Pay,Risk and Talent

Come on man,half of us drivers don't have 2 nickels to nickels to rub together and I bet some would be homeless without that company truck.
How do you want them to stand up?

 

You stand with millions of others like yourself who also hold a CDL A and the Jewelry. Big deal. When you stand with a crowd of truckers you find yourself being ordinary. Follow me?

I would be more than reluctant to give TScottsme a hard time. He and I don't always agree but I do respect whatever he has to say.

I don't know if you are younger, but you sure sound like one not yet seasoned in this industry. Maybe I am wrong. I hope I am.

What I am trying to gently suggest is that this forum contains some very strong People with a wealth of knowledge that you can really benefit from. Hell, even I learn something new now and then every day.

One of the hallmarks of a Professional Trucker is to absorb what is possible against a future problem and discard the unnecessary poking beyond ordinary horseplay and teasing.

 

Hey man, ignore all these people on here giving you a hard time. I guess they're so happy to be driving a truck they'll drive it for free.
I fully agree with what you're saying and I bid my loads on the same basis.
We are on the wrong website, I think all of these guys are new or just simple minded, which ever it doesn't matter. They are part of the problem, not the solution.
If people would understand that these big companies have stock holders to answer to P and L sheets they have to follow they might see themselves as a needed commodity and that the driver has the leverage things would be better.
I would be the first to strike, but we have too many foreign drivers and lease purchase drivers to make a difference, so yes we need a solution and these people are putting you on the spot when all they have to say are negative remarks instead of actually looking at the situation.
Whole lot easier sitting at a truck stop telling everyone how cool they are because they are lease purchase O/O's which they are not O/O's.
They have dumbed the industry down so much ot is disgraceful.
Keep fighting the good fight as I will be there with ya. PM me as I have some ideas that yoi would get and none of these others will.

Thank you.

 

From what I can see, there used to be a storng union for us. It's not there anymore, and it's vilified when it is. I also see, as a noob coming into this field, that there are good and bad drivers. There are new drivers and experienced drivers. There are companies to fit their needs and desires. Good and bad companies. I understand as a new driver that I can't pick the best companies to work for. I have to prove myself. I also understand that as I gain more experience I become more valuable to companies. I'd join a union if there was one. But until then, I'll decide if a particular starter company is worth my risk and time.

 

I don't understand why people think so little of themselves that they say they have to settle for company x,y,z? There are good starter companies out there that will pay you and take good care of you. Earning your stripes is not sitting in a truck stop for days hoping you get a load home or where ever. It's proper training and keeping you moving.
These companies want you for capacity and don't care if you have bills, a family. They don't own you, you offer a service to them, without a driver the truck is no good.
Whatever your bills are weekly, monthly they don't campare to the bills a Swift has. With the salaries and equipment they have to pay for it wouldn't take long for them to cry.
Just food for thought we are the blood that runs through the veins of the world, very important and needed.

 

Instead of being upset about the rate of pay OP, you should start a trucking company.
Then hire everyone who applies for a job, and start them at $100/hour. Give them a 25% raise per year, free medical and dental, and if they have to overnight pay them an extra $500 for each night away from home, so they can get a deluxe suite in a nice hotel, and dine on steak and lobster.
Should not be a problem for you since it seems you have it figured out, and want all drivers to make good money.
The rest of us morons are just too stupid to figure out how to pay our drivers that much.

 

I'd settle for $50.00 an hour...…..

 

Going back to the original post, I get what you are saying , but is it possible that the individual that you perceive as just moving dirt around, could possibly be someone who has spent years mastering different peices of heavy equipment, mastering their craft, works in what is considered a skilled trade, most likely belongs to a operator's union where they came up through the ranks from apprentice to journeyman and quite possibly might also hold a CDL, and not only knows how to operate the equipment but knows how to haul it as well ,and maybe that's why they make the kind of money they make, maybe not so much the risk but their skill set is what commands them that amount of money, just a thought.