I got a serious question for all of you people on this forum.

I think you have a point. I started my driving career all wrong. I jumped into with just a little information. I went to a school that costed about $10,000 and I had to pay $6000 which was my 1st mistake. Also many compaines wont hire someone with 3 or more tickets which I have but will consider someone with worse than speeding tickets and I think thats stupid but I started with werner without any prior knowledge. I just jumped into it and rushed it thinking ill just get my experence and its a horrible mistake that I regret doing. I should have first looked at companies and seen what the age requirements were. I had just turned 21 and once I graduated I had an extremely hard time finding a company that would hire a 21 year old student. My school didnt tell me of course. I also went to werner bc I was happy someone would hire me and jsut wanted to go. Bad choice. I didnt come across this site until a few months ago but had I did my research I honestly wont had started truck driving for a few years and would hav reseacrched what I was getting myself into.

 

Maybe because if you work for a big company, you can remain anonymous. If you work for a small company, it can be determined who you are based on your remarks. I work for a small company and like to remain anonymous so I can be blunt and to the point in my posts. Not that I'm afraid of what I might say, but that my superiors could take some things the wrong way or out of context.

However, if we had openings, I would PM a driver here based on their experience and posts.

 

I for one wont say the name of a Trucking Company I "drive"(unemployed right now) for because of ONE and only ONE reason. I will not be held responsible for RUINING a Drivers' "start" or an Experienced Drivers' hopefullness on retaining a good pay or benefits and that Company lies to him/her while I'm happy. If that Driver has kids, he has bills, and he/she will just end up quitting and guess who is going to get the blame???

Being one of Americas Most Wanted because of possible "faulty" referring, and it didnt work out for him/her, is a group I dont wanna be part of......besides, I'd look lousy in a PostOffice picture. I for one have, and have had, nearly 42 "Emailers" that I have worked with concerning "The Right Trucking Company"(in my opinion) on a constant basis. I ALWAYS caution them to research AND remember, its my opinion(on what they're interested on obtaining). I'm sorry, I love this profession(there is none better, except for being a President...you get away with murder and FORGET what you promised in the debates) and ALOT of drivers are being mislead into beleiving that the Companies OTHERS drive for are the best. New hire ons get screwed and wonder why they were told(recommended) to go there. Ones Drivers' wants and how they cope with people(Dispatch, FleetManagers, Recruiters etcetc) differ from person to person. You must find whats better suited for you rather than JUST because "Donny Driver" says he "thinks" his/hers is the best Company out there and they've been there for years. Beleive me, this website is CHOCK full of very honest, intellegent, and reliable sources for "what-to-do, "where-to-do-it", "what-not-to-do", and last but not least, "with-whom-to-trust"(remember, In God We Trust...all others pay cash). Put it to you like this. Pretend Trucking is like an NFL Football Team. Everybody has their favorites, and will tell you why they're the best and why you should go with them and be a fan. Everybodys opinion "matters" but many teams have best qualities that you are looking for ie Most SuperBowl wins, best runners, popularity, good looking uniforms(??), etc etc. YOU decide what you like and are looking for. If they suggest a certain team(Company) and they win 4 games out of 16 in a season(lousy benefits, low mileage, keep ya out longer from your family) who you gonna come back and hammer??? Whenever someone emails me and asks for my opinion, I always back it with facts and caution them I dont have a crystal ball on how it'd work out for them(because of what kinda person they are),

SURE, I'm not gonna mention whom I drive for.......as a favor to you or anybody else, but I sure will tell ya why, thats for sure. I've had only 4 people email and chew me out for the Company "then" when I was driving for them and it didnt work out for them. My fault?? Maybe. Did they do something to spark their fire or quitting?? Probably.

 

I for one really like being OTR. I am flatbedding it now and these freezing temps and all have been a challenge... But, I am still liking it and I am proud of how well I am meeting the challenges.

I think that I am fortunate, I can make the most of things and enjoy the simple things. I remember my first time out in a freightliner with one of those sky lights, I was so taken by being able to see so many stars. I love the beautiful sun rises and sunsets that I get to see as well as seeing so much of this beautiful country. I have met some wonderul people and still have a lot more to experience.

It still beats working in an office or on some factory line. I have better pictures and stories to share with my family and friends. I am also making money.

I know that OTR isn't for everyone, but it is for me. I love it and I am thankful for my opportunity to experience it.

 

Yeah, OTR is the best. Of course I'm bias. So many people NEVER get out of their state to see America. They die only bragging about a few landmarks this Gr8 Country has they've seen. I've seen a million landmarks and sights from NJ to California and from Miami to the tip of MI and so forth. Glad I wasnt paying the $1100 fuel bill each time

 

That's a good point. As much as I like where I work, somebody else might be miserable here.

 

This is very true. Every driver is different. Our turnover for new hires is very high - once you get to 5 year plus drivers it's non existent. I would imagine this is true of any job based off the seniority system.

 

Attitude will have a lot of bearing on how you do as well. Over time you have to deal with situations, and how you deal with them will determine how successful you are.

Your not just going to find that ultimate job by asking on here. Like some of these posters have said otr is for them, or ltl is the best, or hopper bottom/specialized. It is what is going to fit your situation. For starters you really need to look at what is important for you, not what everyone else is talking about. There are a lot of people on here that can give you good advice and guidance, however don't take it as the gospel for yourself. Do a little thinking on your own. Look around your area at the local trucks going down the road, talk to some of those drivers when you have a chance. You never know they might be getting ready to hire and you will be in before anyone else knows. I guess you just can't sit back and wait for someone to give you the answer.

Good luck and be safe out there. Oh and would someone turn up the heat its really cold out here!!!

 

Deregulation was not about rates paid, deregulation was about allowing anyone the right to haul a product from point A to point B and any rate that that driver or company was welling to haul it for. Many of times in the late 70's I hauled new furniture from the south up to the North East and would have to stop in PA to pay a broker there $50 just to use his "rights" to haul into the NE. Large companies was buying up "rights" and either to refuse to let anyone else use these "rights" or charging an outrageous amount to haul. Rates stay up for a couple of years after deregulation but then everybody and his brother starting hauling freight for less then profitable and we are now in the mess we are now. Rates and as in drivers wages are low in some areas of trucking because drivers will work for low wages and O/O and companies will haul freight for a low rate. Rates are low because drivers will work for a little of nothing and O/O and companies will haul for little of nothing.

 

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Read and re-read that all you that are "looking". If you'll except a small run(on a constant basis) and drive for nothing, then you'll earn nothing. Keeping your job is ONE thing, but if your not "reaping the harvest", your wife will eventually be scraping the burnt off her toast and using it for spice. Providing and maintaining your job is one thing, but excepting ALL the puny runs will only show to your Company your gulliable and your putting THEM first instead of your families well being. STAND up for yourselves and dont settle for peanuts(its as bad as corn "in the end").