Longevity: How long do drivers last in the truck?

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by ihaveaquestion, Mar 18, 2024.

  1. Pepper24

    Pepper24 Road Train Member

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    Where did you get your information about 4 to 6 months 2 to 3 years?This really seems like a stupid question.Some people like to think trucking industry is the only industry that people quit.I’ve known people at the company where I worked that was there for over 30 years and some who quit the same job after a year.Same job same pay same home time same trucks some decided to stay some leave who cares
     
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  3. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Chief reasons I left my previous carriers:
    • It's a truck -- NOT a sports car (very bad dispatch). :rolleyes:
    • NEWS FLASH: I am NOT "meat in the seat" :confused: :mad:
    -- L
     
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  4. LoneRanger

    LoneRanger Road Train Member

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    My opinion is short attention spans, and lack of unwinding after a days drive.

    it’s basically mock prison stint.

    driving now is different than let’s say 30 years ago. When drivers would talk to each other while driving and at the counter.
     
  5. NorthEastTrucker

    NorthEastTrucker Heavy Load Member

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    Numbers don't lie. This speaks volumes yet most mid size to large trucking company Executives and Owners ignore this still putting out daily job adds seeking driver's and Lease on O/o's. Yet, they try to con, swindle, steal money by tricking & scheming from the 'Good ones' they have already. It really makes no sense! The dam is about to break from the redundancy soon. Younger CDL drivers are not the Majority only the minority under 40 years old. Seeing a 20 something year old is becoming like seeing a unicorn. The Trucking industry is about to hit a wall in the next decade just as the last of the Baby Boomers calls it quits for the retirement & the Generation X reach retirement age. I don't believe that Level 6 Autonomous trucks will make up 30% of the difference because of city driving, weather, breakdowns etc.
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2024
    Reason for edit: Typo
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  6. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Since 1996 I've driven for 4 U.S. companies and one company overseas.

    Not much of a job hopper.
     
  7. Knucklehead

    Knucklehead Road Train Member

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    "You too can be the richest man in the graveyard."
     
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  8. Lennythedriver

    Lennythedriver Road Train Member

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    I think if you’re gonna do this Gig for more than five years it really depends on the company you land at. The first company I worked at burned me out in 19 months. I was out 35 to 45 days at a time and would go home and basically do a reset and then just go back out. I could’ve kept going longer, but I had that thought bouncing around my brain about how short life is and why was I living it like this. Then I went to the next company that would give me my days off fairly, but basically tried to rip drivers off any in every way they could, and would absolutely not pay any kind of accessory pay And their equipment broke down more than it worked. I put up with that job for about 2 1/2 years. And then I landed where I am now and I can see myself working here until retirement. They keep their promises, they allow a driver to unwind when he needs it , they couldn’t possibly take better care of their equipment and so on. But at the end of the day, no matter how you slice it and dice it you’re still living most of your life out on the road and most people quite frankly can’t do that. I still question every day if it’s what I wanna do long-term. But anything else that I might fall back on? Will probably be half the pay. And no benefits like I get here.

    overall for OTR drivers out of every hundred that enter trucking school I think only three are still out driving around the country five years later or more. It’s a high turnover profession. You get fantasies in your brain about being out on the open road and going on adventures, and while some of that is true reality that you’re gone and you’re gonna be gone and you’re gonna be gone most of the time hits you hard about one year into this game. Some can hack it and some can’t.
     
  9. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Everything the OP posts are “Hearsay” ……. Read all his post, he knows absolutely nothing. He just starts rambling about useless post, things like “he hears from others”. His name says it all……
     
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  10. ihaveaquestion

    ihaveaquestion Medium Load Member

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    people got a lot to say though… interesting huh
     
  11. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    You should change your name to “Ihavequestion’s”….. it’s more appropriate for you.
     
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