Should I stay or Should I go?

[Skidrow]

Well I've spent all weekend checking out this site and most of you guys seem on the up and up.Thanx for your honesty.I'm currently researching if I should get into this feild of truckin' or not.I'm currently working 4 a local co. now.,home every nite,make about 55,000 per yrw/full bennies.(teamsters)Hey, don't hold that against me.I'm considering buying a st. truckw/sleeper & all whistles & bells and gining this expediting a shot.What I need is some real straight talk.How often do you wait for loads?(I'm from chi-town,so I hope I'll be in a good lane)Which co. would be the best to lease to?How much home time can I expect?I'm sick of working for the man and want to get back on the road but I need some straight shooters to tell me if I should jump or stay.Do the dispatch call you at all times of the nite or what? Thanx for any help at all. Skidrow

 

[RichM]

I would advise you to STAY.If you are getting full benefits that will disappear once you are on your own.Health Insurace premiums are brutal.If you have been a teamster for 20 years you probably get 3-4 weeks PAID vacaction,paid sick leave etc.
But to answer your questions,Chicago is a very good area to get dispatched from,You could get called any time day or night,weekends etc.If you refuse too many trips after a while the Company will refuse you. Time off is pretty much up to you,but remember you don!t get paid when you take time off. All of the large companies should be considered because they can get you back home loaded wheras the smaller ones might not.Sometimes based on where you are sitting it may take anywhere from 2-5 days to get another trip and if you decide to deadhead out ,the cost is on you. Fixed costs go on every day whether you run 1 mile or a 1000 so keep that in mind,when you consider the bells and whistles must be paid for but don!t generate any additional revenue. But most of all to make any decent money in this field you need to run a TEAM..Good luck

 

[paperback1]

ALL 5 OF MY DRIVERS ARE FROM CHICAGO AREA(1 IN ROCKFORD), AND NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEMS GETTING HOME. MY FATHER WAS A TEAMSTER FOR 32YRS. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN ONE, BUT I WOULD SAY IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BUY YOUR OWN TRUCK, BUY ONE, HIRE A DRIVER AND STAY WHERE YOU ARE. THIS WAY THE TRUCK PAYS FOR ITSELF, PLUS SOME EXTRA, AND YOU KEEP THE BENIFITS, AND STABILITY YOU HAVE NOW. YOU COULD ALWAYS QUIT YOUR JOB, BUT I WOULD WAIT IF I WERE YOU. I AM WITH TST OUT OF WINDSOR, ONTARIO, BUT I KNOW TRI-STATE AND PANTHER II AND LANDSTAR EXPRESS ARE ALWAYS AROUND CHICAGO. GOOD LUCK:+