Trucking's the Answer

Thestoryteller is right. Schnieders' training program is well known. They train you for every scenario, according to a former SNI trainer I used to hang with. And SNI drivers make pretty good dough, especially since the huge across the board pay raises on 1/1/08. Gotta have a very clean record though.

 

Latanea,

Your post is a great success story and I agree with 99% of it.....

However, while I agree there are ample opportunities to get a shower and there is no excuse for going a week without one, there are some occasions you won't have (legal) access to a shower.

I generally take five or six showers a week in the spring,summer and fall and four per week in the winter and enjoy going to bed clean and smelling good. Unfortunately there have been times where I ran out of hours and could not make it to a facility with showers.

Here's an example: You start your day at 0500 you have a live unload 600 miles away scheduled at 1700. You run nearly all day and arrive at 1630. The lumpers finish unloading you at 2000. Now what are you going to do? You are now past your 14 and illegal to drive until you take your break. Outside of the consignee letting you use their shower or you taking a cab to a truckstop you will be taking your break without a shower. If your company has a preplan on you chances are you won't be getting a shower until you complete another driving shift.

A few weeks ago (during the DOT crackdown) I finished unloaded 214 pieces of furniture in Long Island and was tired sweaty and dirty I was sent a trip assignment to pick up a preloaded trailer between 1400 and 1600. I get there at 1400 and they haven't finished loading it yet. They finish at 1630, 45 minutes after I run out of hrs. I spent the night in a vacant lot across the street in 85 degree heat. Baby wipes and a fan were my only options to try and get comfortable. Wasn't pleasant, sometimes things don't turn out as advertised and you just have to suck it up and deal with it.

Other times I've been without a shower is when the only safe haven is a rest area and they don't have showers. Also there are areas of the country that have very few truck stops. I've been in areas where the closest truck stop was 50 miles away and in the opposite direction of my destination. Are you going to run 100 miles out of route to get a shower and expect your employer not to say anything?

Sure, the majority of the time you will be able to shower but there are times that unforseen circumstances put you in a place you can't get a shower. It happens to me about once every 10 days or so.

 

Your absolutely right Roadkill. As a flatbedder, when I couldnt get to a shower, I absolutely hated trying to get some sleep being sticky and filthy. As everyone knows, flatbedders get filthy disgusting dirty, especially after tarping in the heat. I got smart and started carrying a small bucket, a 5-gal container of water, and wash gear in the truck for emergencies like that. I'd pull up the carpet I had in front of the bunk, pour water and soap in the bucket, strip down and wash as best I could. Course, I always idled when it was too hot and I couldnt find idle-air, so continued sweating was not an issue. I'd imagine there is not much idling going on these days with the cost of fuel.

 

You don't have to run illegal but sometimes it's okay to.....ah.....fictionalize your logs a little. I did it all the time. Always leave your log where you only need a couple of lines drawn and know where to draw them and your good. Also I would have to go with being homeless. Not only will it keep you motivated to drive but you'll have less bills and be able to drive more. Besides how hard is it to get an apartment, really? Trucking has it's own set of problems though, from (are you kidding me not even a Yugo could fit in there) docks to appointments that are the complete opposite of your normal sleep routine. But then again sometimes it's not bad. Especially if your single. Be friendly to your dispatcher and never be late and you'll be fine. Also, baby wipes work well in a shower emergency.

 

I understand the need for baby wipes - and I understand you get stuck out sometimes without running water when you run OTR - but at first chance you should always make yourself presentable.

I fired a guy one time for being a pig. He claimed he never had time to get cleaned up - and that he would sue me...

I told him I would counter sue for hurting my business...

unpleasant situation all the way around.


regardless - keep yourselves decent and your clothes clean...

also too many drivers slip into the sweat pant / pj wearing hoard that looks real cute in public.

yes I wear a uniform - and I know not everyone has to or does... BUT casual clothing does not have to mean "lounge wear". Nor does it require a driver to walk into a shipper/receiver bare chested... I have seen this many times - AT FOOD PROCESSING PLANTS!!!

then they get upset when the shipper tells them to leave / put clothes on.



I suppose in some cases it is a mater of class and style - guys who operated like bums prior to driving will continue to operate like bums regardless of environment.

likewise, those of us with prior military service or strict style regiments will continue to have that "polish"...


do I look down my nose at slobs? - yes. They hurt not only our collective image - but also satisfy the negative stereotypes that have plagued truckers for years.


as for a closure on the shower topic - I am thankful that instead of a sleeper cab I get to have a hotel room at night (whenever night is for me)...

AND don't think for a minute that I do not notice when one of my fellow line haul drivers runs around dirty KNOWING that he too was either at home or in a hotel room 14 hours ago or less...

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

 

Really? Give me your phone number and one of these days I'm unable to get a shower, I'll give you a call and ask you what exactly I did wrong.

 

being unable to get a shower is one thing - passing one up when the oppourtunity arises is another.


do you run around dirty like a 2 year old in a stinky diaper?

 

I don't get the QUESTION....Because trucking is not the answer...
I have spent 35 years in a truck and will have to spend more time in one, Because I don't have another trade. If you have another choice take it. Also remember that less then 2% of the new driver make it past 5 years in the trucking business. So the odds are against you from the start.

 

Well..... you're a cheerful guy first thing in the morning.....
Do you really believe that trucking is not the answer to ANYONE'S question?

Personally, I think there are certainly some worse jobs out there than driving around the country in a truck........ now, don't get me wrong...... I KNOW there are issues to deal with...... but, com'on....... do you really, honestly believe that driving a truck is the worst job in existence?

A little tired? A little jaded? A few life regrets?
If you are not happy driving then why are you not willing to put in the effort to find a new job/career?
In all honesty....... most people get sick and tired of any career they have spent over 30 years of their life doing...... people like new challenges.... they like trying new things...... they like adding a little adventure to their lives......... at least some do....

Now, in your case, the funny thing is that......... if you were to go looking into another career you would undoubtedly find a bunch of veteran's of that new career telling you how bad it was and how you should find something else....

If you insist on giving the advice that trucking is a bad "choice"........ then can you please elaborate on why YOU....... as a 35 year veteran........ believes it is not a good decision?
I actually do appreciate being told what the reality of trucking is.... from the perspective of as many experienced drivers as possible...... however, just saying "don't do it because I said so" is just not gonna do me much good...........

I would like to know where you got those statistics....... please....

I believe that California is fairly typical of the rest of the country and a little over 50% of CDL holders are still licensed after 5 years here ....... at the 10 year mark the number is down to 20%......

So that makes for 50% leaving in the first 5 years..... and 80% leaving within 10 years...... still a far cry from 98% of license holders bailing .......
BEFORE the 5 year mark................

Yep....... sounds a lot like life in general...........

But that is part of the fun!!

Btw........ good morning....... may I recommend a vanilla latte? Double shot maybe??