Common Misconceptions About Trucking???

Myth, drivers will hit on your woman at the truck stop when she is doing your laundry while you sleep.....Wait nm, that one is true.

 

I can get NPR, on like four different stations, all running the same program. But other than that, No, I don't get FM talk radio. I'm too far from any MAJOR population center.

 

The "Good Money" myth persists. It's possible, surely, but most drivers are going to make no more than $30k starting out (and probably less), and as things get better you can get up into the $50k and up range.

Also (and I have no idea why), the idea that truckers do drugs persists. Meth, crack, whatever. That one blows my mind. I suppose it's possible that this myth evolved from somebody finding out about how things like west coast turn-arounds once existed and then just creatively extrapolating from there...but good lord, it's hard to have a drink around a truck without the law elephant landing on your face.

 

I have a Sirius radio with a boom box . I can strap it in the passenger seat then take it out and bring it home .

 

Do you have a smart phone with a good data plan ?? Of course there's always XM, even if you slip seat.

I use my phone with the "TuneIn Radio" app. It works great in most areas. I rarely miss a talk show host I like.

BBC offers an app. As does NPR.

 

I dumped my xm, (I wan't using it enough) now when I jump into a truck to take a run and turn on the radio it's like playing roulette without the ball.

As far as misconceptions, ever seen the movie joy ride......

You can still make good money in this business but you need to be aggressive, a good job isn't just going to fall into your lap.

 

No, I'm too cheap to get something like that. I may in the future, when I make more money. Instead, I prefer to whine and complain about it. I have thought about getting XM, but I have a problem paying for radio, when the one in the truck still works. Even if I can't get what I want on it.

 

After 16 years on the road, I'd have to say everyone is right sofar.

Being an Owner/Opperator, the money is pretty #### good, but it's expensive to live on the road. Some of the down falls are; $550/day in fuel, $300/mo oil change, $400/ea tires, monthly taxes can range up to having to constantly 'eat out' at truck stops because you can't get a big rig just any ol' place(burgers, Taco Bell, Subway, and the Iron Skillet are the most prevalent. It gets old quick) even when you have groceries on board, never getting to see your family except when they send you the picture updates, having to get in line to take a shower (if you're so inclined to actually TAKE ONE), scum-bags knocking on your door at all hours trying to get money out of you, and ALOT of new truckers who have NO respect for the industry.

When I started driving, truckers were the knights of the road. We were much friendlier, we'd stop to help a stranded motorist, and we were courtiuos on the road. Nowdays it seems as though it's just a bunch of people in an unneccesary hurry who think they're the only ones with problems and they must have the whole road to themselves.

On a good note, you do get to see alot of country. As stated earlier, most of it is at 65mph and there isn't much time to get off the freeway to play tourist, unfortunately. People want their freight, and they want it yesterday. It's not hard to burn three states in one day.

The Federal Govt. allows you to drive for 11 hours before you MUST take a 10 hour break. The shipper sets an appointment typically based on the miles from point A to B, and divides that by an assumed miles per hour average. That figure is then divided by the 'Hours-Of Service' rule, and they then give you a destination time.
Example: 1625miles / 63mph avg = 26 hours of drive time. The 26hrs is then divided by the 11hr rule = 2.3 DRIVING days. That means you could load at 9am Monday and drive 'til 8pm, leave again at 6am Tuesday and drive 'til 5pm, and hit 'er again 4am to make an 8am delivery appointment. That is how most deispatchers think. What they DON'T realize, is that is very hard work, and unrealistic due to fuel stops, exercise breaks, and weather/road conditions. I have the advantage of brokering(finding) my own loads, and am therefore able to set appointments accordingly.

No matter what ANYONE says, trucking is very hard work. Maybe not physically exurting, but it is amazingly stressful on the brain and body.

But it is rewarding knowing that you have abilities that not many people posess, and a skill set that will always find you a job (as long as your not a douche). There are some amazing people out there doing what they have to, to provide mecantile to our nation. Every one of us ####### about our jobs, but only 10% actually quit and STAY gone. Most will quit for a while, but the 'White Line' gets into the blood and is harder to give up than smoking!

And, it's alot of fun....I think. End of rant

 

Douche alert !! Mega Companies will STILL hire them.