Truckers say the way they're treated by their employers and the general public is causing drivers to

My OTR constitution to myself is simple. The trucking industry is going to do what it’s gonna do. It’s going to go through cycles. Even as a company driver I know that. My thinking on the ups and downs of trucking or simple. I’m going to live on a truck out on the open road for weeks at a time? At a very absolute minimum after all deductions of any and all kind there needs to be a minimum deposit every week of $1000. Preferable more like $1200-$1400 that is deposited into my bank account…that’s what it’s worth to me personally to be on a truck. If it dips below these figures? I’ll go do something else, until it comes back. I’m not living out on the road and no tin box for a week at a time for $600 or $800 a week. Making far less than an Uber driver makes and is home every night. Lol not happening.

 

The article is right on the money. Nothing new, been the same for years. The Industry is running out of those willing to be taken advantage of. Boo hoo! Show Me the money!! This mentality of Drivers accepting bad treatment from Companies, Shippers and Consignees, and putting up with it, is the problem. Easier to blame others, and avoid confronting the problem. The problem is the Drivers putting up with it. The newer generations a bit smarter than they get credit for being.

 

Cycles are definitely there, and most experienced, and skilled drivers can make 1000 to the 1500 range at minimum weekly. It ain't every week that'll happen though. There will be those bad weeks every now and again. I do think that new drivers should be made aware of that. Also, if a driver has that week, that it's imperative not to get discouraged, and try to bounce back. Now someone consistently making that, with experience, mmmmm.....we may have to dig to see the issue here. Then again, does every Uber driver make 600 to 800 a week? I can't imagine that being a primary source of income.

 

Some garbage trucks!

 

Thats a rough deal
3.5k for 2560 googled miles...

I may be a crappy o/o with low standards in trucks and loads, but last time i hauled at 1.40$/ mile and was happy about it was .... never

 

Agreed if I take 3-4 days off, of course I’m looking at a $500-$800 check that week. But if I’m out all week, 2-4 weeks straight, I want that consistent fat check. Lol

 

Well said my friend

 

Your philosophy sounds like mine though. I'll surely run as long as the getting is good. When I'm seeing checks in which I'm running 3k or better, that money gets addicting. Our company average is about 2700-2800 miles weekly, and that's a good week, but not addicting like a 3500 mile week lol. When it gets down to 2500 miles or lower, ehhhh time to go home lol

 

Man.....after that driver told me that rate, i got to doing some math. He told me he had child support to pay also. I pay child support myself so after I did the math, and just plugged my child support numbers, I concluded he only eats potted meat product. Lol

 

That rate sucks…him taking allows the broker to just keep the rate down and such..should’ve been upwards of $6500 and im betting the shipper paid top dollar and the broker is fattening his own pocket and screwing the o/o who obviously has no understanding of rates.