Covid And Trucking

Hi guys, I'm planning on doing my CDL training towards the end of the year or in January. I have a few concerns I could use some help with. How has covid affected Trucking as a whole? Have there been large lay-offs for some? Do you think it will bring more layoffs? Are the paid training schools doing ok thru this? Are any of you concerned Covid (other than getting it) may shut you down? Any advice/suggestions for someone coming in during these times?

I run a reefer and food hasn't slowed down but for 10 days it so in May. I haul other weird things and it helps keeping me going. Since I came back from having AFib (had to have my heart shocked) 26 Feb, I'm averaging $11,600/mth. I wouldn't call that slow.

As for getting the Chinese Virus, I'll be 69 end of next month, am overweight, have Multiple Sclerosis and my heart shocked....I refuse to wear a mask as it exacerbates my breathing. Am I afraid of getting it? Heck no. I don't get flu or pneumonia shots, I am in the sun daily or take D3 when it's constantly cloudy, I make meals to take on the road so I eat less truck stop food and now that my heart is beating regularly, I feel pretty healthy....even with my odd hours of delivering. While there is a virus, I feel it's no worse than other viruses we've seen and it's a "pandemic" only because one was needed by the Gov't.

Laura

11,600 miles a month or dollars a month?

That's over $136,000 for a year.

11,600 miles a month or dollars a month?

That's over $136,000 for a year.

11,600 miles/mth. I wish it was $136,000/yr!!!

Laura

Mike, the first six months of 2020 have been my busiest ever. I'm making more money driving a truck during this "pandemic" than I've ever made as a driver.

You should check out this conversation that Rob started a little while back. It will answer some your concerns.

How Is Your Year Going?

Mike, the first six months of 2020 have been my busiest ever. I'm making more money driving a truck during this "pandemic" than I've ever made as a driver.

Good to know Old School. I got recently got accepted to TMC and I’m thinking about my start date. With COVID cases increasing daily and a possible “spike” in the fall, should I be concerned about not having the opportunity for miles/money?

Should I start now or wait?

Mike, the first six months of 2020 have been my busiest ever. I'm making more money driving a truck during this "pandemic" than I've ever made as a driver.

Good to know Old School. I got recently got accepted to TMC and I’m thinking about my start date. With COVID cases increasing daily and a possible “spike” in the fall, should I be concerned about not having the opportunity for miles/money?

Should I start now or wait?

I don't know much about the business side of things at TMC, but I'd be willing to bet that if they're hiring they have the work. I see TMC trucks all-over the northeast everyday. They seem to have plenty of work.

Should I start now or wait?

There's no downside to starting now. Opportunity in trucking is almost always there. A lot of people don't understand how to capitalize on it. They look for reasons why they should be hesitant and they come up with them. Trust me, if you want to run some miles, they will recognize your strong work ethic and keep you running. If you slack off, they will find somebody to help them make some money.

Just recently my employer introduced a new, and very generous, bonus money incentive for the next year. You should see how the current drivers are complaining about it. It's obvious they aren't part of the number of drivers currently receiving bonus money. They are literally complaining that they are required to be productive. I'll earn over 14 grand in bonus money next year if I just keep working at the same pace I've been at.

Apparently those drivers don't understand how to be productive. Your performance dictates how the company books you with miles. Productive drivers will always be given the kind of work that helps them stay productive. Non producers get what's left over.

Don't ever focus on external forces affecting the industry. Things like economic forecasts, or current events. These things are almost always misleading. Focus on your efforts. That's exactly what your driver manager will base their load distribution efforts on.

Drivers who consistently get it done with little or no fuss will keep having great loads assigned to them. Nobody at my company tried to be fair and make sure all the drivers were treated equally. Heck no, the guys and gals who are the movers and shakers remain at the top of the food chain in good times or bad.

The other day I passed a steel company and 8 TMC trucks were sitting there to load. From the cb conversation I overheard it sounded like they are very busy.