Truck Driver Salary Pay Packages Just Don't Cut It

We ventured out on a project, to investigate trucking companies pay packages for their company drivers.
We asked a series of questions everything from mileage rate, waiting time pay, drop & pick-up rate, benefit package, layover pay, slip seating, days off/month, miles/week expected and much more, in order to get a good overview of what the company offered the company driver.
We wanted to compare the various packages the various trucking companies offered.
We surveyed some of the huge North American trucking companies as well as some of the smaller carriers.
Wow, no wonder there's a shortage of truck drivers! We aren't yet nearly finished our project, but the responses we've been receiving, have some pretty scary undertones, that we don't like.
Most trucking companies do not pay waiting time to their company drivers. Drivers can log dozens of hours per week, waiting to load, unload, circle checks, resets on the road etc., and all for free.
Furthermore, most of the carriers we spoke with weren't too interested in getting a driver with over 35+ years experience, with a squeaky clean driving record on board.... they weren't too familiar with their pay packages either. Really quite pathetic.
If they couldn't treat a driver right during an interview and show some interest and respect, what would it be liked after he was signed up and on their payroll? I'm sure it would only get worse.
These companies need to get their ducks in a row and smarten up.... no wonder there's a shortage of drivers.
So far, we are NOT impressed with the carriers we've spoken with... with the exception of one.
More on trucker wages :
www.smart-trucking.com/owner-...
www.smart-trucking.com/truck-...
www.smart-trucking.com/trucke...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're a truck driver, or interested in becoming a truck driver, be sure to subscribe to our Smart Trucking Channel for tips and advice which may be useful in your trucking career.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL!
/ @smarttrucking
CONNECT WITH US!
Smart Trucking
-- / smarttrucking
-- www.google.com/+Smart-Trucking
-- / smart_trucking
-- / smarttrucking
Music From Apple Library
Song: Windy City Medium
Artist: Apple Inc.

[@pdpz6084]

A lot of people don’t want to hear this but - an active strong advocate for workers has historically been the answer to reverse these trends - Unions.

[@banjer9630]

It doesn't matter what line of work you want to be in employers now days don't care about experience all they care about is who they can get to work the cheapest.

[@SmartTrucking]

banjer96 Unfortunately, I think you are right.

[@azxff1]

trueman mann That is a short term effect.... Lower wages eventually equal no one buying things and that equals negative growth... Henry Ford knew that.

[@KevZen2000]

banjer96 Truck Drivers have a high demand. Good truck drivers are limited, so any person who knows how to negotiate, could acquire a good income. Most of the cheaper truck drivers are inexperienced, or they are not as efficient as the ones that demand a higher income. A good truck driver could be worth 2 or 3+ less skilled ones, so it is a matter of marketing yourself right to get a decent salary.

[@marianasreality]

banjer96 That is until some inexperienced green horn gets someone killed.

[@sabrinacordell6290]

Not really. You either drive for what they offer or you don't

[@danmcclaren5436]

I don’t want underpaid truckers on the road. They have a huge responsibility. Pay them good, keep them happy.

[@SmartTrucking]

Agreed! Dave

[@Inhalin1514]

I was watching this video and for some reason it dawned on me that this gentleman seems to be a person with values..sadly a commodity we are short on in the US, also adding to our current problems

[@AK-kz6wc]

+Inhalin1514 Amen! Working for a big business/company is not a very good option anymore. They pay isn't that good and you treated like crap. That's why nothing works out the way it used to.

[@SmartTrucking]

+Inhalin1514 Thanks Dave

[@joshgitch2528]

He is absolutely correct everyone that drives a semi should park em all for a week and see what happens lol

[@alvindueck8227]

Josh Gitch didn't that happen last year? how'd it go?

[@CaseyJones-vo9vw]

Josh Gitch the Russians and other people from other countries will continue to drive... it'll never work

[@noconsentgiven]

Yea every other driver you see now a days isn't even from this side of the world and they got three or four guys in those trucks running all year straight. Again companies become wealthy from our blood and sweat then turn on us.

