Is switching gears the worst part of trucking?

If you was to do some reading on here I think you would find all the answers you are looking for but from reading your past post's I think you need to mature a little more before you get behind the wheel of a semi.

 

Nope. In fact, it's one of the easiest parts of trucking.

The long time away from family was the toughest part for me when I was OTR, so that's why I drive "local" now.

I load and unload 2 or 3 times a day, so I don't drive as much as OTR guys, but I usually log 8 to 10 hours Driving, and 4 to 6 hours of On Duty Not Driving and Off Duty.

Texas intrastate Hours-Of-Service laws say that I have to take 8 hours off, but I choose to take 12, because I am at home with my family in the evenings (most of the time).

I get paid by the load, so it varies, but I try to gross at least $200 a day / $1200 a week.

You're welcome.

 

When shifting your transmission is the most difficult thing in trucking that irritates you, you're doing really, REALLY well.

 

Haha Priceless!!!

 

Nothing hard about trucking. Everyday is a holiday, and every meal is a banquet!
You believe that don't you? Don't you?

 

Switching gears isn't hard, but it can be confusing when you pull it out of gear and forget where you were. :smt017

 

Yes, shifting gears is the most difficult part of trucking. Ive been doing this for 20 years and I still cant remember what the little switch on the shifter does. I have to go through each gear and count them on my fingers so I dont lose track. What really sucks is when I drive anything over a 10 speed, I run out of fingers and have to take my boots off. This can be very uncomfortable.

 

Just one perspective. I have had days where I can drive 2 hours and I am done. I have had days I went to bed so dogged tired, I woke up 18 hours later and others I just can't sleep.

I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't make money and be happy.

 

No. However if you work local i've actually counted the number of shifts and it was over 400! That can get tiring.


THE WORST PART ABOUT TRUCKING CAN BE:

Other drivers and management.

Read the above again.

---- The government is not the problem. The dot is not the problem. The real problem in trucking is psychotic management and/or selfish/psychotic drivers.

Sure speed limits and shippers/recievers can be a hinderance, but these issues can generally be worked around.

i would strongly suggest seeking employment with only unionized companies.

As far as pay, i only made 56K last year, but this year will probably be better.

 

Maybe that's my problem right there!!!! I've never SWITCHED a gear but I've CHANGED more than I care to think about!


What's this 11 hrs driving, 14 hour days?!! I drive 29-36 hrs a day and work if that's what you call hooking up, signing my name, open/close doors, and apply/break seals, maybe an hour a day. Did I miss another memo?!