The REAL Reason You Hate Your Truck Driving Career!
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- Опубликовано: 12 авг 2021
- The REAL Reason You Hate Your Truck Driving Career! Whether a new driver or a drive with lots of miles under their belt... a driver can reach the point where they hate their trucking career, and need to do some self reflection. In this video, we take a look at the situation where a truck driving career may no longer be worth it for you.
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PLEASE NOTE: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS PAID SPONSORSHIP ADVERTISING FOR GP TRANSCO."
Here's a link to check out their site and find out if they're a good fit for you. Definitely take the time to investigate this carrier. www.gptransco.com/drivegp
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Hey there Big Strappers.Thanks for taking the time to watch today's video. What about YOU? Is trucking (in today's industry) WORTH IT FOR YOU? What MAKES it worth it for you? Love to hear from you.
This is why as a company driver i will only drive for guaranteed pay plus good cpm after
Im really considering gp transco
I'm gonna be a devils advocate on my answer Dave. I think it really depends on the individual. Just because something works for you doesn't mean it works for someone else. In today's industry with the lies from the mega carriers and DOT & HOS regulations, the disrespectful drivers that could care less about truckers, the older experienced truckers making fun of younger drivers and making fun of them on a daily basis for RUclips fame instead of helping them succeed in the industry, the loneliness and depression that occurs when u spend too much time alone, long hours, bad eating habits, poor exercise habits, companies only caring about profit rather than the driver that drives the truck, and so many more things that I cant think of right now make it absolutely NOT WORTH IT. I think starting out fresh out of CDL school truckers should be making 100k before taxes easily. I also forgot to add the amount of traffic has increased so much that getting into an accident is almost unavoidable. I watched documentary videos of trucking back in the 1930s and I really wish I could of trucked back then. I'm sure that there were issues as well but I feel like the less traffic, more respect from officers and the public, and much higher pay would make it more worth it. I'll wrap it up by saying this, truckers are extremely disrespected and it's so sad to see. U should make a video about the new Road Taxes that truck drivers have to pay and about how the new infrastructure bill doesn't even add any more parking spots for truckers. The complete lack of care and respect makes it absolutely not worth it. I enjoy your videos and thanks for uploading take care
I switched to local about 6 years ago. Took me a while to find my footing, gravel and concrete is seasonal, refers are more unloading a truck at stops than driving. Found my niche at a local outfit, has 5 trucks, flatbed runs going from Austin to Houston to Temple and back to Austin. Only strap down once a day, amd unstrap once a day, no tarping. Best move I ever made. Work 9 to 11 hours a day, Monday thru Friday, home every night, and still making around 55k to 60k after taxes. I will never go OTR again. Not with the low pay, low emissions trucks, and horrible comradery out there today. Thanks for the video, love your stuff!
I have always loved driving, even before trucking. After the Navy and being a chef long day's are normal to me. After 6 years of driving I couldn't go back to work in a building.
Let's not forget where the receiver tells you you can't shut down on the property at night and makes you park in the slums where you get robbed and murdered for 7 dollars an hour.
I feel like that's more refeer than any other.
Pro tip: don't start your clock until after you do your walk around inspection and everything looks good. That way if anything needs to be fixed, it can be arranged before you start wasting log time. 😆
Ain’t that the truth, you only make that mistake once in your career
That's what I do
Actually I have been wrote up in California for not showing at least 30min. On time for pre trip. Truckee california
I only have like 15 mins of OD the rest is all D. State trooper never had a problem with it.
Yup no doubt!
Unfortunately, trucking isnt worth it to me. i tried for several years and got beat down in the process. Dont get me wrong i will always love grabbing gears, hauling weight and making miles but the industry is unforgiving. Ive lived on the road for six months at a time, ran equipment that was not fit for duty, ran hours that no human should have to, been replaced multiple times by immigrant drivers, been paid less then minimum wage to drive across canada, lied to straight to my face by managers and dispatch, and that's just scratching the surface. I would love to keep driving truck but i just cant. I am further behind in life then before i started trucking. This industry is in desperate need of some changes to driver lifestyle and company expectations. I would gladly keep trucking if i was allowed to have a life as well.
Dude. I've had my license a few months. Got in with mclane. I had a burning desire to run cases and loved foodservice. My desire got beat out of me almost instantly. Mind you the job and physical requirements I could muscle through. What I couldn't deal with was the stress. Constantly running behind because of breakdowns, managers down my throat because I'm late from the warehouse being behind. Anyways. The people in the industry ruined it for me. The day I run a 14 hour route slinging 1200 cases up and downstairs, while they sit behind a computer and run their mouth. It broke me down so fast. My passion for trucking was beat out of me early on. I'm happy to go back to my old job. It's really sad. This industry beats on the workhorses and rewards the desk jockeys.
You are right about everything you wrote, I may add for you, after all the risks you took, as rewarding for your sacrifice you were treated like a criminal. I was on your shoes for 20 years.
Go local, avoid CPM pay!
this is a dirty industry, the key is learn to play the game.
Immigrant drivers? Noone can be an immigrant driver man. Not any more. You posted this a week ago. You have to show your social security card before you can even apply for a CDL at least that's how it is in CA. Jeje
After being in this industry 4 years, I'm 50/50 on saying it's worth coming over the road.