[@sirtigalotwolfe2962]

there will always be somebody willing to run so that will never work. I heard that a million times in my 13 yrs driving.

[@jorgereyes-be6gv]

Count me in!

[@jamesheath1025]

Just finished 16years of trucking. Good bye. No thanks.

[@mackandchezz]

their is no driver shortage it a pay shortage

[@GuitarzFromMarz]

Great Job!! I am no Longer going to pursue trucking!!

[@danthill007]

+GuitarzFromMarz if you do pursue trucking make sure you work for an LTL carrier for union car haul, thats the only way to make money. Take my word on this I have done it over 20yrs. LTL is 22 to 27 dollars and hr and home every day and car haul you are gone some but not weeks at a time for double the money of any OTR company.

[@GuitarzFromMarz]

thank you

[@stevefine1704]

Not to mention the overcrowded truck stops, 70hour week clock now monitored by EMDs and the being away from family all the time. We drivers are just foolish for making money for someone else. Sitting around waiting to load up or unload for no money gets a driver down. Plus I see all the dirt bags who think they are getting rich. We are all fools. I got out of it.

[@sirtigalotwolfe2962]

Smart man! I drove for 13 yrs.. and i don't now... cuz I grew a brain along the way.

[@vontayunsurpassed1604]

Dang, this makes a new comer reconsider tremendously

[@25-8]

Vontay Unsurpassed have you reconsidered? I'm thinking of getting in.

[@BigDish101]

I'm thinking I'm only going to do this if I can go straight into being a owner-operator. I'm also interested in doing heavy recovery with a rotator..

[@southjerseysound7340]

BigDish,do you have any towing experience?

[@kingcobra4567]

I know your post is a bit older but I wanted to answer your question. Trucking CAN pay but it doesn't always. You are guaranteed to have a rough first year or so until you can get some experience, however, I have provided for my family quite nicely as a company driver. You have to be willing to pay your dues and work. Be sure to take pride in what you do. I've made no less than 50000 a yr plus benefits but I worked and my future will be one of constant work, foreseeably. Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck.

[@md123420]

dude just apply at UPS

[@gwsswg]

WE NEED MORE AMBASSADORS LIKE YOU OUT THERE TELLING IT LIKE IT REALLY IS ,MY HATS OFF TO YOU, KEEP SPEAKING OUT

[@Allan7950]

Great message! Keep those videos going, otherwise some might never learn...

[@alvindueck8227]

I just started about 6 weeks ago with a smaller outfit here in Manitoba, Canada. I started under .40 cents per kilometer. 10 bucks a drop, 10 bucks a pick. wages for washing the tractor and or trailer. waiting time if it's 2+ hours. I'm a rookie, don't hardly know jack about shit in this industry but I paid the money down for the training and I really don't wanna give this up before a few years are spent. I NEED to make this work. one way or another, it will

[@NeilLB7]

Should get paid for the whole time you're not at home period. Your time on earth is finite. Your life's time is your personal property. And should be compensated justly.

[@johnreid2837]

You should checkout Wal-Mart. I drive for them and do ok. I don’t work as much as I should but still manage to make a little over $100k.

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

I bet honestly, most companies would feel threatened by a driver with so much knowledge, and experience.

[@hard-wired-g3787]

This is why I don't do OTR anymore, they don't want to pay. I have a great local job, home every night (well day, off at 4 am) and $26.50 an hour driving a tanker and it's a clean, easy job! These jobs are out there, you just have to look.

[@MrDshav]

Let's form a North American truck driver's union and establish a minimum hourly pay for drivers, full benefits, reasonable hours, paid vacation. This is not an unreasonable request guys and gals. If we strike together we can raise the standards of our skilled trade significantly. A work shut down and company owners will be forced to listen.

[@SmartTrucking]

I'm in! Dave

[@markm0000]

This is going to happen there are too many people without jobs and they tried the mega corporation trucking and found the pay is useless. Once they quit trucking and go back home they find there's no more jobs in the small town America to pay the bills. A all-encompassing Union for drivers is the only answer to this madness. There must be a market adjusted minimum salary that covers all down time and vacation. I would say the right number is somewhere around $20 a hour every single hour you are away from home. No matter what is happening to the truck, you are paid to be away from your family.

