That’s right, unless O/O with a black book and great rates, or contracted to someone that’s paying really well. Or spot market is crazy good. Or in a specialized field, Otherwise most otr van/reefer/flatbed drivers make less than a lot of local drivers.
Yeah, otr is definitely going down hill as far as pay. Then companies want to,skim off of that. Just caught my new company trying to skim a load and breakdown pay.smh
They all play, if doing percentage, always have rate con directly from customer or broker. Otherwise they all skim you big time off the top. Not rate con from them, but straight from shipper/Direct I customer. Too easy to manipulate rates no or book yourself and have access to same book they have.
I’ve been to those scam Eastern Euro companies. That all steal big time off the top, but also American Companies. I met a driver for Schneider back in 2021, rates were still insanely good. I could pull up load boards and right in my area, find multiple loads for $3-$4 a mile, yet he showed me on their own internal load board you are forced to use as LP, nothing more than $1.20. He was about to deadhead over 300 miles just to get a 1.60 mile load. SMH. These companies all “LIE, CHEAT and STEAL” in the words of Eddie Guerrero.
Everyone's case is different. Have you considered that some men got into trucking to stay away from a nagging wife? Does that seem like a man that will miss home?😂😂
Trucking is a great career if you’re okay with the person holding that steering wheel. Call any of the help lines to find peace within yourself. Being your own worst enemy, then isolating yourself, is not a healthy way to live.
Idk why others are dismissing op? Everything he said is true. I’ve been in it 20 years. Mostly east half of the US, but at least once a month go west to some degree. It’s all over the place. Seen dead people on the road after an accident, not even covered up yet. Whores all over when I started in 2005, not so much now. But I remember the TA up in Jessup MD back in the day… literally naked hoes walking up and down the street. A Russian driver next to me in the fuel line high as a kite, screaming and threatening to kill the other drivers fueling up. Predators trying to peek in at you 2am in a rest stop shitter. Drivers crying about their miserable lives in the driver lounges of the FJ. It’s all there on full display…
Exactly, the dead people get to you, wondering what is this all for? Why am I here. Seen trucks engulfed in flames, drivers thru windshields, tons of accidents you already know the driver is dead. Off ledges,Engines pushed back thru the sleeper, and drivers that look like they just had heart attacks. One that stuck with me, was on I94 thru Chicago, traffic is always fucked thru there but once I got up in the line, there was a truck in left lane with paramedics just pumping drivers lifeless body across passenger seat, you could tell driver was gone, guy just came to work like any other day and died in traffic. Not to mention like you said multiple corpses on side of road as ambulance is just getting there. With some off the worse accidents
OP is definitely making stuff up or flat just being dramatic. Been driving 12 years never seen a dude beating his meat, maybe OP is seeking these things out?
Same here. 17 years OTR (46 out of the 48 states), and I have hardly seen a fistfight between two drivers, let along so much death and depravity. Definitely a storyteller.
I was at the Sapps in Junction City KS and the stalls have these overhead lights that project a very clear shadow onto the ground. The dude in the next stall was putting on a shadow puppet theatre of himself seriously abusing his meat.
I must drive in the boring parts of the world. I have been driving for 29 years and never have seen any of that stuff other than a couple of guys jerking it in their cars as they passed me.
I love OTR, but only do 2 weeks at a time. I just don't like that the pay is ridiculously low. If you put the hours worked and time away from home. We really make less than minimum wage
This insanity must happen west of i35 because I've been driving for 10 years and have never seen drivers act nutty like that. Seen some crazy looking people but that's about it
I genuinely feel the opposite and think anyone who runs east of I-35 is insane. So many people and traffic, cops are a lot more strict, more rules to follow too.
It’s all over, just stop at any truck stop, maybe it’s like the poster above told me “we all float down here”maybe only some of us can see it, (like that film IT).
