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This isn't going against the burger flippin theory (that fast food workers make as much as truck drivers) or going with it , its just real facts from a neutral stance (the message is a lil long but bear with me please, I will try not to ramble like I am now ). I live in Central California minimum wage here is $6.75/hr cost of living is average here, you can rent an average apartment for $600/mo and buy a brand new car for $14,000, gas costs $2.50 gal for regular, $3.00 gal for diesel. Milk is $2 a gallon and everything else is average price(produce is a steal though I just bought a 5lb bag of oranges for $1, yoo hoo). My best friend works for In N Out Burger some of you that live out west or have traveled out here know about them (they make kick @$$ burgers) he makes $9.00/hr starting wage (entry level, not managment, he cuts potatoes and cleans the restaurant after a year the wage goes to $10/hr), plus full benefits, he gets around 40-50hrs a week which is sometimes unheard of in the fast food world so on average he grosses around $500 a week, take home is less of course plus you gotta factor in benefits that are 90% paid for. I have another friend who works at McDonalds for $7.00/hr for 20 hrs a week then he also works at Starbucks 30 hrs a week making 8.00/hr plus benefits he grosses around close to $400 a week plus benefits, these aren't very difficult jobs (just repetitive and having to deal with food and customers, sounds like another job I know) they get two days off they get lunches and breaks they get to go home every night they work rotating shifts often(graveyard, swing, day, etc.). If I had a scanner I would show you their paystubs (if you ever come through central cali then hit me up and I will show you myself). I just found this out the other night (at my friends house) and didn't believe him and asked him to show me and they did and I was shocked, when I first started driving I was making around $400 a week with lots and lots of hours and work. Just an example, maybe gives some insight to the argument, these are actual numbers rather than the miraculous trucker math. But I do agree learning a real trade (such as electrician, carpenter, plumbing, masonry, healthcare, security, real estate, computers, etc.)is better than driving. Thanks for sticking with me I know I can be long winded but I get tired of talking to my truck and the road and the DOT. I know the discussion will rage on but still I thought I would throw some actual numbers up you can do the math.
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Your not long winded at all. just a little repettitive.

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I read every word, just because I am not a quitter.
Breaking your sentences into paragraphs that represent a particfular thought, makes long posts much easier on the eyes.
Now give us figures on WalMart paychecks.

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Now Wal Mart I am not even going to touch hahaha although there is a new documentary movie on how wal mart is one of the greediest corporations out there http://www.walmartmovie.com/ I think its worth checking out its only $13 plus they have free screenings every where. I do know somebody that does work for Wal Mart doing stocking making $6.75/hr no benefits getting around 30hrs a week making around $200 a week gross, so... well I will let you think about that one.
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Proof positve, that Baby Sitters make more than drivers and former O/O. Government Ain't YO' Friend. Nor your Servant.
A Tax Reduces Incentive & Capacity. A Regulation is also a TAX.


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When we came off the road. The wife's first non driving job was at Wal mart in the Deli for over 11.00 a hour full time with low grade beenies.
Of course the job market around here is kinda tight. White castle is offering 12.75 a hour and paid medical. They are looking for full time career pros, not part time students.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

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I'd like to meet the "baby sitter" that makes $1100.00 a week on average....
Frankly, thats my average weekly earnings for the first 10 months of this year. And, it includes all of my time off....all of it. So, if I take the "days off" out of the equation....my weekly earnings are higher, much higher.
Granted, not everyone driving a truck does well, nor is it the "holy grail" of jobs,
but....if one does get with a good carrier, they can make a decent living.
I would have to think that if one only makes $4-500 aweek with a carrier, then they are working for the wrong carrier.So I like what I do, you don't, too bad, get over it. Get on with your life, I am.

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Skywalker what carrier do you drive for? Just curious.
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I'd like to meet one that works 100 hours a week.

Same old Driver hype concerning a job that requires far more sacrifices as compared to rewards.