[@reginaldmorton2162]

You're the first trucker that's actually speaking to the way I was thinking.... Most will work the shxt out of you, then rid themselves of you... They all are Puppy Mills

[@MrStropparo]

You explained it better than I could. Nobody believes me that a company driver loses money. Living eating showering on the road. Resetting in Nevada for free when you live in Pennsylvania. Crazy. I quit trucking. Thank God too. 13 years experience. Fuel tanker. Couldn't make enough to send money home to my wife half the time. See ya later.

[@jimbo6612]

This young man is an honest gentleman who uses facts and logical arguments to make a point. I'm not even a trucker and I applaud him for his honesty and value system. Corporate greed is everywhere, not just trucking - makes you want to just quit it all and live like a hermit

[@managerankh]

The trucking industry will never ever ever ever change as long as you have drivers letting their ego get in the way. They give the illusion that they're making all this money just to justify having a job living in a truck. Most truck drivers are so depressed with the pay the job and everything that comes with it that they sit behind that wheel eating themselves to death. Before getting into trucking I think people should just spend a day at a truck stop and just observe what these truck drivers are looking like. Do they look happy? How many are arguing on the phone with dispatchers? How many are standing in lines with a attitude trying to get fuel. How many are complaining. The truth is in plain sight if you just take the time to see it.

[@SmartTrucking]

You're absolutely right and what a great idea to spend a day at a truckstop if you're thinking about this as a career. The reality of this lifestyle is depressing! I believe proper wages would go a long way to correcting that. Dave

[@aaronbrutus2654]

MAnAger Ankh Very good point. . .

[@jackiesmith2608]

I'm very happy, fit, healthy, and make lots of money. Don't know WTF you're talking about hater

[@GUITARTIME2024]

well said, friend

[@jdrancho1864]

Jackie Smith good on you. I don't know what you do for a living, but what are you doing here on a trucking forum?

[@danielkennedy1524]

A most eloquent professional!. From this guy, it is at least to hear the sad truth! thank you sir!

[@arussianasset3948]

No respect for drivers, until they run out of groceries.

[@stevenphillips6147]

I get pissed when I hear people in videos saying how great the pay is and everything is so sweet.The truth is the pay sucks and most companys think that drivers are a dime a dozen and don't respect them or their familys.Today companies think drivers are disposable.

[@jamesnevitt9293]

Man i agree if u go to work for a company as a new driver on the bottom they'll run the shit out of you while their veteran drivers sit and wait for a load

[@edpetrovski6640]

Precisely my point in other posts. They have figured out that newbies get paid less--sometimes a lot less--than experienced drivers. If I was an experienced driver sitting on my ass waiting for a load and saw the new guys getting load after load I think I would just hand in the keys and work for Walmart.

[@alvindueck8227]

steven phillips not just drivers. metal workers, wood workers, foundry men, concreters ect. It's all OVER the board.

[@nicolelegree]

trueman mann plans

[@BullGooseAnon]

It's the exact same for welders... unless you're union. Shame to see it's the same in trucking too, which is what I was wanting to tranistion to. dangit!!1

[@WilliamEdom]

This is reason why I'm very happy with being lucky enough to have landed an hourly paid otr job.

[@JoeMicheau]

There isn't enough of those hourly driving jobs, if you wan't one work for a specialty carrier.

