What's all this talk about no touch trucking?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by majorbanjo, Jun 26, 2014.

  1. majorbanjo

    majorbanjo Bobtail Member

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    I'm getting ready to retire from the Army with 24 years in about 6 months….looking to change gears altogether (Pun intended)…..I've always wanted to go into trucking….I'm used to spending a lot of time away from home so no problem there….used to living in austere conditions…no problem there……used to dealing with difficult folks….no problem there…..think I'm a perfect fit for trucking…..

    However……I'm looking for a place to work where I can get miles and maximize touch….want to stay in shape…I'm 50 years old and used to working out a lot…my biggest fear is becoming sedentary…..it's just NOT healthy…..I want a physical challenge as well as logging miles…..

    Why is it that when reading this forum I see that most everybody is concerned when a job involves a little physical labor? there are hundreds of threads concerned with no touch freight…..Isn't health of truck drivers a big concern? Truckers are NOT all fat lazy motor scooters, at least the ones I know?

    Your thoughts?
     
    dannythetrucker Thanks this.
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  3. BluBeaSSt

    BluBeaSSt Light Load Member

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    Intermodal! The equipment is crap but the only time I touch freight is if I want to speed up the process.

    Also I'm home 80% of the time and hit the gym 5 nights a week. I'm a tad younger than you at 28 though lol
     
    w.h.o Thanks this.
  4. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Because unloading your own freight don't pay much not like it does if lumpers unloaded you.Drivers are paid to drive not unload.Most the companies have customers that unload their freight.There are companies that have lumpers to unload and im sure your carrier would be more then happy to pay you rather then a lumper.You want a better chance of unloading your freight then go with a reefer company.Werner does have an account where the drivers do unload the freight,its either Family Dollar or Dollar General,can't remember.
     
  5. majorbanjo

    majorbanjo Bobtail Member

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    I'm thinking about flatbed…so I can drag tarps at least…..I understand about lumpers….I'll also check with Werner as I get closer to retirement….thanks….
    Pay is not my primary concern….I want to drive….have fun….and stay healthy and make a little money as well to keep busy……being a retired Officer with over 24 years in I'll be grossing about 60k in retirement pay……so that does give me options…..no wife so looking for adventure I have a house in Georgia…….but my time on the road in the Army has made me fear staying in one place….this is my way of moving and still having fun….without all the stress of supervising over 100 folks brings….
     
  6. Wooly Rhino

    Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

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    Well, you would not have had to tell us you were an Army Veteran. Let a real veteran of the United States Air Force (the real fighters) explain it to you.

    Most companies pay by mile driven. So when your truck is stopped everything you do is for free. That is paper work, backing up, loading and unloading, anything. We are Professionals. We like to get paid for the work we do. We are not looking for something just to keep us busy.

    We thank you for you service and remember if a marine doesn't know the answer, he can ask a soldier, a soldier can ask a sailor, but when you want the right answer, The Air Force will be there for you.


     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 9, 2015
    biggare1980 Thanks this.
  7. DrFlush

    DrFlush Road Train Member

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    I would definitely think flatbed, not much exercise compared to the construction I use to do, but there is some, and the folks you deal with are much easier to deal with than most van or reefer places.
     
  8. damutt

    damutt Road Train Member

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    the ones you see alot for "no touch freight" is typcialyy van. grab a job yanking flatbed, will keep you in shape, EVERY load is touch. cant say myuch about tanker tho
     
  9. majorbanjo

    majorbanjo Bobtail Member

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    Forgot Air Force was an Armed service….based on the quality of their living conditions in the field…..Soft….very soft…..:biggrin_25525: Definitely would not make good truckers!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 9, 2015
    Wooly Rhino and mickimause Thank this.
  10. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    What about dedicated loads, 100%, from family dollar to tossing tires around
     
  11. majorbanjo

    majorbanjo Bobtail Member

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    Lumpkin, GA
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    I'll take it….when do I report! seriously….which company…is that a Schneider van you have there?
     
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