why do I see so many day cab guys sleeping in rest stops?

There's a lot of work involved with driving a daycab. Even on an 8 hr day, I was more worn out with a day cab than I was driving OTR. Don't buy all the hype about daycabs. It's hard work. I did it for 4 years and ended up back on the road.

 

Well, good luck, when people ask about mileage pay, they never take into account, the waiting, weather, breakdowns, traffic. It can work out to be LESS than minimum wage. I'd never drive a truck for mileage, just for those reasons.And %,(incentive pay) not much better. People wonder why rock haulers drive like maniacs, one more load /day is another $15, oh boy!

 

I start at 7am every day except for Fridays when I start at 4:30am. I'm off no later than 5pm and home before 6pm. I'm paid hourly with overtime + monthly incentive bonuses. I don't even go to bed until midnight, so that usually gives me six hours of free time to make dinner, catch up on laundry, read a book or watch tv before repeating the cycle. I work five days a week and get two consecutive days off. Maybe some of the local jobs are just work/sleep/repeat but personally I wouldn't want to go back to OTR and leave what I have now. Much rather have a social life. Besides, I make pretty solid money and have great benefits. I do have to bust my ### at work but I'm a hard worker anyway so it doesn't bother me.

 

Pretty much sums up what I do except I get paid by the route. A loads have pretty strict times so there is no sitting around. I am able to get home and be a typical dad...love it. I tried taking a nap in the driver seat...once.

 

Shoot I was in Wisconsin a few weeks ago and a swift driver was backing a day cab and trailer into a Walmart dock..I ended up talking to him and Swift had him driving a day cab OTR...he did say that Swift gave him money for a hotel....I guess all of Swift leased trucks are leased out and they needed trucks...now this is scary!!!!

 

Hi Everywhere, there are jobs like that, but sadly, they don't come up very often. The people that have those jobs usually stay put(why would you leave a job like that) and the job openings that are out there , are all the crap no one else wants to do.

 

Hi Rod( Serling), I see a lot of day cabs at motels too. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time sleeping in motels. The beds are usually 1 step up from a park bench, and people are so RUDE at motels, slamming doors, and stomping on the floors. I've tried earplugs, and while that helps, I'm always afraid I'll miss the alarm.

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4072343]Hi Rod( Serling), I see a lot of day cabs at motels too. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time sleeping in motels. The beds are usually 1 step up from a park bench, and people are so RUDE at motels, slamming doors, and stomping on the floors. I've tried earplugs, and while that helps, I'm always afraid I'll miss the alarm.[/QUOTE]

Try the Sceaming mimi from truck stops...that thing wakes up the dead....LOL

 

Lucky you,wish I could find a job like that.Once upon a time I use to call trk driving a career.Now its just a job you can't wait to get your shift over with.

 

I ran a daycab for 2 years over the road. IT was a heavy haul set up though.
The motels were a pain as some of my lds. I could not drop the units.
Motel says yea we have trk. parking. Right..
I did stop every now and then and take a nap during the day.
Would I run day cab again across country? Nope the hassles are not worth it and my wife rides with me as well.
Oh and the gee you get a room every night comment. Well try lugging your clothes bag and laptop to the motel. Get your shower and try and find a place to eat. Go to bed and get up at daylight and roll all day long untill dark.
Repeat again..