Just started reefer and have a couple issues. Experienced guys...help????

the 0-1 year guys calling the shots
oh boy

 

Looks like his 3 choices are
#1. quit
#2. quit
#3. quit

 

You should get used to the noise and be able to sleep with any reefer going on and off. Its not unlike other trucks coming and going or the straight pipe truck on high idle, or apu units that go on and off, oh and don't forget the air purge on-off every 20 seconds special.

Hauling meat takes forever if you have to wait for a live load. A lot of bigger carriers do drop and hook at these places. You should be paid at least a days layover. The extra long waits are the worst in meat hauling. It isn't all like that. Tell your boss you want say $150 for live loading meat. If its less sometimes, you win, if its more, you loose. Win some loose some. You aren't likely to get an hourly rate.

This is just part of hauling reefer. Its a bit more demanding but it also has usually lots of miles per load, if that's what you are after. There is no perfect job in trucking ... I'm sure the tankers and skateboards and heavy haulers all have things they have to deal with that just plain suck.

 

As far as a loud reefer, I always keep mine on constant running. When the compressor starts, is it a minor thing I quickly accepted as "White" noise.
30 hours waiting is totally unacceptable. Unless you can use it for a 34 hour reset. If you company wont reimburse you something, you need to look elsewhere. We get $13/hr after two, which is not much. I have refused a load and left after 5 hours. Never threatened with my job.

Jigs

 

I sleep with ear plugs and that takes care of the reefer noise. Like others said run it on continues at night if you do not like the start stop. Detention is part of reefer work and depending on companies. Looks like you made threats and probably worked yourself out of a job already. Remember there is new folks standing in line to become truck drivers every day.

You can have the best trucking job in the world and I will park beside you with my 10 year old carrier and you get to listen to that one.

 

Yeah reefer sucks once I leave reefer I will never go back I don't care how much they pay extra its not worth it. The few times when I get dry broker loads I sleep like a baby. I just came from a shipper where I had to stand inside a freezer for 30 minutes to wait for the lumper to hand me my bills when they told me that I am ready to go.

 

Yeah reefer is the worst paying. Try flatbed or tanker or heavy haul.

 

I enjoy reefer. Sometimes,with meat loads,you can have a very long wait. Use this time to get a reset on hours, do laundry, go buy groceries, clean thei inside of your truck. Waiting happens. It's part of the job. You may or may not get paid detention. You can't go and DEMAND anything from your company. You can ask.
As for the noise, you will get used to it. You'll get so tired that it won't bother you at all. We run intelleset reefers. Which means you can't switch from start/stop to continuous just because you want to. I leave my reefer set on whatever the bol's state.
Be patient. Your still new, with a lot to learn. Give it time and all of it won't bother you anymore.
On the bright side,no matter how bad the economy may get, people are going to buy food. Good luck.

 

To the op, there are worst jobs you can do in trucking, this isn't bad.

Get a pair of ear plugs, get used to waiting and next time ask up front about detent time.

YOU committed to the company and they gave you a job, so maybe adjusting to the lifestyle would help.

Where is this law?

 

Not sure why people say get ear plugs since ear plugs do not block the violent shaking of the reefer or the random vibration and you can still hear the deep low frequency of the reefer engine. It is not like trying to block the sound of someone snoring.