Pros:
1.) It took me out of Detroit and allowed me to see the US and Canada while getting paid.
2.) It lifted me out of poverty and allowed me to build my savings and investment accounts.
3.) It made me more assertive and I found myself as a person.
Cons:
1.) Society looks down on us for trying to make a honest living.
2.) The horrible work life balance.
3.) The horrible pay and benefits for the hours worked. I had better benefits working warehouse part time than what most trucking companies offer.
4.) Overregulation from DOT and companies safety departments
5.) Lack of proper diet and exercise.
6.) The industry continues to decline overall.
7.) Lack of truck parking
8.) Hurry up and wait
9.) Wage theft
10.) Useless tech in trucks like ELD's and cameras
11.) Constant traffic and construction
Sadly, your cons outweigh the pros. Now that you’re seeing the country, look for a local job at a delivery or pick up site where the employees there are happy with where they work. They do exist. When you’ve done your research, apply there and hope you have what the company is looking for. After you get hired, keep your nose clean and don’t screw up and go visit your relatives in Illinois on your paid vacations.
You’re right on about the cons, I especially hate the lack of truck parking which is why I drive the early morning hours. Always stop before 5 pm!
&,4 all those reasons,after 30years,being saddled w/an electric tattle tale coloring book,I'M OUT!
That's why you check your truck out before you start your ELD then when everything checks out you start it. Just sit in your truck and let it run for 15 to 30 mins. Whatever you normally do. This way here you avoid that surprise break down without starting your clock. Sure it's not right but sometimes you have to out smart the system.
Bingo
Yesss
Exactly.
Rules are made for breaking. Especially Just LOOKING at your truck not driving the thing. Ridiculous
You can edit on duty time with most eld. Driving you can't. More government bullshit
I was getting antagonized just listening to this. Yup... Too many days like the one you just described sent me back in to fixing them, and not driving them anymore. Great video though. Thanks Dave.
Not everyone has what it takes to be a trucker. The problem is, almost anybody can become a trucker. The bar is set too low, and that's because wages are too low.
The bar is ridiculously low, so low you do not even have to be able to read and or communicate in English... And they wonder why?
I know right why cant these people be born with at least 20 years before applying freaking new drivers i swear i hate them [enter wanabe trucker eliete ego here]
They are hiring some real stupid people at Werner. If you are mentally challenged or English is not your first language, please apply.
What r u talking about?the man just said $80K @ a year!(I drove 30 years & best year total of any 1 year wasn't even $50K[11 month year w/paper log book that I had no problem,not even starting,let alone fudging=
Drove when I felt like it]& avg was $35K-$40K,& that was just a couple years,wasn't w/mega carrier either).
I'm blind & beat to💩now.
Texas DPS tried talking me into keeping license & I told them thanx 4 their close personal attentions but the industry was not conducive to anything remotely user friendly & I had been used and abused by the system, companies &
customers;let me up,I'd enuff!It was barely palatable in '91 & that it had progressed to sickening &,that I can't stand it anymore,& my brother that trucking had minimalized needed me,as it left him disabled.but u can make$80K
&,IT'S AWESOME!🤠
If it weren't for the fact that I still love the driving part of it, I would have left trucking a long time ago. But there's something about rolling down the highway, seeing new places that keeps me going.
What keeps me in the seat now is the fact that if I were to change careers entirely I’d be starting at the bottom and take a dramatic cut in pay for many years before I got back up to this level again. I just cannot afford that loss of income.
SAME
Yep. Same here.
@@sandasturner9529 same here indeed. I just can’t bring myself to take a huge pay cut by switching careers…especially with how high prices are right now. Trucking can totally suck but I know one thing though… I’m not missing a meal and those bills are easily getting paid
I drive locally hauling milk, no ELD stay within my radius. I still make exceptional money. 63k this year, so far. I'm going to be 80-90k by the end of the year. If my truck is broke I simply get in another spare truck. A flat tire? The shop is right at the yard, ask them to change a tire, I'll be back on the road in 20 minutes.
What I do ain't that bad
Who you drive for Reynolds nationwide?
Sounds like a good gig. I wouldn't mind that
Sounds like my dream job.
Lucky man!
What makes trucking, this career, this LIFESTYLE, worth it to me, is even on the worst day, it’s still a great day!!! I’m doing the job I’ve always wanted to do, and I have found I have a knack for solving the problems that arise!!! Sure, it gets irritating when my day is subject to rules but I’ve learned to “color inside those lines” and shoot straight. Are there days, as described, that totally suck?? Yes there are, but I have also found those days are completely subject to perspective…
I think its always good to to look at like "does everyone have days that suck, no matter what they do?" Yes. Well, do my days that suck suck less because im not in a warehouse or office? Yes. Overall, my life now is much better then it was at everything else i did.
Right on Driver that's JUST THE WAY IT IS. Retired 42 yr Driver enjoying my Teamster Pension. Keep up the tell like it is Smart Trucking!
Good for you. I have 6 more years 3 pension's
I'm in teamsters. I drive dump truck. Only seasonal though
I do my circle check then log into. Wait 10 minutes on on duty then start driving.
