My Life As A Trucker

corplhicks wrote:

GrandNational wrote:

corplhicks wrote:

I very much wanted to be a trucker but from what I've been told it's just not a family friendly job. And that's from talking with a lot of truckers. If I were single, though, I think I'd like it.

My dad's a owner/operator local trucker who hauls materials like sand and rock and such things for construction companies. You don't have to be a long-distance driver.

Yeah, I have heard of guys "driving local" but I guess it's a lower-pay scale; true/false?

Local jobs however, require at least 6 months to a year experience (for insurance reasons). You'd have to get some OTR driving under your belt unless you know someone. Also, the more experience, the more money you make and yes, you make less doing local stuff, but you get a lot more home time and you're not away from home for weeks on end. However, it is possible to have a family life with some companies (such as the one I work for), though it is not easy. Many of the drivers (like my trainer-who is only a few years older than me) have a wife and kid and get to be home for a day and a half after 7-10 days on the road.

And James, I understand completely that I have a long way to go. It takes at the very least, a year to learn the majority of your job (even then the learning never stops). I only have one week under my belt with a trainer and still have three more to go before I'm on my own. Then the learning REALLY starts.

DB. I am just encouraging you and trying to help. I am not dogging you by any means. Good advice is good advice.

DallasBlack wrote:

However, it is possible to have a family life with some companies (such as the one I work for), though it is not easy. Many of the drivers (like my trainer-who is only a few years older than me) have a wife and kid and get to be home for a day and a half after 7-10 days on the road.

That'd be a rough road (no pun intended) for my family, especially since my oldest is autistic and my wife suffers fibromylagia. I can't imagine seeing my family that little.

James B. wrote:

DB. I am just encouraging you and trying to help.  I am not dogging you by any means.  Good advice is good advice.

Ah, the wonderful miscommunications of the web forum. I took no offence on what you were saying James, I was agreeing with and heeding your advice.

Sorry, couldn't resist. My Stepdads been driving and training for as long as I can remember. He really enjoys the training aspect of the job. I used to go with him when I was a teenager. I saw most of the country that way, it was pretty cool. I got to blast Britny Fox's "Fun in Texas" while I was in Texas. That was cool at 13, doesn't quite sound that way now...........

You got air breaks on your Rig? If you live anywhere near the midwest, you can make good money hauling frac sand daily. Other than that, the pay is dramatically lower for most local trucking jobs. Every job my Stepdad had/s, paid by the mile. ANd only if you had a load. If you were empty, no money. He used to wait around for a load so he wouldn't be driving for free.

Have fun on the open road!

Wish that my job had songs about it!  

Boris2008 wrote:

Wish that my job had songs about it!  

mine does:

corplhicks wrote:

GrandNational wrote:

corplhicks wrote:

I very much wanted to be a trucker but from what I've been told it's just not a family friendly job. And that's from talking with a lot of truckers. If I were single, though, I think I'd like it.

My dad's a owner/operator local trucker who hauls materials like sand and rock and such things for construction companies. You don't have to be a long-distance driver.

Yeah, I have heard of guys "driving local" but I guess it's a lower-pay scale; true/false?

I guess it depends on whether or not you have a regular stream of loads to haul from place to place. I don't really know the $$$ difference between local and long-distance drivers sinceone is based on mileage mostly and the other is based on the number of loads picked up and hauled.

I'd much rather get a hourly rate than OTR or by the load. I work 7 months out of the year on a highway construction/paving crew (Davis Bacon Wages AKA Prevailing wages) and I also have 4 trucks that I lease out to work in the oil fields of N.D. at 130 dollars per hour. It sounds good on paper but there is alot of expense involved. I do great in the spring/summer/fall but most profit covers the hassles of extreme winters there. Having contracts to honor, the trucks can't stay parked and freezing tempatures causes alot of havok with operating a truck. Be it equipment or drivers, the winter months really, really suck. It has been a good life lesson and challenges my commitment to have integrity in all that I do. In my seasonal construction job, the corporation pays for fuel, maintenance, repairs, insurance, bonds, licenses, permits, and other regulatory fees. The trucks I own and lease out, those same responsibilities are mine. So you can see how the hourly job has it's advantages. If it was year round work in this region of the country, I'd be a happy camper. At times. I think about selling my trucks and trying something else on the side in the winter. Then, the aspect of facing up to a challenge keeps me rockin and rollin.

