Trucking in general is in the toilet

No doubt. Many don't realize it takes time once you land at an LTL or any other seniority based carrier before it really pays off even after you put in your time at a beginner company. Most LTL turnover is at the bottom of the board because it's tough and you don't get the good runs or top pay starting out - it all comes with time but once you have a little strap these jobs pay what a good white collar job does with predictable routs and schedules. Can't beat it in my opinion..

 

Ok, I'm probably about to get chewed out for this, but what the heck.

Right now I'm sitting in a cubicle, waiting for my boss to get done with another project he's working on with one of my co-workers. It's Saturday, mid-afternoon, I'm kinda bored, and would rather be home with my family. I know I'll face this in trucking, but at least (hopefully) I'll actually be doing something productive most of the time I'm away from them. My point in all of this is simply, if you think your job is in the pooper, there's plenty of other opportunities out there for someone who wants to work. Really, I'll even give you my job, I think it kinda sucks to be honest. I'm in a box (like you guys) only mine is in the same dang spot every stinking day. I grew up in the passenger seat of a semi, and I cannot wait for the day when I get to graduate to the driver seat, and start my new career path which will hopefully lead to my self-employment. But what do I know, I'm just a kid with a plan. I know it won't be easy, but that's why you plan, plan, and plan some more for every situation that might come up.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Me 2. My cubical has 10 tires on it though.

To the other posters... When they built the Hoover Dam in the Great Depression, thousands of unemployed men would stand in line weeks at time waiting for a worker to fall to his death so they could get a job to feed their family.

We have it pretty good and don't know it.

 

Think that's bad?
Wait until 2+ weeks go by and you're still stuck on the road.
Missing birthdays, holidays, weekends, anniversaries, etc.
Sleeping in deserted rest areas or stinky/noisy truckstops in the middle of nowhere.
You don't go home when you want...it's when the company feels like getting you home.
And they'll yell at you for idling their truck because you're trying to live like a human being...meanwhile the a/c in their corporate offices is cranked-up 24/7.

Sitting around waiting for a load?
Sitting at a dock waiting to get loaded/unloaded?
Sitting in a truckstop all day Sunday because your load doesn't delv until Monday AM?
Getting lost because of bad directions?
Snow, ice, etc.
Traffic, tickets, DOT
None of which you get paid for.

You my friend, are crazy.
Do you know how many guys stuck in trucking would love to change places with you and be home everynight with their families?

If trucking was such a good job, the turnover rates would not be so high.
Bottom line: it just don't pay to be out there anymore.
That's why these companies are constantly hiring, advertising, and recruiting even in a down economy.

Yes, there's still some decent trucking jobs like LTL, parcel, etc.
But even these guys are taking paycuts (givebacks), loss of pension, 401k matching, etc.
Even still, it's better than 99.9% of OTR jobs.
So guys who work at these places rarely quit.
And if you're lucky enough to live by a terminal that's hiring, the competition is fierce...lots of unemployed drivers with all kinds of experience who want those jobs.
If you do get hired-on, it's all seniority based....you'll start out on the bottom getting all the crap runs, crap hours, sit home when it's slow, etc.
It's worth it in the end if you can stick it out...but not everyone can do that.

 

Been there done all that.. My worst week of LTL beat my best week of OTR hands down. I remember getting 20 hour paychecks when I started and 14 of those 20 hours were on a Friday night line-haul run - at least the nights with no work were spent at home. Paid my dues here and now have it alright after driving junk, crap runs, crap hours, and no end in sight.. The end came about a year and a half ago with my first top scale line-haul check - Thursday's check wasn't bad either..

 

Maverick just gave it's drivers a .02 raise.
We are looking to add 300 drivers.
They are offering a $500 sign on bonus.
We are turning down 3 loads for everyone that we take.
I get home every weekend and am treated with respect!
I am new to trucking....going on my 3rd month solo making .33 a mile

So you can find good companies...you just have to do your research!

 

"HELP!!! HELP!!! I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!!! NO, WAIT, THAT'S NOT IT... I'M STUCK IN TRUCKING!!!"

 

With all due respect understanding fully that you're a new driver, being home every weekend at that mileage rate makes me shake my head since this seems good nowadays. I hope you can maintain your good attitude and land a real career driving job once you get some time..

 

Padington, I do know what you mean, and I know there's gonna be times in trucking when I'm gonna be bored, pissed, and think about getting out, but I'm ok with that. All I was saying is my job as a desk-jockey just isn't cutting it for me. Takes all kinds to make the world go 'round right? It's just easier to do well at your job when you actually enjoy it. If trucking's not what you want to do, then find what you love to do, and go kick some butt at it.