Bingo!
Bingo!! 🤫
Also I do some kind of post trip the night before, no matter how tired I am, and know about that flat before I log on.
This is why drivers should start pissing by the warehouse docks and do not drive for any company that pays less than $100k salary on 50hour week. That simple.
Nah 14 hr days 5 days a week
Hourly pay home every night.
You gotta find your niche.
My dad drove truck and hauled freight his way. I drive truck and haul freight my way.. remember Competition is a Great thing. The main reason i loose feight. 1) my setup is too heavy. 2) my expences are too great.
Find your niche. You'll be fine.
Which company is that??? 👀
Does this apply to brand new drivers? What's a reasonable starting salary in your opinion?
Im going local hourly so at least all my time is paid and i get to go home
And where's this magical Trucking company you speak of ???
I got off the road in 1982 and worked local for two union carriers. Yes you do fight traffic and weather some days but you are getting paid for time spent. I retired in 2008 at 59 with a livable modest pension. No regrets for getting off the road.
It's true that when you divide by the hours you put in, you might only make $7 or less sometimes. But what job, paying let's say $8 an hour, is going to ever give you 100 hours a week. And even if they did, that'd be 90% work. Not watching this video and making comments while getting unloaded at the dock like I am right now. The main thing is experience in my opinion. Check a trailer and refuse it or tell them they've gotta change a tire or 2 before you take it. If they have another available trailer, maybe they can just move the load to that one. It's a delay, but much faster than changing tires. If this happens a whole lot or they don't care and tell you to take it or go home, that's when you find a better carrier for sure. Also, I always stop a love's because they have a shop and tires. If I see a flat in the morning or some other problem, I take right to them and start my 2 hour sleeper and when they're done, pay with the same account I use for fuel. Love's will accept it. Also, I always run at night so there's little traffic and there's always parking at the love's at 5 am. And no potato chips stale or otherwise! Hahaha. I've got cabinets full of food and an instapot! Be prepared! Work smart! If you really hate trucking, well, should have stayed in school and been a doctor or a lawyer I guess. But you might hate those jobs too!
Forgot to say why I love it. 1 No boss, at least not here in the truck. 2 I enjoy the planning and the logistics, having a day like you described means I've done something wrong, at least partially. 3 I still love driving. Have since I was 15.
What instant pot do u recommend ??
That’s the right attitude. The get it done right attitude. Sometimes shit still happens but like you said if all that happens, my fault is somewhere. I start school on the 30th (private school) and have considered night driving since I loathe traffic (like the I-35 in Texas today for example). May God bless you and bless all drivers out there running this country.
Wait a second... did i just read a positive comment on you tube?? .Good on you !!
@@deesplash7087 I started off with a collapsing Sterno stove with nesting camping pots, not the fastest but it got the job done, later got a propane camp burner that screwed onto a 1lb propane bottle, then went the company allowed inverters an electric hot plate, using the same camping pot set(now over 20yrs old).
@@deesplash7087 I can't recommend one as I've only ever purchased it and used one, but its a 6 quart by pioneer woman that I got from Walmart for $89. It's been working fine. If I ever have to get another one, I'll get a smaller one. 1 person doesn't really need 6 quarts. Maybe 4. My favorite instapot meal is chicken casserole. I mix it all up on my 30, and then when I stop for my 10 it's long been ready to eat and just staying hot in there.
I changed careers last year to a crane operator. I still need my CDL in order to drive the crane, but it's not a trucking job. My time is billable and I get paid whether I'm fighting or marching. Good luck out there fellas. The trucking industry needs a revolution!
Quit driving 6 months ago. Best thing that ever happened to me! Never again in my life will I drive a truck.
The list of b.s ...can take a toll . The money is better than average which doesn't still account the number of hours given to job,with almost zero in home life.I've been screwed in pay, and I question how much longer am I willing to put up with the lies.For most drivers , they may never get the perfect runs and money trips or right company.Glad for people that have had it worked out,but if you give up so much and this is all you got,that is paying too much.By the way I love to drive, but the people controlling my pockets have slowly killed drivers away.
I hear ya. Those days do happen. When stuff like that happens, I usually take a deep breath, maybe screem while I'm sitting in the bunk by myself and then remember that this was only a bad day and try to remember why I decided to drive trucks. Yeah, a lot of times it's a pain but I really love what I do and I try not to let bad stuff takes me down.
One bad day can screw up the next few weeks.
I don't go on duty until after I do my walk around, I don't care what anyone says about me doing it that way either. They can all get in line to kiss me rear-end 🤣
It's a miracle Americans eat at all because every truck will go through what you just explained
I'm not a trucker, but I respect the truckers. Whenever I see a truck trying to leave an area or make a difficult turn, I will do my best to stop the traffic in the lane I'm in and give them the room to get out or make the turn. May not sound like a big deal to some, but perhaps my little act of kindness gave him/her a small break to a rough day.
Thank you! It goes a long way. I was just like you, then I decided to actually get my CDL and jump in the drivers seat..
