Question:
Don't do as I have done!
I had a plan when I went to driving school about 11 years ago. That was to get some experience and then try to get on with Churchill's a union carrier in town.
Well they went out of business and I didn't like running team with CRST and they lied about something on getting me home for Christmas (long story) so my plan to stay with them for one year failed.
I then moved to Gully who would take my six months and get me home on weekends. They ran junk and when I almost froze to death on the way home from MI because they wouldn't fix the heater on the road. I quit!
I went with M&S and got mad when another driver didn't get time off for a ticket, which was company policy and quit. When I was forced off the road for a week for a warning ticket.
I went to Crete and got pissed when they wouldn't let me talk to a dispatcher face to face after driving in a blizzard where 80 was shut down.
Anyway I won't continue to bore you with where I have been and who I have gone back to more than once. I kept looking for that greener grass and it never appeared and now I have somewhat painted myself into a corner, because even though I have a great safety record, my job history for the past 11 years is HORRIBLE!
It has taken me a long time to realize it but I wonder if I would hire myself....I know the real good jobs I have applied for won't.
So if you have a plan stick with it and when you get pissed don't just walk out until you have had time to cool down and ask yourself....."Is this going to screw up my long term plan?"
Peacekeeper
America's original homeland security.....
The 2nd Amendment...
Truck drivers are not considered professionals or skilled labor except when they are on the witness stand.
www.howtobuyamerican.com

Answer:
There's a story hiding in there SOMEWHERE.... Would love to sit down with a couple of six packs and listen..... Hmmmmm.... Might learn something... Ya think?
Good luck on getting into the O/O arena....
###########################################################
I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Information is power!! The question not asked is the opportunity missed!!
My other vehicle is a '99 Electra Glide!!!! I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Lead, Follow or get out of my way!!!

Answer:
I disagree with 99.999999% of what Peacekeeper usually posts, but this is EXCELLENT advice.
And you didn't once blame a male hispanic or muslim -- !!!!.
Very few have the courage to come here and say their job history is "HORRIBLE!". But that's exactly what happens when you job-hop. Each time you think you're doing the right thing, but in fact, you're just diging yourself in deeper and deeper.
Good stuff, Peacekeper. And now the reason you're going O/O is clearer -- you don't have much choice.

Answer:
I happen to agree with the majority of what PK post. He's one of the few thats not afraid to tell it like it is. He is also very honest in his thinking and shows no prejudice at all. Makes you wonder why Shuffler would throw in the Hispanic/Muslim crap. Probably a reading comp. problem.
PK is right make a plan and stick to it. Then when unforseen things happen make another plan and stick to it.
One thing for sure if you find yourself in a bad place with a company don't be afraid to leave. Just don't do it to often. Your best plan might be to start with the best company you can from the very start. Look for the best pay, home time, respect and benefits you can. Don't just settle because a company makes it easy for you. If you start off on the right foot your chances of success will be much better.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
moral of the story is,every company is going to do something to you that you don't like,get over it and live with it.Don't just take what they dish out,go to the top over it if you think you have been wronged,but don't quit over something that won't matter 3 weeks from now.
Trucking will screw you,don't matter the name on the door,it happens everywhere.
But don't ever become so appathetic like some drivers and say them famous words thats trucking raise hell about it and try to change it or it becomes the standard and than you hear well everyone else does it and don't complain
In 1962 President John Kennedy was the first president to send Congress a transportation message recommending a cutback in regulation of surface freight transportation.
http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/regv14n3/reg14n3-moore.html
Answer:
Good job on this post. it is hands down the best, most thoughful one Ihave ever read from you. I hope it didnt hurt too much.
Seriously. Newbies and oldtimers alike need to take heed and learn from someone elses mistakes.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Stiff and UT thanks I'm used to somebody trying to bust my balls because I'm honest and not hiding behind multiple names or not saying what is on my mind because it's not PC.
Either somebody likes me or they don't not sweat off my back! The people that have actually met me know what I'm like. If I like you I'm the type that would give you the shirt off my back if it would help you.
I just hope to help somebody that is new to the industry from making the mistakes I have made and following BAD advise from "Terminal Complainers" who magnify little problems into gigantic "YOUR GETTING SCREWED....BETTER QUIT!" You know the same guys are at every terminal. Stay away from these clowns, especially if you are in one of those moods. MISERY LOVES COMPANY!!!
Peacekeeper
America's original homeland security.....
The 2nd Amendment...
Truck drivers are not considered professionals or skilled labor except when they are on the witness stand.
www.howtobuyamerican.com


