Trucking companies complain no truckers

[Ray From Cleveland]

Really? What companies are those?

For over-the-road drivers, there is heavy competition. In fact, this year, we need over 60,000 new drivers that industry can't find.

As for pay, if you spend one year on the road and have a good record, you can easily get into one of the major companies and do 60K per year if not better. UPS and FedEx have all kinds of local jobs so you can go home every night if you wish. I have a friend at CCX that says they are doing all they can to find new employees.

The problem isn't the trucking companies, the problem is our government.

Nearly every year, the government adds more and more DOT cops. They can pull you over for any reason at any time. Since truck drivers have no Constitutional rights, they can pull you over, invade your trailer, look in your cab, and even under the hood of your vehicle. And if they don't like the way you look, they can even order you to take a drug test.

If you do drive a truck for a living, you get a pretty good idea of how the Germans lived during WWII. When you pass one of those DOT cops, or in my state that certifies the state troopers to do the same, you always look in your mirror to see if one is going to hunt you down.

Friend of mine in North Texas says his oil company has a hard time finding drivers who can pass a drug test. The drivers he has makes very good money.

My employer had the same problem. Just so he didn't have to go through the hassle of having drivers fail a drug test, he has applicants tested before he hires them. Most of them just told him up-front that there is no way they can pass a drug test.

That was the other thing - My company did (just like the Army) random drug testing. Hell, even I was subject to it, as a supervisor. Yeah, it sucked (I don't do drugs) but seems like every time I was shutting my office door, the company EMT was there with the "little cup"

It is intrusive. But it's not just drivers, it stems to many careers.

My father is a retired bricklayer. He has a great pension and the union sends their retirees newsletters all the time. He got one from the union asking retirees to find new people to join the trade! Yes, bricklaying is extremely hard work, and I didn't get into it myself, but it is a great paying job with great benefits.

The union found plenty of guys willing to try the trade out, but they couldn't find many that were capable of passing a drug test. That's why they were so desperate as to ask their retirees to find them new people.

Indeed. My best friend from High School, his dad was an electrician and he offered to get my friend (his Son) and me into the apprenticeship program at the IBEW and like a damned fool, I went into the Army and headed to Viet Nam...what a dumbass I was..... Funny thing, though, right after my best friend got his Journeyman license, he was drafted and spent the next two years at Fort Sill, OK. Still.......I was an IDIOT!!!!

I disagree.

There is no such thing as an "idiot" that went to fight on behalf of our country. You and yours have sacrificed then and continued to sacrifice your entire life. Certainly, that is nothing to be ashamed or regretful of.

Thank you for serving our country.

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

It sounds like somebody got a CDL after hearing about good money, and is pissed because it isn't starting pay.

Believe me - I have heard every horror story that can be told. When I first retired from the Army and went to work for the Wholesale distributor in the MidWest (in like 1989) some of these companies were working their guys nearly to death, running two, three and sometimes four logbooks. Being out on the road for 6-8 weeks at a time, never getting any home time - on and on. Then I became familiar with the "company drivers". Our guys had a damn fine deal. 5 days or nights on - two days off. They made great money, had a great health and welfare program, great vacation time. For the life of me, I could never figure out why the hell ANYONE would want to be an OTR driver. I used to see those guys come into the warehouse barely able to stand - they had to drive for two days straight to get to Kansas City - had to hire a lumper, unload and immediately call dispatch to get another load - all before getting any sleep.

No damned way to live, if you ask me....

No, I would never consider it even if it were an option.

The problem before the 90's is that drivers would get a license in every state they drove. If they got pulled over, they handed the trooper their license in that state, and they only got points in that state. They used to drive like maniacs back then.

Today of course, we have CDL's which are national. If you get a ticket in Arizona, it applies to your license no matter what state you are in. The problem with that is when you have a CDL, it's the only license you have. A friend of mine who is a driver attended a farewell party for his supervisor. When the drivers left, the cops were pulling these guys over. They were arresting them for DUI's even though some only had one or two beers. If you have a CDL, you are under the CDL standards for what is considered intoxicated whether you are in a truck or your car on personal time. With a CDL, that's less than one beer.

