TheaterFire

I'm done

Posted by drpuck2@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 125 comments

Quit less than an hour ago. Not because I couldn't hang, I have 33 years in. But I will not longer be subject to insulting wages. Im too old for this shit.

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125 Comments

Tomokomon@reddit

Starting out at a mega carrier just blows so much. I'm barely making any money. After paying back tuition I worked 3000 miles last week and net pay was 860 dollars. I was told by everyone I would get 1400 a week take home. I was promised it. I'm a fool for thinking I could earn an honest wage and provide for my family. Now I'm essentially enslaved with $8500 in debt hanging over my head should I ever decide to leave before my year is up now if I'm a good boy and I do my first 6 months I'll get a 7 cent raise and finally have the honor of making .50 a mile
View on Reddit #71034638

Alternative-Score991@reddit

I got my CDL august of 2024 at 21, (turned 22 in February '25) got a gig with an O/O in september working the ports in Los Angeles. Ran with him 6 months, got into CRST averaging 48 hours a week and clearing close to a thousand a week after taxes. Dont give up, goi g to be using my vacation and sick hours before i leave for a better company
View on Reddit #71347364

Keinzieltheaimless@reddit

That's why I was so picky about who I started with. Got my schooling paid for, and I'm making 50c a mile and 1400 minimum a week before taxes. Home every weekend and some weekdays too.
View on Reddit #71128582

jose_guapo_@reddit

Just stick out the year. Not worth the debt
View on Reddit #71089814

jovialjit@reddit

Go to swift. You’d make more and they would pay your loan back.
View on Reddit #71067107

Tomokomon@reddit

Funny you mention that particular carrier 😭
View on Reddit #71067281

tvieno@reddit

Didn't you hear them say how much you're appreciated during Driver Appreciation month at the Driver Appreciation BBQ?
View on Reddit #71020395

drpuck2@reddit (OP)

That only the office people get to enjoy?  That on?  I musta missed it
View on Reddit #71024883

charonco@reddit

At my company they put the food out on driver appreciation week so that everybody could have it and I literally was the only driver in the place. Then, just a week later sent out a message saying that drivers aren't supposed to touch the food in the break room because that's for the office staff.
View on Reddit #71045956

Competitive_Fuel801@reddit

I noticed this at the last company I worked for in this industry. There seems to be a culture of "fuck drivers but office staff get all the good stuff" insane
View on Reddit #71320075

JankyMark@reddit

That’s fucking crazy
View on Reddit #71093927

ExtraDip1998@reddit

Ay my company is pretty good but that shit is so funny to me like bitch 90% aint gonna be there 😂
View on Reddit #71130523

ChampionshipThin8916@reddit

I just can’t fathom why all these companies do that retarded shit. Just send every driver a $25 bonus on their check and tell them to come collect their company paraphernalia basket (T-Shirt, hat, cup, pen, etc…) next time they are at their home terminal. Guess you can’t feed the office people, give THEM an excuse to dick off that day/week or take social media propaganda “We’re like family here!” pics with the 4 mechanics and 2 day cab drivers that come in for a free lunch.
View on Reddit #71067418

tvieno@reddit

*$25 with the taxes removed. So about $18.
View on Reddit #71074676

ChampionshipThin8916@reddit

If the company could figure out how to slip it into your per diem pay to avoid them… “YOU” having to pay taxes on it.. they would.
View on Reddit #71075112

LetterheadIcy1744@reddit

lol they tried to make me drive my personal to KY FOR A BBQ nope fuk u ima stay home
View on Reddit #71040916

AccomplishedHour8399@reddit

Driver appreciation bbq at the HQ for the office workers that made us all leave with deliveries?
View on Reddit #71039852

MuphDiesel@reddit

I missed the bbq too !!!!????
View on Reddit #71024338

jjsprat38@reddit

Same
View on Reddit #71030270

mrred50@reddit

No I was OTR. But the shop told me all about it.
View on Reddit #71022720

TruckerSmarter@reddit

I can't blame anyone's who's worked in this industry for 5, 10, 20 and over 30 years leaving trucking because the majority schemes and scams occurring regarding the sucker wages they want to pay experienced truckers. The entire industry needs to be revamped because serious nonsense is occurring.
View on Reddit #71247629

Then-Campaign9287@reddit

$18 to $23 an hour is hard to afford an apartment these days with cost of utilities.
View on Reddit #71074831

RoadBeast848@reddit

Try paying for a house and feeding a family on those wages. That’s the only reason I’ve stayed otr this long. 22 years and I’m fucking burnt out
View on Reddit #71201265

