Life Do we have any OTR drivers here? - Page 2

KCFaninSEA · 12-22-2012, 07:59 PM

Many local p&d companies will hire you with little experience. The philosophy is that they can train you their way before you pick up bad habits. Question is, are they hiring? If you go that route union companies are best. The pay between non union and union is usually similar but the union companies usually have a much better benefit package. The non union companies will provide the benefits but want you to pay a few hundred bucks a month for the medical. Union companies also usually have a true multi employer pension plan which is far superior to most 401k plans.

ROYC75 · 12-22-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCFaninSEA

Many local p&d companies will hire you with little experience. The philosophy is that they can train you their way before you pick up bad habits. Question is, are they hiring? If you go that route union companies are best. The pay between non union and union is usually similar but the union companies usually have a much better benefit package. The non union companies will provide the benefits but want you to pay a few hundred bucks a month for the medical. Union companies also usually have a true multi employer pension plan which is far superior to most 401k plans.

Insurance companies are setting the bar high on hiring, even local union jobs. No experience or lack of recent experience and the rates rise dramatically, thus leaving companies to hire drivers with recent experience of at least 2 years recent.

KCFaninSEA · 12-22-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

Insurance companies are setting the bar high on hiring, even local union jobs. No experience or lack of recent experience and the rates rise dramatically, thus leaving companies to hire drivers with recent experience of at least 2 years recent.

Many of the big companies are self insured so that doesn't matter.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 12-22-2012, 08:04 PM

They don't make shit anymore. I looked into it, and actually did the trucking school with a company in Springfield. It is garbage ass money. I mean, shit. You won't make 40k your first couple of years, and you'll only get close if you roll. You don't make shit when those tires aren't rolling. Don't shoot the messenger. Long haul trucking has been ruined. Too many people willing to do it for shitty, shitty, money.

ROYC75 · 12-22-2012, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

They don't make shit anymore. I looked into it, and actually did the trucking school with a company in Springfield. It is garbage ass money. I mean, shit. You won't make 40k your first couple of years, and you'll only get close if you roll. You don't make shit when those tires aren't rolling. Don't shoot the messenger. Long haul trucking has been ruined. Too many people willing to do it for shitty, shitty, money.

Taking away tariffs allow cut throat rates, less profit and less driver pay.

Reason you see the tide shifting in trucking.

Chieftain58 · 12-22-2012, 08:17 PM

FedEx is a great company, 4 different Divisions FedEx Freight, Ground, Express and Services... I love working for Freight pay is exceptional and the benefits are awesome as well!!

Unsmooth-Moment · 12-22-2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

They don't make shit anymore. I looked into it, and actually did the trucking school with a company in Springfield. It is garbage ass money. I mean, shit. You won't make 40k your first couple of years, and you'll only get close if you roll. You don't make shit when those tires aren't rolling. Don't shoot the messenger. Long haul trucking has been ruined. Too many people willing to do it for shitty, shitty, money.

What division was that in? Also, what time of the year did you do the school? There are high/low volume seasons in trucking. A driver should be able to clear 40k relatively easy. What a lot of people don't understand is that if they go lease a truck from a third party they can make more money. If you lease from the company you work for, you are likely paying a marked up price. Become an owner op and you can make pretty good money.

**Bowser** · 12-22-2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unsmooth-Moment

What division was that in? Also, what time of the year did you do the school? There are high/low volume seasons in trucking. A driver should be able to clear 40k relatively easy. What a lot of people don't understand is that if they go lease a truck from a third party they will make a lot more money. If you lease from the company you work for, you are likely paying a marked up price. Become an owner op and you can make pretty good money.

Up until your rig breaks down, so I'm told.

Unsmooth-Moment · 12-22-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Up until your rig breaks down, so I'm told.

I hear you. There are definte risks in trucking, but for people with a strong work ethic who understand electronic logs and can keep their fuel efficiency in check, you can make good money.

Randallflagg · 12-22-2012, 08:30 PM

For what it's worth, I began driving about 30 years ago. Started out OTR, did that for a year and then took a job with a local grocery company. Teamsters job. Great benefits and the pay was fairly decent. Usually made around $55,000 a year and some years made $60-65 a year.

I will caution you about OTR work, however. As a rookie, look to get screwed a great deal. You, for the most part, won't get enough miles to make a decent wage, OR, they'll work you like a dog for little or less money. He'll, look at it as a way to get the experience to work for a company like Yellow, UPS, or any number of local companies.

The other thing I would caution you about is if you are running OTR, look to be gone for several weeks at a time, so if you are prone to "homesickness", you might want to look elsewhere...

