Is this a Trucking forum or an ANTI-trucking forum!?!?!

Discussion in 'Report A BAD Trucking Company Here' started by MagicFingers, Sep 2, 2007.

  1. MagicFingers

    MagicFingers Bobtail Member

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    Sep 1, 2007
    House Springs, MO
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    From what I've gathered, per diem can be a bad thing in certain circumstances. I'd rather just get paid .02cpm more than have per diem.

    pathfinder, thanks for the comments. I wish you luck as well, I will definitely keep you and everyone else posted what happens in the few weeks to come.

    javelinjeff, those are inspiring words there. I will be willing to make a GREAT first impression with my carrier (there is actually a chance now I'll be going with Hogan, not Star, but most likely will be Star), get on their good side so that they'll trust me with lots of loads. I have no kids to worry about or anything, so I'll be chomping at the bits for 3000+/wk. Even 2500ish for the first year will suit me.
     
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  3. javelinjeff

    javelinjeff Medium Load Member

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    Aug 30, 2007
    victorville,ca
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    that's the attitude to be successful! getting into driving is not for everyone,that could be why you see so much negative posts out here. i paid my dues as a rookie,learned how to REALLY drive(getting in the tightest spots),learned to respect the dangers of the road,did the grocery warehouse nightmare without going insane,learned flatbed,pulled some doubles for awile-basically got a good knowledge of the ups and downs of trucking.this industry has bought me 2 southern california houses,several new cars,and early last year i made that proverbial leap to becoming an o/o with my own authority.of course this puts me back to rookie status but on a higher level.as to this forum- i think it is great having a way for us to exchange ideas,stories,opinions without having to sit at the TA restaurant just to chew the fat with other drivers!
     
  4. drummerwookie

    drummerwookie Light Load Member

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    Sep 18, 2007
    Piqua, Ohio
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    im just glad i ran across this thread. im not quite as far into it as you are magic, but i am sure i want to get into this industry. altho, i am a little scared i guess, but im just way to excited about it to feel the fear that much. ive been wanting to do this for the past few months. i didnt really know what i wanted to do with my life as far as a carrer goes. by the way, im 22 years old, so im still fresh, but i really wanted to figure something out

    i went to Bowling Green State University here in ohio for a while to study music to become a studio drummer...well i realized that doing music for a living, for me was going to take the fun out of it...so i went to a community school here for business, but then got bored bc im not into that kinda thing at all. but, ive ALWAYS loved to be on the road. i love seeing different parts of the country, and i love anything with an engine, especially a turbo diesel then it hit me, why not drive a truck? i would be doing the things that i love and making decent money at the same time. i know i wont become rich, but ill be financially secure for the kinda lifestyle im into. such as spending weekends camping and trail riding with my jeep..

    plus, i have no attachments here at home. no wife or kids to look after. the ONLY thing im going to miss while on the road, is hanging out with my good friends. which i will do plenty of on the days i am home.

    but, i honestly have no been as excited about anything for as long as i can remember, as i am about wanting to drive a truck.

    so, good luck to you my friend, and i hope to be driving soon as well
     
  5. Tip

    Tip Tipster

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    Mar 18, 2006
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    Do some major research first, and then stand back and answer the question "Do I really want to do this?"

    I'd take a few trips to local truckstops and ask drivers what driving is all about, especially the OTR segment. I'd research this website thoroughly to know which companies are good to work for and which are stink-pots.
    I'd also find out what DAC is and how I could get CDL training cheap or even FREE.

    Cover your bases and then jump in if you want. Just be smart and well-informed about it all. Sounds like you don't know much about driving, which is fine. There are things you need to know about the industry before deciding, though. Make sure you learn those things.
     
  6. Truckin Juggalo

    Truckin Juggalo Medium Load Member

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    Aug 5, 2006
    Madisonville, TN
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    Your not going to be making 375 bucks a week for very long, as a trainee thats what u will most likely make for a month or so soon as u get out on your own your pay should increase to 600 a week in that general area until you've been driving for a year, after that your pay increases again, it wont take long until your in the 55-60k a year range which i think this year im at 55k, but also keep in mind..