[@theamericanwolf4731]

i started a new job and harrisburg pa. I have heard about people from other countries coming here and getting grants to purchase a truck but never seen proof. Well that changed and now i have seen proof not once but twice. And im gonna try and explain one to ya. One middle easterner was proud to show me his grant 40,000 dollars good for fifty percent of his puchase. so if he gets a truck for 60,000 gov pays 30,000 if truck is 50,000 gov pays 25,000 basically gov pays half the cost of the truck up to 80,000. hope you got that cause now im gonna explain how he even got more out of it. He went to a truck lot and found a 60,000 dollar truck had the guy lie and say truck was 80,000 so he could get the whole 40,000 and and say he put 20,000 down on it. Then he actually put down 10,000 . hope you followed that. So he is actually financing ten grand. His truck payment is less than my car payment. now he is running around undercutting all the other drivers cause he can afford to. The funny thing is the dumbass was bragging to me cause he thinks he is a buisness genius. The other one i dont know all the details. all i know is a mother from south of the border( which country i dont know) was able to get money from the gov to purchase a tractor. Now the tractor was for her son to work and drive but it has to stay in her name. Her son just got his lic and he gets to start his driving career in a truck free and clear as a o/o and just keeps the truck in his mothers name. And truck was not junk not new but def not junk very nice red double bunk condo that ofcourse he could afford to chrome out. Me personally im really sick of this shit. How does the gov handle the driver shortage? Not by improving the salaries and job standards to help us all and atract other u.s. citizens into the industry. They go outside the country and bring in people from other countries and give them incentives that they cant refuse and set them up for total success. basically a offer they cant refuse. What do they give us? SH*T and your gonna eat it and your gonna like it!!! When the hell are we gonna wake up and put a end to this shit. ME PERSONALLY I HAVE HAD ENOUGH we def need to get together and end this crap and demand better. we need to bite the bullett and shut these trucks down until somthing changes. they cant fire us all and if they do there will be plenty of job openings.

[@jmh4ggg]

That story is even more sickening than the wages these major carriers (and if you don't know anyone and are just starting out, you almost are forced to start out with a major carrier) are paying...this is my dream job, i work my ass off each and every day to get to where you just stated those guys STARTED OFF with...

[@jamessheehan1045]

AMEN Brother. Stay Safe.

[@jamessheehan1045]

That Amen was meant for you Patrick.....

[@rondye9398]

Yes, they have done this in the excavation business also. These foreigners continually low bid the jobs cause there equipment cost is nothing and they've got brand new shit!

[@edpetrovski6640]

Congratulations......you and every other trucker just paid for Mohammed to buy his truck in the taxes you pay and the low pay you get. Don't think the trucking companies aren't looking at this and drooling. Say a company gets 10 Mohammeds to get this grant. They will sell him the truck and finance (probably through a subsidiary 'finance" company) the balance of the truck cost. or do some leaseback stunt and deduct the payments from Mohammeds pay. Mohammed will work as an owner/operator for a lot less than a citizen does. The company makes out like a bandit......they charge Mohammed interest on the loan....they know they're going to get paid on the loan because they deduct from Mohammed's pay or they repo the truck.....they pay him a lot less......and they know they've got him for at least the term of the loan. So Mohammed just got his dream gig.....he didn't pay a nickel up front for the truck.....he's got an income that he could never make at home....and in 5 years or so he owns the truck and can continue to undercut the other poor slobs who had to do it the hard way. Not only does this smell.....we all provide the tax money that feeds the engine of our own destruction. Nice, huh?

[@3069mark]

I did it the smart way. I got my experience with a non-union, el cheapo, scab outfit that paid it's drivers in peanuts and then I got on with Roadway Express, a unionized LTL carrier, and then made minimum $1200 for a 45 hour workweek, home every other day for a day off, and great union benefits, and $22.65 per hour detention pay starting immediately, and layover & meal pay (about $300 per day) for weather delays, and I stayed in nice company paid motels for every rest break and layover.

[@noname-rj7so]

3069mark .can i get a job as driver there

[@ethancrisci3002]

Ayyeeeee wanna shoot me their website or phone number?