I started chuckling because I've had those days not quite to that degree but pretty close
even as a bus drivers these 4 wheelers irritate me the way they drive and they seem to drive like they have absolutely fricken idea what concept of signaling is and they how careless the pedestrians are in the street
I love trucking, but ELD, Traffic, shipping and receiving (waiting time), dump dispatch, four wheeler cut you off all day long, Dot rules, and too many more reasons to hate this job
I know what you mean. Guy cut me off at exit ramp and flip me off. People are crazy and stupid. But I just have to pray for them. As crazy as that is it works lol.
We've all had those worse case scenario days (and even sometimes worse) and we'll all have another eventually. But it isn't always like that. Imo that first year on the job as an OTR trucker separates the chaff from the wheat. I had mine over 2 decades ago and there is NOTHING else that I'd rather be doing. And I've tried the local gigs, mostly at the behest of family and loved ones and it simply wasn't and is not my bag.
Too many reasons to not do local to even list here.
So my comment is that the first year as a solo OTR driver is what separates those who belong out here and those who do not.
Stay safe everyone!!
I’d rather be a crackhead on the streets of LA than do this until I’m old
I've been doing this for 28 years. At first, and for about 20 years...the pay wasn't that great, but finally experienced truckers are in high demand. To all those starting or with a couple years under the belt....stay with it. Ask the right questions in interviews and get what fits you the best. As an experienced local driver, I am making $85,000 for 55 hours 5 days per week, off Sat and Sun., and home every night. Its out there folks, have your calculator in one hand and your highlighted crucial conversations manual in the other and start shopping and comparing. Trucking is hard work, and is rewarding once you master your skills! Be Safe.
Well said!
Safety sensors! My tractor slammed on the brakes when a car cut me off (autobraking). The drives locked up because it was raining and I almost knifed the truck. A driver would have never slammed on the brakes under the circumstances, but the automation did and it almost wrecked the truck.
Dangerous piece of garbage. It’s only a new way for companies to make money.
As a young owner operator it's worth it to me for the freedom to make my own choices and choose my own schedule and drive the truck I want to drive and of course the money. Take the good with the bad and keep on steppin. My only fear is being pushed out of the industry against my will and having to work some BS 9-5 job that I hate.
I’ve wondered about autonomous trucks also...
@@TexasVexes we're questioning whether climate change is even a thing. Trust me. These knuckle heads that we call a government aren't going to allow that in the near future.
@@TexasVexes If it weren't for the possibility of autonomous trucks I probably would have got into trucking sooner. Now I'm just getting into it for 2-3 years to gain the experience OTR and then moving on to something else. Driving a truck is just part of a bigger plan. Autonomous trucks won't be able to take over where I'm going, not right away at least. I do wish I got into it sooner though.....
Use all that money you’re making to start a business that runs itself
That feeling at the bottom of the hill in the middle of a snowstorm when you pele your fingers off the steering wheel.
Too many stories like this led me to not choosing a full time OTR gig. I went into heavy/overdimentional transport and lowbedding. There are a lot of long days and heavy physical outdoor work, but man, it's mentally rewarding.
That’s why I went to heavy/overdimentional. I love doing heavy haul best thing I could have ever done!
I have alot of those days but the feeling i get in my rig now is the same joy i got when climbing into my dads rig when i was a child. I know trucking is headed down hill but im gonna ride till i can 😁
The problem I ran into with a lot of carriers was that I was a mechanic before I started driving truck and every time the truck broke, they expected me to fix it. When I told them I get paid to drive it , not fix it , they told me I had a bad attitude. I didn't think so!
Having been there, got it done to me, about the time I reach for the stale potato chips, the receiver comes to the truck and says " you can't park here overnight, it's company policy, you will have to leave".....I ❤ trucking....don't you?
Yes!I absolutely love live,appt only,no on site parking customers!And throw in ELD? Even better.Between the govt regs, carriers,and customers,I can't believe there is still shelves being stocked.If we keep going this route,there will be a time when shelves won't be any more.
Never plan on staying for your 10 hour break. That is why you have personal conveyance time to get you to a safe haven. I rarely use it and bitch if I have to use it. Then they bitch that I drove my 70 hours in 7 days and have to shut down for a 34 hour reset because I am out of hours. Crazy!
For me in Europe it's the lifestyle that trucking brings with itself, and seeing a lot of things/ places that you may never see again
Or want to
@@allanj4576 yea, that's true sometimes
I've definitely have had my share of days just like that... Trucking to me is worth it for a few reasons...1, I'm a leased owner operator with my own trailer and I look for my own freight, 2, I grew up around long nose old school trucks, and 3, I actually have hauled the freight that I've used in my daily life... So I like being part of that important chain of freight hauling that keeps this country moving...
I’m about one year into this thang, so yeah a green pea. I really appreciate guys like you, always willing to teach newbies!!! Everyday I try to better than the day before, with informative info and wisdom from ol’timers like you really helps!!!! Thank you Sir!!