    Your wages depend solely on your productivity and the more u go home the less you make the less you drive the less you make, and there are plenty of other places to earn more money they just don't adverise i have a buddy of mine who has been driving a year less than me he went to haul fuel out of Beaumont, TX and he is clearing 60k a year and, theres walmart and LTL companies you just need to Prove yourself keep your driving record clean and if you like this career field eventually u can make good money....

    another way to increase your income is to get off of General Freight and get a Dedicated account that your company may offer its more predictable and could pay more...Also if you Plan on hauling Oversize there are a couple companies you could start out at and eventually like they told me 10years from when ever u start u can haul that stuff, and those companies are

    Dallis Mavis (Greatwide)
    Daily Express

    they haul the big stuff, but you wont for a long time and for good reason, its very difficult the Money is Great but the Fines are Greater be aware when u jump into the big leagues so do the fine's your talking 20k and up for not following directions to the T... but just get your feet wet and keep your eyes on the prize what ever that is for you, like my Goal is to be home more than 30-45 days a year and make the same or better and that will be with LTL, US Mail, or Wal-Mart..... but it takes time
     
  7. skydyverjym

    skydyverjym Bobtail Member

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    Oct 11, 2007
    hudkin, tx
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    to put it bluntly, this seems to be a very anti trucking forum.
    they definitely have their faves, which i would hope are the moneymakers.
    but mostly there are only naysayers out there.
    i guess for good reason.
    jh

    correction.
    this is obviously an anti trucking COMPANY forum.
    jh
     
  8. skullitor

    skullitor Medium Load Member

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    Aug 5, 2005
    New England
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    THIS FORUM is for posting about the BAD TRUCKING COMPANIES.There are other forums here for other subjects.
     
  9. dannyboyb31

    dannyboyb31 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 12, 2005
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    New truck drivers are ripped off badly in this industry. Don't think your going to get more than 2200 miles a week starting out and have that loan payment as well. CR England, Werner, Swift, and Schnider I know for a fact start thier drivers out around 24-26cpm bumping them up to around 30 at the end of the first year. some say 34,000 a year for a 1st year driver I say less because of the loan that comes out and the extra things you got to buy on the road as a driver. $528 a week before taxes for 50-60hrs a week of work and about 3.5 days off a month.

    When I started I was laid off from a factory and there just wasn't anyone hiring. Right now the Economy is good and if it had been half as good in 2001-02 I might not have ever became a driver. I make money now last year $58,000. This year I will not make that because I got ripped off a couple of times and took some time off from work but I know I can make 58K a year when I apply myself while getting the weekends off at home and home during the week a time or two.

    If I was you I would go to JB Hunt. I know they are a rippoff as is all training companies. You will only get 1800-2000 miles a week but be paid 40cpm or more if you live east of I35. If your going to be used at least make a few bucks while doing it. Older more expierenced drivers hate JB as do I because we can make 38-42cpm from any company out there and run plenty of miles at JB miles are not going to be more than 2000 per week.
     
  10. Tip

    Tip Tipster

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    Mar 18, 2006
    ON STRIKE
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    When you're a green driver, it may be in your favor to drive less. The more you drive, the greater your risk of having a DACcident in your first year, a critical period that determines which direction you go in during year two. If you get a DACcident or three during that period, your choices will be limited and you won't be as happy. I wouldn't be happy knowing I was 'stuck' at a company I didn't like, and most starter companies have low reputations they live down to, believe me.


    The dark cloud called "sitting" does have a silver lining.
     
  11. ChuckMcD

    ChuckMcD Light Load Member

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    Oct 8, 2007
    Kansas City, Kansas
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    You can make some good money in this business as long as your wheels are turning. If you want to make some serious money become a union trucker. At least you won't be cheated out of money. You'll get compensated for everything you do. Including break down time.
     
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