Some truckers suck
Posted by Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 103 comments
This will get down votes but w.e
Ive had my cdl for 4 years, ive been with tmc, Crst & Swift. Currently im with a duie pyle. Ive done all divisions throughout my 4 years but Over Dimensional. I hate the idea that “truckers are underpaid” for starters you get paid based on what you do. At swift, dubbed as one of the worst with western express, as a d&h guy i was making 1.1-1.2k net every week. Went home friday mornings latest by 12pm. Left the house by 7am. Tmc 1.3-1.6k weekly got home friday 5pm left sundays 12-1pm. With a duie i havent made anything less then 1.8k & this is local. With crst i was making 2k+ as a L/P.
For whatever reason these old super truckers with 15+ years of exp swear they had it great when i have seen the pay be .30-40cpm maybe even less.
I assume they all say the same thing because they believe if people get out of trucking they’ll make more money. The reality is that its all lobbyism & more political but w.e.
If you want your CDL get it. Theres money to be made & theres people willing to pay it. Get your experience branch out & try everything & then become special at whatever you want to stick to.
DO NOT take advice from 15+ year vets. How you been in the game for so long but dont have your own set up? Idc what market 15 years in the game you should have 2 trucks good to go. Since afterall “things were better before”
MegaDuck71@reddit
O/O are getting flanked by the big companies and the illegal companies. They don’t have the volume to negotiate better rates and cut out the brokers like the companies that you have worked for and get undercut by people that don’t expect American wages. These people have made major investments and are getting fucked. It is arrogant to say you should have two trucks with 15 years of experience. Glad things are working out for you! Keep it up! Just don’t kick people when they are down.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Im just a company driver & im not saying you should, everybodys path is different, what i am saying is that people be in the game for 15 years and have done nothing but shame those whoz want to be something. How am i supposed to take advice from someone who is 15 years in the game complaining.
MegaDuck71@reddit
The industry has a way of making people miserable. Glad, it hasn’t captured you yet. Take what you can from the older guys and ignore the misery for as long as you can. When (if) it starts to get you find an exit strategy so you don’t turn into a crusty fart. There are too many out there who didn’t/couldn’t. I decided to exit as 340 days a year on the road to survive in this market and still make decent money was too much for me.
I just received my private pilots license a few weeks ago and now working towards my commercial license. Something I had dreamed of perusing but never had the money. Trucking (and investing in Nvidia/Tesla in 2019) made it happen. Trucking can be a good career and way of breaking into the middle class. It can also allow you to peruse your dreams. I agree with the sentiment of your post except the last part. Take care and good luck with the your career!
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Brother that is literally amazing & i wish nothing but the best for you. Im going to exit in about a year to re-enlist in the marines. Trucking has given me bad habits lol
icy_penguins@reddit
Man, I thought I had it all figured out, if only I'd known you when I got started, I'd probably be a multi-millionaire.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
You Probably would have 3k trucks had we met sooner smh
icy_penguins@reddit
Where were you then? I knew I had to be missing something, I just needed a guru such as yourself to point the way.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
How old are you?
icy_penguins@reddit
Old enough to care but still too young to know better
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
So essentially old enough to be my dad lol. That being said i wasnt born yet
icy_penguins@reddit
I dont know how old you are but my guess is I've probably been trucking close to how long you been breathing
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
All that time & you havent had 3k trucks smh
icy_penguins@reddit
If you understood the headache that goes with that bullshit, you wouldn't want to either.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Piss poor planning = piss poor results 🤷♂️
icy_penguins@reddit
You don't know what you don't know until you do.
And you simply do not understand. But that's ok, you will one day young gun
DecadentEx@reddit
Reason I've been in the industry 15+ years, but don't have my own set-up: I like to live with as little headaches as possible. I'm not grumpy, and I don't complain about trucking. I work OTR, go home for three days, and I completely forget I even have a job on those days off. I don't have to pay for fuel, tolls, insurance , permits, or maintenance, and I don't have to scour load boards for miles nor hire accountants to do my taxes every quarter. Life is sweet, and I'd like it to stay that way.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Fair n respectable. Gentlemen like you are well appreciated. Its the old pos trying to ruin it because they’re miserable
s000tired@reddit
I think the dissatisfaction is a lack of benefits. You can make a shit ton of money, but lose all your savings due to one minor health issue. Even if it's a dependant. As Healthcare eats up more and more of our paycheck, benefits matter more than cpm.
COATHANGER_ABORTIONS@reddit
Brother, truckers are underpaid. Don't fall for the propaganda. If anyone asks if you think you should be paid more, the answer is always yes, unless you're a billionaire.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Do not miss understand, if i get asked if i want more money i will always say yes. But if a young guy asks me about the industry i will not hesitate to say that its good
COATHANGER_ABORTIONS@reddit
It's a fine industry, and I do wish I got in sooner. I've suggested it to friends tons of times.