I love driving and seeing new places; not only the sights around America but the pickup and drop off are cool to see. I am a nomad at heart, so drifting into new places, pleases me. The other thing I love about trucking, is not having someone micro managing you all day. I have a good reputation with my company to the point that my dispatcher gives me my loads and leaves me alone, because he knows he doesn't have to worry about me or the load getting done. The last thing I can think of other than pay is getting behind the wheel of a long nose conventional and jamming the gears of an 18 speed. There are some bad things about trucking but I don't know what else I would do, that provides the same amount of enjoyment and freedom.
It’s a strange feeling but when I’m out on the road I frequently get aggravated about delays like what you just mentioned but when I’m at home I want to be driving. Your right though This career isn’t for everyone. Another carrier isn’t always the solution either. You’ll face similar problems no matter where you work. This equipment breaks down. That don’t exactly bother me to much what does is poor communication from dispatch.
I solved a problem like that by finishing 5year schooling to become a refrigeration tech.
make 6 digits always being home.
everywhere I go I'm greeted with a smile.
trucking is my horrible nightmare now.
Hello I’ve watched your program for sometime now I just want to say thank you very much for all that you’ve shared with me reminded me and you’ve been reading my mail the things I’ve been going through you’ve been a very big inspiration and help to me thank you very much and don’t stop what you’re doing thank you very much thank you
Dave Great video .But I must say after 47 years of doing this it's not completely about the money .when I fire up that big yellow motor it's still a rush.its a great Day to be alive.
Thank you so much for these videos. They are very helpful and very informative.
Smart trucking. Love your videos, good advise and good motivation. My grand father, step father, uncle and brother all drive truck.
Dec 2020 I started Hardhead Trucking (hotshot), bought my first rig (2004 kodiak c6500 c7 cat) tugging a 48’ step deck. Put a lot of work into it to make it an otr rig. After the 3rd load the motor came apart. $14k for a new motor or $7k for a new rig. So I got a single screw 94’ Freightliner from California. After a break down on the way home (alternator), I put several weeks worth of love and a pile of money in it to make it road worthy. Now I’m an oversized hotshot. Loads to big for 1tons, and why bother size for full sized rigs. Good market.
I left Tuesday for my first short run 607miles$1,500 with three loads lined up after. Dropped off Wednesday, got a call 45 minutes before my second load, it has been pushed to Friday morning pickup. Meaning 2nd,3rd&4th loads fell off. Dispatch sends a rate confirmation for another load about 2 hours from where I was located. Deadheaded and fought 4 hours with Seattle rush hour, got backed up to loading dock. Shipper doesn’t like my oak deck, says he wanted aluminum (8,000#). After a round and round with the pencil neck, he refuses to load. ….Call dispatch @ 1530 Friday afternoon, he says there’s nothing till Monday……
1 load for 6 days…….
Drinking coffee, polishing my rolling project and smoking cigars ain’t a bad way to spend the weekend.
I whole heartedly believe that attitude makes or breaks an owner operator. Every life style comes with its challenges but there is no reward for those who risk nothing. Embrace the suck, drink water and drive on.
Thanks for listening to my rant. If you’d like to watch my journey, I started a FB page to document the shenanigans. “Freight Shakers”.
Keep the wisdom, traditions and “old trucker stories” coming.
I went into Trucking to get away from the office politics and dealing with several managers that can’t agree on anything. You were really just a number to them and could be replaced easily enough with the next guy. Even having a bad day, I still enjoy being a truck driver and enjoy the freedom and views. I enjoy meeting several truck drivers and chatting with them along with working with the customers. I’m on a regional route so I only deal with DCS, Suppliers and occasionally a store delivery but I enjoy what I do and would hate to go back to a office job. I have the option to stay out 2-4 weeks at a time and have my home time accordingly, I also work with my FM and get the loads on time or early delivery. Communication is key and this company is very good on it, I’m also used to be a hard worker so I will run the loads everyday and get close to maxing out the clock daily to get the loads where they need to be. Being prepared will save you butt, always have supplies in truck and plan out the day, yes stuff will happen but good planning can also save you as well.
27 yrs here. You hit the nail on the head on this one brother.
It seems to me a lot of this can be solved with being better prepared. I keep real meals on the truck, a small toolbox to fix minor problems, and a guitar to strum away those truck drivers blues.
You take the good with the bad some days, any day in the saddle is better than going back to digging ditches!
As long as I'm in a long nose Pett I got a smile on my face. There's no feeling like it.
For me it’s the older w9 kenworth, with 3406 Cat under that hood! I’m not knocking on the Pete by any means I swear! I love hearing that Cat on those cool mornings and as the sun comes you see her blowing coal awesome is the best way to describe it
Both you guys have it! I join you with a W900L flat window, flat top with a Series 60. Honestly if I had to switch trucks, to an ugly one with an eld, I'd probably go and work in an office!
Is there a 'Canadian GP Transco'?
It's been difficult finding a carrier that doesn't have rude, arrogant, lying, incompetent dispatchers or carrier that isn't running a bullshit mileage scam.
no i asked gp on one of trucker coaches video and the answer is no canadian terminals or any plans to have one in the future
I hate those weeks where I divide my Paycheck by hours put in and find I am making less than minimum wage sometimes. I could have made more flipping patties at MacDonald's. One driver, I knew when I worked a dock was making so little he gave it up to work on a road crew.
