How do you keep going on?

Just a little perspective to the OP:

YOU ARE THE EXACT type of guy we look for when we are hiring (and no, we are not). We're a private carrier, and when we hire (very rarely) we look for guys that are wired to work hard, think hard, and play fair. They manage their schedules and re-schedules. Our guys average around $1,500 gross a week, with a $1,000 minimum guaranteed. Loading and unloading assistance paid. Never a reset on the road. Never a layover without pay. Never detention without pay. Rarely a week over 50 hrs. But when you work, you WORK!

There are many, many similar jobs out there and many BETTER THAN THAT -- which is why the Mega's have 100% turnover.

Your second job starting today is to locate THAT JOB. Not any job, not a better job, not a good job, THAT JOB. The one that isn't advertised (because we don't have to), the one that you dream about.

You can put up with anything if you know you're doing it to get to your goal. Well, THAT JOB is your goal. Do what others have suggested, talk to shippers, talk to receivers, talk to drivers, any driver, and get leads. Read magazine articles to discover companies who might need your skills, and call their shipping departments. Read newspapers, internet news sites, and cold call three companies (or more) a day. If you are at a truck dealer, talk to the service writer about local companies. He knows who takes care of their stuff (and their drivers). Call the chamber of commerce in your town for leads on private shippers. THAT JOB is out there, your second job is now to find it.

 

Show him some superload pics, Mr Fitz.

So, it’s the ‘company schmuck in the cattleprod truck’ feeling that you hate. Quit pulling a box, and pull any other trailer, and your mood will improve. The game changes completely once you get out of the box.

The whole cattleprod thing is asinine. The only beeping that I want to hear is the low air buzzer. If I can’t use my mirrors before I change the lane, if I can’t control my speed, if I can’t chose my route, if I can’t talk with the shippers and receivers...

...IF I CANT DO MY JOB...

...find someone else. I have no need for handholding and cattleprod. But because I can do my job,you’re going to have to pay me.

 

I cannot give a thousand thanks to Accidental Trucker. I could if I could here.

THAT JOB was for me a particular type of freight that is Medical in nature and high dollar loads, million plus. The money earned took care of itself in that rarefied (Means really high and thin...) atmosphere of trucking. This isn't some Associated Grocers with the abuse to match.

I keep thinking about the OP too. For me I like people who are not just a "Drivah" but are Lions so to use a bad term of speaking. And this would be one.

I hope this makes sense, have a great day all.

 

I kinda like what Accidental Trucker has to say........
But I would like to stand up for ALL Drivers that have their heads in the game 100%, That actually want to be a truck driver for a career- Not a "I'm not sure what I want" mindset.

Accidental, I Admire your ethics on how you treat your employees- (I'm hoping you pay overtime also)

Point I'm making is.....I Don't think a Driver should have to Squeeze the water out of the towel to find that "Perfect" Job...

Why? Why does it have to be that way?? Why should a Young,Low experienced Driver with a GREAT positive Attitude Have to Hunt down a Better Job with No openings rarely?

ALL, Carriers should have the same standards as Accidental does-As Written into some form of law (Like a minimum wage)

That Way- You Weed out the Poor,Non motivated poor attitude folks Who simply don't care-

See, I see it everyday- Drivers moping around because they cant save money,or afford their Bills, Or healthcare,or Just a Happy way of life.... MANY CARRIERS MAKE THEM THAT WAY- for the most part-some just were born that way

Not Everyone has the "Get up and go" To find the "Good" Jobs...Scared there not hiring,Or depressed because they hear the answer "No,Were not hiring"...........

I Wish I was in control of minimal standards for drivers- 30k per year living in a truck,working 70 hours per week would Kill Anyone's motivation eventually-

 

Their is a company that has high dollar security loads and their drivers are required to carry guns I believe. I remember think I might do something like that but they run team. That's why say look for something special they will pay more then you average driving job.

Two time I have seen the trucks that run for the US Mint. They run in three truck groups and have a special escort in front of them and in back on them. They we're running Peterbilt truck and they look normal at first. If you ever pass them and look you can see they have bullet proof glass and stuff the hole truck looks like it bullet proof and some crazy strong trailers.

You can do like I did can get I to car hauling and high end cars. You don't need experience for that. Just a good clean driving record and not job hopping. You can get into driving for concerts but those are longer commitments. I looked into that but they want you to drive the truck entire tour. Your looking at 3-6 months USA tour and Canada.

 

I wont touch high end cars, Ive already done enough of that in Adesa of Little Rock, Actually got to run a few and wring em out in the woods down yonder. Im sick of high end cars actually. That is why I became a crew boss for big truck sales where my knowledge towards a crew of CDL Temps some know auto but not manual and vice versa plus some air start vehicles etc. So many were in the 20's and learned really fast my way I suppose. I will always think good memories of that time back then as a crew boss. Everyone was fantastic.

I think Western Express has a division related to going into the FED at NYC downtown where there is a gold depository below the street among other things. I think somewhere in these forums is a interaction between myself and one of the Company persons involved in that particular type of armed security, you might do a search of my posts, my author name and keyword Security, bullion etc and then there should still be that converstation including the links to that trucking outfit.

I would be more than happy to be a rifleman pulling security with someone else manning the 18 wheeler driving. But I cannot stand to put myself into that tractor with some 21 year old kid. I need a warrior who has done many things that he or she cannot talk about much to handle that truck. So Im picky. Maybe they are picky I don't know. Ive got some challenges medically but am working on those. That IDF training should come in handy when combined with theirs.

Enough of my blabbing, it's a roundabout way of trying to help out.

 

Don't make rash decisions. They only help you get a worse job, then a worse situation, then a worse job, etc. Change your attitude, look for a long'term better job, do what's necessary to go there.

 

There are places that will take you driver that's better than your curent situation. Our guys are bafoons and gross $1500 a week and home every weekend. The company never calls unless there is a problem. We can call who ever we want. Heck you can book your own loads if you want? Trucks are 550 hp and set to 80 mph. We are flatbed but would take a guy with 1 year experience driving without flatbed experience in a second. We are currently not hiring but do often. We only have 4 trucks but there are thousands and thousands of companies out there to chose from.

 

That's one ugly mofo.

 

Something like this might interest you. It takes work and commitment to get there. You won't just jump into doing superloads but it is a very real possibility at the right company.

A variety from the past few months. The gray truck is my bosses truck when he was an 0/0.
A kind of tall, long, and wide trailer.

Horizontal stabilizer
25 million dollar jet engine going to Tokyo
Wind mill hub
And I can't say what this is other then a pain in the ### to tarp.