why do drivers stand for governed trucks?

I've been doing this for going on 11 years. I've also "flipped burgers" at McD's and BK as a kid. And back then minimum wage was $4.10 am hour. But, since I've started doing this, even in a governed truck, I've been thru all 48 states. I fell in love with the west coast, even California. I've seen snow in June. I found out there are roads I don't have to pay to drive on!!! ( I'm from the Northeast,lol). I've seen the San Rafeal Swell (Oh My God), the Hoover dam, Hollywood, Yadda Yadda Yadda. This job made me love this country even more. I didn't know there was life outside of Philly, NYC & Jersey. Are there bad days? Hell yeah there are. But anyway that I can listen to Howard Stern & heavy metal while I'm looking at some of the most beautiful women each state has to offer and getting to see what I've seen is a hell of a lot better than being stuck in some dead end factory job. Not to mention I make a hell of a lot more $$$$ than some do. The worst day trucking is still better than the best day in a machine shop.

 

That's not a pay cut. You can argue all you want that you can run more miles and yadda yadda yadda, BUT you fail to realize the reason some people put up with it (myself included) is because of the following reasons
1. We knew the trucks were governed going in, so no surprise!
2. We ARE paid well enough to where it doesn't matter that the truck can't go the speed limit.
3. Maybe we like to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Ever think of that? It has been mentioned.


Like I said, as long as I make x amount of miles per week, I'm perfectly happy, but I've always gotten much more than that. One week I ran 3400 miles, it was a lot of drop n hook. I was tired, and ready for a break. I make more money at 2800 miles than I do at 3400 because of the taxes taken out. So I'll gladly take my governed truck.

You say its either ungovern the trucks or pay us more money. If I was the owner id tell you, its either drive a governed truck or you can go kick rocks.

The bottom line like was mentioned by Joseph is that its THEIR company, THEIR rules. You don't like it? Don't work for them dude. SIMPLE AS THAT. Really, it is. I don't need to go faster than 65 to feel good about myself or to make money. I make plenty at 61/64.

Ethan

 

My last load paid 74cpm. That's $44/hour at 60mph. No way your gonna make that much flipping burgers

Even my current load at 36cpm is around $21/hour at 60mph. Still not gonna get that at the BK Lounge

Ethan

 

Isn't it interesting what a few simple words can stir up? Does the truck go the speed limit or higher and if it does, is it because you decided to do it or you're company allows you to do it? I'd like to have a fast truck but the truth of it is that a fast truck just empties your wallet quicker... doesn't it?

 

Seems to me that alot of the "big" fleets have begun reducing their company speeds again. I remember the day when Schneider and J B Hunt were 55MPH fleets. Passing them was easy. Then when cab over frieghtliners went by the way side these large fleet companies bumped their speeds up to 65MPH. Now these same fleets are on the way back down, 64MPH or 63.5MPH. My carrier resently decided becaue of a rash of speeding tickets they needed to reduce the fleet speed from 65MPH to 64MPH... I wonder, how many tickets does this really stop? I'm guessing it's about the fuel economy. On another note, heard tonight on LandLine on Sirius that EPA standards are pushing for bigger and better fuel mileages for 2025... can we ever get to 12 or 15 miles per gallon in a class A tractor trailer? Just a thought.

 

Just my luck Gig's I'm still running an ungoverned truck but as soon as I get away from the idiots "I catch up to MORE idiots"

 

Echo Echo Echo... the beautiful countryside and the thrill and challenges of being a trucker... this life style is what you make of it... and 65MPH doesn't really play into much.

 

I'm around idiots all the time... wish I could find the ring leader and apply for the job... head idiot!