Life is like a mirror.

Yes, if that's the business model you set for yourself to get to your goal. Yes, I said business; you're selling your time and experience.

So if you have a goal like owning your own truck one day, or owning a home, etc, you work as many hours as it takes to get there. No successful business man ever made it by working 9 to 5.

Rate of pay is a different issue. Like any business man, you don't make the best right out of the box. Most businesses do well to break even for the first years.... often the first one or two are at a loss. Your "profit" grows as your rep and skillset does; you have more to offer your "clients".
You work your fanny off to build these. The process is what's known as work ethic.

Now if you want to live as a "floater" or let someone else manage your life (union), I can't help you. Nor would I want to.

 

Reread what you just wrote, and it's self explanatory.

 

I don't mind working 10-12 hours a day, but I do expect to be able to takes meal and other breaks during that time.

Expecting me to work around the clock 7 days a week for weeks on end with only 10 hours to recuperate between 11-14 hour shifts with, maybe, 1 hour total break time in between - and only being in my own home maybe 3 days a month - is a bit overkill.

Well, IMO.

But, yes, I did choose to be a truck driver.
(I did not choose to be a slave, though)

So, I tend to take 12 hour breaks so I can get better sleep and a little time to relax and enjoy life on the road.
I try to get loads that I can have about 1.5 hours of break time in a 12-14 hour day.
I refuse loads that seem to me to be too tight on time, and thus dangerous. (It is just freight moving from one place to another. It is not worth the health or life of someone to get it there a few hours earlier.)
I also idle my truck as necessary to keep somewhat comfortable.

And yes, I am entitled to that - due to the life I lead in order to get everyone else all the junk they want to consume.

 

Amen to that brother!