Good Luck to you!!

KCFaninSEA · 12-22-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

They don't make shit anymore. I looked into it, and actually did the trucking school with a company in Springfield. It is garbage ass money. I mean, shit. You won't make 40k your first couple of years, and you'll only get close if you roll. You don't make shit when those tires aren't rolling. Don't shoot the messenger. Long haul trucking has been ruined. Too many people willing to do it for shitty, shitty, money.

It was called deregulation and it has slowly destroyed an industry that once was a great way for a non college educated type to raise a family with one income. Now without the industry being regulated it is a race to the bottom.

ROYC75 · 12-23-2012, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCFaninSEA

It was called deregulation and it has slowly destroyed an industry that once was a great way for a non college educated type to raise a family with one income. Now without the industry being regulated it is a race to the bottom.

Yep, 1977 was the start of the downward spiral.

rtmike · 12-23-2012, 05:08 AM

I started out in the oil patch in western Kansas as a swamper, worked my way up to my 1st road truck, eventually the #2 tandem driver.
My 1st couple years driving were without a chauffeurs license since you had to be 21. It was quite comical when I went to the DOT to get my license. The instructor asked where I had been obviously driving & I said backroads of Nebraska. Didn't matter, he abruptly instructed me to turn around chewing my ass out all the way back to the office (we only made it about a mile). No highway driving, nothing. Got my license & a free ass chewing.
Sounds like an exaggeration but it's true.

The US made up with OPEC & the patch bottomed out. I took that experience & went to work for Roadrunner Trucking pulling flatbed. I averaged close to150k miles a year with a 68mph top speed sometimes 62. Of course I sometimes ran 3 logbooks. I'm sure it helped that I had a good attitude, kept my truck looking immaculate & never, ever sat to wait on loads. I think the most I waited was 2 days.

To make any money, you have to keep your door closed & stay out of the truck stops. Most of the time I'd turn my CB off when stopping for fuel.
It helps if you're single as well. Also if you are married, you need to be able to have undying faith in your wife that she won't be sleeping with your best friend.
Taking your wife or a loved one with you isn't always such a good idea. For 24/7 weeks on end you're less than 10' from that other person. Maybe it's just me, but even loved ones' get on my nerves.

Another thing...you can take your driving experience & move up the ladder into other trades. I fell in lust with a cocktail waitress @ Jubitz Truck Stop in Portland. I moved up here & the lust wore off after about 4 months.

So I ended up hauling lumber for an outfit with chromed up beautiful trucks for a couple years.
I left there & went to work for a heavy haul outfit for right at 2 years. Sometimes I would haul cranes for this local crane rental outfit, sometimes a week straight of just scattering cranes. Anyhoots, they offered to bring me in as a journeyman.
So I changed trades somewhat. I went to work as a crane oiler on a P & H lattice boom crane. The money & hours were over twice what I had previously made. We were able to have a house built a mile from the hospital (where my wife still works), & I was able to step up with my classic car ownership.
I was with the crane rental outfit for 10 years when I had my 2nd new crane. This one was a 3.2 million $$ big mobile hydraulic crane.
Last month would have been 19 years with them. I never planned on quitting & loved my job. And then Nov. 28, 2003 I chased after a friend who had just sprayed me with sand over a widow's peak & paralyzed myself.

Sorry so long. My point being, this all started from my decision to give driving/oil patch a try for a year or so, then make up my mind what I wanted to be when I grew up & start college.

Good luck.

**BigMeatballDave** · 12-22-2012, 11:16 PM

Some good info in here.

Thanks.

**Buehler445** · 12-23-2012, 12:27 AM

I always see some trailers around advertising for a company that pays all training and licensing. I can't remember the name FFS, but they're out there.

My cousin does this and makes a hell of a lot more money than I do. I think he owns his truck and contracts with a logistics company. Last I knew he was hauling bulls. I think he was hauling corn down and DDGs back at one point.

Actually driving the truck is pretty easy unless you have an unbalanced load or liquid. It is the ****ing regulation that is a PIA. Fortunately I don't have to **** with it much.

