I hate this fucking job
Posted by bowmortal@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 126 comments
Nuff said if your new here dont do it it's a waste of life
Posted by bowmortal@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 126 comments
Nuff said if your new here dont do it it's a waste of life
Scribblefool@reddit
I went from cooking to bartending to forklift to cable/dish installer to low volt electrician to trucking. I did several of these for several years and trucking is where I've landed. Easily my favorite. I will add, for me, I need freedom and more creative control.. meaning I had to start my own authority and buy my own truck so I can make my own routes and schedule. That's a big difference then people telling you what to do and where to go all the time.
question900@reddit
What kind of trailer are you pulling? Aren't most owner ops struggling (for the past 2 years) in both reefer and dry van?
Scribblefool@reddit
I was dry van with a leased trailer for a bit, but have been steady power only for years now. We had a good gig with Schneider where we could pull one Schneider load and then use their trailer for anything we wanted as long as we alternated with Schneider loads in between. That started our power only venture but now we are pretty much exclusively with Amazon. Patience pays with them and you definitely have to be on time every time or it will affect your score with them and you won't see the good loads as early as the other people with perfect scores. But the good loads definitely pop up there and you have to snipe them out like quick draw McGraw on eBay. All that being said we've been able to stay steady and make good money.
OkSeaworthiness251@reddit
Wa wa wa
egeorgak12@reddit
It's not the job that sucks... It's the people. The trick is to find a company, preferably small, with good people worth working for. That respect you and earn respect with ease. Don't give up. Keep looking. We all go through the same shit.
PlastomaGaming@reddit
Yea 100%, I’m struggling with possibly moving to LTL because my current job maxes out at 30$/hr buuuut I’m waking up to go in at 7 and done by 4 most days, whether or not to take a 30 minute lunch or 1 hour is upto me and generally it’s just super chill. Being able to move up and get paid more sounds great but I don’t know if it’s worth losing an almost guaranteed 8 hours a day with weekends off for potentially 10-12 hours everyday.
egeorgak12@reddit
I just got into fuel hauling. Found my first job and left after the second day.
Why? First day I had a truck with no A/C (they've known about it for months and just didn't care) in 41 degree celsius (106 f) Greek weather. Foot brake not holding anything but my nut sack, engine brake that might as well not existed.
Second day, he gives me another truck. This one had A/C but again no foot brake or engine braking (this one actually didn't even engage for a full 100km stretch with some major declines due to electrical issues not giving the command), and a trailer with dry rot tires (all six tires were for the trash bin).
And get this... The best part is he was watching me the whole time on the GPS and called me to complain that I took the incline at my city's ring road too aggressively and that I would be too expensive on the fuel economy.
So I told him whatever it was that I told him, left the truck and went home.
It's not trucking or fuel hauling that's the problem... It's the moron who thinks that he's a smart and powerful boss. And he likes to call you at 10 pm to tell you that you need to leave the next morning at 5 in the morning, for example. Last minute scheduling.
Keep looking until you find the right fit. They exist.
question900@reddit
Does trucking pay pretty good in Greece, compared to the local average salaries?
egeorgak12@reddit
Yes very good. High school teachers and police officers make 900-1000 euros per month (which is garbage pay) but truck drivers local make 1500-2200 euroa monthly and international make 2400-3000.
But Greece is a third world country and work conditions and equipment are pretty much garbage. Don't expect tip top equipment and legal HOS unless you work internationally where European police crack down and actually enforce first world conditions.
question900@reddit
Are those numbers before tax or after tax?
That's awful about the companies expecting illegal HOS and not getting disciplined or called out for it.
egeorgak12@reddit
In Greece everything is after tax. Forgot to mention that. Nobody talks pre tax income here. Only what the pocket sees.
Greece is basically Uganda as far as work conditions go lol.
question900@reddit
Damn working conditions are that bad over there? I would have never thought that for Greece, but I guess I only see the idealized version of Greece from American travel shows.
