Conway Truckload Drivers what is your 20?

I'm from the Redding area, but only go home for impending paperwork. My folks retired to Elk Grove though, so Sacramento is definitely as good a place as any to break down. It was actually kismet -- when I called road service I was in San Leandro staring at the international dealer literally just down the street, but since the trailer that dispatch requested I pick from the UPS pool also had issues, road service first sent me to the closest truck stop with weekend trailer repair facilities (Sacramento 49er -- 90 miles away).

I was impressed with the Sacramento International dealer though -- while they couldn't quite get it done same day, they did have the truck ready this morning (bad regen injector).

 

Some 30 hours later, out of shop, on board, many trucks, no freight, so continue to sit I will say, always have said, the mechanics in joplin shop are top notch, never have issues once truck is physically in shop.But really my time is worth more than zero dollars, or 60 which I'll most likely get since getting out today doesn't look good.The lose of productivity on truck, as well as myself is baffleing.What's retention? Drivers can't afford to take time off if not running.Company says only get 1 day off for 7 out, for truck productivity, and we continue to dance in this circle.

 

Best post on this whole forum.

 

Dispatch sent me a HM load yesterday. Nice run Columbus to Torrington WY. Corrosive and flammable placard. But wat do ya know needed tanker endorsement to haul it. Why waste my time picking up a load?? Waited at shipper for a drvr only to come bobtail to get load. Lose my trlr/load bobtail to cwf yard to gran MT trl. 2 mts on yard both oos.

 

I live in Joplin area was thinking about going to the school and work for Con-way,,,,, good idea bad idea ??

 

And I'll reiterate my desire for ops to send automatic sms load assignments to (volunteering) drivers, as is common at other major carriers. If I'm going to be (poorly) paid to sit, I'd rather spend it catching a movie (or playing pinochle with cantankerous octogenarians) than immured in my sleeper with the qualcomm or interrupting an outside activity every half hour to squander cell minutes checking option 5 (& in so doing, stretch the credibility of "off duty").

 

Guys' I'm not trying to sound condescending here but I have kept a respectable distance while reading about your experiences at Conway. You are going through exactly what I went through: Lots of sitting, no miles, truck always in the shop for days, etc. From early May to Dec. 31 I busted my tail and made a whopping $23,000!To any nay sayers; No, I didn't bring it on myself. I communicated well with management, rarely went home, and did everything that was asked of me as best as I was able. Was never even late on a load.
My God, I made that kind of money just out of high school flipping burgers in a little restaraunt called "Erics on the Pier" in Avalon, Catalina island, just off the California coast. And that was in 1979!
Needless to say, I have gotten out of the trucking industry and i am working for the union at a construction gig making much more than I did with trucking. Plus PAID medical, paid pension (no silly matches dollar for dollar in some unobtainable 401k).. Paid pension. And an annuity (thats $15,000 a year alone, to be tapped into when I'm 62. Every 10 years thats $150,000. If you guys listen to what I'm saying here, call your local union of your choice and ask them about becoming an apprentice.
The jobs are out there, gentlemen. You might have to relocate yourselves and your families but hey! We're Americans.. isn't that what makes us brave, just like the news channels are always trying to tell us how brave we all are? Time to get movin'! Wagons HO!

 

Unless you are basically homeless with no responsibilities other than yourself, do not do this. This is a very low paying job and you will live in abject poverty, and you will always be broke.

 

Wow!!!! I gotta make 30 K just to cover bills.... not including food and dry goods !!

 

He a Cali complainer ....last 18 days out of the house :
1600 mi first three days ,3100 mi next week , 3598 last week

far above poverty .....56,700 K gross W2 for 2012 first year with Conway TL