Has it changed much over the years??

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by khawki, Aug 17, 2009.

  1. khawki

    khawki Bobtail Member

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    Aug 17, 2009
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    I am thinking about going over the road. I would have to go to local school.
    Any opinion of Roadmaster?

    I used to drive for a company in KC called Tollie about 20 years ago. Before that I was trained riding team with Midwestern out of Fort Scott KS.

    I was pretty good I guess and won driver of the month a couple of times netting about 1k in bonus each month. I hated the grind of the the job. Living in a truck, health issues, bad food, weather, east coast, traffic, etc.

    I wonder if things have really changed. How hard is it to get a regular route in the South. I was on forced dispatch,irregular route. I live in FL and hate cold weather now. Any good advice?. I appreciate it.
     
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  3. REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    Dueling Banjoville
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    You've been out of it 20 years? Man has it ever changed!!!! You get to work harder with less pay & respect now then what you had to back then... Traffic is a nightmare... 4 wheelers will intentionally block you from changing lanes, I guess they think it is fun to cheat death. But the crappy food is still just as crappy.... But instead of sitting down & waiting to be served.... You can now place your order over the counter & get your smashed burgers is a paperback to go in just a couple minutes...
     
  4. cherokeechief

    cherokeechief Light Load Member

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    Aug 10, 2009
    Gilson, il
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    yes many things have changed. the hours of service has changed. you can not stop the 14 hour clock. you have to take a 10 hour consicutive break consisting of 8 hours in the sleeper and 2 hours off duty. alot of laws have changed also. some places you can not idle because of the people that think the trucks exhaust is bad, even though the new scr engines are taking in bad air and putting out better air.
    the equipment has changed for the better. you will think you are in a cadillac or even a lincoln.
     
  5. leannamarie

    leannamarie "California Girl"

    There is a member here, ghostchild, who posted a thread about wanting a team driver in Florida for a dedicated route. Might want to check into that.
     
  6. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    A.W.O.L
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    It has changed. If you want to be miserable, You will be! If you want to enjoy it, You probably will! It is what YOU make it.
     
  7. tracyq144

    tracyq144 Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 15, 2009
    MN
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    El oh frigging El!!

    My first job was with the $ trucks, too! Jesus frigging Louise!

    It's different now, it's better now, and it's worse now.

    But, if you drove for Midwestern, and didn't go postal back then, you should be just fine.

    I would never put up with what one had to put up with Midwestern now, but I also would not trade that experience for anything in the world. Newbies today have NO idea, LOL!
     
  8. pdeitrick

    pdeitrick Light Load Member

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    Aug 10, 2009
    High Point, NC
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    I'll have to agree blackw900 its definitely what you make of it I've only been truckin for 5 yrs but been around it for my life time
     
  9. Nevada_Bob

    Nevada_Bob Light Load Member

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    Aug 8, 2009
    Mesquite, Nv.
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    The best change over the years is trucks are a lot nicer. However in my opinion the worst change is too many new laws and rules.
     
  10. Larz

    Larz Light Load Member

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    Aug 28, 2009
    Chandler, AZ
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    I am glad you started this post. I drove OTR about 18 years ago for GSN out of NY and have been out of it for awhile, but I am getting back into it on Monday going for orientation.

    I sure hope things are better. ;)
     
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