What should I do

Getting paid by the load aka tonnage jobs, is not as black and white. The customer can cut you off at any time, jobs cancel last minute due to weather. Tonnage jobs, you're also expected to speed, even on side roads, they'll expect you to drive like it's the open highway. The more loads you get in, the more you make for your boss. Some loads are 10min from the quarry, and so e loads are an hour away, so no matter how fast you are able to drive, MAYBE you'll squeeze in one more load at the end of the day. The quarries usually cut off loading you 15min before they close. I was offered tonnage at my previous employer, but I oppted for hourly plus time and a half. I am grateful I did because my employer rarely secured tonnage work and the work that I did get, sometimes was an hour or longer away, so I only would get in 4 loads in 10hrs. Unemployment during the winter is only half to 2/3rds of your normal income, depending on your state. In Ohio, it worked out to I was only working 7 months out of the year. Can you survive on unemployment? You cannot replace home time, even if it's just your own bed and your dog If you're not happy with your rubbish job, look for some mom and pop place close to home. Again, you cannot replace home time and your buddy may eventually feel like you're an obstacle in his every day life after 7months on his sofa