[@FirebirdCamaro1220]

You need all endorsements (Tanker, Hazmat, Double-Triple) to work for a good LTL carrier like SAIA or YRC (Yellow Roadway)

[@normanderson5298]

JATT Gillz :-)

[@thelaughingman79]

i have a great deal of love for roadway express. my dad retired from there he got the best health insurance. i mean he had to be out for 6 months after a slip on ice "at work" free legal services for life. once a factory tried to get him for taking down some fence the company and the union stood by him 100% 84k gross he loved his job. he's gone now saddly but whenever i see a roadway trailer going down the road it makes me happy. Its to bad jobs like that are almost non extent now

[@seanoleary1979]

Holy crap! I've NEVER heard anyone tell it like it is like you do brother! That's the main reason I sold my truck and got out of trucking for good! When I added up all the hours I worked vs th pay I got, I realized quick that I would be FAR better off flipping hamburgers at McDonald's and be able to sleep in my own bed, have regular days off and have benefits!!!

[@Wowimhungry9]

seanoleary1979 plus you get all an unlimited amount of fries and cheeseburgers

[@seanoleary1979]

Woohoo! Death by cholesterol!

[@leonardburns1780]

the problem is that there are to many new foreners being brought in to the country by the bigger companies and paid very minmal wages and allowed to run with three and four drivers in the same cab

[@stevefromPA2]

that's part of it..the main problem is the owners of these companies are billionaires and have lobbyists in place to ensure no gets the idea to pay every trucker a minimum wage...if ur not getting a load or on a break down and not getting paid u should be home ...if not ur a slave...

[@wallacebrown2632]

I'm ready to park my trucks!!!! Just say when!!!

[@wteach3718]

Your exactly right and I went through the same thing in the Propane Business big rules and licenses but no money

[@tjluci216th]

and thats why i ONLY do local driveing and ONLY drive tractor trailer being paid by the hour with overtime pay and Nothing less than 20$ an hour

[@sabrinacordell6290]

Even in the local hauling business you have to be careful because it can mean leaving at 3: A.M and not getting home until dark. And sometimes if you were held up in a traffic jam and couldn't get in a delivery by the companies closing time, it was added to the next day's load and you had to go that much harder. So everyone go in with your eyes open and play it smart.

[@davidshellhaas1730]

Along with increased freight the fact of how companies treat drivers is the reason there is a shortage of drivers

[@Stevens_Images]

This video needs 5 million hits!

[@larcm3]

I'm a new driver. I feel very disappointed at trucking as a career. It pays crap, over worked, too much time away from my family. I'm seriously now reconsidering a new career change

[@SmartTrucking]

Try short haul or regional. Get on with a company with a decent schedule. They are out there.

[@Phil_Mycock_69]

Go back to school, I did almost 3 years OTR and was so depressed with the bullsh*t I finally pulled the trigger and signed up for school, now in my last semester and couldn't be happier, it was fun to start with but after a while I was like damn, all this time away, sat at dock doors for hours on end and big brother(ELOGS)always watching me isn't worth my life or the hassle, I made good money but money isn't everything, truckers need to earn guaranteed money these days, have an increasing scale for experience and safety record, let's say 0-5 years, no accidents, gets you guaranteed 1000 a week plus fuel and safety bonus

[@underthenorthernstar]

I’m not even in the trucking industry but I’m hooked on this channel. Very informative, thank you

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you sir! Dave

[@atomic3939]

Most of the big companies don't want experienced drivers that want to be paid fairly. They are looking for inexperienced guys that they can manipulate and pay them poverty wages....while convincing them that trucking isn't a job, "it's a lifestyle". ;)

[@edpetrovski6640]

Yep---exactly my point in another post. They've figured out that it's cheaper for them to grind new drivers out at 30 or 50 a week through their CDL schools (which the newbie pays for) than to hire or keep experienced drivers. They know the turnover rate--which I think is MUCH higher than any other business--and have built in the costs of that turnover. It wouldn't make sense for any company to pay such low wages and have a high turnover rate unless it contributed a big number to the bottom line. The convenience store business is exactly the same. Minimum wage jobs.......crappy working conditions........high turnover. But they're still there so they must have figrured out that it pays.

[@sirtigalotwolfe2962]

I drove for Werner Enterprises, and seen first hand the "noob's" get all the miles at a entry lvl pay,, and you get swaped off long runs for BS 400 mile run's! p.s. we where husband/wife Team. I now call Werner,, "the Big Blue Screw" cuz that's what they did...