Of course you can't find people willing to drive for a living. Too much damned government.

Do you realize we have the same blood pressure requirements as an astronaut........seems they are trying to create artificial churn, then ad in their new kick on sleep apnea. Customer of mine who drives off and on was told by an insider they have a goal of getting 33% of drivers on those machines

Absolutely. What other job can discriminate against body mass? None other than trucking--and it's done by the government no less.

 

[WildBillKelsoe]

Trucking companies complain no truckers

I guess they'll have to start paying money.

sure, if you find a half way reputable company you can start at $36K your fist year, but the truth is you work for an over-the-road company 24/7.

if you divide 10 to 14 hours per day driving, it's like 6.50 per hour.

For some strange reason we use the Karl Marx plan of per mile, so if a driver is stuck in traffic he gets nothing. More Socialist poison in America.

companies start at .17 cents, .18 cents per mile now.

Drove a Semi for a short period, and never again would I do that!

It is not a job but a way of life, and it is like the old cowboy life on the wagon trails...

Yeah, trucking fucking sucks. I'm hoping to be out of this bullshit business this time next year. I can't believe it took me so long to get fed up with it.

Agreed. If I knew what I know today and how the government was going to be so intrusive, I would have been a plumber.

I shoulda went ahead and took that playing a piano in a white house, years ago.

 

[WildBillKelsoe]

The max you can drive per day is 11 hours.

I was wondering if anyone would point out that flaw in his whine.

And you can't fudge anymore because a lot of logs are electronic

Indeed. We went to on-board computer log books in 1995 (I believe it was). Funny thing? Our drivers LOVED them.

Im an old fart and don't know that much how they worked. One day a highway patrolman pulled me over and said he couldn't understand my log and was getting all pissy. I told him I really didn't know how they worked either.
Anyway he gave me a ticket for, "inadequate training."
He said this won't cost you any money but it will take points off your driving record.
I never heard of such a thing

Well, the first system we had - each driver had a "card" actually looked like a battery box (?) that they put into the onboard computer. They each had a password (I believe that it was the last 4 of their SSN) and then they would follow the prompts. When the prompt said "pre-trip" you would type in "Yes" so on and so forth. At the end of the night again, you would be prompted with "post-trip" and then you would log off. After a couple of years they went with a voice system.

Electronic logs are the only positive thing I've seen in years. The 30 minute break is bullshit and thank God the abolished the 168 hour rule, but I love, love, love electronic logs. Because when it's quittin' time...it's quittin' time. And there isn't a damn thing anyone is going to say about it.

 

[Wildman]

after reading all these replies i am thinking about sending my Granddaughter a link to this page, she moved from Denver to Kansas City for better pay with less hours doing local driving, (her boyfriend is the supervisor, maybe that is why.) she once was an OTR trucker but quit that when she almost got her hand ripped off putting on chains on Donner Pass.

 

[WildBillKelsoe]

after reading all these replies i am thinking about sending my Granddaughter a link to this page, she moved from Denver to Kansas City for better pay with less hours doing local driving, (her boyfriend is the supervisor, maybe that is why.) she once was an OTR trucker but quit that when she almost got her hand ripped off putting on chains on Donner Pass.

I've been driving for 23 years and my advice is, get the Fuck out of the trucking business.

 

[WildBillKelsoe]

Why are the socialists to blame ?

Are u mad that there are regs against 1/2 asleep drivers barreling down the highway in semi trucks !?

80% of accidents involving cars and big trucks are caused by the car. Maybe we should start holding car operators to the same standards.

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

Why are the socialists to blame ?

Are u mad that there are regs against 1/2 asleep drivers barreling down the highway in semi trucks !?

80% of accidents involving cars and big trucks are caused by the car. Maybe we should start holding car operators to the same standards.

