400,000 TRUCKING JOBS AVAILABLE...Here's why.

Prelude: This is my first post in 8 months since I left OTR.

The simple answer: Guys and gals like me got fed up with the B.S. I ran OTR for 12yrs. I loved it in the beginning. I ran with all the big companies and their promises, Werner, Interstate, May, Crete, CRST, Marten, USXPRESS, et al. Owner-Op and Co. Driver. I've had good times and (plenty of) bad times. OTR is a great escape for people who want to become annonymous. It's not a great career move, however. Unless you're a 'real' Owner-Op (no company leases or company loads), the long road eventually leads to nowhere. I did local too, but it wasn't my cup of tea. What I've learned in the twelve years I did OTR, is that it's gone from a decent-paying, respectable job to a down-right miserable one. The wages are stagnant, shippers/receivers are more beligerant, and the increasingly low hiring standards have made working in the industry that more untenable. Deregulation and greed are to blame for the mess it's become.

I used to work 20-30 months at a time (with the normal 3-4 days off every 3 weeks), then take a full 4-6 months Leave of Absence. Even though my driving record was spotless, when I tried to reinstate in 2009, the economy was so bad that I was turned down (for the first time ever). I decided to take advantage of this downtime to educate myself in a new career. I began attending nite classes last fall. I've since become a Building, Electrical, and Mechanical Inspectior. The future looks bright. I command a six-figure salary now and trucking is behind me.

The moral of my story is this: If you're fed up with the incessant B.S. of the trucking industry, you CAN make a move for the better. It took me 12 years to wake up, but I eventually did it. I REALLY miss trucking and the open road, people, etc., but I sure don't miss the crap I had to put up with between those good moments. If you're starting a trucking career, you need to take a good, hard look at your long-term goals. I wish you all the best and welcome your comments.

 

Thanks for your comments. Why didn't you like local either? Was it too much physical work? Did you do semi-local or LTL type work? Did it just get boring doing the same route all the time? People have said you work just as many hours doing local or semi-local as OTR.

 

You actually work harder running local than OTR.

 

Well I live in Ft. Worth, TX. Let's say I had a job just going to Oklahoma City and back every day or taking the mail to Houston and back every day. It would be a long day, but I can't quite see what would be so hard about it.

 

That sounds more like a regional thing.

 

JChors, Spot on sir.

Very well written, clear, concise, and a very accurate assessment of what this industry has become.

Coincidentally, I have just decided (less than 48 hours ago) NOT to return to driving for the very reasons that you have stated. And I don't think it would be unfair to include the new UNDEPENDABLE emissions technologies as another reason to stay away.

I'm going to return to manufacturing (tool and die making - 30 plus years) and see if I can't help jump start this country back to the place it was once before. I TRULY believe this country cannot recover economically without a solid resurgence in manufacturing. I'll give my best effort to help in this recovery.

Besides, the worst day I experienced in a machine shop, was a million times better than the best day I experienced working in the transportation industry. And that's saying alot, because I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY loved driving a big rig.

I will now make my exit from this industry and this web site, but before I do, I want to thank everyone for their thoughts, opinions, and comments. They've been insightful and helpful.

THANKS TO ALL !!!!!!!!

 

Just an observation....

The main reason for the sucky pay and the bullsheyat is that our own government considers driving a rig "Unskilled labor".....

And going to any truck stop and seeing the dregs waddle out of their rigs wearing the cut-off t-shirt for the 3rd day in the row....well....you get my point....

 

Well, both of you fellows who said you are getting out of trucking both said there were things you liked about it like being on the open road and meeting people, going to new places, etc. But neither one of you commented on what those bad things were that made you decide to get out of it. As I still toy with the idea of at least getting my CDL, could you talk about what the bad things are that really made the job not worth it?

Also, what is "deregulation" and how did that affect the trucking industry?

Thanks.

 

Hate to burst your bubble...... but, the government views it as "unskilled labor" because IT IS !

Come learn to be a Tool and Die Maker, and learn what it means to be SKILLED.

(Sorry.... couldn't resist..... had to come back and add another 2 cents.)

 

It maybe unskilled labor but, this unskilled laborer will take home more money than many skilled laborers. I work when I want. Try that if your working for a paycheck.