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
Not everyone has an interest in owning trucks. Some of us just want to be company drivers and make a great living doing that. I'll never buy a truck. Probably. I make more than most owner operators.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
I absolutely get that. But dont shame someone who has that interest & try to talk them out of it by complaining about it. Thats all im saying. I see it left & right
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
There's no upside to being an owner operator other than you get to decide what you want to do. There's no upside to the stress level or the money. I have way less stress than you and make more than you. Those trade-offs just for the sense of freedom doesn't make sense for most people. The only reason I would buy a truck is if I wanted to work part-time. That's the cool option. I've actually thought about it in 10 years or so. Pay off the truck and then work one week a month.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Imo theres no stress unless you dont have money discipline or know what your doing.
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
I would define stress as being the more variables that are out of your control. The more variables that are in your control, the less stress. For an owner operator, there are so many variables that you cannot control for. Fuel prices, freight rates and the market in general. None of that matters at all to me. Therefore I have much less stress than I would if I were beholden to all of those variables.
Lefoy87@reddit
Left and right?
a116jxb@reddit
Company driver here and if I decide tomorrow to just say fuck this job I can do it, no strings. Why would I wanna get married to a truck?
legendarygarlicfarm@reddit
Exactly my thoughts. Especially due to the fact that I have way less stress than owner operators and make more than most of them
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
The freedom, the liberty to do whatever you want
a116jxb@reddit
😂😂😂😂
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
If u think owning your own shit n having your own authority doesnt give you that then you delusional n will forever be a slave lol
jennoford@reddit
I mean. Let us know wut up when you got 15 and more years in. If you just wanted to post for crotch grab so be it but frfr stay in you lane. 4 years.. cmon now. elog out a stop to o/o profit. Now it’s all bears and no bandits. Lot lizard are pulling in more.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
15 & more years in im going to be chillin dog, working when i feel like it & everything. A 15 year vet should have that luxury to do anything & everything cause they worked hard to achieve the freedom
Lefoy87@reddit
If you get it like that do you believe you're the one that paved that road to get it or should you be thanking the seniors who found a place to put a road that's paved for you ? ??????
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Only person i have to thank is god & my self for putting in the fuckin work. Granpa aint do shit but complain & be a company man.
Lefoy87@reddit
Ok.. Be safe out there. Looks like you got it all figured out. Glad you asked them questions. You thUnk it all. G G G G caps for GOD. THANK GOD YOU HAVE IT FIGURED OUT. Why ask if you know it all??
jennoford@reddit
in OP defense they were not asking nothing but more making a statement about observation
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Alot of the old gen truckers dont have comprehension skills 😂
a116jxb@reddit
Some of us vets saw what the 2008 recession did to trucking and that's why we don't want to own our own rigs.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Yup stressing about things that happened 17 years ago
a116jxb@reddit
Go eat some more crayons, bro
overpaidlazytrucker@reddit
The wages you posted have been the same for the past 20 years. I think that's what the problem is.
NikoCorleone@reddit
Exactly, the wage stagnation of the 1960s, since the induction of women and mass immigrants into the workforce, has never bounced back. While production has gone through the roof our pay has actually decreased if adjusted for inflation
planetbuster@reddit
even so, wages have been the same in EVERY industry for 20 years. its literally been like that since the late 70s but now, mostly because of stupid shit like tiktok if you can believe that, the young people are finally starting to learn about this stuff. wages have ALWAYS lagged behind everything else. literally. so its not really trucking, but sure trucking pay is down the past year or two and thats likely because of the 2342342343 illegals that came in after 2020-2021. it really is simple math....
aliveonlyinfantasies@reddit
planet buster is right for the most part.
It’s not JUST a trucking thing. There are a handful of industries where wages do go up a bit, but even my relative who is a doctor says wages are stagnant for doctors and school costs more.
daemonescanem@reddit
Things weren't better before.
Actual-Ad-6146@reddit
Because these old heads can’t run off coke & meth for 4 days in a row fudging their logs until they roll over and take out a family. These guys scream from the mountain tops about how these new guys are the reason for the elf but it’s the other way around really. These guys old guys are the reason why trucking changed because they were dumb mfers who did lots of dumb shit in their day.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Thank you!! Someone w common sense. Rules are put in place cause fuckers dont know how to act.
GoldCovers@reddit
Everyones experience will be different, priorities and life situations is completely different for each and everyone, what works for one doesn’t make sense for someone else.