Exactly. If it were up to me, there would be a law (strictly enforced) that nobody can pull in front of a truck on the highway less than four car spaces. These *&&^& pull right in front of you less than two car spaces cutting off your safety distance. Then in some cases, the MF's hit their brakes on top of it.

Another law that would help is no pacing a truck. These assholes speed up on you, get right next to your trailer, and then slow down so they are driving the same exact speed as you. If I need to switch lanes, I can't because this idiot is next to me and has been the last mile or so.

What really brings up our accident rate is the government allowing these foreigners to be on the road. Some of them can't read or speak English, yet they are driving around on our highways in vehicles weighing up to 75,000 pounds or more. Not only do they do these last minute lane switches on the highway because they can't read the signs, they are terrible drivers no matter what the situation.

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

after reading all these replies i am thinking about sending my Granddaughter a link to this page, she moved from Denver to Kansas City for better pay with less hours doing local driving, (her boyfriend is the supervisor, maybe that is why.) she once was an OTR trucker but quit that when she almost got her hand ripped off putting on chains on Donner Pass.

I've been driving for 23 years and my advice is, get the Fuck out of the trucking business.

If you are young enough to do it.

 

[Wilbur Right]

For us local drivers, the worst part is we are not covered under time-and-a-half laws. My company doesn't pay overtime, but we generally stay around 40 hours give or take, so for us, it's not that much of an issue. But I do know of companies like All-Pro and they will work you up to 60 hours a week straight time.

Are you fucking whining dude? You are the ultimate company man.

It sounded like you were whining about unpaid overtime. What the fuck is the problem? You don't (or another driver) appreciate the fact trucking companies like to have you work more for less, they (you) can always find you another job. Right.

Are you whining? What will it be next? You calling the dept of labor to complain?

That would be so beautiful.

 

[Wilbur Right]

Exactly. If it were up to me, there would be a law (strictly enforced) that nobody can pull in front of a truck on the highway less than four car spaces. These *&&^& pull right in front of you less than two car spaces cutting off your safety distance. Then in some cases, the MF's hit their brakes on top of it.

WHAT THE FUCK. Now you want more laws?

So you don't hate the government ? You want the government to do this for you?

You must really be a socialist.

 

[Wilbur Right]

Agreed. If I knew what I know today and how the government was going to be so intrusive, I would have been a plumber.

Is that the same government you want to pass a new law?

 

[pwjohn]

Why are the socialists to blame ?

Are u mad that there are regs against 1/2 asleep drivers barreling down the highway in semi trucks !?

80% of accidents involving cars and big trucks are caused by the car. Maybe we should start holding car operators to the same standards.

I'd have to say maybe we're not holding truckers to high enough standards.

 

[RandallFlagg]

after reading all these replies i am thinking about sending my Granddaughter a link to this page, she moved from Denver to Kansas City for better pay with less hours doing local driving, (her boyfriend is the supervisor, maybe that is why.) she once was an OTR trucker but quit that when she almost got her hand ripped off putting on chains on Donner Pass.

Tell her to check out the food distribution companies. They are Teamsters and the drivers we had SELDOM left. But with growth, when I started there in the 80s, we had like 400 stores. Today? We have well over 4800 stores throughout the Midwest, Kentucky and Tennessee. Our guys (Kansas City) drove the Midwest and 99% of them were home every day.

Obviously, she would have to start at the bottom, everyone does..but the pay and benefits are great.

 

[WildBillKelsoe]

Why are the socialists to blame ?

Are u mad that there are regs against 1/2 asleep drivers barreling down the highway in semi trucks !?

80% of accidents involving cars and big trucks are caused by the car. Maybe we should start holding car operators to the same standards.

I'd have to say maybe we're not holding truckers to high enough standards.

I'd say you don't know shit about the trucking business.

 

[Moonglow]

Trucking companies complain no truckers

I guess they'll have to start paying money.

sure, if you find a half way reputable company you can start at $36K your fist year, but the truth is you work for an over-the-road company 24/7.

if you divide 10 to 14 hours per day driving, it's like 6.50 per hour.