Answer:
I can relate. Having had 6 driving jobs in the past 5 years. But three months ago I sent out about 10 aps and got 2 offers. I am now at FFE, and have no complaints at all. The pay is always right, the home time is as close as I could ask for, and they will fix anyting on ther truck imediatly, even on the road. Hope things work out for you. Rich.
wizard970

Answer:
CRST
Gully
M&S
Crete
M&S
Concete truck
M&S (out of business)
J.B. Hunt
Riverside (Team flatbed couldn't sleep)
J.B. Hunt
Riverside (guy got sick and needed driver so he wouldn't lose truck)
Jefferies Farms (Lost trucks)
Dodge dealership (Hated the public)
Opies
Riverside
Cornhusker
Peacekeeper: Liked going back to M&S cause they would always put me back on my dedicated run!
America's original homeland security.....
The 2nd Amendment...
Truck drivers are not considered professionals or skilled labor except when they are on the witness stand.
www.howtobuyamerican.com


Answer:
Peacekeeper, excelent post. I to have job hopped in the past (The towing world will eat you up and spit you out, and to make it worse become a manager without any power). All you others RESEARCH any new job. I would take a job with a 1hour if that interview. My new job (Swift Auto Haul) I stalked them for almost 2 mounths. Keep your eyes open!

Answer:
I'm looking at going back to JB or Heartland whom I have never worked for.
I was thinking about Jb because they have so many dedicated runs, but I would hate being out two weeks to start.
Then thinking about Heartland, but I'm getting mixed reviews by their drivers. Well the few that I can actually get to talk.
I have also thought about Barr-Nunn. Have a friend that works there and he has a lot good to say about them.
Peacekeeper
America's original homeland security.....
The 2nd Amendment...
Truck drivers are not considered professionals or skilled labor except when they are on the witness stand.
www.howtobuyamerican.com


Answer:
Job hopping........
everytime you job hop, you also end up on the bottom of the totem pole. At least that's how it works with the company we're leased to.
We have an acquaintaince that job hops more than PK ever dreamed of. Every six months, he hears something on the CB and away he goes.
Pk, email me.

Answer:
Peacekeeper,
Well, that's TWO things we agree about now. I don't give a crap what anybody here thinks about my posts either -- just say it like you see it.
I met a Wal-Mart driver on the cb recently, we stopped at Bill & Kathy's for lunch. He was about 60, told me his story. Job hopped for 30 years - DOZENS of companys, company driver, owned several trucks (lost one in a card game) quit, fired, over and over and over.......until he finally found Wal-Mart 10 years ago when he turned 50. He finally decided to get serious and settle down, took all their stock purchase and 401k stuff, etc. Been with them 10 years and says he's now worth about 300k and loves driving for them. He plans to take their "one trip a month" semi-retirement plan in a few years to keep his benefits.....
If you're young, time's on your side in the long run. I think that partly why it's easier for me to stick with one job. I'm almost 50 and I'm just getting too tired to do the things I did back in my 20s and early 30s. You will too, if you don't make "fatal"
mistake in the meantime....

Answer:
Originally posted by Shuffler:
I'm almost 50 and I'm just getting too tired to do the things I did back in my 20s and early 30s. You will too, if you don't make "fatal"
mistake in the meantime....
Besides, it takes longer for the pains and aches of the "lessons" to go away now.... LOL!!!!
I'm too darned young to feel this danged old....
###########################################################
I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Information is power!! The question not asked is the opportunity missed!!
My other vehicle is a '99 Electra Glide!!!! I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Lead, Follow or get out of my way!!!

Answer:
I'm 38 and feel 100 lately!
Peacekeeper
America's original homeland security.....
The 2nd Amendment...
Truck drivers are not considered professionals or skilled labor except when they are on the witness stand.
www.howtobuyamerican.com