Then-Campaign9287@reddit

Yeah it is insane. I heard Subway fast food pays people $17 is almost the same as trucking wages.
View on Reddit #71236153

EarthRemarkable503@reddit

I feel you 8 years in and I'm still struggling. Recently got offered an office position with tons of room to advance, i get to be home every day and I don't even have to maneuver a 70 foot long truck through city streets to do it
View on Reddit #71125763

RoadBeast848@reddit

Congrats. What kind of office job?
View on Reddit #71201422

EarthRemarkable503@reddit

I sold my soul. It's a bulk commodity brokerage 😬
View on Reddit #71224582

Migueee15@reddit

I can’t compare, but I feel you. I been driving for 2+ years, ever since I was 21, I been doing overnights seasonal for ups for a few weeks, and it took me to a point that I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life
View on Reddit #71015398

mechanicalbananas@reddit

This job gets easier and you'll make upwards of $150,000 a year. Once you have enough seniority to get a run the consistency is what you want. I was dead set on quiting my first 3 years too. Top rated made the job a fuck ton easier.
View on Reddit #71016595

aFrothyMix@reddit

I'll second this, make Walmart your goal. 
View on Reddit #71152873

Accomplished-Yam6553@reddit

Most seasonal guys don't get offered permanent status and only permanent employees that are union get the good benefits
View on Reddit #71017389

SomeDude249@reddit

IF you can stay employed at a union company. Be ready for many layoffs
View on Reddit #71124498

Snoo-6053@reddit

It still gets old. I know it doesn't bother some people, but I hate that we are considered low status because we are truck drivers.... DESPITE MAKING FAR ABOVE THE AVERAGE WAGE IN MY STATE.
View on Reddit #71037523

balancedchaos@reddit

If someone doesn't know how much I make as a feeder driver...good. Keeps it simple. 
View on Reddit #71041155

Present-Ambition6309@reddit

Think what they meant to say when they used “easier” is that it just becomes so familiar you don’t notice it anymore. And with any job the longer you stay the more you make. Usually. lol but I could be wrong here
View on Reddit #71024624

Migueee15@reddit

I been talking to the “street hire” and they been doing overnights for years. Plus nobody looks like they wanna b there haha
View on Reddit #71018875

Itchybootea@reddit

I feel you man. I started at 21 too and im 26 now. I just made a post on here about this like a week or so ago. 
View on Reddit #71044695

BoringJuiceBox@reddit

I feel you, I’m sick and depressed every day knowing my labor is making others rich, even though I work my ass off I barely make enough to feed my family. Hope you win the lottery bud.
View on Reddit #71018697

crdog@reddit

Bro nobody getting rich in the trucking game right now
View on Reddit #71029295

UhOhAllWillyNilly@reddit

Except the brokers, of course
View on Reddit #71032020

crdog@reddit

Lol even the leeches are dying, CH Robinson been laying off too
View on Reddit #71040969

Narrow_Incident7655@reddit

Facts
View on Reddit #71151737

Snoo-6053@reddit

No one EVER gets rich in trucking. If they claim to they are lying. It's usually a very low margin with few exceptions
View on Reddit #71037653

ChampionshipThin8916@reddit

Yup! Pure unregulated supply and demand (except for illegal stuff going on between mega’s, industry and politicians) and when that was no longer profitable enough for the investors, drop the wages until no American is willing to do the job so you can cry “driver shortage” to your paid off politicians and then you can start importing the third world to drive for cheaper… Until you realize the third world will come here, start their own small competing companies and race your investors to the third world’s lowest wages until only those companies can survive profitably.
View on Reddit #71068093

crdog@reddit

Exactly. Depreciation and insurance have effectively killed all margins. The industry is running on loans.
View on Reddit #71041763

Renegadegold@reddit

Your called “bums In the seat” according to the ones In the high office.
View on Reddit #71033460

drpuck2@reddit (OP)

This is at least half of why I quit. The system is fucked. 
View on Reddit #71019152

truckerslady59@reddit

My husband left the road after 12 years of the BS for a yard dog job. Making bank and watches TV 9 out of the 12 hours he's on the clock every night.
View on Reddit #71146979

Cheekoteh@reddit

I have been doing it for three years and I am about done. Today my company told me it is my responsibility to pay for parking my truck when I go home. FK Trucking.
View on Reddit #71131184

UnknownGamer827@reddit

Ts is so real and the problem is I want to consider local but the pay is atrocious too and the jobs I wanna go for are all taken up aka fuel hauling jobs it's a mess man utter mess having to take massive paycutts is crazy
View on Reddit #71117360

