Smaggs goes to Marten. My Experience with Marten Transport.

The one silver lining? I asked and got paid for my downtime. My smallest check was 800 bucks take home so far for one week. At least I'm not totally hung out. Also. I discovered an emergency macro. That got it done. I found out my thermostat was stuck closed. The shop replaced it very quickly And I'm back out here. I just wish calling in to get help wasn't such a headache. That's the part I can't handle.

Im headed home this coming weekend 14th. I have a lot to look forward to. I'm going to reset my brain and try again. I also got a killer sounding air horn that bolts up the same as my stock one. I'm thinking that will cheer me up during my next trip.

While I'm annoyed with trying to call road service, I got layover and breakdown pay every time. At knight, I regularly had 300 dollar weeks. At marten, my worst week gave me 800. Not bad for a company driver of a mega carrier.

I would really like to do something different. I see all my bass gear at home (I have a bass rig and other music goodies that even my brother is jealous of) so I'd like it if I could be home enough to play out. On the other hand, I like trucks.

I get a sense of satisfaction when I finish loads and I always get compliments on my personal and truck cleanliness.

If I had more experience, I'd consider the o/o route. I'm good with money.

Then again, I know with my luck, a swifty would clip my nose off at the fuel island

 

I don't have a personal vehicle, which is a huge requirement for local gigs. I'm trying to save for a car, but I'm reeling from the thousands spent to move to PA and all that madness. I'm working on it!

 

Just woke up... I'm trying to get my eyes clear so I can read all of these... thanks!

 

Oh and I always call things as I see them as they happen. If I spent my time regretting something or feeling like I can't say anything good or bad, I'd lose track of the truth.

My only two gripes with trucking are the not-so-great pay... I guess it makes sense. I've only been at this since Spring 2011. The reason I get so annoyed, is there are some weeks I've made less or equal to someone working full time at McDonald's. THAT, I cannot live with. When I switched to Marten, I doubled my income. I was making about 300-500 a week with Knight. So far with Marten, my largest checks were about 1200 take home for one week. My smallest pay was just shy of 800 for a week take home. My other smallest check was about 400-500 take home, but that was a week I spent 3 days at home. So at least I have stabilized myself. I would have to say that though I'd like to make more money, I won't gripe about a 1200 dollar paycheck for a week, since I don't pay for fuel or have to pay insurance or tolls and the like. The other side of me is annoyed with how much I'm away from home for the money... I guess it seems like all OTR truckers should be better compensated for their time. It makes perfect sense why there is so much turnover. Drivers either quit or they do something to lose their job.

I'm trying to keep my wits about me at least long enough to take care of some health issues I'm having (nothing life threatening, just years of no health care means I need maintenance)

The other funny thing about trucking is that it's addicting. It beats the crap out of any desk job or warehouse job. I don't feel this way all the time, but probably about 90% of the time. The only thing I like more is cranking the Ampeg in my house and seeing if I can tilt the staircase further over off the front of the house!

 

I've never met her, but my girl says she has a really hot younger cousin in her 20s. She doesn't have a sister, though. Two brothers.