So this is trucking now ?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by bzinger, Feb 20, 2016.

  1. flatbedder

    flatbedder Medium Load Member

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    To each their own fellas
     
  2. Onetime47

    Onetime47 Bobtail Member

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    Just so I am not making a stupid choice what else should I be doing/looking at to avoid this? I am currently in school getting my CDL then I want to do flatbed work. I thought one has to put in their time before they can start to move up in the world?
     
  3. shovel98

    shovel98 Light Load Member

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    You mean you don't like dirty toilet paper tossed in corner and s@#t wiped every where that's the new norm. 20 years and still waiting for a driver min training standards law from guberment when you got guys with 2yrs or less being trainers what do they know. 28 years driving and still don't know it all. Hey we are classified as unskilled labor till it comes time for a ticket then we are professional drivers. Was loading at steel plant this morning crane operator told driver to back into door 11 driver said he couldn't wasn't good at backing mind you he only had 200 yards of open space in front of door with nothing in the way. My comment was be happy he can go forward. That's what its come too.
     
    tommymonza and Dye Guardian Thank this.
  4. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    There are so many different companies and just as many different company models with how they run there drivers. How you pay your dues will vary... but very few rookies escape some kind of unhappiness or discomfort when they first start out.

    Chalk it up to lack of knowledge. Very few went into it from scratch with out some kind of learning curve. How you develope your experience and skillset will more than likely determine how you proceed in trucking. People tend to stick with what they know. Choosing a difficult path or course is not a common trait in new or newish drivers. How ever.. the more you do something.. whether it be difficult or easy.. the better you will become at it.

    How to avoid getting your chain yanked each weekend when you just want to spend time with family??? Not sure how to guide you. I never worked for a mega.. only O/O's or small (less than 15 trucks) companies. So I honestly only know what I read and hear people complain about the most.

    Its been my experience (There are exceptions.. people here on TTR have stated they have the best of both worlds when it comes to being home and making money) that companies dangle fhe home time carrot in front of new recruits.. and they usually jump on it.. and end up like I described in the post you responded to.

    Local drivers tend to work more hours, sleep less, and few earn as much as regional or otr drivers. Trying to find a happy medium will depend on what type of schedule or routine works for you.

    Typically otr drivers stay out anywhere from 2 - 6 weeks. Some stay out more... some drop by the house once or twice a week. Where you live plays a huge factor in how often you would see home.

    Bottom line is that this is a business and we are in it to make money. The more runs a truck makes in a given time period the more it earns. The more it earns allows you to have more perks. More money, benefits, vacations, extended home time... many different thing.

    Typically the longer you stay out.. the longer your time at home (should) will be. Many drivers who get home weekends.. come in late friday night. Finish their delivery saturday morning. Come back home just to head back out or prepare to head back out Sunday night or very early Monday morning. The whole.. in by 5pm Friday night and out 7am Monday morning is not common... in fact its an empty promise.. or pipe dream that companies try to sell.

    My advise is to talk with the actual drivers who have been with a company for at least 1 yr that you are interested in hiring on with. Asking a rookie who just went solo 2 weeks ago is like asking a 5 yr old what he thinks about bed time. The drivers who have been there the longest will tend to not only have the answers you are looking for.. but they are typically working towards a goal and will have the most sincere answers to your questions.

    Never be afraid to ask. The only dumb question is the one you did not ask.

    Hurst
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2016
  5. strollinruss

    strollinruss Road Train Member

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    Lord, have mercy. If I'm in the truck for more than 3 days I feel abused. I'm glad you guys can do it and keep America going. I've got to be home more than that.
     
    Derailed, macavoy and Hurst Thank this.
  6. 51.50

    51.50 Heavy Load Member

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    Salem Oregon
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    When you work for a smaller company, you as the driver must generate enough revenue for the company to pay you and all the additional expenses related to having an employee, plus pay for the truck, all truck expenses and produce a profit for the owner. When the driver takes time off, the revenue stops and the fixed costs continue.
    The owners life style can adversely affect driver pay and working conditions as well.
     
  7. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    I envy your ability to have that.

    I'm trying to find shippers that will give me that type of work. Found a few. Just not enough to make the kind of money I want to have. So I go otr to make it.

    My kids are grown.. wife has a flexible career. So we take mini vactions when ever I come home. Its not a bad way to live. I do start to miss home by my 2nd or 3rd day out.

    Hurst
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2016
    Orangees Thanks this.
  8. strollinruss

    strollinruss Road Train Member

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    Montgomery, TX
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    Yeah, I've still got 13/8yr old girls at home. being gone too long is not an option. The little one has special needs so I need to be here for momma.
     
  9. Onetime47

    Onetime47 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 28, 2014
    Billings, MT
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    Thank you for the thoughtful reply Hurst. I am the kind of person that wants to challenge myself and push myself to work harder and better and I think that is why I am drawn towards flatbed. I enjoy the challenge and I like the feeling of accomplishment for doing something that not everyone can or will do. I don't have any kids at home but I know that my fiancé would not want me to be gone all the time (I do plan on trying to convince her to ride with me in the truck though).
    -Onetime
     
  10. soloflyr

    soloflyr Medium Load Member

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    I mostly run Texas, Louisiana & Oklahoma & make decent money. It allows me to be home several times a week. If I am going to live in the truck for a week or more then the money needs to be there to compensate me for living in a box.

    I also run several different types of open deck trailers. 48' spread axle flat & stepdeck, 53' triple axle stepdeck, 48' 4 axle low deck non-removable gooseneck, & 2 different 3 axle RGN's one with 24' in the well & one wih 31' in the well & have a tandem axle stinger for when it's needed. Staying closer to home allows me to swap out equipment as needed & having the various trailers allows me to do just about every kind of load. Obviously having a heavier 4 axle tractor knocks me out of some of the heavier divisible flat & stepdeck loads but I never liked hauling lumber, shingles or those other cheap commodities anyway.
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2016
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