Truck Driving

[BIG JOE]

Very well said Joe. I made good money the last few years I drove a truck but there is no job security any more for a driver. One little mishap and you are fired. All of the stress will give you health problems fast. I have got to where I don't miss it like I did the first year of retirement. I like this retirement stuff.

Yip, it just aint worth it. I see and feel the frustration from my drivers as they go through the "HOOPS". My issues have been.. the Rice Bowl issues. The NTSB doesnt talk to the DOT who agrees (kinda) with the TSA who does'nt know what the HLS regs are >yet<.... then add the DOD (outdated) regs into the mix.... factor in a Doctor.... no wunder we have high blood pressure..-mad .

I don't miss it as much as I used to either. Still get a Twinge now'n then when I pass a "Big Truck" but.... I'm on my way to kick'n back, for the weekend with the FW or my boat..... and I ain't 2000 miles from home

10 more work dayz.... then I'm un-employed. Look'n forward to Retirement.
No big plans. Just guna Ease into it. It's time to go there.

Been an HONOR and a PRIVILAGE to have served and worked for our Country, in the DOD.

But its Time to go there.

 

[triplethreat]

Well I do think i'm going to give up on the driving. Really would like something low stress. Had enough of that while I was on active duty. Doctor told me today I should be retired within the next 3 or 4 months.

Dan

 

[ForumBlue]

AHHHHHH, The 80's.. Reganomics + Trucking

Nice to remember when you could actually make money with a couple trucks.

 

[02SilverStroke]

Nice to remember when you could actually make money with a couple trucks.

"We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there, just eastbound and watch old Bandit run". All these trucking stories made me think of "Smokey and the Bandit"

I don't blame you guys for wanting to get out. I sure wouldn't want to do it. There's a lady down the street from me that is an OTR driver. She comes in on weekends and is gone the next Monday morning. Her husband works an "8-5" job during the week.

 

[BamaSixGun]

AHHHHHH, The 80's.. Reganomics + Trucking

Nice to remember when you could actually make money with a couple trucks.

its still possible forumblue. i think alot depends on your equipment, freight brokers who actually want you TO make money, instead of taking it all, the kind of freight you haul, and i think most importantly of all, DRIVERS.

bad drivers can kill a company, especially if they are just out of "truck drivin school," of which most are just "steering wheel holders" and not truck drivers.

companies these days have such a turn around with drivers, that they will take anybody that has warm blood flowing through their bodies and seem to be least concerned with can they actually do the job.

i know that in the car hauling business, you have to not only have a driver that knows the truck, how to maintain and keep alook out for potential problems, but he has to know how to chain the cars down, how to load them in regards to weight (over gross or over axle weight) and to position them to keep the height down below 13'6 if at all possible, be a secratery, a public relations specialists, and so on.

there is alot more to this business than "JUST DRIVING A TRUCK."

AND THAT'S A BIG 10-4 DRIVER!!!!

 

[02SilverStroke]

....you have to not only have a driver that knows the truck, how to maintain and keep alook out for potential problems, but he has to know how to chain the cars down, how to load them in regards to weight (over gross or over axle weight) and to position them to keep the height down below 13'6 if at all possible, be a secratery, a public relations specialists, and so on.

there is alot more to this business than "JUST DRIVING A TRUCK."

AND THAT'S A BIG 10-4 DRIVER!!!!

Back in the mid 70's while still living in Louisiana, I was a deputy/dispatcher in a small sheriff's department. As some of you know, the sheriff departments in Louisiana collect the traffic fines for violations in their respective parish (outside of the city limits). We had a guy who owned at least 5 or 6 rigs for chip hauling. Nearly everyone of them looked like an accident waiting to happen. He had fenders flapping, battery racks barely hanging on to the frame, lights busted out, bald tires and so on. One of our local young state troopers made it his goal to write as many tickets to this guy's trucks as possible. He wanted to get the message across that the trucks needed fixing or replaced. Every so often, the owner would come into the sheriff's office with a handful of tickets and make a joke of "paying his bill this month". I know the economy was (and still is) tough, but he could have invested more into his trucks, even if he had to reduce his fleet.

 

[BIG JOE]

Back in the mid 70's while still living in Louisiana, I was a deputy/dispatcher in a small sheriff's department. As some of you know, the sheriff departments in Louisiana collect the traffic fines for violations in their respective parish (outside of the city limits). We had a guy who owned at least 5 or 6 rigs for chip hauling. Nearly everyone of them looked like an accident waiting to happen. He had fenders flapping, battery racks barely hanging on to the frame, lights busted out, bald tires and so on. One of our local young state troopers made it his goal to write as many tickets to this guy's trucks as possible. He wanted to get the message across that the trucks needed fixing or replaced. Every so often, the owner would come into the sheriff's office with a handful of tickets and make a joke of "paying his bill this month". I know the economy was (and still is) tough, but he could have invested more into his trucks, even if he had to reduce his fleet.

I hear ya Wayne.. Got a guy here that has about 15 trucks. NEVER has bought a New, or New-ish tractor, or trailer. Gets his "Fleet" from the Auction Yard. Buys 2 or 3 tractors or trailors and makes 1, the other 1 or 2 are his Parts supply. Paints them Blue & Yellow...with a brush.... Goes Truck'n. Has 4 or 5 that do local loads.. off the road before dark.. lights don't work good. Sends the OTR trucks out with Credit Cards, and Prayers.

All his drivers are "Violation Intensive". They drive, he pays the fines.. 'til they Max out.... Hires another... that can't get hired by a reputable outfit.

They're out there Folks

 

[02SilverStroke]

All his drivers are "Violation Intensive". They drive, he pays the fines.. 'til they Max out.... Hires another... that can't get hired by a reputable outfit.

They're out there Folks

Sad part is, it's his crappy trucks that's screwing up these guys driving records. They suffer while he goes along "unscathed". Just a stupid P-O-S as far as I'm concerned.