Auquaholic@reddit

*Take this job and shove it*
View on Reddit #71116793

swigginwhiskey@reddit

Preaching to the choir, brother. Call your local representative and preach to them... while you're at it.
View on Reddit #71116387

cthulhu_kills@reddit

Brother. Be free. You’ve earned it. Relax. Enjoy your life. Enjoy everything that you missed. We only have one life, it’s not meant to be spent working fingers to the bone only to die once your body fails you.
View on Reddit #71111186

azurazwrath@reddit

I salute you. Thank you for 33 years on these roads
View on Reddit #71014532

Betteroffinapinebox@reddit

Driver probably has over 185k varmint kills
View on Reddit #71024317

FlyingMjunkY@reddit

I'm up to 31 birds, 2 rabbits, and a possum in 8 years. Your estimate is probably spot on.
View on Reddit #71105262

drpuck2@reddit (OP)

Is Pepe the poodle a varmint?
View on Reddit #71027532

Betteroffinapinebox@reddit

To someone I’m sure
View on Reddit #71033089

ZealousidealShirt295@reddit

Was thinking after I retire corrections officer at 48 to get into driving ….live in Philly area…..good idea?….how to get started and with what company
View on Reddit #71099735

Avato12@reddit

Man I feel this my company called us a couple weeks ago and said "We did an audit and we are overpaying the drivers in the fleet." And I was legit looking around for this overpay of which they speak. They didnt try to make us pay it back cuz at that point I think every dude would have walked.
View on Reddit #71098018

Spiritual-Election94@reddit

Was there a triggering event?
View on Reddit #71039655

drpuck2@reddit (OP)

Changed my local route. More stops, further away. it's just been building up I guess. An hour before I did it, it wasn't on my radar. Felt like the thing to do. Everyone's situation is different.
View on Reddit #71041740

colbsk1@reddit

How far are we talking?
View on Reddit #71043707

stephenforbes@reddit

500 mile 20 stops in 14 hours
View on Reddit #71048354

LordBrumak@reddit

Fuck that
View on Reddit #71087337

koryx1@reddit

1/3 of a century is a longggg time
View on Reddit #71077843

Consistent-North7790@reddit

Thank you for your service! I appreciate all The hard work you’ve done.
View on Reddit #71049938

XanJamZ@reddit

You dont like making wages comparable to an hourly position while it taking a month of your life living in a truck at a time
View on Reddit #71049044

Shaker1969@reddit

I semi retired in 22 after 33 years. I was an O/O for 10 years. Now I work in a Midwest northern state all summer and winter down south. No wife, kids are grown, it’s a good life
View on Reddit #71047966

jackoffcrazyfish@reddit

Bro you've been driving trucks longer than I've been alive. No shame in leaving after that long.
View on Reddit #71046179

jcsworld417@reddit

After 33 years if you're not making bank, it's 100% on you.
View on Reddit #71022837

Obvious-Glove-7253@reddit

Don’t say that lol that would mean these grown ass men would have to take responsibility for their choices in life. 🤣🤣🤣
View on Reddit #71045856

drpuck2@reddit (OP)

You don't know my life or what opportunities I may have had. 
View on Reddit #71023023

Mrcommander254@reddit

I will be hanging up my keys eoy. 14 years in, I am done.
View on Reddit #71043965

AdMaster6638@reddit

Go check out Walmart my husband has been with them for almost 5 years they actually treat their drivers pretty good the only bad part is slip seating but he’s only had a problem a few times they do expect you to keep your truck clean they give you a debit card to use for truck supplies
View on Reddit #71022789

drpuck2@reddit (OP)

Thanks but, I'm finished. The driving part is probably the smallest of my gripes.  Ultimately it's the cost of my sanity.  Tyvm
View on Reddit #71023161

colbsk1@reddit

What line of work?
View on Reddit #71043786

astro_skull@reddit

Still debating on heavy equipment schooling. I'm sure I can get an evening job somewhere.
View on Reddit #71020340

Old-Resolution-1514@reddit

No one really hires operators out of school you need to start as a labourer and work your way into a seat. I was a Pipelayer and operator for 10 years and every company I’ve worked for laughs at guys paying 18,000$ for a meaningless piece paper. My advice is grab a shovel and get after it!
View on Reddit #71043260

astro_skull@reddit

Heavy equipment tech. I'm gonna be changing companies soon. The new company is going to open me up for oversized and heavy equipment loads. I figured I'll drive a year or two more doing that then go to school.
View on Reddit #71043729

rytram99@reddit

I was looking into that and it appears they don't get paid nearly as well as i was lead to believe. From what i gathered, avg wage is about $18-$20/hr.
View on Reddit #71042102

rytram99@reddit

If trucking doesnt work out for me then i might as well subscribe to the remington retirement plan.
View on Reddit #71042236