Trucking for me has become a lifestyle that I plan on living. I love the thought of cruising through the states and watching the seasons go by as my bank account grows as well as my investment portfolio. I love the thought of camping in a different state almost every single day. Trucking has changed my life and me as a person for the better, so I owe my life to trucking.
Electronic logs help keep the mega carriers from killing drivers and other people on the road but also hurt the whole industry, now everyone is racing to beat the clock, I get mad when warehouse takes their sweet hourly wage time... I've been a hour or less from home many times for ten hours when I could have been actually sleeping in my bed. Cooking the books was life for this industry due to timing circumstance bs, 14 hours truly isn't enough some days.
I love that this is the only job I've ever had that doesn't feel like a job event hough I work harder and longer days than most jobs I've had.
I surrendered my Class A CDL last month, was out of work for a while and the system really punishes you when you try to reestablish yourself.
Goodbye trucking and good ridance
Gp Transco responses to reviews are awesomely brutal. Dang.
Great video Dave!!
Awesome video driver! This video is 100% truth! GP has amazing equipment as well.
That's was almost my exact day yesterday minus the scale house. I'm still sitting until 1800 to make my delivery as I couldn't make yesterday. I'm definitely on the younger side at 22 but I'm pushing 2 years OTR experience. The longs days suck and being gone but coming home to the wife and kids running out the door to meet me at the truck makes it worth it.
I just love the view out my office window. Especially at dawn or dusk.
Post trip inspection might have spotted that tire and slack adjusters And planning would have saved half the process Love your baby truck and she will love you back.
Excellent video, thanks for posting it. The best solution for anyone today is to not even attempt to drive a truck. I know what you are saying i been there done that for 20 years. Now I am retired now, regretting for those 20 years of driving, being exploited extorted and insulted intellectually on each and every day, and treated like I was a criminal after all the risks I took for those corporate impostors.
So many great points made in sequence of any given day otr. The way I looked at my career as low income housing. The latter part of my career focus on being in nature. Not driving to live just getting enough hours in and trying to enjoy my time apart. This year I’ve been “Taking time off”. I’ve been seeing a lot of pay raises and getting phone calls. Sitting back if and when the time is right to come back on the road.
Dave you have described plenty of my days 😩. They’re good days, but boi when it goes wrong..
Trucking is worth it to me as I'm third gen truck driver in my family, I've been around trucks all my life, was almost born in one, I enjoy the sights, sounds of the job. I don't wish to DO anything else and if I'm not happy where I am, I'll simply search for something else. I believe in the brotherhood, and strive to do MY part in servicing this great nation as a professional driver, just as I want it.
You're called smart trucking for a reason. I can't count how many days I've had exactly like this lol.
After countless years of OTR, I recently got rid of my truck and took a local job pulling anhydrous. I run at night on a set schedule, home every night. No more bs, open scale houses, aggressive 4 wheelers and the pay is actually decent. It's not O/O money but I also don't have O/O headaches
My #1 reason I love trucking is getting to shift gears, I get so excited to sit down and start going up and down the gear range while traveling down a back country road, my next favorite part is listening to that sweet rumble of the Diesel engine, hear the turbo spooling up, the jakes barking down the hills, I love the challenge of backing into these stupid places that a tractor trailer never should be, I love working with all my customers, the comradery with most the other local and even some OTR drivers. some days you will get 4-5 of us local drivers and dump truck drivers where we all know each other and start blasting off the air horn at each other. I enjoy being a local P/D driver a lot, there really is nothing like a group of old school type drivers, I may only be a few years into my driving career at 28 years old but I pay attention to the old guys and get advice from them, help each other out when you can and have a passion to be a good driver, I have earned the respect of the older crowd in my local area and very happy to have them as my work family!
This. Idea reminds me of a mechanic’s saying -
This 20 minute repair is one broken bolt away from a 3 day ordeal........
Great video Dave - Thank you!
Tom - Guilford, CT
I added three mods for realism to ATS: realistic fines, economy, and traffic. Now I have a negative balance by several tens of thousands of dollars. Would I do trucking for real? Hell no.
A fabulous recruiting video 🤣🤣🤣😂. Truth!
I love what I do and stand my grounds and let the elog run after me and not me running according to the elogs .. plus I have a good owner operator I work for .. I get 30% off the top I see all the dispatch sheet cuz I dispatch myself ..and like I say I am truly my own boss .. we have our good and bad days just like anything else jn life ..
Heard that.. There's ways to work these E-logs. You just have to accept them first, then learn how to use them to your advantage. Careful planning and time management is key.
👍
This happened to me last week. Rescheduling was no problem since they understood the problem{s}. Stand up for yourself and explain clearly what's going on, if a dispatcher or broker forces you in any way, you have to report them to the FMCSA. And see what happens, totally cooperative.
The thing is, it doesn't always go like that. In fact most of the time it is get up, get going, stop for lunch and fuel, stop at night for supper and more fuel, then hit the hay. Running down the road when the traffic is light, the weather is dry, and there are interesting things to look at makes the bad part seem worth putting up with. The right carrier is very important, and driving a company truck takes a lot of the worry out of it. If you are driving your own truck or a lease you have a lot more work to do, from checking air in tires once a week, to logging your fuel costs and other costs. You are right that this isn't a job for everyone, but I had a lot of good days behind the wheel.
