Question:
It`s like they knew I was quiting. Spent 17 hours "in bond" waiting for the proper paperwork to be faxed, so I could get into to Toronto. Then spent 3 more hours getting out because of the wrong paperwork. This is not counting the time spent waiting in line at the border.An it doesn`t count the time being yelled at and threatened with a $5000 fine. Finnaly get back in the USA and spend 4 days getting 400 miles. Get a load that cannot be made leaglly, but get it there anyway. When dropping in Otay Mesa (San Diego)a clown fron Covenant backs into my trailer.More fun.Get back to Lathrop Ca. (terminal) and clean out my truck(boy you can sure acculimate a bunch of crap in six months)but don`t tell them I quit till I talk to the guy that promised me the killer job after the holiday.Am supposed to take a physical and pee test Tuesday. Wish me luck, the new job is home weekends and killer benifits driving for a company hauling thier products here on the west coast.Smile, life DOES get better.
fishman

Answer:
Thats what training companies are all about. Get your training and some experience and move on. I hope the new job works out.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

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How did you do financially while you were 'DOIN' TIME' for Swift? Just curious for a rough estimate.
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

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It`s like this. It`s tough to make any money at 25cents a mile, but I did OK once they trusted me to run. Thier payroll system sucks hind titty thou. One week i`d take home $150.00 and the next week I`d take home $900.00. It takes a long time for thier payroll to catch up with you.On the avg, if I ran legal,I`d take home about $600.00, if I pushed it and ran ill eagle ( a sick bird)I could take home $700.00. But remember you can only cover so many miles in a 60mph truck, legally, that is.They`ll call you in the office and ask how you could run 2000 miles in 3 days in a 60 mph truck, and then dispatch ya for the same thing the next day, and ***** if ya question it.All in All, It`s a trainning company, and they are all probably the same.
fishman

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Shoot, $600-700 take home was more than my gross as a teacher and I also put in 70 hour weeks (I was an academic coach for most of the school year and sacrificed most of my w/e's from September until early May).
Of course, I only slept away from the house once every couple of weeks or so and only for one night and I had my own hotel room. Not the same as weeks in a truck cab (and no maid service for you )
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

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"70 hour weeks " Actually 70 is a good starting place. You'll be working a hole lot more hours than 70 each week. Besides the hours you actually work which will be 90 or so trucking is a 24/7 job until you get home.
Your on duty time doesn't stop just because the truck does.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Your 17 hours "In Bond" had nothing to do with the carrier, that's a problem between the shipper and receiver. I'd bet there was freight on your trailer that wasn't on the papers. Did you watch them load the trailer? Did you count every box so you know what is there? The CCRA ( Canada Customs & Revenue Agency) is cracking down on carrier violations and assessing fines and penalties. The program is called AMPS.
Did the carrier bill anyone for your time at the border?

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The time I spent "In Bond" was because the "PARS" didn`t scan right. I know that this was not Swifts doing, it`s just that they didn`t give a sh8t. They probably did bill someone for my time, but only gave me $40.00. NO, I didn`t watch the freight being loaded, it was already done and sealed when I picked up the trailer.
fishman

Answer:
I've heard it said here that truckers work typically 80 to 90 hours per week. Would you say that is accurate?
I don't know if this is true or not but I heard that this new hours of service thing means that you are only supposed to be working 10 hours per day.
The thing I would want to avoid is spending 2 weeks in a never ending cycle of driving, unloading or waiting to load and sleeping. If there is absolutely no time when your not really working, no time to read a book or newspaper, pick guitar, surf the internet or whatever - if there is no time for a life, than I would rather be poor. I'll stay here and flip burgers.
Have you heard of people not getting the miles they were promised from swift?
I understand that there are exceptions when drives would get stuck with short trips but on average will they give you enough miles to make a living?
I know it may sound like I am looking for a 40hr per week job. I am actually. I really don't want to spend 300 days or so per year living in a fiberglass box. (especially if I never have time to do anything but sleep, eat drive and lump freight) But I would do it. If all you had to do was put in your ten hours per day, I could handle it. I am not going to do 16 hour days.

Answer:
I would suggest looking into another line of Employment,Kananga.
You sure aren't going to find happiness in "Trucking" or a real life
unless you're accustomed to a Homeless Gypsy Lifestyle.
The Folks who inhabit "Fantasy Island"are always awakened rudely.
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Well Kananga, I guess we WON'T be seeing YOU OTR. buh-bye

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Thank you for taking the time to respond. Your input has been enlightening, though probably not in the manner you intended.
I guess I should not be surprised at the feedback I get in this forum. Considering the poor working conditions, the low pay per hour worked, the mind-numbing tedium and the low intellectual requirements, it isn't any wonder this profession attracts anti-social, knuckle-dragging dim-witted Neanderthals.
"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."
--Abraham Lincoln

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If you can get a driving job for a company that only hauls their own products, often, your much better off.

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Since you took the time to quote Abe's advice, you should have followed it....

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You got some chit on your face Kangaroo.