Initial-Relation-696@reddit

Left in February, 19 years. Too many asshole drivers. Cars and trucks. Automatics has taken its toll on professional truck drivers. Slow and safe drivers.
View on Reddit #71039594

right_lane_kang@reddit

There's always barber college
View on Reddit #71036231

Real_Ad_7283@reddit

You been driving this long and was a company driver all this time?
View on Reddit #71035389

ThatOneHelldiver@reddit

I'm local. Getting 3 to 7 stops a day doing flatbed and make 250 a day. It's better than most OTR lol
View on Reddit #71035137

BlackberryWhole9313@reddit

I feel you man I’m 6 years in & I just don’t know I might not re-new my cdl the next time it expires. It’s my fault my shitty background has prevented me from getting anything great so I’m stuck with the jobs hardly anyone wants. I tell people all the time , driving the semi is the easiest part of the job , managing your time & dealing with dick head dispatch /brokers is some of my not so pleasant experiences in this type of industry. Best of luck to all those who are in route to getting a promotion & to those who been on the road for years. & to those who feel like this industry chewed them up & spit em right back out ….. it did but just know it can always get better & life doesn’t stop after this. It’s never too late to go back to school or jump in another trade. Take it easy out there fellas 🤞🏽
View on Reddit #71035094

Healthier6908@reddit

Good for you bud! That’ll show’em!
View on Reddit #71034913

Beingpositive12@reddit

Never too old, happens to everyone. It’s the same as getting your penis caught in your zipper. 
View on Reddit #71031067

queentracy62@reddit

I’m glad to hear it. You can only put up with so much. Good luck to you. 
View on Reddit #71030984

Individual_Wasabi669@reddit

THANK YOU, WE ALL GOTTA DITCH THEM MEGAS FOR SUCH INSULTING WAGES THAT DOES NOT COVER BASIC HUMANITY NEEDS !!!!
View on Reddit #71029149

delawder29@reddit

After reading majority of the comments I agree with just about everyone want to comes to being home with your family and not abusing your body to ensure that other people benefit off of it financially. I think the best job I've had with driving a truck and making decent money and being home every weekend isSeward motor freight out of Seward Nebraska. Damn good dispatcher too Michael. However I can't get the same comment where I'm currently at. I did truck driving for about 10 years and then went to go help out a family member doing armed security for 3 years. I jumped back into a truck to make a little bit more money every week and to see how it is but nothing has changed and in fact I think it's gotten worse over the years since I've been off the road. Now I'm going to hear the comment Home is where you make it and it's what you get out of it as well, or something along those lines. Sometimes that's not always the outcome. You get exposed to what you just left and you remember why you didn't want to do it anymore. I myself have kidneys that are possibly failing or are severely damaged and I have to leave OTR. Going to try to find something local and being home every night. I have to remember out today and I invite those to remember it as well that your dispatcher isn't in charge of you and you are the captain of that ship.You may make decisions that piss off your dispatcher and that load planner but at the end of the day they go home and they're off on the weekends.
View on Reddit #71027686

Meezyftc@reddit

I'll be leaving trucking after just barely a year in I'm going to pursue another trade too many idiots think they know it all in this industry too many drivers defending bad company behavior as well
View on Reddit #71026373

BrodieGod@reddit

What you getting into
View on Reddit #71027449

Glittering_Map5003@reddit

Screw the system! You guys are hilarious
View on Reddit #71026383

AroundGoesThe18@reddit

See ya next week.
View on Reddit #71014671

ZipTieTechnicianOne@reddit

Nope, fuck you Randy. Not this time. I mean it. I’ve had it up to fucking HEEEEERE with this bullshit for this fucking pay. It’s not worth it. You know what? It’s not worth my sanity. I’ll go home and be happy. Like last time. I can finally do everything that needs to be done. Some peace and quiet. Little me time. Whats next weeks run look like?
View on Reddit #71014961

Present-Ambition6309@reddit

As clothing goes flying out the cab, heating tools clink together, you come crawling out with your microwave and mattress topper. 🤣
View on Reddit #71024731

Icy_Investigator1819@reddit

For sure.
View on Reddit #71018908

Ornery_Ads@reddit

https://youtube.com/shorts/9wxr0DhVCfk?si=67Rhp5s8bh_s5PQx
View on Reddit #71017080