I'm surprised we haven't broached the topic of road rage. I'm sure it's a daily dealing for most truckers. I'm on the road for 30K miles a year and it's tough enough for me in a full-size pickup. Plus I'm constantly getting semi's blaring their horns at me and cutting me off because I prefer to drive 55 on my return home (in the slow lane, of course). Obviously I understand that auto drivers just love to tailgate semi's, cut them off, etc. Mutual respect is hard to come by on the highway, it seems.

By all means, though: a semi haulin' is a f*cking greater mass than my Chevy half-ton, so my respect for the trucker will never be lost or lessened.

Did I mention I'm glad I live on a different continent?

     

kmorg wrote:

Did I mention I'm glad I live on a different continent?

     

we can fix that  

corplhicks wrote:

I'm surprised we haven't broached the topic of road rage. I'm sure it's a daily dealing for most truckers. I'm on the road for 30K miles a year and it's tough enough for me in a full-size pickup. Plus I'm constantly getting semi's blaring their horns at me and cutting me off because I prefer to drive 55 on my return home (in the slow lane, of course). Obviously I understand that auto drivers just love to tailgate semi's, cut them off, etc. Mutual respect is hard to come by on the highway, it seems.

By all means, though: a semi haulin' is a f*cking greater mass than my Chevy half-ton, so my respect for the trucker will never be lost or lessened.

I don't really get angry with truckers by and large; they seem to stay out of the passing lane most of the time and I always give 'em a wide berth. It's the rednecks and the "blue hairs" (aka "old people") who cruise at 55 mph in the passing lane and refuse to get over that cause my "bird" to take wing.

tohostudios wrote:

corplhicks wrote:

I'm surprised we haven't broached the topic of road rage. I'm sure it's a daily dealing for most truckers. I'm on the road for 30K miles a year and it's tough enough for me in a full-size pickup. Plus I'm constantly getting semi's blaring their horns at me and cutting me off because I prefer to drive 55 on my return home (in the slow lane, of course). Obviously I understand that auto drivers just love to tailgate semi's, cut them off, etc. Mutual respect is hard to come by on the highway, it seems.

By all means, though: a semi haulin' is a f*cking greater mass than my Chevy half-ton, so my respect for the trucker will never be lost or lessened.

I don't really get angry with truckers by and large; they seem to stay out of the passing lane most of the time and I always give 'em a wide berth.   It's the rednecks and the "blue hairs" (aka "old people") who cruise at 55 mph in the passing lane and refuse to get over that cause my "bird" to take wing.  

yeah - i dont see all that many truckers doing dumb things. I see a lot of younger people though texting, eating, reading, putting on makeup and pretty much doing anything they that distracts them while driving where I travel most often.

DallasBlack wrote:

James B. wrote:

DB. I am just encouraging you and trying to help.  I am not dogging you by any means.  Good advice is good advice.

Ah, the wonderful miscommunications of the web forum. I took no offence on what you were saying James, I was agreeing with and heeding your advice.

my bad, thought ya seemed a lil defensive.

tohostudios wrote:

corplhicks wrote:

I'm surprised we haven't broached the topic of road rage. I'm sure it's a daily dealing for most truckers. I'm on the road for 30K miles a year and it's tough enough for me in a full-size pickup. Plus I'm constantly getting semi's blaring their horns at me and cutting me off because I prefer to drive 55 on my return home (in the slow lane, of course). Obviously I understand that auto drivers just love to tailgate semi's, cut them off, etc. Mutual respect is hard to come by on the highway, it seems.

By all means, though: a semi haulin' is a f*cking greater mass than my Chevy half-ton, so my respect for the trucker will never be lost or lessened.

I don't really get angry with truckers by and large; they seem to stay out of the passing lane most of the time and I always give 'em a wide berth.   It's the rednecks and the "blue hairs" (aka "old people") who cruise at 55 mph in the passing lane and refuse to get over that cause my "bird" to take wing.  

Yes. This is my #2 pet peeve under DUI. Just a few weeks ago got caught between a small car doing 35 in the fast lane with more than enough chances to get over. When I passed I caught a glance of a normal-looking middle-aged woman sipping on a big gulp. Zero f*cks given. Called the cops on her ass. Bitch.

Sorry. Anyway that does get my blood boiling.  

The older I've gotten the less ticked off I get with stupid drivers. There are just too many of them and life is too short to let it bother me.

Be careful out there Dallas.

jstate wrote:

The older I've gotten the less ticked off I get with stupid drivers.  There are just too many of them and life is too short to let it bother me.

Be careful out there Dallas.  

Yeah, but sometimes it's hard to ignore.

