Why is trucking such a low paying industry?

Dont forget about the promise of "the open road". And"be your own boss"...I havent found the open road yet..but I found lots with gridlock traffic very good advertising in trucking to draw people in..not to mention. The number to call to replace ya is right on the back of your trailer...company driver wise..lol

 

all I can say is work part time in fast food for a few years and you'll consider this a high paying job

 

Reaganomics. That Hollywood actor did more damage than we will ever be able to recover from. The best part is the people who were most affected by his policies are usually his strongest supporters.

 

lol.....that's what they said about Carter.

 

I belong to the working class, the middle class is still alive and well.

Beside, the middle class is still supporting the majority of the country.

What's the difference between the mega trucking company and a place like McDonald's or Burger King?

The burger places (and sub places) are regimental in training and resource management. Your lack of responsibility in those types of companies are very limited as is the pay (rightfully so) and you have less choice on hours worked, benefits and opportunities because you are less than a drone - meaningless worker. With the mega trucking companies you have opportunity to learn and get out of there with a chance to make good money as you get more experience.

I think if you want to blame Reagan, you have to start with Johnson and his social programs which sucked the life out of the country. Nixon was right behind him and Carter led the way to deregulation, which Reagan claimed as his own idea.

Reaganomics actually gave the working class a chance with many things but it was messed up by congress under Bush and Clinton.

Rightfully so, you guys don't remember 1979 or 1980?

 

I'd expect those wages from RI, not really MA. But out in Middleboro it's not THAT surprising, people will take advantage of the lower cost of living out there. The low pay zone starts around Brockton and keeps going down the further south you go. Look at jobs closer to Boston and you should see some decent rates. I've got buddies driving Class B trucks making close to $30/hr. Don't forget, new License equals company abuse. I'm dealing with the same thing now. I'm in Central VA, most of the companies pay like complete crap! The ones that pay well won't go near me until at least 2yr verifiable driving. If I were still in MA, while I'd be making a lot more, I'd also be spending a lot more to live. $17/hr isn't THAT bad but below what I'd expect.

 

I remember 1979 and 1980. House loan rates were around 13%. Savings account rates were around 8%. And jobs were hard to find.

 

I made right around 20k in my first six months driving (regional-ish, home a few nights a week and 95% of weekends) out of that six months appx two of them months were poverty training pay and my first few weeks solo (crap runs/ pay). I don't consider that wiping my behind with dollar bills, but in this part of the country it isn't bad money. especially when I've read on here that "most" newbies like myself are lucky to make 25 to 30k a year starting out.
like others have stated, there are decent paying driver jobs out there but they aren't going to call you begging for your services. YOU have to find them which requires research and EFFORT. key word EFFORT.

 

Wow. I have always had respect for truck drivers in general. Knowing it takes a different kind of guy to make it. I always looked at trucking as something stand up, hard working guys did. One of the few things I equated to being a cowboy. I dont get OT either and most of the year make less than minimum wage. The rest its at about 11-11.70 an hour. BUT!!! Thats what I have agreed to work for, and agreed to do the best I can. Trucking is no different than any other business. Some make more some make less. I never expected to hear so many guys whine and place blame on everything but themselves. It is, what you make it. If I settle for less and dont try to move ahead or advance my self in any way possible.. Well then its on me. Cant wait!