Sounds like coastal routes. Pretty much Sodom on one side and Gomorrah on the other. I try to stay mountain or central, trip plan to stop in reasonable places that aren't some random dirt lot or streetside, and the worst I've seen is the occasional beggar. Longest stretch without hometime was the first three years. Had to go renew my license and decided occasionally a chance to go fishing isn't bad and try to get home once or twice a year now.
That’s a reason why I’m going local , been otr for 3 months since I’m new to the game and i already see what people say and im kinda over it 🤣 also I gained some weight too so I’m definitely going local
I’ve been doing this for my entire 30s and the ass end of my 20s. This is no different than any other job as long as human connection isn’t something you deeply value for your mental health. I would be exactly like I am now doing this or sitting in an office surrounded by people. I’d actually probably be worse off in the office.
If you guys want a hot tip, get a job as a garbage truck driver. Waste management is great. If it’s not in a major city and they’ve got the right trucks then it’s the easiest job ever.
I drive a curotto but side loaders are easy to. Front load (dumpsters) are actually pretty easy. It’s mostly just opening gates and once you learn how to push the dumpster the right way it doesn’t feel heavy. Most guys end up gaining about 10-20lbs because it’s literally right hand on the steering wheel and left hand on an arcade claw machine handle all day. On a day with 800 cans I might have to get out less than 10 times. I try to get out about 10 times an hour just to stretch my legs and walk the few steps to move a cart to a better place to dump the can (away from cars, mailboxes) very easy job and I enjoy it.
Personally my second year otr I changed my phone number deleted social media and cut contact from everyone for the entire year.
I really enjoyed that year had long haul runs working for a mega so literally had no contact with anyone other than for the drop and hook trailers.
I heard every driver wants to work local so they pay is low and they want years of experience. I should be getting my CDL by the beginning on next year and I’m told by my instructor that the real money is OTR
I'm at $38/hr, OT after 8 hours each day. Mon-Fri with a set schedule and route. I work about 50 hours a week and have 3 weeks vacation and 7 paid holidays. I've never been OTR and the local money hasn't always been this good but the good paying local jobs are out there, you just have to keep looking until you're satisfied.
I just went local after 6 of the worst months otr, 28 an hour ltl. Did 60 hours my first week so the pay thing is a myth. Made max 1100 in a week otr but was averaging 700. There are companies that pay good otr but if you can made the same and be home everyday why not🤷🏽♂️.
You pretty much live in a truck otr, I was over that after week 2 solo.
lol, so many different factions within trucking. Not saying you won’t make $ otr, but for most typical drivers you can make same or better being local. I don’t really drive anymore, but I’ve made 5k a week take home, being local under my own business, some other W2 2800-3600 a week.
Most otr are doing 1300-2200 a week. Just saying that can be done locally pretty easy. Don’t need to believe, I don’t care. But just saying…. There’s some otr you may make bank on, if not getting cheated on rates, when the rates are good. Plus many other opps just too many to explain here. I was otr for a while and made shit money.
I've been OTR for 23 years now. Raised 3 great kids, who have taken turns coming with me. I'm married for 25 years, and we still make each other laugh! I don't like everything out here, but I wouldn't know what else to do.
Good for you! And be grateful for what you have! You Can’t complain with what sounds like it worked for you! Congrats. I’m sure your kids look up to you big time, as well as your wife
Good for you!!! I was ready to blow my head off, in 2019 had been driving for 2 almost 3 yrs, I’m almost 40 was stuck in eternal debt back then. Local is much better mentally. I’ve made lots of investments, and can’t believe where I’m at, too much money, and I’m still depressed, I don’t drive much anymore but know the struggle.
I’m happy for you. Good luck for all future endeavors
Itchy_Psychology6678@reddit
you have to have a few screws loose to go otr. My longest was 7 months out….after my divorce
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
That’s right, unless O/O with a black book and great rates, or contracted to someone that’s paying really well. Or spot market is crazy good. Or in a specialized field, Otherwise most otr van/reefer/flatbed drivers make less than a lot of local drivers.
