Tiers of Trucking

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Zoltan1a, Sep 21, 2021.

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  1. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    Imho teirs are more like experience levels.
    Huge difference between the best and worst in any class, van, flat, reefer etc.
    But It's whatever type of trucking that suits you best.
    Most older drivers have tried several facets of commercial driving before finding what kept it interesting and made em happy.

    I went private carrier on a whim after seeing an interesting ad in 1987. Been private since.
    I found a niche I could live with and be satisfied.

    Whatever trucking avenue you chose, if you excell at it and make a acceptable wage, and if it keeps you engaged and challenged then you will be happy, despite the crap we wade through every single day.
     
    Dennixx, Sep 24, 2021
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  2. spindrift

    spindrift Road Train Member

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    Do you like pianos? I saw a piano moving rig today. A nice KW pulling a reefer. I suppose pianos need the humidity to be just right so that the wood doesn't dry out.

    Talk about a niche..
     
    spindrift, Sep 24, 2021
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  3. Dockbumper

    Dockbumper Road Train Member

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    Thank you!
     
    Dockbumper, Sep 25, 2021
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  4. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Well, what do you like doing? That’s really what it comes down to.

    I personally enjoyed flatbed and lowboy work, but the money just wasn’t there. I make more pulling a “box of shame”, as referred to by some, with a lift gate on the back. There’s also the added bonuses of a bid run to the same territory every day without the usual LTL headaches of running different equipment all the time.
     
    MACK E-6, Sep 25, 2021
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  5. Dockbumper

    Dockbumper Road Train Member

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    During my short lived beverage delivery stunt, which I hated for NUMEROUS reasons. Slip seating into one of about 8 daycabs in various stages of repair/disrepair, was one of the worst experiences. Filthy effing slobs would constantly leave their trash, spilled drinks, etc. I think I was the only one that ever cleaned the glass/ mirrors in those tractors. That cured me of EVER taking a job that had even the slightest chance of sharing a tractor with another human being.
     
    Dockbumper, Sep 25, 2021
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  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I'd say top tier are the positions many shy away from. Oversize, superloads, off-highway/mountain hauling. The stuff where if you don't have your A-game, things go majorly sideways.
     
    AModelCat, Sep 25, 2021
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  7. buzzarddriver

    buzzarddriver Road Train Member

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    The pinnacle of trucking is hauling garbage out of NYC to a Pennsylvania landfill.

    It's every Truckers DREAM job.
     
    buzzarddriver, Sep 25, 2021
    #37
  8. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    For all the complaining I hear at work about our outfit, not to mention my own about the local management, there are a couple of good things about that are enough to make me stick around, not the least of which would be the fact that if you land in a single screw, you won’t be sharing it.
     
    MACK E-6, Sep 25, 2021
    #38
  9. slim shady

    slim shady Road Train Member

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    Me too, drove for 10 yrs quit for 18yrs
    Drove again for 8yrs quit for 1 yr
    And back at it again
     
    slim shady, Sep 25, 2021
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  10. Plantfoam

    Plantfoam Medium Load Member

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    As a team driver, the pinnacle of the trail of tiers seems to be dry van and doubles line haul....we do dry van. It pays better than any coast to coast reefer outfit, and it's more than we were offered by an aa&e carrier...so why deal with the hassle?

    If logic was involved in any of it, then people driving armored trucks would make more than those delivering bottled water.
     
    Plantfoam, Sep 25, 2021
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    Geekonthestreet, Dockbumper and alds Thank this.
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