Been Pullin a Hopper for the last 3.5 months. Man what a TRIP...no pun intended.
Some days it is the BEST JOB in the world( Hot cup of Coffee, sun shinin', have the radio blasting, no one on the road)....other days are like "Holy Crap, what did i get into".HAHAHAHAHA Dispatcher pushes hard...have to get those loads going. (2500 miles last week.)
AK to Ca..back to Wi, down to AK...over to TX north to Ne and finally got a restart here in NE. Will take off late this afternoon and run down to MO. Off-load first thing in the AM.
Other than Cleaning out the Hopper in 100 degree weather, getting stuck in a Clay Pit in WY, water-pump by-pass hose cracking and a 600.00 repair, life on the road has been good. Have to stay POSITIVE!!
The good things far out-weight the Crappy !!!
Oct 31, 2009 Rating
SteveO is now trucking for an owner operator by: Hervy
SteveO has been driving for an owner operator from out west for a few months now. I'll see if Jimmy can get him to log on and give us an update on situation.
I understand he's running pretty hard!
Jun 01, 2009 Rating
School by: SteveO
Finishing up here in Kingman with "SAGE" School. Classroom instruction -13 days now nothing but driving.
Got my tanker and doubles on my permit. Hoping to test out this thur/fri. SteveO
May 31, 2009 Rating
SteveO is Still a Soldier by: Hervy
What's up SteveO,
Took a while for me to respond I know, thank God for Jimmy. I-81 is now as busy as I-95 with trucks anyway.
Hear your in school now, and soon to be trucking, congratulations. Countdown to the big road now. Hope everything is going well with you. Look forward to catching up with you on the road.
Good thing you let the soldier can do attitude shine until you got er done.
Later, Hervy
Mar 03, 2009 Rating
The Past by: SteveO
Yes, I've had 2. Have a interview this afternoon but the job has nothing to do with trucking....need a job RIGHT?
Mar 02, 2009 Rating
SteveO is irritated by: Jimmy
Damn it son, that stuff is coming back to haunt you. But don't give up just yet. March forward. Have you had jobs since leaving Az? A rule of thumb when considering a new applicant is no more than 10 jobs in 10 years. Don't give up. 1000's of trucking companies out there. Jimmy
I am sorry but your application was not accepted at this time. ***************************************** What the HEll....???????? Was honest told em' i had 2 DUIs' over 25 years ago and a Disorderly Conduct 9 years ago and look what happens. No trouble What so Ever in the last 9 years! Bummin' Steve
Mar 01, 2009 Rating
its there ya just gotta look by: keith
Hey SteveO,i agree with what Jimmy says,jobs are out there ya just gotta look,the problem ya gonna have today is lot of companies that used to hire straight outta school are now looking for experienced drivers only,CR England is good company,got a buddy that works for them,but like Jimmie said,they gonna want a commitment.
Once ya get on somewhere stick with it,ride out the slow times and it will come back. Companies like to see longevity on your resume. Job jumpers don't get the chances others with longer tenior do. Stick with it though,its a great career,and don't worry,lol trucks wont ever stop rollin,so the jobs will always be there
Feb 28, 2009 Rating
Steve's thinkin' about a career change. by: Jimmy
Well Steve, you're doing the right thing, asking questions, and hanging around truckers websites etc. Trucking is also affected by the economy and many companies aren't hiring. But many are, so don't get discouraged as you call around.
A lot of truckers are bailing because of a slow down in freight business, so there are openings out there. But they head home and find that no one is hiring either and are sorry they left.
The trucking companies need to stay in business and balance the number of trucks available with the number of drivers that need to make a living. Consequently, most drivers are working, but not making any real money. They are waiting a day or two in between loads. And when you sit a day or two in some far off city, your mind wanders and you want to go where the grass is greener, or so you think.
If you can get trained at a community college, you will save some money vs a truck school or a trucking company school. The trucking company school will deduct from your check and want a commitment for 1 year to work there. And if you bail sooner, they come after you for the balance.