Thinking of becoming a driver, read this!

The reasons for high turnover are as varied as the number of drivers on the road, and would fill volumes! A LOT of companies thrive on turnover, and they treat their employees like fodder (the NICE word I thought of). How can they "thrive" on turnover? They will say "our most experienced drivers make UP TO 42cpm". That is maybe ONE driver in their entire workforce. They treat drivers so badly that once a driver has any experience or sense, or gets tired of being used up, they quit... and they can pay a replacement driver less money. So there is no incentive for companies to keep drivers long term. Of course, not all companies are like this - as I said the reasons are as many and varied as the drivers on the road. Another reason for high turnover is that sometimes it takes a driver a while to find a company that fits his needs for home time, family, pay, etc. The factors are as individual as the drivers. Even then, the needs can change and he or she is looking for a change again. It is not an easy life - and it IS a lifestyle, not just a job.

 

He should, just to round out the experience!

 

Everyone makes great points here about what people don't see. But even when reading all of the information on these forums about what it is really like, it hasn't altered my decision to want to become a truck driver. I'm not in it for the money, I'm in it because I want to be in it. I understand you live in a closet sized room, that you have to work long hours, that you have alot of down time if a shipper/receiver isn't picking up the pace, etc, etc, I get it.

Even reading these downsides still get me amp'd up. I want this lifestyle, yes I won't get to see my family (parents(old), sister(10), brother(22)) as much, miss birthdays, family events, yes it will suck but it is apart of living the lifestyle. I am single, and while I am, I want to make the best out of it by working OTR. When I find another girl, yeah I'll go local and start my life then. But for now, this is what I want to do. My passion has grown for years and now that I am almost 21, I know what I want to do and its more then some can say. And for the people who suggest it is hard work, I will agree. Maybe not on the driving part since I am not a driver, but on loading / unloading I do. Working in Logistics, I worked those parts. Running Crowns/pallet jacks/forklifts, downstacking to restack (my luck it was alot of water pallets), etc. I have that experience and I plan to apply it here. I will achieve this goal I've set for my self. And I know I will still hold my passion.

 

Who has a required sleep apnea test now?

 

Every company changes their policy's at will,so when you are looking for a job just remember to ask that question;you do have a list of questions to ask when seeking trucking employment,I hope? The sleep apnea thing is a touchy subject among driver's,as a couple of threads will attest to.,-some will claim it has saved their life,others,-they cant sleep WITH the mask on..My take on it is not important on this thread,and all I will say on this subject,is I believe it is just another way of milking us,(the truck driver) out of more $$. That is my opinion,and it is NOT fact,or truth,but...well,I have said all I'm gonna on that subject....As for me and my truck..,there will be NO mask in there..

 

I agree with having questions to ask before seeking employment. However, I do read alot that recruiters tend to bend the truth the majority of the time, would they just agree and/or tell you what you want to hear? Or you talking about different type of questions? Sorry, may sound dumb but I am curious.

 

No friend,it is not dumb...There is a thread somewhere to ask when seeking employment..simple,direct questions..I will do a search,(cant tonight) and will get back to you if I find it..Recruiters are well,as the name implies,still,there are questions they cannot dodge,for example,1:What are the trucks governed at 2:How much per diem is included in my cpm,and do I have a choice in that? 3: Areas driven 4: Forced or non forced dispatch? 5: Can I take truck home? 6: Breakdown pay? Can anyone else add to this,I gotta go for now..(There is a great post on this subject somewhere..,like I said)

 

Thank you, I'll search for it aswell.

 

yes going three days without a shower is the drivers choice.

been driving a number of years for diff companies...its NOT as bad as this guy says. not at all.

 

In the questions from new drivers section,there is a thread on this..But now I forgot the exact title of it.. Type in 'Questions to ask a new company' and that SHOULD do the trick...,the thread is by an ex-member called "Redneck"