I'm surprised you guys (Greeks) don't try to come over to the US and truck for 5-10 years then go back home with decent savings, like the Russians and Ukrainians do. I guess it's probably hard for you guys to get visas to drive trucks over here though. Although other Eastern Europeans have figured out how to do it, so I guess it's possible (recent Ukrainians are probably on refugee visas though which obviously Greeks can't use).
egeorgak12@reddit
Check your PMs, the stupid filter keeps preventing me from replying and I can't find out which word is triggering it. So bloody frustrating.
JankyMark@reddit
Yup your right
yungsnipe17@reddit
It’s definitely something you have to have a passion for and it’s nowhere near just a JOB, it’s a lifestyle. If you don’t like being away a long time and can’t find the passion for it… it won’t work for you !
Thepopethroway@reddit
I do this job because I hate humans and nothing else will pay me 100k to avoid them with minimal interactions.
I like your spirit tho, OP
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
Where u earning 100k
question900@reddit
AccomplishedHour, this is Reddit. There's not a single driver in here making less than 100k a year, most of them in 50 hours or less per week.
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
Lol
dudeimgone@reddit
Ltl
schwifty0529@reddit
Estes, Old dominion, XPO, FedEx…all of those will have you at 100k within 3 years if not sooner.
dudeimgone@reddit
For sure, I hit 100k my first year at XPO on night linehaul. Day shift pickup up and delivery might be less but not by much.
schwifty0529@reddit
The problem is having to work at XPO.
dudeimgone@reddit
Haha why? I have had a good experience so far.
schwifty0529@reddit
Shitty equipment, shitty management, shitty insurance, dock work. The only redeeming quality is that they pay OT after 8 and 40. I worked there when it went from Conway to XPO and still have a bunch of friends there.
bentstrider83@reddit
Dock work doesn't sound too bad as long as some busy body isn't riding you all day and screaming.
schwifty0529@reddit
It’s not bad until it’s -30. Except in the summer when it’s 90. During both extremes some asshole is making you do dumb shit that makes no sense.
bentstrider83@reddit
Still, even at my age I'd be willing to give it a shot. Worse that'll probably happen is I get fired for being too slow for someone.
schwifty0529@reddit
When I worked there, I came in and drove 81 miles, worked the dock for 6-8 hours, and drove 81 miles home. CDL stood for Conway dock license. Our longest run was 240 miles and you still had to work the dock for 2-4 hours before coming home. It ain’t real fun.
bentstrider83@reddit
I mean I've had bad luck with my company of ten years recently. Over the past five months, it's been two weeks on, and then like a week or two off due to mechanical BS(I despite mechanics and the engineers who designed these trucks with a passion. I'm livid). Sit at home and lose money due to no loaners and the whole "wheels ain't turning, you aren't earning" mentality.
If I had the option to work the dock while the truck was down, that would be a nice alternative. But alas, I currently live in rural town. No LTL or any other options here. Now I know why certain towns tend to disappear.
A vent. But I just wish there were more internal options in place. Dockwork would suffice.
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
The company name is ltl?
Tommy716@reddit
LTL= Less than Trailer load. You need hazmat, doubles and clean driving. Companies such as old dominion, FedEx freight, XPO, Estes, south eastern, ABF, plus many smaller ones. I’ve been in it almost a decade now, and the money is there with great home town (most your home everyday but some will sleep you out, and most that will sleep you out, put you in a hotel).
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
I do local linehaul and im getting 1200 wk, 5 years clean record. I feel like im underpaid. Florida
schwifty0529@reddit
How many miles?
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
Im hourly/salary. Miles are different. Maybe max 350 in a night. Last night for example was 160, i worked from 7pm-11pm and got full day pay. I have a guaranteed pay so long as indont call out
Thepopethroway@reddit
LTL is fucking wild. It's the cushiest job in trucking yet somehow also the highest paid. I can't wrap my mind around it because of all the massive cons that come with basically all the other types of trucking.
You're a baller Tommy
Tommy716@reddit
I wish, but not hurting. I did switch to City recently, so not as cushy, but I get exercise and sun. I moved to FL to enjoy the sun not sleep through it, and line haul and city here don’t make a huge difference. So became a day walker lol.
