 trucks as well..I remember some really graphic pictures of what could happen to a driver that ran during a strike.. Falling non other short of people being killed.. It was real back then and today between dergulation and the loss of true Independents, things I believe will never be the same.. I hit it legally in 87. I know I started at the end of an error in trucking. Like you said, the early 90s brought alot of changes including CDL. I remember them saying CDL is going to be a great thing, but drivers werent really sold on it.. It brought one thing I know..And one thing only.. No more 6 state lic.. when one was bad from tickets youd send it to the issueng state..And some might think why would you put yourself in that position..Because companys would force alot on drivers back then, far worce then, than now...You needed a way to always keep a lic. to work. Speed limits were 55 on the interstate back then, and freight was always 3 days late..Try .175 cents per mile at 2200 miles a week..You had to run! And run alot of it..

Thanks for getting back to me.
I can see the getting to comfortable and then the poop hits the fan.

I CAN'T DRIVE , 655555555555 ( Sammy Hager)

Are you driving on lots of snow and ice daily Danc694u?

NW Montana is getting slammed with snow.

Today the farm where I work , had hay, delivered from Dillon , near the Barret's Mine where you go sometimes, and I asked for xtra bales , a couple more ton, just because of the weather.

I would hate to run out of hay like you would hate to run out of fuel.

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"LilTruck"