Yeah, people don't really know how to drive around truck drivers. They don't understand the blind spots, slow build up of speed, and general difficulties of driving 80,000 lbs with a 53' trailer behind you. They don't like you to either pass them or get into their lane. As a truck driver you sometimes have to use your size to intimidate those who don't want you in their lane because most people will do whatever they can to stop you (even other trucks-today a truck was going slower than me and the moment I went in the passing lane to get ahead of him, immediately sped up). The worst is people who like to drive side by side with you. If you have to move around something you need space to do so (stopping for objects in the road is too dangerous-trucks need plenty of stopping distance. If you need to pass a truck, do so or get behind it. But don't cruise along side it.

Finally got to check up with you guys. Most of the time, if I'm not driving, my trainer is and the truck is too jumpy to be on my computer. We are waiting in a mall parking lot until tomorrow because the load we're picking up isn't ready til tomorrow morning. So I will make some appearances here today.

Quote :

today a truck was going slower than me and the moment I went in the passing lane to get ahead of him, immediately sped up

That's not limited to truck drivers. I swear lots of car drivers play that game as well.

tohostudios wrote:

Quote :

today a truck was going slower than me and the moment I went in the passing lane to get ahead of him, immediately sped up

That's not limited to truck drivers.  I swear lots of car drivers play that game as well.

yeah - it happens all the time here. People seem to think they are losing something if you pass them.

DallasBlack wrote:

Yeah, people don't really know how to drive around truck drivers. They don't understand the blind spots, slow build up of speed, and general difficulties of driving 80,000 lbs with a 53' trailer behind you. They don't like you to either pass them or get into their lane. As a truck driver you sometimes have to use your size to intimidate those who don't want you in their lane because most people will do whatever they can to stop you (even other trucks-today a truck was going slower than me and the moment I went in the passing lane to get ahead of him, immediately sped up). The worst is people who like to drive side by side with you. If you have to move around something you need space to do so (stopping for objects in the road is too dangerous-trucks need plenty of stopping distance. If you need to pass a truck, do so or get behind it. But don't cruise along side it.

Finally got to check up with you guys. Most of the time, if I'm not driving, my trainer is and the truck is too jumpy to be on my computer. We are waiting in a mall parking lot until tomorrow because the load we're picking up isn't ready til tomorrow morning. So I will make some appearances here today.

It seems like there's a lot of stops w/ waiting around or downtime. Do you get bored?

Troublezone wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

Yeah, people don't really know how to drive around truck drivers. They don't understand the blind spots, slow build up of speed, and general difficulties of driving 80,000 lbs with a 53' trailer behind you. They don't like you to either pass them or get into their lane. As a truck driver you sometimes have to use your size to intimidate those who don't want you in their lane because most people will do whatever they can to stop you (even other trucks-today a truck was going slower than me and the moment I went in the passing lane to get ahead of him, immediately sped up). The worst is people who like to drive side by side with you. If you have to move around something you need space to do so (stopping for objects in the road is too dangerous-trucks need plenty of stopping distance. If you need to pass a truck, do so or get behind it. But don't cruise along side it.

Finally got to check up with you guys. Most of the time, if I'm not driving, my trainer is and the truck is too jumpy to be on my computer. We are waiting in a mall parking lot until tomorrow because the load we're picking up isn't ready til tomorrow morning. So I will make some appearances here today.

It seems like there's a lot of stops w/ waiting around or downtime. Do you get bored?

Since I'm not on my computer for days on end, any downtime can be filled. Today I'm catching up on two weeks worth of wrestling. This is the first time of real waiting. Last time there was a wait, I was able to go home for a day and a half. Hopefully things pick up as I only get $0.10/mile (mine and my trainer's) and none of the other pay (fuel bonus, downtime pay, etc.) during training.

Still trucking along (pun intended). I'm sitting here at a Hardee's at a Loves Truck Stop in Dwight, IL (about an hour and a half from downtown Chicago). Doesn't deliver til early in the morning. Sorry I haven't kept in touch. When I'm not driving my trainer is and the ride is too bumpy and shaky to get on my computer. I have to wait for downtimes like today. Once I'm assigned to my own truck (less than two weeks hopefully) I will have a lot more time on my hands to update everyone. I'm getting more driving in and a lot more backing (my trainer told me he will no longer back up the truck while I'm here). Another thing is I'm not getting lost much anymore (the last one was due to having to go to the restroom fully loaded, but two hours without a place to park and facilities to use). Looking forward to my future as a truck driver, though I'm sure harder times are coming my way. Once your on your own the REAL learning begins. With determination, perserverance, and a good trucking GPS (), I should be just fine.

Tell 'em Large Marge sent ya!