[@boogaloodood]

Go work in an office cube if you want to work a 40 hour week. Commute back and forth every day, fight the crowds on weekends when you want to go to Costco, etc. My last job was a soul-crushing, endless paperwork shuffle, and I was responsible for a team that wanted to be anywhere else but there. I had an hour commute each way in heavy traffic, had a unpaid lunch break that I almost always had to work through, so I was gone 10.5 hours daily, and paid for 8. I didn't choose the commute, I had bought a home 15 minutes from work, but my company moved me to another location, still considered within the local commuting area. But that was at a time when a lot of businesses were flat going under, so I was thankful for the job. I knew a lot of folks who lost their jobs during the last recession and still haven't recovered. Truckers get paid by the mile, ag workers get paid by the bushel. Almost nobody gets paid for every hour they're putting in. Just a part of life. If you could make as much money working for a company, there wouldn't be any independents. We choose our jobs for many reasons, some financial, some personal. The only folks getting wealthy are business owners and corporate execs. And its going to get worse before it gets better.

[@506jeff]

working through an unpaid lunch break? pfft, i'd never do that. you had a choice and you chose to work through it. i always get paid for every hour i'm putting in. 2 unpaid 15 min breaks a day and you can bet your ass i'm getting them and they're at least 15 minutes.

[@natehicks8323]

Office cube, or truck cabin cube... which is better?

[@ironwill3035]

totally agree ,hammer on the nail why the industry can't keep drivers

[@fulamborghinimiura4264]

Thank you very much for knowledge..I have been trying to find out these facts for awhile now and you answered all off questions in this one video.

[@joshuanorris9785]

thanks for this video!

[@Salitrillo360]

The issue is that drivers take this BS.. so it's not the standard. I brought some issues up during our last company meeting, some of the old timers answer with "that's just trucking".

[@SmartTrucking]

*Company Truck Drivers Are Underpaid* Wow. Have we had an education this past week. While researching trucking company pay packages for company drivers, we confirmed what we already knew, and then some. Out of 12 carriers we spoke to so far, only 1 pays waiting time... not great pay, but something. Watch this video and you'll know why there's a shortage of drivers in this industry. The carriers for the most part just don't seem to care who fills the seat... as long as he's got a pulse. #truckingindustry #trucker #trucking

[@willemoranje]

+Smart-Trucking.com hello there,if you would research salary packages in my country Holland and the rest of Europe and what the rules are with driving and resting for drivers and compare that information with US salary packages and rules. I think you would be surprised. Here in Holland and the rest of western Europe they pay driver every 4 weeks and pay overtime and by law and inagreement with the unions they pay drivers pension fees every 4 weeks and in agreement with laws a driver always gets a basic salary wich is around 1.500 euros if you drive in your country alone if you go over the border your basic salary would be around 2.500 euros every 4 weeks and this is without your overtime hours so all in all a driver who drives nationaly would make 2.600 euros every 4 weeks and a driver who drives internationaly 3.500 euros and these amounts are after taxes and with overtime hours.

[@willemoranje]

bob bobo the way truck drivers are paid in the US is out of date and a thing of the past in the rest of the world,in my country it is not allowed anymore for atleast 40 years or so

[@jhs459]

+bob bobo did you not just hear bernie sanders say he wants to shut down truck drivers and start using the rail system? wake up!

[@doomtomb3]

+bob bobo its the same thing every time. Europe's got better worker rights in virtually every industry and always will. American government only does enough to keep the companies happy. Companies first, thats why they all want to do business here

[@lopezhac]

This big companies don't care about their drivers that's why their is a driver shortage. If the pay was better a lot of people would stay driving

[@josephlieberman5324]

Thank you for your concise presentation of your research. Helpful and appreciated.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you sir! Dave

[@tedhargrove2163]

Thank you explained the best way for 20+ yrs.from the insurance company to the brokers to the companies they don't respect dedication and loyalty

[@ericlopez2549]

Mega carriers should pay all waiting time not just after 2 hours that is a joke I can believe drivers actually do that.... Works for free..

