Instant O/O and Load boards

Yes, I have a name and a location. I do not do work for the general public anymore, just a few old loyal customers, my own truck, and ocassionally for someone in need (like Rob). My rewards is the same as it always has been, satisfaction in a job well done... it really doesn't matter whom i am.
The only thing i'll ask of Rob is to help someone else in need someday. Hopefully that help will be something other than mechanical. Sorry Rob, I couldn't resist...LOL

 

I appreciate the response and didn't mean to pry. I had just assumed that you were running a shop. If that were the case, I seriously would have brought you some business.

BTW, I completely agree with you, the best generosity is the anonymous kind. My hats off to you either way, my friend.

When Rob gets there, beat him upside the head with that grease gun. Somebody needs to knock some sense into that boy.lol

 

This might be a little off the subject but from what i've read, you guys are full of advice... BTW, I love reading of your adventures pharm...Ok, here goes... I have been reading the threads for a while now. And i would like advice from you guys. I currently work at a family owned business. We manufacture industrial equipment. Then money is good, but could be much better. I own a small % and get bonuses (sometimes). The problem is, with owning a small % i have no real voice and i see tons of things that could and should be changed. I've been here for 16 years and am just tired!!!! I have a very good friend who drives and is a O/O and makes more money and has more off time than I. So, I've started thinking and now I'm here. after researching different ways to get into trucking, I decided to go to the Prime trucking school, get some miles under my belt and then go O/O. this is what i've been told... first 4 weeks is 200.00 that is a loan and will be deducted from later paychecks. then a driving test then train with another driver for 12 weeks and receive .12/mile (600.00/week guaranteed). then drive solo and get .30/mile and avg between 2700 and 3000 miles/week. That pay will be a little less than half what i make now, but the final goal is O/O and i figure you have to start somewhere. my plan is once i get 12 months then try and go O/O. I don't want to make a bad decision but think i would be better off down the road making a career change. I have no experience driving a truck other than the dump truck around our farm and the heavy equipment we have. What are some of the things that are draw backs to the trucking career? also, what do typical O/O bring home weekly? I know these are general questions, but i want to get as much information as i can before i jump off this boat!!! I don't want to jump into raft and look back and think "what the **** was i thinking"!!!

 

First thing first. Do you like to drive? I know, I know, but seriously, do you? You live in Al somewhere, so does the thought of driving say to east TX bother you? Does that seem too far? A lot of people think they like to drive because they like to drive an hour out into the country. Seriously, imagine you're butt being parked in that seat for 500mi. 10hrs of driving with except maybe 2 potty stops. Think you wanna do it?

Next, do you mind being alone? I know you think oh I got my cell and laptop and my cb radio, but it doesn't compare. It gets lonely. Do you have any demons? Yes, I mean demons. Things that may haunt you , guilt that you are carrying around from mistakes in the past, blah, blah, blah. I don't want you to tell us about them (well I guess you could if you really want). They will come around out there. Sometimes it'll be 2am and you're coming across 40 trying to make a early am appointment in LA or something. Not much on the radio, the cb is quiet, you're only going 57mph, nothing to see, nobody to talk to on the cell cause they are all in bed, your mind will wander. In those moments sometimes it doesn't go to happy places. It goes to the deep parts of your soul, to things you don't talk about at dinner parties. Things you haven't thought of in a long time will come back to you. That kind of lonely.

Other draw backs are the being gone part. I don't know if you have kids but you're probably gonna miss Junior's first home run, Sally's ballet recital, etc. You're gonna miss the feel of your wife, not just sexually either. You'll start to dream about the smell of her shampoo, the feel of her skin. And you'll put your time off request in for Thanksgiving and they'll get you a load going home, but it's sh*tting snow on 65 in Indiana and they'll shut the highway down. You'll take 100 back roads just to keep going, but you're gonna be late. You'll be heating up left overs at 11 at night.

Wow, I kinda bummed myself out writing that. It's not all bad. I love my job. I wouldn't trade it for anything, there are a lot of positives but you wanted draw backs, so there you go. Just my 2 cents.

 

Got many demons there, Tankergirl?

You're a romantic aren't you? Just reading this makes me both hate and love driving!!

 

I would lie and say no, but what the hell, yep, I got demons to spare.
Maybe I am a romantic. I don't think anybody had ever used that word to describe me before, but I'll take it.

 

Thanks to all of you so far, I do like to drive. and yes, i have demons!! lol

 

I just don't think anything on the road could be as bad as coming in to the same office everyday and dealing with a controlling, overbearing "boss/father" who knows everything and constantly reminds you that you know nothing even though you've been doing this job for 16 years!! The aspect of not having anyone hanging over your shoulder and being away for long periods of time is so appealing!! and btw, i have no kids and got divorced about 8 months ago. so maybe time away would be a great thing!!