12-22-2012, 07:59 PM	#1
KCFaninSEA Starter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Casino cash: $10005813	Many local p&d companies will hire you with little experience. The philosophy is that they can train you their way before you pick up bad habits. Question is, are they hiring? If you go that route union companies are best. The pay between non union and union is usually similar but the union companies usually have a much better benefit package. The non union companies will provide the benefits but want you to pay a few hundred bucks a month for the medical. Union companies also usually have a true multi employer pension plan which is far superior to most 401k plans. __________________ Stop corporate Greed!!!!!
Posts: 346

12-22-2012, 08:17 PM	#6
Chieftain58 Fan club member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Land of OZ Casino cash: $10005117	FedEx is a great company, 4 different Divisions FedEx Freight, Ground, Express and Services... I love working for Freight pay is exceptional and the benefits are awesome as well!! __________________
Posts: 1,626

12-22-2012, 08:30 PM	#10
Randallflagg MVP Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $9987156	For what it's worth, I began driving about 30 years ago. Started out OTR, did that for a year and then took a job with a local grocery company. Teamsters job. Great benefits and the pay was fairly decent. Usually made around $55,000 a year and some years made $60-65 a year. I will caution you about OTR work, however. As a rookie, look to get screwed a great deal. You, for the most part, won't get enough miles to make a decent wage, OR, they'll work you like a dog for little or less money. He'll, look at it as a way to get the experience to work for a company like Yellow, UPS, or any number of local companies. The other thing I would caution you about is if you are running OTR, look to be gone for several weeks at a time, so if you are prone to "homesickness", you might want to look elsewhere... Good Luck to you!!
Posts: 9,578

12-23-2012, 05:08 AM	#13
rtmike union paraplegic organizer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: western Kansas Casino cash: $9094600	I started out in the oil patch in western Kansas as a swamper, worked my way up to my 1st road truck, eventually the #2 tandem driver. My 1st couple years driving were without a chauffeurs license since you had to be 21. It was quite comical when I went to the DOT to get my license. The instructor asked where I had been obviously driving & I said backroads of Nebraska. Didn't matter, he abruptly instructed me to turn around chewing my ass out all the way back to the office (we only made it about a mile). No highway driving, nothing. Got my license & a free ass chewing. Sounds like an exaggeration but it's true. The US made up with OPEC & the patch bottomed out. I took that experience & went to work for Roadrunner Trucking pulling flatbed. I averaged close to150k miles a year with a 68mph top speed sometimes 62. Of course I sometimes ran 3 logbooks. I'm sure it helped that I had a good attitude, kept my truck looking immaculate & never, ever sat to wait on loads. I think the most I waited was 2 days. To make any money, you have to keep your door closed & stay out of the truck stops. Most of the time I'd turn my CB off when stopping for fuel. It helps if you're single as well. Also if you are married, you need to be able to have undying faith in your wife that she won't be sleeping with your best friend. Taking your wife or a loved one with you isn't always such a good idea. For 24/7 weeks on end you're less than 10' from that other person. Maybe it's just me, but even loved ones' get on my nerves. Another thing...you can take your driving experience & move up the ladder into other trades. I fell in lust with a cocktail waitress @ Jubitz Truck Stop in Portland. I moved up here & the lust wore off after about 4 months. So I ended up hauling lumber for an outfit with chromed up beautiful trucks for a couple years. I left there & went to work for a heavy haul outfit for right at 2 years. Sometimes I would haul cranes for this local crane rental outfit, sometimes a week straight of just scattering cranes. Anyhoots, they offered to bring me in as a journeyman. So I changed trades somewhat. I went to work as a crane oiler on a P & H lattice boom crane. The money & hours were over twice what I had previously made. We were able to have a house built a mile from the hospital (where my wife still works), & I was able to step up with my classic car ownership. I was with the crane rental outfit for 10 years when I had my 2nd new crane. This one was a 3.2 million $$ big mobile hydraulic crane. Last month would have been 19 years with them. I never planned on quitting & loved my job. And then Nov. 28, 2003 I chased after a friend who had just sprayed me with sand over a widow's peak & paralyzed myself. Sorry so long. My point being, this all started from my decision to give driving/oil patch a try for a year or so, then make up my mind what I wanted to be when I grew up & start college. Good luck. __________________ I like to sleep For I'm walking in my dreams. Live life like every DAY is your last!
Posts: 3,097

12-22-2012, 11:16 PM	#14
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Some good info in here. Thanks.
Posts: 59,997

12-23-2012, 12:27 AM	#15
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $2184734	I always see some trailers around advertising for a company that pays all training and licensing. I can't remember the name FFS, but they're out there. My cousin does this and makes a hell of a lot more money than I do. I think he owns his truck and contracts with a logistics company. Last I knew he was hauling bulls. I think he was hauling corn down and DDGs back at one point. Actually driving the truck is pretty easy unless you have an unbalanced load or liquid. It is the **ing regulation that is a PIA. Fortunately I don't have to ** with it much.
Posts: 56,846