Very true.

but ....the sacrifices out number the reward in most cases," decent living"
is such a subjective term.
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40 hours a week if you look hot in a pleated skirt and bobby sox....
___________________________________________
Mark; suggests that Mike shave his legs first

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CFI (Contract Freighters, Inc) based in Joplin, MO So I like what I do, you don't, too bad, get over it. Get on with your life, I am.

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If you're trying to insinuate that I work 100 hours a week... you would do better to keep your thoughts to yourself. I have yet to put in that many hours in a week since starting to do this. And, if I did.... I do believe my average weekly income would be significantly higher. The last time I put in those kinds of hours.... I was a business owner. I spent far more time at work in those days.


Not a single word of "hype". Just simple unadulterated fact. What you and your friends may consider as "sacrifices" are to me and many, many others... a non-issue. I faced pretty much the same issues when I was a professional technician/salesman and business owner. I was on the road, gone from home most days and nights. The rewards: my income, good benefits, and my own personal satisfaction. Keep in mind: What you consider a "sacrifice" or a "reward" may be entirely different than what anyone else on the planet does.
And would you by any chance be "spouting the same old tired bs that burnt out, disaffected, miserable retired teamsters tend to spew ad nauseum? Given that you are a retired teamster....and it takes what?? 20 to 25 years to get to retirement?? So, it would seem that since you worked in another sector of trucking altogether, your "actual and factual knowledge" of non-union OTR is more than likely limited to "locker room bs", unless of course you are relying on your particular experiences when you were a young pup. Or.....you are what you decry as a "know-it-all"...you know, the kind you complained about in this forum? Hmmm, does the shoe fit? So, the validity of your comments is circumspect at best.


Ahh, at least we agree on something.


Yes,....it is. But it is hardly "appropriate" to apply your standard to anyone, given that the cost of living in Chicagoland is significantly higher than many, many other parts of the country. And one should always consider that regardless of one's particular financial situation....there is always someone who thinks that yours or mine is substandard. Or that the "standards" of anyone who doesn't have the newest model BMW, Mercedes, or Lexus is just lowlife scum..... But then again, you can only wonder how deep they are into their lenders... as in how many decades will if take to get out of debt.
For me, this "job"...and thats all it is, meets my particular needs at this point in time. I get a decent paycheck, its on-time, I have paid vacation, good health insurance, and I have very few complaints. So, for me....the issues others raise are "non-issues". I would have loved to have gotten a Teamster job, but alas, there are virtually none where I live, and I'm not willing to move to the "great white north" at this point in my life.... too damn cold! I was in "Chicagoland" the other day.... 16 degrees. I spoke with my wife in FL, and the temp was much, much higher..... about 60 degrees warmer. So I like what I do, you don't, too bad, get over it. Get on with your life, I am.

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100 hours of being on the job is a little on the light side. That's only 4 days. Not many OTR jobs done in 4 days.______
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I'd rather die on my feet like a man than live on my azz hiding in a truck.........Sir James Brown

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There are a few good gigs, these days. They used to be more plentiful. To deny the dismal condition of the industry, is ignorance, at its best. The "I got mine" attitude can give a newbie a false sense of hope. And, as long as supply of drivers exceeds the number of jobs, the wage base will continue its down trend.
Count yourself lucky, if you have one of those good gigs. But, if the debasement that is so wide spread throughout the industry, finally catches on to your gig, your tune will change.
There is also a concern, in certain circles, about globalization of labor, resutling in global wage deflation. This has been happening in the trucking biz, for quite a while, now. The trend is accellerating.
One man put an ad on Craig's List, with a couple of high education/background parameters. He got quite a few responses, from people with backgrounds, indicating triple digit incomes. They were attracted to the $12 per hour pay.Government Ain't YO' Friend. Nor your Servant.
A Tax Reduces Incentive & Capacity. A Regulation is also a TAX.


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Are you sure?