Thepopethroway@reddit
Anywhere if you're local and get the overtime. Served my sentence with Sysco for 6 months. If I stayed would've been 140k at a little over $30/hr. Working 70s every single week. I decided I didn't want to kill myself tho, and they were gracious enough to relieve me of duties 4 days before my planned departure.
Now it's Foodservice, LTL, or fuel for me. That's where the cheddar is.
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
Im jn florida and options are dookie here
Thepopethroway@reddit
Bro I read every day how fucked Florida drivers are. Probably the worst state to have a CDL in terms of pay
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
Whats a good state? My wife and i are looking to resettle somewhere anyways
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
Tennessee or South Carolina if you want to get into really high paying team stuff
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
Hell no i dont wanna do teams. Thats a nightmare
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
Ah well it still stands. High paying stuff is there for solos as well if you do hazmat
Thepopethroway@reddit
Basically anywhere outside the South is going to pay you a lot more. Even most of the South isn't too bad if you're with a good company IDK wtf is going on in Florida. Something about the geography.
NE pays great. Midwest around the major cities pays great, low COL. West coast is good too but taxes and COL is a bit high.
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
I wanna live somewhere with lcol, truck jobs, decent houses, and i can be far enough away but close enough where its not half a day to get groceries. Make sense?
Thepopethroway@reddit
If you love ice storms, corn, and flatness the Midwest would love to have you.
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
Yeah thats probably where ill go. Which midwest is best for truckin then u think? Sorry for all the ?s
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
Where aren't you? I made a 100 k in my second year of driving at Crete.
AccomplishedHour8399@reddit
Florida lol
lbodyslamrhinos@reddit
I realized my love for driving goes hand in hand with my hate for people. I haul pigs around the midwest and I prefer talking to them over most people. Pigs don't bring up politics. Pigs don't ask about my day. Pigs fart and squeal and I do too. My best friends till I get home to my wife and pets.
Thepopethroway@reddit
they both smell like shit but the pigs let you know up front what the deal is
bentstrider83@reddit
The right compensation is always key to taking the negatives of this line of work.
Scribblefool@reddit
I was dry van with a leased trailer for a bit, but have been steady power only for years now. We had a good gig with Schneider where we could pull one Schneider load and then use their trailer for anything we wanted as long as we alternated with Schneider loads in between. That started our power only venture but now we are pretty much exclusively with Amazon. Patience pays with them and you definitely have to be on time every time or it will affect your score with them and you won't see the good loads as early as the other people with perfect scores. But the good loads definitely pop up there and you have to snipe them out like quick draw McGraw on eBay. All that being said we've been able to stay steady and make good money.
MR_6OUIJA6BOARD6@reddit
I sit for hours on end when at my deliveries. I haul reefers, and these lumpers take their time. Im hourly, and don't give a shit how long im there, I'm getting paid. Right under 100k, but happy and don't get pressed for ETAs.
question900@reddit
Who do you work for, and is it W2?
Epik509@reddit
Im trying to figure it out myself. Where's the money at? 💰
question900@reddit
Not in OTR reefer or dry van.
TruckinTuba@reddit
Specialized, fuel, remote areas not mega or OTR
Republic_Commando_@reddit
I thought megas like Walmart paid well.
TruckinTuba@reddit
They can but its hsrd to get into them, walmsrt for example denied me, last 3 years I was making 6 figures hauling fuel, now I'm local/regional in a remote area
Republic_Commando_@reddit
How did you get into fuel hauling? Did you pay for the fuel hauling certificate/licensing yourself to get into that industry?
buttguy@reddit
Remote Access, food delivery. Good money, easy work. 13 years. I love it
nanneryeeter@reddit
I haul haz and agro chemicals in a remote-ish area. It definitely pays.
TruckinTuba@reddit
Right, my company provides $5/hr extra just because of the location 😅
nanneryeeter@reddit
Ours doesn't really provide extra but I'm not certain what the extra would be based on. Extra compared to what I suppose?
I'm not in BFE necessarily, but rural-ish.
