Profile For Shannimal

Heck yeah. I watch a lot of YouTube on owner operator situations. I understand that insurance will kill you until I have a few years under my belt. I know I like trucking and I’m wondering if owner ops really make the bacon like the YouTubers make it sound? If I was already making good money is it worth the hassle to go owner operator eventually? Or if your making close to 6 figures already just call yourself fortunate and don’t have the headaches for say another 40k. What’s the consensus on that?

Ok, I'm reviving a 2 year and 10 month old thread. I'm updating this thread from my bunk as I'm being unloaded. Yes, I became a Driver. As you read if interested and catch up on some of what spawned my change in careers I'll tell you the tipping point of my decision was Covid. They tried to jab me and I didn't take that crap. Instead of the jab I gave them the shove. Told them they can shove the job up their ***. Here is what happened since. I got payed to train which was awesome. I completed my CDL course in 2 days (the book work) and took the next 3 days off. Took all my test in 2 minutes each, General knowledge test was 3 min and some change. I wasn't racing, I just found the questions and material super easy. I'm fully endorsed and I only missed 2 questions on my hazmat. Funny story the guy at the DMV set me down at my computer to test. Well within 2 minutes I was back at his window. He asked: "what's wrong, is the computer broken again?". I said no, I'm finished lmao. He looked puzzled and amazed lol. I did really well on the practical examination and my tester only had one thing to ding me on and she said it was kind of a gray area. She had informed me of where our route was taking us. Still a few blocks back I knew I would be making a left eventually. She said I should always be in the right lane of travel but she understood I was preparing for a future left hand turn...she just thought it was a little premature. Other than that flying colors. Once all tested out and had my CDL I trained for another 8 weeks with various driver trainers. I started my journey in March of this year and June 1st I was released on my own. I'm loving it! I love the solitude of being alone. I was so fed up with loser coworkers that always let me down. In this job its up to you to perform and make it happen. The truck driving clicked right away with me and backing isn't an issue (driving Volvo sleeper 53' refer). I've been delivering in downtown LA. That's tiger country...the streets, freeways, the docks, the crackheads that leap off the curbs...you name it. I'm doing really well. I back up often with zero pull ups. Just last week I was at a dock that was designed for box trucks with roll up doors. I literally was so jammed in that the door seals touched on each side with the adjacent trailer doors already in the hole. To boot...this was a back in off a busy street with obstacles, pedestrians, and zero margin for error. There wasn't even space to say there was an inch of room because there wasn't. I had to stay in my tractor (I usually do anyway) but you couldn't open the doors if you wanted to lol. I'm glad I made the switch. I've got my plug in cooler, my coffee maker, my laptop, and always bring some good grub. This might sound gross but I got a nice sturdy trash can and I just take a dump in that. I have hefty bags and just bag it and dispose of it (properly) like an overgrown dog. The restrooms are usually pretty gross anyway. At first I crawled under my trailer to dookie but I'm 6'7 and despite trying to hunch down as small as possible I kept hitting my head under the trailer so that's when the trash can idea came about. Once I got that all sorted out everything else has been really smooth. GPS can mess you up sometimes but I try to be careful and review the route very thoroughly. I don't have a CB yet but will eventually get one. I'm glad that I tried something new. I wasn't for sure if I would like it or not. Now I wish I would have done it sooner. When I started this thread I didn't have a relationship, pets, or anything like that. Shortly after the thread was posted I reconnected with a long lost love interest. We immediately picked up where we left off and got married. Now I'm married and 2 pets. At that point I thought trucking was for sure out of the picture for me. I mean how could I just get married then say see ya later. I discussed things with her and went over everything that we could see as potential issues. The particular job I have I'm home every weekend and almost always 1 night a week and sometimes 2 nights. Its not as painful as some driving jobs can be because I'm not doing over the road. I'm regional CA, NV, AZ with an occasional trip somewhere far but that is rare. Trucking hasn't strained our relationship at all. I'm too busy to be homesick and since I'm back so often the wife is fine as well. She also works full-time so that occupies her time. Then with FaceTime and technology we make sure to spend time with each other everyday. Life is good. Ok...super huge post but a lot to cover lol. I just thought I would share my experience thus far with anyone whom was interested. :-)

One thing I'm hearing is performance based pay. I get it, but I don't. Without trying to have people admit to anything, perhaps I can tell you who I am in regards to rules. I have zero tickets on my driving record. This is because I follow all the traffic signs and laws. I read in the book on this site that in a nutshell rules "read log book" are meant to be broken. I have incredible stamina and work on my feet 12-15hrs routinely so driving a truck for that long is something I can do. Except they say you are only supposed to drive 11hrs. Are the people that make the money those who "run hard", or lets say fudge the numbers? Maybe I can end this pipe dream now by knowing how this all truly works. I'm not interested in hauling ass to make up time, drive past when I'm supposed to shut down etc.

