Originally Posted by JimF

Soon to be a ex ex-trucker. Waiting for a 'come on down' call from 2 companies. Left OTR to go back to the Post Office when the wife was diagnosed (incorrectly) with cancer. Stayed there for a few years, then we re-located a few times. Now we're settled, she has a stable job, so I'm off.

As for working for freebie, it ain't just truckers. Ask my wife. Last job, as a assist. manager, was a 50+ hour week for a salary based on 40 hrs. And there are millions of white collar workers who do it, just to keep their jobs.

As for trucking, if I drive 600 miles in a day at .35cpm, then divide that $210. gross by 14 hours total, that's still $15.00 per hour. There aren't a lot of non union jobs out there that pay that. Add in any additional (fuel bonus, safety bonus, layover, detention, tarping etc... that a particular company may offer) and the total goes up.

Slaves had no choice, and didn't get paid. You do. So if you see it as slavery, get out and find your dream job. No one is holding a gun to your head.

Originally Posted by bobobrazil

Exactly why truckers continue to do things for nothing. Probably the lure of driving that big Pete of yours...makes you feel like more of a man. Of course, that ego boost you feel while driving your big Pete doesn't put any money in your pocket now does it? How many hours did you donate this week?

Originally Posted by bobobrazil

There is a reason to post the negative side of trucking. And that is turnover! Yes turnover. So many people get into this business thinking...oh great I am going to see the country and get paid to do it. If it was so great why does this job have a turnover rate as much as 150%? I understand that a newby doesn't want to hear the negatives, but you need to know what you are getting into here. The life of an OTR driver is tough...and certainly not for the faint of heart. Boo Hoo? There's no Boo Hoo on my part...only reality my freind. If you want to bury your head in the sand go right ahead...and you will be one of the 150% turnover, or maybe you won't make it past your probationary period and you will have wasted time and money on a fantasy that does'nt exist. This job is tough, you will be frustrated, you will be living in a walkin closet without all of the comforts of home.
And as far as tying down a flatbed load...please! Of course All loads have to be secured. I don't need to say anymore about that. My thing is about not getting paid for work performed. Man, what is wrong with that. If we don't start to stand up for ourselves it will get worse. Freight rates have gone up significantly over the past 2 years...oh, your company won't tell you that, but driver pay hasn't. Stop working for free!

Originally Posted by JimF

Soon to be a ex ex-trucker. Waiting for a 'come on down' call from 2 companies. Left OTR to go back to the Post Office when the wife was diagnosed (incorrectly) with cancer. Stayed there for a few years, then we re-located a few times. Now we're settled, she has a stable job, so I'm off.

As for working for freebie, it ain't just truckers. Ask my wife. Last job, as a assist. manager, was a 50+ hour week for a salary based on 40 hrs. And there are millions of white collar workers who do it, just to keep their jobs.

As for trucking, if I drive 600 miles in a day at .35cpm, then divide that $210. gross by 14 hours total, that's still $15.00 per hour. There aren't a lot of non union jobs out there that pay that. Add in any additional (fuel bonus, safety bonus, layover, detention, tarping etc... that a particular company may offer) and the total goes up.

Slaves had no choice, and didn't get paid. You do. So if you see it as slavery, get out and find your dream job. No one is holding a gun to your head.

Originally Posted by BigDaddyJollyRob

I found that most class B jobs pay $15 hr. I was making $15 hr doing landscaping and turned down some jobs because it paid $15 hr or lower. ...

Originally Posted by MACK E-6

It's part of the job therefore you think of it as figured into the payscale. any driver worth his salt knows that you don't sit around and think about what you are and are not getting paid for, because you'll drive yourself crazy.

Originally Posted by JimF

Perhaps up north, but down here, I've found most class B driving jobs pay on average about $12.00 hr. As for your decision, no one but you can tell whether you made a mistake or not.

If you are wanting to drive OTR, don't wait too long to find a company to take you on. The job you are doing most likely won't count as experience, and if you are out of school too long, that won't count, either.

Just a thought.

Originally Posted by MACK E-6

"No, I am NOT going to put fuel in the truck because I won't be paid extra for it. Besides, that's a job for the fuel putter-inner's union"

Originally Posted by Strngs012

lol! thats funny, I had to use that for my signature.