Itchy_Psychology6678@reddit
Yeah, otr is definitely going down hill as far as pay. Then companies want to,skim off of that. Just caught my new company trying to skim a load and breakdown pay.smh
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
They all play, if doing percentage, always have rate con directly from customer or broker. Otherwise they all skim you big time off the top. Not rate con from them, but straight from shipper/Direct I customer. Too easy to manipulate rates no or book yourself and have access to same book they have.
Itchy_Psychology6678@reddit
Indeed
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
I’ve been to those scam Eastern Euro companies. That all steal big time off the top, but also American Companies. I met a driver for Schneider back in 2021, rates were still insanely good. I could pull up load boards and right in my area, find multiple loads for $3-$4 a mile, yet he showed me on their own internal load board you are forced to use as LP, nothing more than $1.20. He was about to deadhead over 300 miles just to get a 1.60 mile load. SMH. These companies all “LIE, CHEAT and STEAL” in the words of Eddie Guerrero.
tdfitz89@reddit
Maybe, despite the pay, it’s a good thing I run intermodal containers and am in and out of secure facilities all day long.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
I’ve made A LOT of money doing intermodal locally.
justdan76@reddit
No beer and no tv make Homer something something
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
D’Oh
Dangerous_Ad4451@reddit
Everyone's case is different. Have you considered that some men got into trucking to stay away from a nagging wife? Does that seem like a man that will miss home?😂😂
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
💯I think and know that’s the case sometimes
SkinnyG80@reddit
Where tf are you driving? Yea there are asshole Arab guys that wash their feet in the sink, but wrf
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
lol I use to go all over. Every 48 contiguous state multiple times, and parts of Canada. Just nasty, crazy, weird insane, assholes, everywhere.
HopeItMakesYaThink@reddit
Trucking is a great career if you’re okay with the person holding that steering wheel. Call any of the help lines to find peace within yourself. Being your own worst enemy, then isolating yourself, is not a healthy way to live.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
That’s true words.
aacawe@reddit
Idk why others are dismissing op? Everything he said is true. I’ve been in it 20 years. Mostly east half of the US, but at least once a month go west to some degree. It’s all over the place. Seen dead people on the road after an accident, not even covered up yet. Whores all over when I started in 2005, not so much now. But I remember the TA up in Jessup MD back in the day… literally naked hoes walking up and down the street. A Russian driver next to me in the fuel line high as a kite, screaming and threatening to kill the other drivers fueling up. Predators trying to peek in at you 2am in a rest stop shitter. Drivers crying about their miserable lives in the driver lounges of the FJ. It’s all there on full display…
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Exactly, the dead people get to you, wondering what is this all for? Why am I here. Seen trucks engulfed in flames, drivers thru windshields, tons of accidents you already know the driver is dead. Off ledges,Engines pushed back thru the sleeper, and drivers that look like they just had heart attacks. One that stuck with me, was on I94 thru Chicago, traffic is always fucked thru there but once I got up in the line, there was a truck in left lane with paramedics just pumping drivers lifeless body across passenger seat, you could tell driver was gone, guy just came to work like any other day and died in traffic. Not to mention like you said multiple corpses on side of road as ambulance is just getting there. With some off the worse accidents
PerformerNo6693@reddit
OP is definitely making stuff up or flat just being dramatic. Been driving 12 years never seen a dude beating his meat, maybe OP is seeking these things out?
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Definitely not. Maybe I have been at wrong places at wrong time, but not making anything up.
DecadentEx@reddit
Same here. 17 years OTR (46 out of the 48 states), and I have hardly seen a fistfight between two drivers, let along so much death and depravity. Definitely a storyteller.
DecadentEx@reddit
Same here. 17 years OTR, and I have hardly seen a fistfight between two drivers, let along so much death and depravity. Definitely a storyteller.
pingus3233@reddit
I was at the Sapps in Junction City KS and the stalls have these overhead lights that project a very clear shadow onto the ground. The dude in the next stall was putting on a shadow puppet theatre of himself seriously abusing his meat.
tvieno@reddit
I must drive in the boring parts of the world. I have been driving for 29 years and never have seen any of that stuff other than a couple of guys jerking it in their cars as they passed me.