One thing I've really been curious about for a long time (even before thinking of being a trucker) is speed. As I said I obey the traffic laws. I will be on the interstate with my cruise engaged at 65mph. I'm getting passed by truckers all the time. If there are bonuses for fuel saving, not getting tickets, being a safe driver and all of that, what is really going on? Is the pay so horrible that in reality the only way to hustle is break the rules and hope for the best? It certainly seams so from my perspective.

Shannon,

Is there not other hospitals or surgery centers that pay more for your position? Have you checked into that? That sure seems like small pay considering the job you do. I just assumed you would make upwards of 100k a year minimum.

The most I ever earned was right around 95K. This wasn't for being a tech, it was on the development side. At this point in my career I can basically develop a surgical center from the ground up. I most recently developed a state of the art robotic surgical center in Orange County, CA. This particular project was one of the first in the country to have such a sophisticated system. I'm extremely hard working and without sounding ****y, I'm rather intelligent. The problem with the OC is cost of living. I made out pretty good but living there cost a fortune. My dream to actually own a home rather than pay rent is what brought me to Bullhead City, AZ. I bought a home and I'm happy about that. The new job however is the pits and I'm trying to do some soul searching to find a new career and a way to make what I consider good money. I appreciate all the honesty and accept reality as well as harsh criticism. I don't want to hear only good per se, so any of y'all that want to dish a hard dose of reality I'll gladly listen with open ears.

Here is an example some of you can help me with. I live near Dot Foods. Right now on indeed their posting claims 75k a year. I meet the requirements for the job. Is dot foods lying? What is the catch? Interestingly enough one of the surgeons I work with is neighbors with a driver from dot foods. He said he was a police officer and now drives. Claims it is the best job he has had and that he is on track to make more than the 75k advertised. This is second hand information but I believe it to be true. Can someone cast a light as to what is occurring here? Also they mention regional which from what I've read thus far is desirable.

Hi all, first post here. WWYD "what would you do?". I've been kicking around the idea of trucking. I've read the trucker book on this website and understand the job and see there are many challenges out there. A little about my background. I've been a surgical technician for 23 years. I can literally take you apart and put you back together. I can save your life. Due to humans putting very little value on actual human life the pay is pretty much crap considering the wealth of information and skills I possess. My decision to join or not join trucking is purely a financial one. I don't have kids, gf, or wife, or even a pet. I can live the lifestyle if I can make money at it. My main concern is that making money seems very much tied to turning miles and with a 11 hour driving restriction, weather, ****ty ass equipment (judging by forum post), that turning those miles can be somewhat of a challenge. It's not a simple matter of getting in the vehicle, turning the key, and laying down the miles.

When I lived in Orange County CA I would bring home (net) anywhere from 1,800 - 2,200 every 2 weeks. I recently moved to Bullhead City AZ and make considerably less per hour, but worse than that the hospital I'm at doesn't have the hours I need to survive. I'm now bringing home (net) 1,300 to 1,500 per 2 weeks. I've become very disenchanted with what I do for a living. I see all sorts of jobs (not just trucking) that I feel you need very little brain power to accomplish, yet people are making way more money than I do. For example, I could most likely go to a Costco and make a better income than I do in surgery. This really ****es me off because as I mentioned before. I have 23 years of experience, work in an extremely demanding field, have to be way above average when it comes to brain power...yet here I am considering trucking.

I see many postings on the internet for very tempting money in my opinion. I see jobs ranging from 75k-90k and everywhere in between. One for example is wal-mart. They advertise .89 cents a mile. The skepticism in me asks, why would anyone take .38cpm for over the road, when Wal-mart offers .89? Also car hauling seems to be some good ass money. Why wouldn't people try to do that instead of the .38cpm kind of running?

If I do obtain my CDL based on some guidance from you all, I will pay for it out of my pocket and not be bound to any certain program or working off the debt of training to a company. I would be open to any kind of trucking except for unloading by hand. I've had back surgery so unloading pallets of materials isn't something I'm interested in. With the information I've provided what would you do? Stay indoors at my climate controlled and everything else completely controlled for that matter job, or trade it in and get on the road to get that bread?

I know that what people earn for a living is a sensitive and private subject. I've divulged what I'm not proud of lol. Maybe people sharing company and actual income will help me decide if the money is right for me. I'm just too untrusting and skeptical to believe a job posting, or some trucking school's word on it. Sorry for the long first post, and thank you in advance for sharing your opinion and knowledge with me.