Where is everyone #5

Hopped on a Greyhound bus from California to Missouri to meet a gal. She's been my wife for almost 19 years. Parents and friends thought I was crazy. Joined the Navy a few months after we got together.

After I decided I was done with the Navy after 8 years, I winged it but made some mistakes. That's where I had that fall I brought up earlier. Almost cost me a few things that I highly value. Changed my outlook on life a little bit, so the preference for a bit of a "Plan B" is a part of that.

Speaking of opinions, when it comes to internet strangers there's quite a few in here whose opinion I value more than those of some people I know in "Meat Space" (Otherwise known as the infamous "In Person"). I lurked here for quite some time before I signed up and started posting. A lot of experience here in the hands of some goons who shoot straight.

Anywho,

It's Friday and I've got bloody mary number two in hand, and I just stuffed some Italian Wedding Soup down my neck, about to go back for another serving. I'm taking my daughter out for some drive time in the morning, and probably to lunch afterwords.

 

The problem is, all of these office jockey types believe that we are all equal...all the drivers, that is. Look around at the rookie forum here...notice all the incredibly silly posts and concerns that newer drivers have? Anything and everything BUT the job. And they get online and desire their ears tickled and will listen to some sidewalk sissy about how to truck. One guy called me a supertrucker and bragged about stopping 3 times an hour to pee. Too funny.

So these idiots show up at these trucking companies with these stupid ideas in their heads, and the deskjockeys pretend to listen, but are reading from their "Dispatching for Dummies" playbook. Guy shows up for orientation exclaiming, "I don't go here, I don't do this, blah blah blah blah blah." Page 1 in the Dispatching for Dummies book says, "Part 1 Section 1: Truck Drivers are Stupid. The only thing that's stupider than a Truck Driver is TWO Truck Drivers sitting and having a conversation. Give that stupid Truck Driver a sunshine injection and send his dumb arse down the road!" So the dispatcher will say, "You are our most valuable commodity! We respect you!" And the driver wiggles and giggles because those sunshine injections tickle when they reach Uranus.

I wouldn't be too worried about a travel agent lying to me. That's what their playbook tells them to do.

1. What kinds of trucks do you have? I want a midroof, no condo. What's it governed to?
2. What does the average driver make? What did your top driver make? (The guys on top should do anywhere's between 1.5-2x average. If they do not, red flag...you're at one of those communist joints that try to insure that all of their drivers make the same amount of money. Walk away. You do not want anyone controlling your income that closely.
3. Company policies. Idling, breakdown pay, home time, slip seating...whatever. If they have excessive hand holding, walk away. If they have stupid policies, but not offering any more money, walk away (Example: See TMC and their truck washing BS). Any time any company is wanting you to jump through hoops and do stupid tricks just to have a job, YET they're not paying outstanding money, that's a circus. Don't be a clown.

If the average driver is making $50k, I plan on making $80+. I wouldn't get out of bed to be average. I may not do 2x the first year (there are some things that take a while to learn), but I've always been able to do better than 1.5x average from jump.

If all are equal, none could be strong.

 

Mine had eyes in the back of their heads. It seemed like you could be in the farthest seat back in the wagon and could feel a hand pop you in the head.

 

I stopped to get a nap. My pard is beggin me to go throw the ball. We been hooked short.

 

Nice

 

Man that’s awesome. Hope you’re feelin better partner.

 

Post pics of whatever you end up doing please. I know you’ll come up with something cool.

 

That pic is awesome as is, but since you asked....



Hope y’all had a good time.

 

Gore’s for the night. Wagon loaded, waiting game in full effect. Arnett job starts tomorrow.

 

So tell me this — been working around equipment and trucks the better part of 40 years — had a Chauffeur’s from 80 till 91 till we had to get a CDL — have owned transport, dumps and boom trucks (up to 38t) — never really done OTR, but have hooked up and drug crap from Idaho to Alabama to Ft Murray and points in between, on a moments notice, on my own dime and at my own risk — how in the F can one of these little peckerheads say that doesn’t qualify??