Well, i'm not exactly a newbie... Though, I'm sure some of you old farts would look at my 27 months experience and scoff. lol. Anyway. 1- I've been mostly 48 (but kept out of the Northeast as much as I could) and even did a little Canada (before i learned better). Question- I realize trucking is what you make it... But, on average, is there any money to be made in a southeast regional? (To be specific... for a driver who DOESNT play games with his logbook, or drive illegal). Asking because I'm considering Crete or Marten. Im asking on average for the southeast, not gripes or praise for them particular companies. 2- Are there very many (and if so, where) truck stops out there with gyms? Paid or free, either or. I've lost about 40 lbs in the past 6 months just switching to diet soda and walking a few miles around the rest areas and truck stops a week... but, i used to love hitting the Gym back in highschool, and it would be awesome to find some real exercise. Don't feel the need to answer both if ya don't know, just what ya do know. Thanks.
although i run OTR, i HEAR the reg. drivers sometimes don't get the miles we do,for obvious reasons. the petro in steele Al on I-59 has a gym. only TS i can think of right off hand
PHP is right Regional Drivers don't get the the Miles like OTR drivers do and the T/S's I've been to do not have gyms. The Petro in Steele,Al is the first I heard of a Gym in a T/S. I've seen reports that both watching what and how much one eats,as well as getting some exercise will make a big difference. BTW walking is considered as exercising.
the Petro in Gadsden, AL at exit 181 on I-59 has a gym in it, atleast it did 2 years ago, i havent been in there since.
As far as local pays goes the southeast has the lowest pay around. But in most places the cost of living is lower too. I started in Jacksonville FL in 1978 at12 ½¢ a mile. I was casual so I got more than the regular drivers who got 10¢ a mile. The only place I've been where the wages have not met the local cost of living was southern maryland and las vegas nv. In maryland they expected everyone to make DC wages but paid nothing for driving. In las vegas where at the time the cost of living was great we got paid california wages. So you need to look at the whole area before you decide.