That pretty well sums it up.
I used to work in the factories and warehouses around home before I got my license. I hated starting a new job, busting my ass to develop some kind of reputation as the go-to guy, pushing for advancements, accidentally stepping on someone's toes or making a superior feel threatened for his job, getting canned for stupid shit, then wash rinse repeat. Getting my license broke that cycle for me, and I make significantly more money.
I've since moved on from OTR to a local gig (hauling gas), so I'm home every day (which is nice). However, I do miss getting to see parts of the country I'd otherwise have no business in.
Dave that is a real conundrum to be in I don’t know how to answer that or what I would do it’s frustrating & mind boggling perhaps a career change might be the most logical solution but then you have to look at your age health & educational background and other skills you may or may not possess
Finding the right carrier with the right lanes, right equipment, right pay. And one that you can tolerate the BS they throw at you cuz nowhere is perfect.
I’m about to start my CDL-A training (That I paid for out of my own pocket) next Monday and you’ve got me wanting to get my money back.
Myself man, I would
Hahaha loved the intro!!!! Thank you!!!
The traveling and being able to experience different cultures of the country is the probably coolest part about it. You're pretty much a paid tourist.
Just here to say THANK YOU to all the truckers out there 👐
My company will sometimes send us questionnaires and announcements in witch we are encouraged to reply to. One time they where thinking about adding traffic alerts to the com-units we all have in our truck for logs, turn by turn moving-map directions and load info. I replied back, "part of my job is dealing with traffic as it comes to me, traffic is so fluid that these alerts will likely become more of an additional annoyance than something to help us".
It was my dream as a kid and I’m glad I get to live it. This career nor any career is perfect. Flat tires, DOT inspections, late arrivals, bad weather, heavy traffic, cranky dispatch, it just comes with the turf. Either accept it or leave it.
I’ve never got the red light at the scales. Keep your dashboard clean and scale your load at a truck stop before rolling.
What makes trucking worth it for me. The key is finding a quality company to work for I worked for 3 years at schneider and figured out that mega carriers are not the solution. Made the move to usher transport Inc out of Louisville kentucky and as an owner operator I could not be happier, just bought my second truck 2 months ago my driver is making more than he ever thought he could. And next month I'll be looking for truck number 3. Family owned companies is definitely where it's at
My 3406E is a dinosaur in today’s diesel motors, but it keeps me on paper logs and keeps my schedule flexible and still safe.
I like being a shipping and receiving fella at a small co. An I’ve herd the stories from drivers of construction, traffic, etc. an hearing the frustration. An usually ends up being a 10 min. Chat after unloading\ loading.
I liken OTR trucking to a love, hate relationship. There are the good days and the not-so-good days. I like the challenge of it, the work. I flatbed. The financial stability of it. The only thing that really gets under my skin at times is when I have to deal with above-normal traffic all day long. That's when I really miss my old local job of hauling lumber in the backcountry of Kansas and Oklahoma.
Spot on, this job is the most stressful job I’ve had. It’s the easiest hardest job you’ll ever do! The reason I’m still doing creeping up on 3 years is I love the freedom and not having a boss!
Remember the last easy day was yesterday! I am glad I worked for a local used truck and trailer dealer.
Paid by the hour for chasing equipt. all over the US. Had a Company-owned truck. Started back in the '70 when logbooks were the way and retired just the ELDs were Mandatory.
Because at the end of the day, I still enjoy what I do. I get to see lots of new places and new people. And I get to drive this shiny big rig. Just like any other job I've ever had, during days that I just want to quit. When those days out number the good days, I'll hang up my keys.
Great vid there Dave. As I do oil field [ tanker ] some of the things you mentioned don't happen to me, like not getting paid for break downs, that would be the day. However, their is one thing that is becoming maddening, drive you up the wall, MICRO MANNAGING. In this industry its bad, really bad, depending on who your hauling for. It seems the bigger the oil and gas company , the more micro managing there is. Not so much with some of the smaller ones, but the big guys, oh yea, its bad. I have said this before on your comment section. Its at the point where its down right disrespectful, getting treated like your 10 years old. And guess who is doing this micro managing? People who have never, ever run a truck, let alone a tanker. They wouldn't even be able to start the truck, forget about backing it up to the fence. These people really do think they know it all, everything is black and white, period. To them there is no such thing as a gray area, and we all know there are lots of gray areas, but not to them. driver 200 km away could have a incident, but for some reason we all get painted with the same brush. If I was not going to retire in a few years, I would get out of this tanker, It has gotten that bad with most of the big guys. For anyone reading this from one of the big oil and gas company's, Hire people who have actually run a tanker, people who have done this kind of work, you just might be surprised at the results. With the rates as low as they are now, if I were younger, I would not get into this. But after 30 years, I will finish it off. There are still some very good days, really good, so long as I stay away from the big guys.
Same could be said of other specific areas of trucking. Refers and flat bed drivers get new drivers in there niche that don’t know squat about it and make the veteran drivers uncomfortable being next to them also. Though I never pulled tanks, and I have the endorsement to do so, I stay away from it yet respect those who do, because I know you guys have liquid that can push you around. I also give you guys space on the road. Be safe friend!