Carlitosway1399@reddit
I love OTR, but only do 2 weeks at a time. I just don't like that the pay is ridiculously low. If you put the hours worked and time away from home. We really make less than minimum wage
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Pretty much right on the head, even if otr, you are still in a truck, can’t just do what you want and be home.
tactical_soul44@reddit
This insanity must happen west of i35 because I've been driving for 10 years and have never seen drivers act nutty like that. Seen some crazy looking people but that's about it
Emergency_Ad1152@reddit
I genuinely feel the opposite and think anyone who runs east of I-35 is insane. So many people and traffic, cops are a lot more strict, more rules to follow too.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
It’s all over, just stop at any truck stop, maybe it’s like the poster above told me “we all float down here”maybe only some of us can see it, (like that film IT).
tactical_soul44@reddit
Guess I just mind my own business and people avoid me.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Best way to stay out there.
tactical_soul44@reddit
We stay so busy by the time I park I shower, eat, play on my phone or talk to my wife for an hr then I go to bed.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Nice! It’s like ghost, if you don’t believe you won’t see them. Stay safe out there.
RiggityWreked@reddit
Yeah idk what he is going on about...might see some tweakers at a truck stop but i Iive near Seattle so I guess I'm used to kt
Eidolon82@reddit
Sounds like coastal routes. Pretty much Sodom on one side and Gomorrah on the other. I try to stay mountain or central, trip plan to stop in reasonable places that aren't some random dirt lot or streetside, and the worst I've seen is the occasional beggar. Longest stretch without hometime was the first three years. Had to go renew my license and decided occasionally a chance to go fishing isn't bad and try to get home once or twice a year now.
Crazyscorpion77@reddit
I had a mental breakdown before I even started otr
Ralph_McGee@reddit
I'm having a mental breakdown right now. Getting my training started at Swift next week should be the cure, though. Fingers crossed.
Nero-Danteson@reddit
Just breathe
Dirtyhobosmurf@reddit
Same 22 yr in IT infrastructure support and i wanted to eat a gun ever time they wanted to have another meeting. So i became a trucker lol...
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
The stress is real, it’s not a life for most people, have to be kinda insane to start with.
Crazyscorpion77@reddit
Ya but I've been doing fine since then
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Sweet, you just needed to get back to the normal simulation.
DullNecessary4516@reddit
That’s a reason why I’m going local , been otr for 3 months since I’m new to the game and i already see what people say and im kinda over it 🤣 also I gained some weight too so I’m definitely going local
MajorHymen@reddit
I’ve been doing this for my entire 30s and the ass end of my 20s. This is no different than any other job as long as human connection isn’t something you deeply value for your mental health. I would be exactly like I am now doing this or sitting in an office surrounded by people. I’d actually probably be worse off in the office.
Neat_Communication81@reddit
If you guys want a hot tip, get a job as a garbage truck driver. Waste management is great. If it’s not in a major city and they’ve got the right trucks then it’s the easiest job ever.
NomadTruckerOTR@reddit
Thought about it, but my local county pays like $45-50k a year for that not really in line with cost of living
Uknow_nothing@reddit
Side loader? How physical is it? I see front load jobs on indeed pretty often but it sounds like a lot of pushing and pulling dumpsters all day
sandgroper81@reddit
Also dumbass people throwing whatever they want into the bin and truck catches on fire
Neat_Communication81@reddit
Yeah we get 2 or 3 of those a year with a fleet of 150 trucks. It’s definitely annoying
Neat_Communication81@reddit
I drive a curotto but side loaders are easy to. Front load (dumpsters) are actually pretty easy. It’s mostly just opening gates and once you learn how to push the dumpster the right way it doesn’t feel heavy. Most guys end up gaining about 10-20lbs because it’s literally right hand on the steering wheel and left hand on an arcade claw machine handle all day. On a day with 800 cans I might have to get out less than 10 times. I try to get out about 10 times an hour just to stretch my legs and walk the few steps to move a cart to a better place to dump the can (away from cars, mailboxes) very easy job and I enjoy it.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
They paid garbage where I was at like 17-$22 an hr, they may be around $23-24 an hr. I don’t really drive anymore, but when I was, it was trash pay.
