Geez O

Never thought to write page after page to explain matters. I been around the roads of Ameriky for a long time. Was a road train driver across the Nothern Territory of Australia and drove all over Europe as well as finishing off my laughably named career with the USA trucking companies. Driving in America was once a great game to be in, but not anymore. Mainly because of all the #### truck drivers out there who think that they can drive and are the main danger to everyone on wheels period. U know who u are.

Other posters write planners dont give a dam, and they are right too boot. I was relegated to punishment because of the refusal to do the #### load because I had just come off pulling off a miracle JIT load of 2000 miles. I needed a wee rest you know. Some droness in some part of the terminal god knows where whome I have never met slings me this hot tid bit of a load I am utterlly desperate to do!!

I reply hey I am a OTR driver not local, back me up with something else, then the PP is removed and I am told on the ol computer in the cab that I will be sitting and my PTA was set until midnight tonight 5-22-09 Great! Of course I reset the dam thing myself and some other planner gave me a nice ride out of town all the way back to the west coast one run 3000 plus miles. I guess she never figured out I could aktually reset my own PTA and that cos she said so I was doomed to purgatory.

I put on the qual I am quitting and thats that. This mornng I receive the I am sorry phone call from said woman and told she didnt understand blah blah and also been offered a nice shiney new truck. Guess they want me to stay.

See I am good at this driving lark, not the best, but good. Probably because I was never mentored by SWIFT or any other core carrier thank god and I run mostlly fire hot loads, but I am dam sure some woman who is either a meglomaniac or suffering severe PMT is not going to decide where and what I do or how much I make because I screw up her carefully planned mess.

I have done favors, and have been given some serious stuff to contend with, nice favor bud, wont do any again for you.

Sena

You know, I used to think the same thing, help them out and they'll help you out. Ha!!! Got a call one night, was told that we had let a load slip thru the cracks and would you please help us out. Did a piddly little 100 mile run for them. My reward? Got to sit for 48 hrs and then got a 450 miles run. Some reward, huh. BTW, don't work for Swift but somebody almost as bad.

Would have loved to have been "well mentored". Unfortunately, am having to learn as I go along. Thank goodness for long time truckers who are willing and even delighted with passing their knowledge along.

Hey Panhandle

There is no magic pill for the learning of this game just age and experience. I got lots of both but it dont mean I know everything.

Like everyone I was not born with a wheel in my hands, despite the #### other drivers will tell you. I had to learn, like you are doing, as I went along. Today the game is different more of a scam at the drivers expense. Get a few years in, say three then go to Walmart and drive for them or join the teamsters, and have a good union at your back.

Some of the office staff with core carriers started as drivers with them, those folks actually do give a dam, well the ones I know do.

Being well trained does not = good driver. You become a good driver by re-training yourself after you get out there solo.

Sena

When I was with Swift, most planners would ask you to do a favor, and on top of that along with the asking came the reward trip, no waiting, no wondering, the deal was struck on the spot. But times have changed with them, and many others, the planners just send trips, and probably a whole bunch of favoritism is involved.

Remember, EVERYDAY, the intelligent driver learns something he/she didn't know, or found something they just didn't think about. The day you don't learn something...maybe you shouldn't be out there any more. So find something everyday to improve yourself, your skills, or your perspective.

Good Luck...Stay safe.

__________________



I'm a Born Again American, conceived in Liberty
My Bible and the Bill of Rights, my creed's equality
I'm a Born Again American, my country 'tis of me
And everyone who shares the dream
From sea to shining sea.
lyrics; Keith Carradine thank you

That sounds like werner right there.

I am looking into small fleets thats based near me in upstate SC. Swift has cut my pay down to .40 a mile from .41 they have cut my truck down to 62 from 65 they have stopped contributing to my 401K, they have stopped reimbursing me for my showers, they will not allow any truck washes period.

I have got the message loud and clear. They say that freight is down and thats why miles are off, but I see they are still hiring drivers that they dont have freight for. I guess 20 years as an accident free driver with exemplary on time deliveries is not appreciated anymore.

If someone has a line on a good outfit near upstate SC, that would like an experienced hand that can get it done let me know. Top notch equipment and pay is a must, no reefers.

I don't understand why the drivers stay there, apu or pay for the idle aire. Still plenty of company jobs out there from what i see, even with this so-called bad economy.

Crete only put APU's on the 2007 models that had low mileage, the new trucks have a bunk heater.

That would probably be a good thing, I haven't met an unhappy Container Division driver at Knight yet.

Most of these companies do not care about engine wear and tear , they trade them in every three or four years on a garunteed buy back contract, if they cared about engine wear, they would service the trucks more then every 25,000 miles, that's also (along with low sulfer fuel) the reason why engines need to get rebuilt every 400,000 miles instead of close to a million miles like the older trucks or o/o rigs