TruckinTuba@reddit
Its on top of normal hourly rate, I personally dont think its BFE, city has 30,000 or so people, but it is far from a lot of things
LeveledGarbage@reddit
Fuel Hauler checking in, yes.
TruckinTuba@reddit
I hauled fuel last 3 years, now im a local driver because it pays more 😂
Edge2110@reddit
The morons here think driving local is dumb
Epik509@reddit
Im local myself currently . I enjoy it, occasionally have to stay out. And I prefer $/hr
TruckinTuba@reddit
It can pay more and offer a better schedule
LeveledGarbage@reddit
I've only ever worked local, never done OTR or Regional Fuel, its been offered by my boss for "special projects", bring in diesel and ethanol from other much cheaper states....but idk, maybe someday I'll take up the offer just to say "I lived on the road" but I like being home daily lol.
TruckinTuba@reddit
I get it haha but if im working out my clock, id tYher take 10 in the truck than go home haha
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
hazardous waste.
mestizomilitia@reddit
Money?
Thepopethroway@reddit
Overtime. Fully endorsed. Not living in the South
wooptyscooppoop@reddit
it doesn't get better. you just set goals to meet and consider that a win
Bogey01@reddit
I came in here expecting words of comfort, saw this, and remembered what subreddit I'm in, lmao
Puzzleheaded-Hat5803@reddit
For real 😂
wooptyscooppoop@reddit
my bad chief just went for the gut punch soon as i saw the post
bowmortal@reddit (OP)
I'm probably going to off myself on my motorcycle
Racer187@reddit
Over a job? Fuck no! Change employers. Many times the grass IS greener.
porkmyass@reddit
No job is worth doing that man.
ScaryfatkidGT@reddit
Don’t do that :/
MOBIUS__01@reddit
Upvoting if sarcastic because I can relate, downvoting if you are serious
wooptyscooppoop@reddit
well I'd say don't do that but if you did it in a truck there would be absolutely no media coverage unless you took a family of four with you lol you can get shot in your truck and the media don't care
RumpelFrogskin@reddit
Dude. I've been through five different career changes on my life time of 40+years. Giving up on a job is never quitting if you heart isn't into it.
You have a long life to point in infinite directions, don't let one setback derail your journey.
wooptyscooppoop@reddit
very noble but this isn't fairy tales and things like heart don't fix the glaring issues with the industry, which continues to get worse in every single way.
VegetableDoor6217@reddit
I get that, I drive for dollar general and the shit sucks, they make my life harder by stacking product half assed and don't get any time to myself and my dispatcher is a bitch. I drive, unload, sleep, repeat. I'm trying to find something else before I do something stupid
kali4niakid@reddit
It’s gotta be better than my job I currently have (Amazon dsp) 31,000 / yearly after tax
firemarshalbill316@reddit
Use it for what you need it for. It can always be a backup if needed. But don't do something you don't like because it will make your miserable.
ProudChoferesClaseB@reddit
There is an old saying that if we were smart we wouldn't be doing this for a living.
However it pays the bills and there is a ton of options as far as work life balance and what kind of work and you can choose to make a little or a lot.
Most human beings do not like their job it's part of life and I'm not saying there cannot be major improvements in the system but keep in mind we at least have a choice
Thepopethroway@reddit
Nope. I hate working more than anyone. I did the calculations and there is no other job that will pay you enough to acquire significant savings (and therefore, dividends) without an equally significant time/money investment.
Save the money and make it work for you. If all goes to plan my retire date is 29-30 y.o. The divvies I'll collect will equal a 1/2 a doctor's salary, debt-free. Then I can do whatever the fuck I want.
ProudChoferesClaseB@reddit
like I said, it's an old saying.
you are right about the wages being a pretty good deal if you factor in other jobs training/education/time/money requirements before you make that kinda money.
ofc it requires working a lot of hours, but that's just what it is.
SuguoDerp@reddit
Im only doing this job to save up for college but had to work 1 more year bc megas dont pay for shit
Country_Potato@reddit
I couldn't ask for an easier job, and I still hate it.
TruckerBiscuit@reddit
Trucking isn't for everybody. That's okay. For those who catch that 'white line fever' it becomes readily apparent there's no sense trying to live any other way.