Rag3QuitnRob3rtGame@reddit

I'm right there with you. Doing schooling while driving because I need to maintain my current pay until I can change fields and highschool diploma will only get you so much
View on Reddit #71024658

Present-Ambition6309@reddit

🫵 Rock! We need more of you. Can I borrow your spine? Jk. I’m right there with you. I’m bout to do the same. Tho I don’t have 33 yrs of driving. I’m sick of the wage not matching the work/work hours. 6 days a week 12-15 hrs a day. Burns a person out. For what a few coins that I have to give away anyways. No I don’t plan to go on welfare either. I’ve got a plan. A nice plan. I set it up this way and I did some homework and invested in a few things. So, no, no welfare here. Don’t worry drivers I won’t you make you work for my ass.
View on Reddit #71024412

Obvious-Glove-7253@reddit

I’m in almost 10 and taking home 98k net…. If you have a solid history and 33 years in you should be making more than me…. How is that insulting wages??? There is definitely more to this story. Anyways, I wish you the best though. I don’t know your age but if you’re willing welding is not a bad gig and you could get into it most likely with a college course. Sorry this hasn’t worked out for ya.
View on Reddit #71023846

fartspatula@reddit

Godspeed, good luck on your endeavors my man. Don’t forget about us when you get your self respect back lol cuz boy it feels like we all lack it working the hours that we do.
View on Reddit #71019768

drpuck2@reddit (OP)

Very eloquent my brother.  
View on Reddit #71022066

Different_Mousse_564@reddit

I don’t blame you the market took a shit after Covid then it became even more cut throat when they started handing out CDLs to immigrants who helped drive down the rates alongside the brokers all that just to put more money in their pockets. Some of em were former truckers themselves so it just gives you less hope for the industry. I have faith that it’ll sort itself out eventually
View on Reddit #71019019

drpuck2@reddit (OP)

A true believer.  I wish you well.  
View on Reddit #71021967

Dependent_Contact412@reddit

Same boat here been driving 3 years (nowhere near your level) and I’m doing this for 57 cpm? Insanity, can’t find any companies in eastern Ohio that I don’t need to keep selling my soul to get a good check
View on Reddit #71021554

JOliverScott@reddit

Riggs? RIGGS??
View on Reddit #71014883

drpuck2@reddit (OP)

Finally!
View on Reddit #71017122

JOliverScott@reddit

I plays on two levels 
View on Reddit #71017203

Justin_Ogre@reddit

Guess we'll have to register you as a lethal weapon
View on Reddit #71021095

Desperate_Style1547@reddit

Two years of experience and I don't want to work in the field anymore. Lost my job a month ago but I'm so happy to be home and spending time with my kids
View on Reddit #71020908

Late-County-4094@reddit

33 years is a heck of a run. You know your worth, no reason to put up with low pay. Hope you find a gig that treats you right—maybe something local or part-time so you can still enjoy the road without the BS.
View on Reddit #71020631

possibly_lost45@reddit

Have haxmat and live east of i35? I can get you 66cpm and all the miles you want.
View on Reddit #71015737

Sky_biker5683@reddit

I think you just solidified his point. 33 years and being offered basically starting wage for hazmat? Covenant offers .64 cpm for Hazmat straight out of CDL school with no experience...
View on Reddit #71016592

Sky_biker5683@reddit

Although now it dawns on me that your post was probably a joke based on his post... which if it is a joke , I would modify my reply to "😂"
View on Reddit #71016753

Cherkovsky@reddit

Idk man, it's so hard to tell what is and isn't a joke these days :')
View on Reddit #71020484

FlatbedtruckingCA@reddit

Best of luck on your future endeavors.. thanks for your service and happy trails!
View on Reddit #71018167

Rodeo6a@reddit

Lol, Bro you'll be back behind a wheel in a week or two. Enjoy the time off.
View on Reddit #71017688

Ornery_Ads@reddit

https://youtu.be/QrRYzu6cTLQ?si=pu3jBA5uOUjcbvsh
View on Reddit #71016987

Efficient_Ostrich_54@reddit

No sense in tearing your joints up for free.
View on Reddit #71015477

NectarineAny4897@reddit

Early 50’s,cdl for only a few years though I have been commercial driving for most of my professional career… I am so glad I am comfortable where I am. If I were not in the spot I was, I would probably go back to concrete construction as a site sup. Good luck
View on Reddit #71015198

Little-Trucker@reddit

I thought I was done last May. Started debating going back in for one more cash run for a bit more comfortable retirement
View on Reddit #71015094

Ornery_Ads@reddit

... what was your wage? What was your expectation?
View on Reddit #71014232