who to believe

After you have been here awhile you will find there are many happy drivers. I don't drive. This site has talked me out of it so far. I come here just about everyday to see what is going on. As soon as my job goes to Mexico or China I'll try it again. I tried it and loved it a couple years ago but I just couldn't see working twice the hours for half the money. Trucking is not for everyone.

 

jimbo29,

I couldn't agree with you more! Unfortunately, the posts seem mirror the real world of trucking and the unscrupulous trucking companies. I have talked to a few of drivers in the course of my day and have written on this site what they have stated to me. Whether it is true or not, it is what they said. It does appear that there are a lot of people struggling out there. How does one make a living at this when they are paid by the mile? I guess it's great if you get the mileage, but what about the family at home? Gone for weeks at a time just to make ends meet? I am sure that living on the road is also expensive. A couple of good healthy meals (daily), laundry and toiletries do add up. Not to mention the fact that tolls, scales and phone calls cost money. How about sitting and waiting for a load or deliver a load. Paid after two hours? B.S. Pay for breakdowns? Drivers should be paid for ALL of their time! There is a lot more.

Yes we all have to work. I drive a truck because I enjoy it. I work for a company that treats me good. Monday thru Friday and home every night. Good pay and benefits. There is something better out there if one takes the time to find it.

Drive safe

 

I love driving a truck. When i was a kid and saw all those big trucks going down the road, i told my brother, "Thats what I want to do when I grow up." Its not the highest paying job out there, but $50,000 a year is enough for me...its worth alot more just to drive down the road.

 

I think if you take into account the amount of hours drivers put into getting the load there on time(bad directions,phone calls,waiting for paperwork after loaded,inspections,traffic, overweight,blowouts etc..)you will make about $8.00/hr, keep in mind the only way DOT has to keep up with HOS is miles, so if you spend 18 hrs or more on a day no one cares unless you go over 11hrs driving. The only difference between local and OTR is that you may get to work 18 hrs/day OTR.

 

I too, always wanted to be a truck driver. Finally in my late 30's decided to make it a reality, got my CDL and am driving every day.
I look forward to going to work every day, I get treated decently by most, and I can do as good a job, if not better than any guy around. If a trailer has been backed in before, I can certainly get mine in too!
Overall, I get paid reasonably well for the hours I put in and I make ends meet and I am happy doing it. I have 2 degrees in geology, and I never came home from work feeling as exhilirated as I do now.
Make the decision to become a trucker because you want to truck, not because you want to make big bucks!

 

Now thats hitting the nail on the head It is great to finally hear something that is really worth respect. Don't get me wrong I have gotton alot of good advice on here. But #### man.....you have gotton my respect.....someone that is happy with his life what more can a person want.

 

Kudos to you too....