There are a few things you missed but that's ok. 😉 So for me what's worth it is not being laid off every year. I don't have everything I want as a driver, but then who does. I drive local delivering liquid hazmat, and after years of pulling general freight I really like liquid hazmat. I get paid very well, I don't wait at docks, the longest time I'm at a customer is two hours, and I'm paid for ALL of my time and miles. Down side is, I work at night, nights are 12-14 hours five days a week. Also, the company I work for has drive cameras that record everything, inside and out. I don't like the cameras but it is what it is. When I got into the industry in 1999 trucking wasn't too bad, today it's just short of a nightmare, I look forward to retiring in six years.
Woke up,did pretrip and found nothing this morning as we speak,get to my pick up and hook up and get to the driveway exit and the truck no longer goes any gear higher than 2nd,now waiting for a tow
Ive had those days but i dont get worked up because its out of my control. Those days i check my dispatcher's attitude because that i have control over😂. The goal of owning my own truck is what makes it worth it for us to keep going. This week we are at Ohio Truck Sales Sandusky, OH...getting our truck!!!!
Being paid by the hour was a problem for me too with the last company I was working for. They screwed with my hours a lot. The last company I was working for excuse was, "it's slow" but yet I see the company trucks and trailers going by.
Been on the road I’ve been through that kind of stuff before. Good news is it doesn’t happen every day. However, the sacrifices you make for any amount of money have to be weighed against do you want to be away from home. Over the road trucking was basically a job for the single person or the person who needs to get away from their family for whatever reason. I enjoy local work because the freight loads and unloads itself. I deliver fuel. I have my friends I see a different stations, I meet different people and regardless of the traffic situation, I encounter many good and bad days but at the end of the day I can afford the lifestyle that my family and I enjoy. I get to take full vacations without having to worry about making 1/3 of my weekly salary and I enjoy the fact that I don’t owe the world. All my debts are paid and I operate that way.
i like how you think Dave, i did OTR for 8 years straight and now i started working for Walmart Canada local day cab, paid hourly, all kinda benefits you could think about BUT i dont feel like a trucker anymore.
I drove OTR for about 12 years and finally found this local job about 2 1/2 years ago. I'm based out of St Louis and I haul scrap metal for a metal processing company. Not the best of equipment as far as trailers go, we do some intermodal work which can be a pain in the ass. I drive an older truck, an 06 Mack. Some days I stay around the city and some days I'm dispatched. Every once in a while, gotta do an overnight at a hotel ( we run day cabs) I mentioned an older tractor but it makes me money every day. It's a good truck and the A/C works. All in all, I've never been happier. When it comes down to it I'm $$ ahead, because living on the road is costly. As long as my employer keeps their contract with the metal processing company, I'll probably never go OTR again. In my opinion you end up with more money staying at home, unless you sell your home and just live on the road.
I really do not like much about the industry, 30+ years... Trucking left me, too much BS, and safety is out the window. I just left another carrier, they have all of their eggs in one basket, automotive... I hooked up with, or should I say leased on to another outfit that gives me a bit more freedom, a Landstar model, and yes, I have worked for LS, what a waste of a year. The money was great, but at the end of the day, their take was just too much, way too much.
Speaking of doing other things... I'm home, just rewired half of the house, fixed the botch install of a two year and four day old HVAC system, 4 days out of warranty... Going to install a new electrical panel out in the garage tomorrow, after seeing how this house is wired, it is the smart thing to do, another service panel never hurts. And then Monday... Hopefully I will start the replumbing job of the entire house along with a whole house filter system, instant hot water at the kitchen sink, new hose bibs, hot and cold running water out in the garage, along with a nice healthy one inch water line of well water to run that commercial power washer that has sat dormant for far to long. Oh, and that new water softener... Replumbing with Uponor, Pex A... ;-)
If any of you young strappers are still reading this, find another occupation, one that is fulfilling, where you can see results. Trucking used to be like that, and it was fun as that sixth grade field trip to Hooters! Not so any longer, I would seriously look at skilled trades, real skilled trades, you are just a steering wheel holder out here, at the mercy of an egg timer on your dash. The freedom, fun and thrill is gone, it is now worse than a job. I'm seriously thinking about selling the truck and starting up a handy man business.
We all have those bad days at any point, so it is important to keep that "pesimism" in mind all the time expecting the worst scenarios and anticipating them, I know you can't never predict everything but here's a few tips: Get a Dash Cam, Get a CB radio, get a road atlas and Plan your trip ahead of time, write the directions and stick with them (use the GPS for visual help) don't use more than one GPS, get a cooler, a microwave, water and groceries, try to avoid junk food whenever possible and keep your truck clean. Whenever possible talk to other drivers, there's is always something important to learn from others. If you know how the things work you'll see better results in money and attitude. Stay Safe.
Dammit, this video just stressed me the hell out!!
I'm right there with you about the rolling road blocks and the ridiculously stupid "safety sensors" on the new trucks. Any amount of city driving with this sensors makes a guy want to pull his hair out!