so who makes it in this industry??

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by txboy10, Dec 31, 2009.

  1. 2fuzy

    2fuzy Road Train Member

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    there just one of many almost all of the big boys are the same
     
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  3. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    Paddington's a "one trick pony" He has nothing to offer other than "doom and gloom"....Oh yeah, He likes to tell everybody how good he has it because of course, He's the only one out there that has a good job!

    There are quite a few of us out here that could "buy and sell him" and never miss the money but he'll just keep spouting the same old tired crapola 'cause it's all he's got!
     
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  4. stepnfetchit

    stepnfetchit Medium Load Member

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    The same people make it in this Industry today that made it in 60's, 70's 80's and 90's. When I bought my first truck fuel was high(.65pg), tolls were increasing,hourly labor rate were up,lumpers charged too much,freight was too cheap etc etc etc. I swear the more things change the more they stay the same. It takes desire,commitment,knowledge and experience. Commitment and experience really come first in my opinion. Knowledge will come with experience and desire will come as you gain the others. Drivers have been griping about companies and the job in general ever since the first one made a trip and told everyone who would listen all the things that went wrong. No company is perfect. They weren't perfect 40 years ago and they aren't perfect today. I will say the companies treat drivers differently today, but a lot of that is due to the whining and crying of the drivers. If you want to be home every weekend, drive 2500 miles exactly per week, have all your loads preplanned, have a dispatcher that never makes a mistake, never questions a repair bill and a truck that never breaks down than start your own company and see if you can do it any better. Yeah there's a lot of bottom feeder companies out there and some crooked brokers. Let me tell you something: There were some bottom feeder companies and brokers that were so crooked when I started driving they make Swift and CRE look like respectable companies. I wanted to own my truck simply for the freedom. Plain and simple. I wanted to be home when I wanted to be home,take care of my truck,go where I wanted to go, and basically do it MY way. I paid a price though. I missed birthdays,school plays,recitals,family dinners, etc. Every successful O/O knows exactly what I am talking about. The ones with desire,commitment,knowledge and experience make it. The others don't.
     
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  5. txboy10

    txboy10 Light Load Member

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    Oct 21, 2009
    Plano, TX
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    that's it. just went today and turned my check in for the local community college class. i'm officially enrolled and start next monday. hope i do well. and no, i don't see many positive posts. but you know positive has to be out there somewhere. i mean, some peeps have to be happy, right?
     
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  6. JustSonny

    JustSonny Big Dummy

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    Don't look back Txboy! Eyes straight ahead and on the goal. I've still got about 5 months to wait before I start school. You'll be an old hand by then.:biggrin_25514: Study hard, pay attention, keep your head up! Oldnew....
     
  7. Lil Blue Pony

    Lil Blue Pony Brown Eyed Girl

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    there are lots of good comments here......some from hired drivers and other from O/O. Stepandfetch pretty well summed it up from my prospective. I have been around this game a LONG time....my father drove in the 50's-60's and again in the 80's....and we have owned trucks since 1983......its a tough game I won't paint it with roses. It's not for everyone.....but it IS for some....if its for you then do it.....but it's not a city job.....it is a way of life......people do succede....
     
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  8. 2fuzy

    2fuzy Road Train Member

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    Granite Canon,WY
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    Here is a positive one getting in a truck was one of the best choices I ever made it has a downside but over all it has been very good to me from an binder cabover with no ac to a little fleet of my own

    it might sound negitive sometimes it is just swimming with the sharks
     
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  9. ragtop

    ragtop Bobtail Member

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    Dec 29, 2009
    Baton Rouge, LA
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    thanks ... useful info
     
  10. QuoteWarz Insurance

    QuoteWarz Insurance Light Load Member

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    Los Angeles, Ca
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    I agree with Stephenfetchit, in that the same people make it today that made it in the 60's, 70's and 80's. It really comes down to how bad you want it and if this is what you really want to do for the rest of your life. I think it is important to have a good support system with your family back at home. If you feel supported in your dreams and new career move then it will be that much easier for you to the make the career change.

    Some of the traits that I have seen to be successful in the trucking field are people that are hard working, self motivated, can do attitude, like spending time alone and enjoy seeing new places.
     
  11. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    Actually the majority of us are happy, if the truth was known. Where you run into the differences, are our expectations of a company and how they treat their employees.

    Once you get into school they'll show you the "hidden" class on whining. And the super secret handshake.

    One thing to keep in mind.... Net to Debt ratio is a clear job happiness indicator.

    Two guys do the same job...one for $5 an hour. He is content, laid back and enjoys doing little things with his family when he finds the time and money. (we usually hear him being referred to as a sell out)

    The other works for $10 an hour. He is miserable, can barely pay his bills, and lives pay check to pay check. (we usually hear of him as being cheated by his employer)

    The more sanity and control you have in your own life. The happier you will be with ANY job as a truck driver.
     
    RonS666 Thanks this.
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