Lefoy87@reddit
Truth
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Ofcourse & im well aware of that. But im specifically talking about guys that are (for example) 10+ years in the game & have nothing going on but talk shit about the industry.
Expert_Cherry3791@reddit
Exactly. One single guy making $800 a week might be doing fine, while another with a family and a mortgage would obviously need more. Try explaining that to the average trucker and they’ll just shake their head.
xDoomKitty@reddit
Im just here to say:
You are fucking retarded.
That is all
Lefoy87@reddit
Every industry has it's ways. Trucking is the guinea pig for them all. Flood the work force with a bunch of idiots who can't SIGN their own name and depend on cellular devices for everything. It will make the world a beaster place. I mean better not BEAST. Serving A BEAST wouldn't be biblical or anything. PRAYERS.
right_lane_kang@reddit
Shuddup stupid. Not everyone falls for the Flease OP bullshit and getting your own authority for what? To run $1.30 per mile freight? Good luck with that.
Just say you think you know everything and have zero respect for those who actually have experience
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
“Those who actually have experience” but havent done shit but complain 😂 time to retire granpa
right_lane_kang@reddit
Jokes on you. My house and cars are paid for plus I have investment properties. I'm pretty much retired already. I work 3 nights per week doing dispatch and make 60k 😂
Sufficient_Tooth_949@reddit
With trucking i feel like i dont come across too many normal people
Either the biggest piece of shit you've every seen or the coolest mother fcker
Just depends on how you cope i guess whether you cry or you laugh at all the shit
Donald_Trumpy@reddit
Glad to hear the pay from TMC. I’m finishing up their orientation right now and I’ve heard different numbers. I just want decent pay while I get thru my first year then maybe move into local
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
When i was with tmc it was back in 21-22. Im sure things have changed, but depending on your area tmc pays great. Atleast for me, i went from making 750 every 2 weeks to 1.3-1.6. Work hard & focus my guy everything is possible. Theres gonna be tough weeks but thats just that.
FocusedADD@reddit
Why don't you have your own setup?
Yup 15 years in and you don't know why someone would say no to that. Gee whiz kid.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
I have my own truck & soon to get my own trailer, around year 6/7 lord willing i’ll have my own authority, i could go with amazon now but id rather not. I have vision & goals to be FREE alot of people on here are advocating working “for little pay” but nobody want to be an o/o & make your own. Freedom is the goal not company driven
cCueBasE@reddit
Nah you’re right for the most part. Although im 34 and very close to being that 15 year vet, I’ve done everything from van, to, 13 axle heavy haul, to livestock. Now I’m a CDL instructor.
I typically advise against mega carriers and OTR right out of school.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Thank you
ComprehensiveDark814@reddit
Sounds like you were at Swift before the freight recession started.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
I was with swift 2023 for a year. Thats when “everything was bad” because everyone started trucking because of covid
tonythebutcher13@reddit
Duies great I'll make around 110k by the end of this year, made fuckin 57k last year slinging soda.
derpmcturd@reddit
You're making 1.8k net with aduie? Is that liftgate? Cuz that cant be no touch. 1.8k dry van? Boy aint no way boy
erything4sale@reddit
I was getting that much with Barr Nunn on the regular. No touch, dry van, faithfully.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Flatbed 😮💨
LetsGoBrandon1209@reddit
Dam bro im have to call in and take your job i need get my cdl first 🙃
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Flatbed is easier then box truck lol
LetsGoBrandon1209@reddit
But i like driving 75mph. Feels like a race car 😆
Snappingslapping@reddit
Username checks out
LetsGoBrandon1209@reddit
Quit hating its just a name pimp.
derpmcturd@reddit
I am not strong enough to flatbed so props to you for makin that work.
Troubador222@reddit
As a 15 year veteran, I block 4 year job hopping wonders who are also ageist. Easy to decide to do it!
HoodHauler@reddit
Bro what state you in. My last gig was A Duie Pyle and I know you not making no 1.8 a week. Even if it’s LTL. GUARANTEE
Wizofsorts@reddit
Many drivers make more than that at A Duie.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
I may tell a joke but i will never tell a lie, i cut it cause i aint tryna drop my lo you feel me & im new to this shit so how i add a pic
bloodsoed@reddit
First off all those years ago when we were making 30-40 cpm everything was a hell of a lot cheaper. So yeah we had it a lot better back then.
20 years ago you could carry on a conversation with another driver at an actual sit down restaurant. Now it’s every is staring at their phones while eating McDonalds.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
So it was better because you ran your self to the ground & could have a conversation? Lol
bloodsoed@reddit
I never said a damn thing about running myself into the ground.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Okay… so before is better because you could have conversations? Like you old truckers be killing me with these “back in my day” lol
Troubador222@reddit
4 year wonder. Job hopping wonder too.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
“Job hopper” but you been in the same job for years making the same money with no advancement 😂
bloodsoed@reddit
You were the one to bring it up. So take your job hopping ass on.
