Hardest thing about being an OTR driver

same here i hate that place, and they dont know how to load trucks the right way also.

 

You do have a good point there.

I was asked to allow a "new" driver with only 2 years to follow me to a customer just this week. Because he frequently gets lost, per his dispatcher.

While we're doing our trailer swaps...he's showing me BOTH his GPS units. One a rather expensive "truck specific" unit.

And was actually talking to me about getting the new "truck specific" Garmin.

So yes....us old guys are rather niave, stupid, and need to be put out of our misery.


BTW....the rather "complicated" directions to this customer. Located 1.5 miles south of town on Hwy 7, on the right.

 

That majority is quickly being replaced, with unsuspecting and hungry people.

They WILL sit however long it takes to get loaded or unloaded. Their family depends on them. It's the unsuspecting and hungry people, who are angry at the "old timers". Because we know the only reason they're here.... $$$$$.

8 out of 10 "new" drivers entering the industry, are taking the job...to have a job. They'll be gone when the economy turns around. And we'll demand even higher pay, again.

Anyone need proof ?? How about the 1 million plus driver shortage from 2 years ago? To an 80% reduction in driver turn over...and NOT enough freight.

When a man or a woman reaches the 10 year mark, they can tell me how trucking is something they always wanted to do...forever and ever.

 

Well spoken danc694u, I believe you are right on the money.......

 

My previous comment isn't necessarily directed at you.

I started pretty much the same place as most people are starting now. A down economy, a new family, and the need for money NOW.

The only difference between now and then. We had freight then, and reasonable rates of pay. Although it was lower than I would have liked. And some people within this forum think I'm rude. But I had a good teacher...the "old timers" that worked in the 80's when I started. Many of these guys had 20 plus years running pig trails....BEFORE the interstates were complete.

What chaps me, is a comment made by an earlier poster.

Us "old timers" have fought tooth and nail for the rate of pay we have now. It still needs to be higher, for old and new alike. I could understand a 6 month to a year waiting period. But once a driver has proven himself. He/she needs a respectable rate of pay.

Do they deserve the same as me? Sure, if they can produce the same amount of "work", and keep the equipment in one piece.

We see clowns in this forum every day. It's always the same thing. I have X number of tickets/dui/felony/accidents....and they think life is unfair...because they can't get a lowly truck driving job !!

And herein lies a major problem. They have an attitude, because they ALWAYS thought truck drivers were beneath them. And now they have the balls to step into this industry and DEMAND my respect?? #### them and the white horse they rode in on.

And many of the "starvation crew" would see us pushed out, so they can work for half as much. This is damaging to the industry as a whole. But they don't give a ####. This is a temp job for them...until they can get a "real" job.

 

wow, you just exactly said what I have been thinking for a while. All these wannabe truck drivers who thought that they were always too good for a job like trucking, and now that they have no prospects for other jobs they are surprised that they are not being eagerly welcomed by the trucking companies, because they only had 5 speeding tickets in the last 3 years, or did a little pot last year, or been drinking and driving regularly. It's not like they killed someone? Their perception of truck drivers being ex convicts has been fueled by the media that portrays us as such, and compared to all the pill popping renegade cowboys who are barely a step ahead of the law out here, they think they would be the cream of the crop.

That is just too bad. Your past behavior may have an impact how you will do the job of a truck driver. I am totally flabbergasted at times that these wannabes don't think that things they did driving (tickets, suspension etc.) would have an impact on a job that is mainly.....driving.

So, thank you for saying what I have wanted to say for a while.

 

From my European long haul exp i will say a couple of things.

It doesn't matter what you think you know about OTR before you start doing it, you will find out fairly quickly if you have the temperament for the job. Personally i don't think many do and that accounts for the high turnover. Going to truck driving because you lost your job or have no other opportunities probably wont work out for most people, i believe its a career that you really have to want.

You will find out a lot about yourself doing this job.

Think your a loner and happy with your own company - you will find out for sure.

Think you have a placid easy going temperament - With the lack of sleep and stresses of OTR you will find out the truth. Either you do and you can deal, or you don't and you have to learn to deal or prepare for stress related complications.

The old timers are the ones who have dealt with all the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, stresses and frustrations and still don't require a straight jacket. For that reason they are likely to be fairly placid, rational down to earth people and i for one will be listening intently to them on all subjects regarding trucking.