Which company should i choose??

Somebody changing their tune here ?

You still failed to explain why and average of over 9,000 jobs per month have been lost in the for hire sector alone or why carriers have reduced their fleets by an average of 10% .

 

It varies, this week I am closing in on 3000 Miles (make it 4000 since I left the house a week and some change ago). I have been pulled off of good loads to help some dumbbutt rookie who was less than 100 miles from delivery, but couldn't make it. Then I have had loads that were so hot that if I stopped to piss during an 11 hour drive I would be late (thanks Del Monte). Tonight I am about to head to Laredo (literally gonna start heading that way in about 20 minutes) and I am so screwed up on my 70 I am having to pick the perfect time to leave so I can maximize today's hours, then be driving when midnight hits to maximize hours for a 7am deliver (10 hour drive, i will have 2 hours spare to make it and it;s all interstate thank God).

The worst part is having to fight for pay, and trying to make sure you have enough reserve in the bank to get you through a week (or even 2) in the event they screw you. I recommend having at least enough money put back that you can eat and pay any bills you HAVE to for 2 weeks.

 

You are welcome. Lonewolf would be much better at this. I started back in the 80's and he started a year ago. I think he would be more reliable with real time events. He posts very well and is very informative. Like many people in this profession if they make it a year their outlook changes drastically.

 

First let me say that I too am college educated... whoopie.. I can be tauht somthing and answer accordingly. I always wanted to become a trucker and knew I would become one in my later years. So, I did not get into trucking because I couldn't do anyting else.
There are a lot of very intelligent and decent individuals out here, and especially here in the forum. So don't be putting them down and acting as if you are better or know more becase of you prestegious college education. Which, doesn't appear to be serving you well if your only option is to enter into the trucking indusrty at this time.
I was successful before becoming a trucker, my house is paid for, my car is paid off and I have money in the bank and hope to see my money in the stockmarket return to me in time. I was in the position to fulfill my desire to become a trucker otherwise I would not of at this time.
I have seen and met people all over this country in a desperate need and taking drastic meaures. Just after Thanksgiving I met a couple who was struggling to just pay their bills and survive, they were selling their weddng rings and some other of their jewelry to have some money for cristmas presents. I have run into individuals stranded far from home having been let go during orientation, yeah, they will give you a bus ticket there, but not back home.
I am glad you have your offers and bus tickets. However, getting hired and getting the bus ticket there is the easy part.

I have been fortunate in my choices as I embark on this journey, however, it is because I have gathered much information and advice from drivers here to make better choices. Had I not, I would be singing a different tune.

Why would anyone be jealous of your prestigious college education that is getting you nowhere? I, as well as many others who were college educated have not experienced that crap. Perhaps it is not your education but your arrogance that people are reacting to.

Out here college education isn't worth the tassle on your graduation cap. Building a network with succesful more experienced drivers is worth gold. I am guessing, but I don't think that is going to be easy for you since you believe you are so much smarter.

I am fairly positive in my posts, but you really stepped on a nerve. Maybe if you climb down a few rungs on that attitude ladder I will share my more positive side.

 

Maybe you need to research supply and demand regarding the supply of wannabes and available jobs . What part of 100,000 jobs lost and reduced fleets don't you understand ? Maybe you can interpret the meaning of this chart showing the steady decline of freight .
http://www.bts.gov/xml/tsi/src/datadisp_table.xml
While people do buy food and toilet paper what percentage of freight do you estimate that represents ?As far as clothing goes more and more people are turning to Goodwill stores and shoe repair shops have a huge backlog of business .
http://www.americanconsumernews.com/2009/03/consignment-stores-are-gaining-in-popularity.html
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-11-23-shoe-repair_N.htm

 

Better make it 6 months . It'll never make a year .