I haven't updated the blog in a while and wanted to let everyone know the latest. After driving numerous miles across the USA and back, I realized that flat bedding isn't for me. It is extremely demanding. I associate it to waking up, putting on your clothes and having an extreme work out for three hours. You hear stories about how heavy the tarps are....multiply that times 2 and then think about climbing the side of a house while carrying one. If they are wet or have ice on them....even heavier. It took my back several weeks to quit hurting enough to tie my shoes. I'm not exaggerating. Driving the 379 Peterbilt was a blast. Wish I could afford one myself and start my own company.
I spent several weeks after I left TMC looking for my next ride. Word to the wise! Do your homework. A lot of companies want new drivers. They aren't willing to pay you anything. And...they will keep you out for 3 to 5 weeks at a time. Always check "Truckers Report" on any company you are considering. You need to do the math. If you are getting paid 30 cents per mile (which seemed to be the max newbies are getting) and you drive 11 hours per day in a truck that is "usually" governed @ 65 mph....you aren't making very much money per hour of work. Then, you must also add in the time you are just sitting there in traffic, or waiting to be unloaded. You aren't being paid anything during those times. You will average 6 hours of sleep a night...the rest of the time you are driving, eating or waiting around.
My latest quest is to get on with a car carrier. They make the most cpm of any drivers. It is hard to get into the car hauling companies with no experience. Most want 5 years experience for insurance purposes. Then if you can get on with one of the unions...you really make the money and you get plenty of hometime. One friend is making $1.03 cpm. You do the math.