For some strange reason we use the Karl Marx plan of per mile, so if a driver is stuck in traffic he gets nothing. More Socialist poison in America.

companies start at .17 cents, .18 cents per mile now.

Marxism from capitalist, what a country!

 

[WildBillKelsoe]

Exactly. If it were up to me, there would be a law (strictly enforced) that nobody can pull in front of a truck on the highway less than four car spaces. These *&&^& pull right in front of you less than two car spaces cutting off your safety distance. Then in some cases, the MF's hit their brakes on top of it.

WHAT THE FUCK. Now you want more laws?

So you don't hate the government ? You want the government to do this for you?

You must really be a socialist.

What he means is more sensible laws and fewer dumbass laws.

The 168 hour rule? That was a dumbass law.

 

[WildBillKelsoe]

For us local drivers, the worst part is we are not covered under time-and-a-half laws. My company doesn't pay overtime, but we generally stay around 40 hours give or take, so for us, it's not that much of an issue. But I do know of companies like All-Pro and they will work you up to 60 hours a week straight time.

Are you fucking whining dude? You are the ultimate company man.

It sounded like you were whining about unpaid overtime. What the fuck is the problem? You don't (or another driver) appreciate the fact trucking companies like to have you work more for less, they (you) can always find you another job. Right.

Are you whining? What will it be next? You calling the dept of labor to complain?

That would be so beautiful.

That's why I've been in the specialized segment of the industry for 15 years.

 

[Moonglow]

I was wondering if anyone would point out that flaw in his whine.

And you can't fudge anymore because a lot of logs are electronic

Indeed. We went to on-board computer log books in 1995 (I believe it was). Funny thing? Our drivers LOVED them.

Im an old fart and don't know that much how they worked. One day a highway patrolman pulled me over and said he couldn't understand my log and was getting all pissy. I told him I really didn't know how they worked either.
Anyway he gave me a ticket for, "inadequate training."
He said this won't cost you any money but it will take points off your driving record.
I never heard of such a thing

Well, the first system we had - each driver had a "card" actually looked like a battery box (?) that they put into the onboard computer. They each had a password (I believe that it was the last 4 of their SSN) and then they would follow the prompts. When the prompt said "pre-trip" you would type in "Yes" so on and so forth. At the end of the night again, you would be prompted with "post-trip" and then you would log off. After a couple of years they went with a voice system.

Electronic logs are the only positive thing I've seen in years. The 30 minute break is bullshit and thank God the abolished the 168 hour rule, but I love, love, love electronic logs. Because when it's quittin' time...it's quittin' time. And there isn't a damn thing anyone is going to say about it.

The electronic log is sure screwing up the fine inflow to the DOT..since it is harder to penalize for mistakes or left out log entries...

 

[WildBillKelsoe]

And you can't fudge anymore because a lot of logs are electronic

Indeed. We went to on-board computer log books in 1995 (I believe it was). Funny thing? Our drivers LOVED them.

Im an old fart and don't know that much how they worked. One day a highway patrolman pulled me over and said he couldn't understand my log and was getting all pissy. I told him I really didn't know how they worked either.
Anyway he gave me a ticket for, "inadequate training."
He said this won't cost you any money but it will take points off your driving record.
I never heard of such a thing

Well, the first system we had - each driver had a "card" actually looked like a battery box (?) that they put into the onboard computer. They each had a password (I believe that it was the last 4 of their SSN) and then they would follow the prompts. When the prompt said "pre-trip" you would type in "Yes" so on and so forth. At the end of the night again, you would be prompted with "post-trip" and then you would log off. After a couple of years they went with a voice system.

Electronic logs are the only positive thing I've seen in years. The 30 minute break is bullshit and thank God the abolished the 168 hour rule, but I love, love, love electronic logs. Because when it's quittin' time...it's quittin' time. And there isn't a damn thing anyone is going to say about it.

The electronic log is sure screwing up the fine inflow to the DOT..since it is harder to penalize for mistakes or left out log entries...

No more misunderstanding the rules.