BURNT OUT!

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by FREEBRD, Mar 12, 2013.

  1. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Most of that is straight off of ITS. We do have one direct account that we get 1-4 loads per month from at random, usually at $2/mile, but delivering to 'hot' areas in the midwest. Patience is the key, along with being available when others aren't. Don't go off-grid on the weekends, keep your truck posted, always answer your phone, quote ridiculous rates for last minute weekend load offers, and don't back down from those quotes.
     
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  3. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Rates cannot be that bad if you can afford to take the past 8 winters off. The niche contracts ( deal direct ) are out there but you have to hunt for them , and as Windsmith noted there are decent loads available but you need to keep on top of things.
     
  4. SheepDog

    SheepDog Road Train Member

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    I remember when I was in High School, my dad got burnt out after 28yrs and got off the road. Went to work in a factory and didnt last a year. Back in the truck he went till the day he died,,R.I.P. Dad Trucking is not just the money, home time, truck, trailer, dipatchers, brokers..etc, etc. It is like the Military in a way, the life style. If you can afford to be home for 3 months, or however long its been, than I guess money isn't a problem for you. Maybe its time to find that local gig or think outside the box and try and find that customer you need and eliminate the brokers if you can. If the area you live in is the problem, than,,,think about a move. We get depressed for a lot of reasons but one is when we feel we are stuck in a rut. I get that way, we all get that way and for me, I have to change my way of thinking. I wish you the best FREEBRD.
     
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  5. FREEBRD

    FREEBRD Medium Load Member

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    everything I own is paid for ! So cost to live is down!
     
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  6. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Thats good , maybe its time you give up trucking altogether and try something else for a bit.
     
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  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Seems it's just a short matter of time until you will fail your DOT physical & then instead of taking the winter months off, you will be taking the whole year off, the rest of your life. That's your decision, because being an 0/0 is voluntary. I've never felt trucking is a hard lonely life, that's because I decided to be a company driver and let the company take all the pressure & financial responsibility; no sweat off me whether the company succeeds or fails and as long as I do my job and don't try to stiff the company, I have a clear conscious. When I die, I want to die as an old retired healthy company driver, not a worn out, fairly young, unhealthy, broke 0/0 struggling to get by on social security. Personal choice!
     
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  8. RAGE 18

    RAGE 18 Road Train Member

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    Just go as a company driver dude u wouldnt be the first or the last to go comp. Choose a good company and keep the rest of ur hair.
     
  9. blanco

    blanco Road Train Member

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    Reminds me of an old bosss' performance report on me.

    "Does not work well with others"

    Yep, i can be all by my lonesome for days on end. Dont bother me none.
    As far as rates, get a dry van for winter. Thats what we do. Flatbed is seeing a lot of big mega fleets entering and. Expanding
     
  10. critters

    critters <b>Late For Dinner</b>

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    I also see two options here company driver or maybe it's time to move on,like Chinatown said it only a matter of time before your health don't allow you to do anything.
     
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  11. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I guess it just depends on the person.Ive been solo otr since 2003.Never got the lonely feeling.But did get burnt out mainly because as a company driver,the pay SUCKS BIG TIME.So I don't have any motivation.I think if trucking whether for co drivers or o/o paid better then there would be alot more happy campers out there.Employers think all we do is eat sleep shower and drive,we dont deserve any more pay.If they had their way pay would even be lower but they know noone would drive for them then.
     
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