Yep. So here I am in Florida again. Much less "fun" this time around however since I'm just hanging out at the Flying J north of Tampa. Got my delivery to make in the morning, then a re-load and heading out.
I can't even do the speed limit in this state. The price I pay for being a company driver at the moment. I keep having thoughts about going back to owning a truck. There are advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps obviously I would make more money, but you turn around and put a lot of that into payments, fuel, tires, and general upkeep. When all is said and done you do not NECESSARILY make more money... although many smart owners DO. But for me the issue is less about money anyhow and more about the pride that comes with having something that is yours. Taking care of it. And even if you're contracted to a specific company, you're still technically your own boss and decide where and when to work.
But doing what I'm doing now has some nice aspects too. I get paid for unloaded miles not just loaded ones. I don't have to buy my own fuel or tires, or pay for shit when the truck breaks down (like a couple weeks ago). The company picked up my hotel tab for three nights, etc. And the other thing of it is... I like the work I get with this company I'm with right now. The miles are consistent. I don't wait long in-between loads. I don't get any stupid bullshit that I hear many other company drivers talking about. I choose where and when to fuel (even though I get suggestions as to where the prices are good, etc). (This is actually a big deal even though it may not sound like it. Some companies specifically tell their company drivers exactly where they must buy fuel and how many gallons to buy, etc. Thus they are forced to plan their trips around that. For me, I make those decisions myself. That means I can pick what truck stops --I-- like to go to for my meals and showers and such).
I'm always on the edge about which is better for me. Currently I'm a little bit in debt after taking almost a year off in order to help out my Mom who retired early due to Multiple Sclerosis. Once I'm back in the black I'll have to really think about what I want to do.
But for now... I'm happy at least. I don't drive a truck because it is all I can do. I drive because I enjoy it. The money is okay. I'd say in general it's on par with what someone college educated would earn. So... better than MOST other blue-collar jobs. But I like the travel and the fact that every day is different. The day it starts being more frustrating than it is enjoyable I'll find another profession. But right now... those wheels keep a' turnin'.
w00t for Italy spanking France like the weak, pathetic, whiney bitches they are. I'm surprised they didn't just surrender... as usual. Hah.
Le congratulazioni a Italia.
I'm thinking about applying to create a new group. A bit of investigation reveals that my idea does not yet exist on the SG website. The big question would be... is there enough interest? We'll see. I need to organize my thoughts on it a bit before presenting it.
I can't even do the speed limit in this state. The price I pay for being a company driver at the moment. I keep having thoughts about going back to owning a truck. There are advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps obviously I would make more money, but you turn around and put a lot of that into payments, fuel, tires, and general upkeep. When all is said and done you do not NECESSARILY make more money... although many smart owners DO. But for me the issue is less about money anyhow and more about the pride that comes with having something that is yours. Taking care of it. And even if you're contracted to a specific company, you're still technically your own boss and decide where and when to work.
But doing what I'm doing now has some nice aspects too. I get paid for unloaded miles not just loaded ones. I don't have to buy my own fuel or tires, or pay for shit when the truck breaks down (like a couple weeks ago). The company picked up my hotel tab for three nights, etc. And the other thing of it is... I like the work I get with this company I'm with right now. The miles are consistent. I don't wait long in-between loads. I don't get any stupid bullshit that I hear many other company drivers talking about. I choose where and when to fuel (even though I get suggestions as to where the prices are good, etc). (This is actually a big deal even though it may not sound like it. Some companies specifically tell their company drivers exactly where they must buy fuel and how many gallons to buy, etc. Thus they are forced to plan their trips around that. For me, I make those decisions myself. That means I can pick what truck stops --I-- like to go to for my meals and showers and such).
I'm always on the edge about which is better for me. Currently I'm a little bit in debt after taking almost a year off in order to help out my Mom who retired early due to Multiple Sclerosis. Once I'm back in the black I'll have to really think about what I want to do.
But for now... I'm happy at least. I don't drive a truck because it is all I can do. I drive because I enjoy it. The money is okay. I'd say in general it's on par with what someone college educated would earn. So... better than MOST other blue-collar jobs. But I like the travel and the fact that every day is different. The day it starts being more frustrating than it is enjoyable I'll find another profession. But right now... those wheels keep a' turnin'.
w00t for Italy spanking France like the weak, pathetic, whiney bitches they are. I'm surprised they didn't just surrender... as usual. Hah.
Le congratulazioni a Italia.
I'm thinking about applying to create a new group. A bit of investigation reveals that my idea does not yet exist on the SG website. The big question would be... is there enough interest? We'll see. I need to organize my thoughts on it a bit before presenting it.
This coming saturday they're have a career day at NETTTS with assorted company reps there so I guess I'll talk to those guys and see what's up. I really could use any input from anywhere about what companies are good, which ones suck and so forth. I'm told and i guess it makes sense that you've got a lot more options about who to work for once you've got a year or two under your belt, hopefully a good safety and timeliness record. I guess if the money was not a deciding factor by itself it would be preferable to be an O/O for the extra independence. But sometimes I wonder about truck repairs. If your company truck needs work, that's the company's responsibility, it's the equipment that they decided to supply you with. But if you own truck needs to go into the shop, I would imagine that a company might get impatient with you and maybe cut you loose if your shop time is interfering with your availability. So I guess if you buy a used tractor you make damn sure it's in good shape. Don't know if you've any word to pass along about such things as that.