Expert_Cherry3791@reddit
Exactly. I’ve tried striking up a convo with other drivers, most of them just look at you like they’ve never spoken to someone else face to face, it’s just… weird.
homucifer666@reddit
And the ones who do talk are some of the most socially inept weirdos out there. I personally blame the chronic isolation a lot of drivers struggle with, but I often wonder if a lot of guys are attracted to trucking because they lack the soft skills to make other jobs work.
One of the best pieces of advice I received that I pass along to every other trucker I come into contact with is to get out of the truck every chance you get. Take a walk, see the sights, whatever suits your fancy; just don't cloister yourself inside the sleeper. Lack of human interaction does awful shit to people.
bloodsoed@reddit
Or the days it was almost a two man job to slide your tandems to get the axle weights right.
CakewalkNOLA@reddit
Thank you. Came here to say the same thing. Add to that the fact that we were able to run more miles without electronic logs. There are good paying jobs out there, but for every one of those, there's five shit jobs. When you have a family and responsibilities, you take what you can get to keep food on the table, and these companies know that. I also miss the days of dispatch not having any clue where I was or what I was doing. Two check calls per day didn't mean you had to tell them when the last time you blew your nose was.
Affectionate_Web_672@reddit
I'm just going to address your last part because I do not know what freight company drivers make. I knew it was always not enough for me to do it.
"Things were better before" because a lot of older guys had trucks. Multiple. We were buying trucks for 15-25K. There was no DEF. Keeping them running was fairly inexpensive. Insurance was only 8k a year with a good record. Virgin tires could be found for $200. (chinese, but a lot of them were good tires). Most of us survived $5 fuel and low rates. We could go with the ebb and flow of the industry because overhead was sustainable. Equipment was paid for.
Now? I personally sold everything when I was facing an $80k insurance renewal. Even if I wanted to go back to a single truck, just me was still $18k. Everything went up. EXCEPT the rates. Why keep banging your head against that wall "for your own setup". Companies finally started paying more for what I do which is heavy haul. Yea. I think I'll continue to make my $40/hr with overtime and not worry about my own setup lol. 23 years by the way.
West_Masterpiece9423@reddit
I’ve never been OTR, I’ve always been local beer/wine/spirits. 9-10yrs back I went to a night xfer gig to get out of hand trucks & coolers. Fortunately, we’re 4 on 3 off which makes overnight bearable. Plus kids are out, so condo is quiet for sleep.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Respect. Everything is circumstantial dont get me wrong. But what i mean is you can still get your old trucks & run however & still make money. Others just like the comfortability. But if you like the comfortability dont go & start shutting downs some young kids “dream” to be an o/o. Not necessarily talking about you but i mean about the insufferable truckers out there
ElectronicGarden5536@reddit
Most people arent very bright. Nobody is forcing these people to make what they do or drive a truck as long as they did/do but youre gonna meet a lot of guys like that. I still know a lot of guys at my old vac truck company that still make 70k when i went and made 140k yearly after that with the same endorsements. People are just comfortable and dumb. Its the same all over. Ive acheived more than i ever thought i would in one year on the back of truck driving.
Miserable_Quail_5780@reddit (OP)
Thats what im saying, i don’t even be hustling fr & i make 1.5k in a week like is light work. People just complain cause they want a 9-5 schedule making 6figs doing absolutely nothing
LetsGoBrandon1209@reddit
Really bro? It has its up and downs sometimes it nicw not worrying about find work everyday you know?
ElectronicGarden5536@reddit
Really what?
Mstrchf117@reddit
I've been driving almost 15yrs(goddammit) and trucking hasn't changed that much in that time. The guys saying that have been driving 30+yrs. Money used to go a lot further. I won't touch o/o, not dealing with the headaches.
Cardinal_350@reddit
Driving plus labor pays the big bucks. If you want to be a steering wheel holder you're not going to make top pay unless you've got some top 1% gig
ANiceDent@reddit
The pay rate on loads has been the same since the 90s adjusted for inflation. Your paychecks should be a lot more. Including mine.
ConsistentRegion6184@reddit
I just changed jobs to something easier after doing beverage. The trainer I went out with was 22 years old. His daddy was a trucker.
Guess what attitude I got (by someone who had less than half the time as a driver?). Trucking ain't big enough for all of us here...
I enjoyed just telling him little trivias about anti-union management, emergent AI, etc even though I don't believe it, just to leave him paranoid long after I never speak to him again.