Ya gotcher ears on?

[CarolynS]

Pat...

You are a wise man. Your son will grow from this experience. And what an honor...he'll remember this trip for the rest of his life, impart it to his grandchildren, and credit you...being 'on the road', hammer down, as the true American Trucker. Much as my daughter did years ago now when she became a Military Police Officer with the U.S. Army. When I couldn't be there...had to work...load HAD to go...Hospital needed fuel oil, in January, load every 24 hours or the patients would be cold. Not on my watch!
Keep the shiny side up, and watch out for the 4-wheelers. Enjoy every minute out on the road. I miss it, and I envy you. Maybe someday the boss will irritate me enough that I'll go back to the truck. I am tempted, daily...
God Bless you and your family. Without you, and all the others like you, our way of life would be a sad, distant memory. All that other countries envy of us...you embody.
Keep the hammer down, and be the true 'Cowboy of the Highway' that helps people less capable than you are. The one who lends aid to those in an accident. The one who 'stops' when noone else would. It is a testament to the American spirit, the one so many have forgotten-help your neighbor, those that are helpless, the weak.
I am proud of you, as are many others here, I'm sure. Keep up the good work!

[Tusler]

I have been an OTR driver since 1993, I am currently changing my license back to a Class C with MC endorsement. I have driven for 6 different major companies, Been an owner operator of a used truck and a new truck, have run flatbeds, reefer,dry van, heavy haul, doubles and truck train. Generally speaking with the cost of living on the road and the regulations and enforcement of those regulations currently being used I was able to send between $20,000 and $28,000 home to my wife yearly. Mind you the truck made over $110,000 but it was all taken up in fees,permits and the cost of doing business The fact is I now work as a manager in a fast food restaurant, am home every night, bring home more money and can ride my bike when ever I wish.
Life on the road is dirty, stinky, lonely with no chance for advancement and the company could careless if you quit or stay on. Good luck! I tried it but did not like it.

[xs11jack]

The biggest thing

for me was being separated from the family and friends. I quit in 2004 and don't miss it one bit. It sure puts a burden on the wife. If you gotta, then drive local, no overnight. That will keep the family together.

[Roy Bean]

My former company wants me to come back to work. They asked me last month to haul one load a month. I declined.

Last week i was posting a pete Classic on eBay for my former boss and one of the drivers asked me to deliver his load for him. No i'm going on vacation. I looked up and he looked in terrible shape. He had had his wisdom teeth pulled and he had a dry socket. I delivered his load.

Nice truck good ride good money.

They asked if i would be a relief driver is case of sickness. I agreed. Short hauls only.

Roy

[Pat Kelly]

I have had many, many jobs over the years. Since getting married and starting a family I have changed jobs many times but that has been in support of my wife that was chasing a job in law enforcement.
All these jobs were (mostly) 8 to 5 and never paid that well. Mostly it has been in auto parts or as a mechanic. One line of work I had to fall back on was as a security officer (guard). I had a 4 year stint as Mr Mom when wife did get hired as a Deputy.
This newest job as a driver is actually very good. Normally I leave Sun night and get home Wed night. Leave again Thur and back home Fri night or Sat morning. This trip is an eye-opener for what most truckers lives is like. It has given me an appreciation for my usual dispatches.
I lucked out in that I started out with a GREAT company, DOT FOODS . Like I said, home 2 days a week, guarranteed $50k/yr minimum. decent trucks, good people to work for.
I currently drive a 2005 Volvo VNL630. Company pays all fuel and maintainence, I get miles and piece rate to unload my truck (CDL = Certified Driver/ Lumper ). Everyone I talked to said they've made over the $50k minimum, some have doubled it.
So far I'm enjoying it.