In my case I'm single and my kids are grown so I have nothing to be home for. Trucking allows me to make a substantial living working as hard as I like (which is pretty damn hard) while excusing me from the costs of a home, utilities, entertainment &c. Other than cell phone and streaming service costs everything I earn stays in the bank.
To me, this is a win for my children. I can give them a leg up or timely financial assistance without having to think about it. Tuition? Done. Deposit for a new apartment? Done. In over your head on the light bill running the AC like a polar bear? Done.
Cornfugga@reddit
Man some of yall are such defeatist pussies. I love my job. Took awhile to find a good one, but it was worth the time spent looking. Hint: the best jobs don’t advertise on fucking indeed
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
Hell yeah bro. This job is awesome. I get to provide for my family, have a stay-at-home wife, own a home and land.. It's fucking sweet
Cornfugga@reddit
Same brother. Seems like some people just expect easy work or something. Which you can find, but they won’t pay well. Just like any trade or industry, it can definitely take a few or even many years to find the right gig.
West_Violinist_6809@reddit
What do you do?
Cornfugga@reddit
Local union lumberyard/construction supply.
Cardinal_350@reddit
There's absolutely no "try" anymore. If it's not easy they are out. I do restaurant supply and guys under 25 don't last more than a month usually. It's hard ass work but you get paid really well for it. Average age where I work is at least 40. Hell they had a 23 year old quit and tell them the job is "Too tiring". Meanwhile we've got a 70 year old that does routes.
Aculary@reddit
I want out so bad
ForgottonTNT@reddit
U must be OTR 😂😂bc I felt the same way when I was OTR 💀
JankyMark@reddit
😂😂😂
Feeling-Shock-9282@reddit
Job isn't that bad for me it's the fact my managment is ran by idiots with consideration for others then themselves.
santanzchild@reddit
Then find a different one. It's an easy problem to fix.
Troubador222@reddit
It's what you make it, a lot of time. We do true long haul, coast to coast in the US and I love my job!
VisualNew8350@reddit
I’m currently trying to get my CDL and my game plan is to do OTR for a year, switch to regional, and then try to get a local job. Any good advice?
Dramatic_Lychee583@reddit
It takes a certain type of person to do this job. I love it. I've been doing it 30 years. I got ten to go.I'm particularly happy with it.
bentstrider83@reddit
I've learned to tolerate the job. I can just no longer tolerate the podunk area I'm currently in. If there's one thing to learn about this industry, it's that it can be very location discriminatory when it comes to hiring.
Redsoxdragon@reddit
You know what? It beats flipping burgers for a living and it's pretty damn easy when you take the clowns off the road
Edge2110@reddit
Drive local
Edge2110@reddit
lol the downvote from a bunch of idiots
J_Taylor85@reddit
It’s what you make of it, clearly you aren’t happy so I would find something else
Kevo_xx@reddit
OTR fucking sucks. I love my local job. I’m making more money than ever, don’t have to break my body to earn a living and get to sleep in my own bed every night.
Myterryfolds@reddit
I’ve been at it for four years now. It’s the only job I could see myself doing until I retire. It’s not for everybody but I love it.
Dorito-Bureeto@reddit
OTR the biggest scam
lRacoonl@reddit
For me, it’s a love/hate relationship.
I love when I’m on the move, I see so many different things everyday, even tho I’m mostly doing the same routes.
Then I remember that I hate waking up at 2-4 am to start. There are days and days.
From experience I can tell that the dispatcher can really put some pressure on your shoulders (depending on the company)
hoodiewithoutpockets@reddit
Amen brother. I just fully quit my job a few days ago. I’d rather make a little less money and have 30 extra hours of my life a week to fuck around with, working for a company that treats me like a person.
TennesseeSon1@reddit
Well said.
Jerry_Dandridge@reddit
I love my job. I was supposed to retire a year ago but I love this shit so much there is no need. My ass is gonna do another 5-6 years
duhrun@reddit
I tell people not to do it.
TruckinTuba@reddit
Get a different one, thats the beauty of trucking so many different options, you should find one you like