Reaching burnout/boredom with dry van -- what next?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Thrasher28, Aug 12, 2021.

  1. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    So, what's causing the boredom ? Is it the actual freight you're hauling ? Or the lanes you're running. It's not a good sign to be "bored" in this industry and you're only 21 !. Fast forward 10 years, can you ? Consider becoming an O/O and you'll be busy booking loads and doing paperwork as well as driving/loading/unloading. Luck to ya'
     
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  3. Thrasher28

    Thrasher28 Road Train Member

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    A little of both as well as home time. Obviously not every load is going to be ideal, but I've only been west of Kansas once and I'd say 85% of freight is upper midwest where I'm working. Swapped from local to OTR for the adventure, and realized dry van is going to be a lot of 'regional' even if it's a 48-state carrier. Reefer seems to have some more interesting lanes. I've grown an interest in flatbed over the last 6 months too. Looks rewarding and interesting watching the flatbedders secure and tarp or rolling across Iowa with a 100 foot windmill blade.
     
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  4. bentstrider83

    bentstrider83 Road Train Member

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    That wind turbine work is definitely interesting and high paying from what I've heard around. I'm guessing the drivers go to transloading facilities as well since the trains carry those blades in bulk. Then from there, lots of slow driving followed by parking it for a few days in random locations before moving on to the spot where they're going to be installed.

    I mean I'll pass by the blades multiple times sitting in the same spot. But no one sitting in the truck cab. So I'm guessing there's hotel stays involved too.
     
  5. Be safe

    Be safe Bobtail Member

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    First realize trucking is point A to point B.-
    Repositioning freight. Second realize the scenery becomes invisible after 1000 trips. Thirdly realize truck driving is not a glamour job. Fourth realize boredom comes from mental distraction. Driver transports freight on time and safely- this never changes.
     
  6. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    Dry van isn’t mostly regional. Ask Dave... Landstar is dry van. No reefer.
    I work dry van out of Denver. I get to all 48. With some interesting deliveries.
    I understand about 4 days home. Then leaving when you feel like you just got there. I take 9 days in 3 months. To get a full week actually at home floundering. This time? I’ll be out 6 months. Taking 16 days starting Sept. 8th. I’ve put 100k miles in 8 months on this truck. Only states I haven’t been to is Maine and Rhode Island. And I loves Texas. I’m there now.
     
  7. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    I personally think. If you go reefer. You’ll run back to dry van. There’s a reason I call it: Reefer Madness.
    I admit. I’ve always been infatuated by Blade Running.
     
  8. SophiaWYO

    SophiaWYO Light Load Member

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    Someone approached me about running blades just a few days ago. They were looking for a female driver who had a lot of oversize experience and someone with over 10 years, so my name popped up. I'm going to take a close look at the operation see if it's for me.
     
  9. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    I have to ask the follow up question -

    "Why were they looking for a female driver ?" Not as a team driver, they barely run 10 hours a day.
     
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  10. Lexuslane

    Lexuslane Medium Load Member

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    No offense intended , but the Only reason I can think of that any company would be specific looking for a driver with fallopian tubing , is they need to check some diversity hire boxes to be able to get on some federal govt list of preferred companies or something.

    Otherwise they would be looking for “a driver “

    if they are specifically looking for “a female driver “
    Then there’s a reason , and it’s usually fedgov tax credits or something .

    It’s pretty difficult to find any driver with ten years of oversized experience and a suitable driving record , suitable criminal record , can pass the drug test etc

    then eliminate 92% of those drivers because they are men, and you’re searching for a needle in a haystack.


    Which is pretty cool ,
    I wish where were companies specifically needing to hire “middle aged bald guy “ to fill their diversity quota , cause Id hold out for more money since they gotta have me to get that fedgov contract .
     
  11. SophiaWYO

    SophiaWYO Light Load Member

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    I was thinking the exact same thing about the Gov't requirements for diversity and such needing a female driver. I about fell over when I read your post about bald guy for diversity......that was priceless.
     
    D.Tibbitt Thanks this.
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