Neat_Communication81@reddit
I’ve got a Union job in Washington and make 41.5/h full benifits, 11/h pension. M-F
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Can’t argue with that then, that’s fucking good!!!
sudden-approach-535@reddit
A lot of people can’t handle being alone.
Personally my second year otr I changed my phone number deleted social media and cut contact from everyone for the entire year. I really enjoyed that year had long haul runs working for a mega so literally had no contact with anyone other than for the drop and hook trailers.
HashnaFennec@reddit
When I start hearing the CB while it’s shut off I know it’s time for hometime.
Bamfurlough@reddit
Yup. Can confirm. I'm 18 years over the road and I'm fairly nuts, but I lean into it. 😜
megaladon44@reddit
people suffer mental breakdowns whether they are trucking or in office jobs. Take care of your mental health you are worth it
gfinchster@reddit
We all float down here…we all float gears down here.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Kiss me fat boy!!!
Wasabi-Kungpow@reddit
That's tempting
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Poetry from some boy? I worry about you a lot Wasabi
Wasabi-Kungpow@reddit
So do i
bonelessXO@reddit
I heard every driver wants to work local so they pay is low and they want years of experience. I should be getting my CDL by the beginning on next year and I’m told by my instructor that the real money is OTR
Filmfan7427@reddit
I'm at $38/hr, OT after 8 hours each day. Mon-Fri with a set schedule and route. I work about 50 hours a week and have 3 weeks vacation and 7 paid holidays. I've never been OTR and the local money hasn't always been this good but the good paying local jobs are out there, you just have to keep looking until you're satisfied.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
You are killing it!!! That’s pretty damn Good
buddas_slacky@reddit
I just went local after 6 of the worst months otr, 28 an hour ltl. Did 60 hours my first week so the pay thing is a myth. Made max 1100 in a week otr but was averaging 700. There are companies that pay good otr but if you can made the same and be home everyday why not🤷🏽♂️.
You pretty much live in a truck otr, I was over that after week 2 solo.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
I was averaging $300-$500 back in 2016, smh
akingston7@reddit
are u a local owner operator?
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Hh
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
lol, so many different factions within trucking. Not saying you won’t make $ otr, but for most typical drivers you can make same or better being local. I don’t really drive anymore, but I’ve made 5k a week take home, being local under my own business, some other W2 2800-3600 a week.
Most otr are doing 1300-2200 a week. Just saying that can be done locally pretty easy. Don’t need to believe, I don’t care. But just saying…. There’s some otr you may make bank on, if not getting cheated on rates, when the rates are good. Plus many other opps just too many to explain here. I was otr for a while and made shit money.
lordkingdragon@reddit
HERE'S JOHNNY!!!!!!!
Josef_Kant_Deal@reddit
David Letterman!
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
All work and no play makes me a dull boy.
freudsdriver@reddit
I've been OTR for 23 years now. Raised 3 great kids, who have taken turns coming with me. I'm married for 25 years, and we still make each other laugh! I don't like everything out here, but I wouldn't know what else to do.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Good for you! And be grateful for what you have! You Can’t complain with what sounds like it worked for you! Congrats. I’m sure your kids look up to you big time, as well as your wife
D-Ray1469@reddit
I was on the verge of punching my own ticket about a month ago. Came home to get my head right. Decided a local job is my best bet.
InformalWriter1155@reddit (OP)
Good for you!!! I was ready to blow my head off, in 2019 had been driving for 2 almost 3 yrs, I’m almost 40 was stuck in eternal debt back then. Local is much better mentally. I’ve made lots of investments, and can’t believe where I’m at, too much money, and I’m still depressed, I don’t drive much anymore but know the struggle.
I’m happy for you. Good luck for all future endeavors
halfcow@reddit
Eggplant