[Pat Kelly]

What an interesting 1st year it's been.
I've now been to:
CA, OR, WA, AZ, NV, ID, UT, CO, MT, NE, MO, WY, IA, IL, OK, TX, NM, IN, OH.
Tonight has me sitting in a truckstop in Ardmore, OK. Heading for home at midnight. Last week had me going through snow for the 1st time (no, I don't live in snow country). Had 60MPH crosswinds blowing snow across the road. Still not as bad as the fog I grew-up in.
The thermometer on my dash has ranged from 125 F to -5F. Seen lots of roadkill. I was on satallite radio last months (called-in about the auto bailout). I've been flashed in Portland (I wish it had been her granddaughter instead, but I appreciated the thought). I've seen a couple of XS1100's along the way but mostly Harleys (but none that are 30 years old like our XS's)
Made more money than I ever have .
It's still fun but it does have it's frustrations. Getting bad news when you're on the road makes you feel helpless. My brother died on 8/8/08 and I couldn't get there until 3 days later. Wife called on Tues and told me someone stole our dog.
Fortunately the pros are outweighing the cons. I've logged 95,000 miles this year and I know the yearly total will be higher next year. My goal it to log 1,000,000 miles then quit/retire.
Look for me in the Dot Foods truck. I'll post a photo.

[trbig]

Hmmm.. Wish I had known. That's the normal route I take coming back from John and Kat's. I would have gone right by you riding home today... except it was nice and I took the long way home!


Tod

[madmax-im]

10-4 Good Buddy

Hmm Pat this is quite interesting ..I have been weighing going to get my CDL as well.There is a Smith and Solomon driving school not far from my home.Normally their course costs $3000 but they have been offering for a limited time for $1500.The thing that I want to do is drive locally.I am not really wanting to be OTR.Also my thoughts are to drive construction triple axle dumps or tankers with a Hazmat endorsement on a CDL-B.I am 56 yrs old and cant find any other jobs...I have been without work for 1 1/2 years and my bills are starting to pile up.I think I'm gonna do it,but I have some issues with doing physical work...basically that means my back wont tolerate alot of labor.Thats why I feel a dump truck would be easier than hauling freight.I'd like to hear what you think...I am thinking to go down to S+S school this week.

[Pat Kelly]

Those are good options. Another local driving job is garbage truck. Cruise the alleys and pull levers. There are also jobs driving busses and driving armored cars. Some jobs will pay for or reimburse your tuition.
I had an offer from the local "solid waste" company (relatives) that told me to get my class B learners permit and they would take care of the rest.
The school I went to, Western Pacific Truck School, only taught what you need to know to get your license, nothing more. The company I drive for is reimbursing my tuition. It's divided into monthly installments over 3 years. They prefer to keep their drivers.
Average turnover rate for most companies (driving) is 120%. Dot Foods turnover rate is 20%.

[Fddlefoot]

Office Perspective

Well I've been in this buisness for 12 years now got my CDL as a backup had tendency to wander(before colorado and marriage) a lot and started as receiver and backup driver even lumped on the side. Moved to trucking company of small owner operators thru one of the drivers met who lived next town over from where I grew up and stayed on when he bought company have gone from dock to that and main dispatcher for our trucks in Boston, Philly, New York and New Jersy seven trucks each week. At 45 am almost youngest guy in company and while the checks loog good sometimes for drivers I then remember how much money they have to payout every month. So stay with that company if they take care of you that well for is not the norm. My guys have it about as well as possible for OTR drivers as leave on Friday or Saturday and return the following Sunday and deliver Mon day maybe Tuesday full loads eastbound LTL westbound. It is amazing how much have seen the buisness change in last 10 years and not for the better so if it is good keep it up and enjoy it for it can be a grwat life and unbelievable expierence.

[Pat Kelly]

This was my first aste of winter driving (never drove in snow before).
WY was my first white-out. 60 MPH crosswinds made the road look like it was moving, until the blowing snow got swirling higher than me.
WY had I-40 a solid sheet of ice for 60 miles.
Survived it all with no problems.

[Pat Kelly]

Here's my home away from home. 2006 Volvo.