How do company drivers make good money ???

Yup, keep the wheels turning and that many miles is easy when you look back on it. When you have to stop for the restroom or food, whatever, you park, go in, get your stuff, go back out, get in the truck, and go. You don't have to speed, jam gears, race through the parking lot or down the road, just go, steady rolling.

The second part of that is your dispatch. That's where a lot of us get screwed over. When I was with Arrow I'd drop off at 7am somewhere and not get another load until 2pm the next day. That's why I could not stand to stay there, I need people to back me up. All they have to do is their job, what they are paid to do, that's it.

This company I'm on with now, my DM is an ex trucker with 20 odd years on the road. He finds the loads, I take care of them. I sit for maybe 3 hours, max, no matter where I am. If one load is being flaky with them not wanting to pick up the phone or return calls, he finds another load and I'm on it. It's the best trucking job I've ever had just for having the office there to back me up. I've never had that anywhere else.

 

No need for caps, if you took the time to read my post I said they are the exception to the rule, you made that point yourself. If you have been around trucking for more than 2 years than you would know that 95 to 98% of the time a new driver isn't gonna land that job.

 

You remind me of me. The only time i wont drive in bad weather is when the Roads are closed. I dont sit and wait it out instead of chaining up like the majority of drivers do( not all so dont get mad. I no longer have a tv on my truck because it would just make me stay up too long. Living where i live if i didnt drive in bad weather i would never beable to leave the house in the winter.

 

You have several very good points there. #1 that %$## television.

Since I run regional, and am home most times now. I simply don't have one. I get more rest now than ever. I actually kicked the TV out of my truck over 2 years ago when I was OTR. It's been worth it.

#2 Like you, if they don't close the road....I'm rolling. I may not be going fast. But I am moving. And like the previous poster, I don't do late.

 

Amen.

Its my name on the bills. I am the driver. The most valuable thing I have is my name. If I say it will be on time, it will be on time, come hell or high water. I will get your load to you when I said I would. Bottom line is, my name is on the line.

Dispatch knows this. Therefore, when I call them asking for another load before I get emptied, they will line up my next load for me. Dont have time to wait for them to find me another load.

 

Smooth is fast...

 

Sounds like something my wife would say

 

I work M-F, off weekends, log about 55 hours per week and average $80-85,000 per year but I paid my dues to get here.

 

If you live resident free the only bills you have are cell phone and a storage for your stuff. I save about 80 % of my wages, but with the new regulations ,log book violations that go on your perminent driving record, that starts on the 1st of 2010. I might get a hourly gig.

 

A Good Job.....LTL Line Haul Monday nite thru Sat. morning 50-65 Thousand 1st year.