[@johnnywayne3443]

It has become a sick numbers game.

[@sirtigalotwolfe2962]

Not just Trucking, welcome to the world.

[@LukeLGK]

Great video! I've been thinking about going into trucking, but the more I learn about it, I have my doubts!

[@44Stephieb]

Good clear info thanks for the video!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Have a good xmas. Dave

[@romeoortegaiii2299]

It's all cutthroat everywhere in all industry. Three words: Maximize the Profits Truckin ' is the worst. Only reason I'm still trucking is it's a get home everyday gig. No way in hell will I go back on the road OTR.

[@trbuffington]

That's why some of us with CDL's don't drive.

[@MrDaylow]

Great vid and well said !!!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks Albert! Dave

[@thewonderyearstoys1047]

Thank you for the insight to this industry, very informative.

[@sandymcnab6782]

My father with an exemplary driving record quit trucking 7 years ago and for the last 6 years he was a company driver with a large "respected" carrier. He worked real hard (I went with him on few rides) and when all the hours got computed versus the time given towards work it amounted to barely above minimum wage. As a matter of fact the wages in trucking had steadily decreased in comparison to the cost of living, way much more pronouncedly than in other industries. There is no driver shortage at all. The is a large surplus of drivers who put up with garbage and hope from carrier to carrier. The trucking executives are crying for drivers who can work for free so they can charge even less to their customers and fatten their own pockets at the same time.

[@SmartTrucking]

You got it Sandy! Dave

[@brettkramer]

Appreciate the straight talk backed up with 40 years of experience..Certainly though, there must be a few companies put there who are doing the right thing..

[@SmartTrucking]

Brett Kramer yes ,there are good companies out there. The trick is to find them. dave

[@brettkramer]

Thanks and if the trucking business is like other businesses, if you have a really good thing going, you don't talk about it..

[@adiaz1182]

Brett Kramer exellent point!

[@sarahann530]

+Brett Kramer Why should they treat drivers better than they have to , do you still believe in Santa . This is capitalism at its finest where the strong shit on the weak . Its all around you ,open your eyes and quit hoping

[@TOWER7272]

Thank you for making and posting this video. I'm 44 years old and thought about changing careers so I have really been thinking about getting my CDL and becoming a truck driver. I've been checking into the industry and do my homework. It all really sounded good "on paper", but after watching this video I have reconsidered. I know and understand there is a lot more to it but you made such good points to me that I feel it is no longer worth the time, effort, and money. Thank you again you saved me a lot of time and trouble.

[@reginaldmorton2162]

FYI ....everytime you make a video, KZbin puts a counter video advertising great paying driving jobs attempting to debunk your sto ries,... KZbin are for supporting the big companies. Thanks and keep up the great work.. we truckers need it!!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks Reginald, drive safe! Dave

[@rollingunderthemoonlightga1370]

100% the honest truth and that's why experience truck driver don't want to drive OTR over the road coast to coast I mean there is a true reason why OTR companies are ALWAYS hiring drivers. You told the truth and I wanted to say thank you Sir.

[@SmartTrucking]

Vincent Gallegos Yes, it's a shame this industry is in such a mess.... but there's some clear cut reasons it's such a mess. (Dave)

[@rezakermani140]

i have a trucking company in Iran and I pay my driver's fixed monthly salary load or no load it's very hard to fined a good driver now this days SIR if anyone with you.'re experience knocks on my door be sure that he or she is more than welcome to work for my CO American government knows better that more than half USA economy is running by truck drivers and the law makers in youre government should do something about this problem in Americans trucking industry . WITH RESPECT HAPPY TRUCKING

[@gt4real377]

I love this channel by the way I hope this guy finds a way to make his own company . It's more of a thinking game now .

[@SmartTrucking]

Had my own company, sold it a number of years ago. Dave

[@user-hk5ji5ws9d]

I know this video is old. But 25 years of driving out here as OTR driving. I realized these companies would rather have non experience driver( fresh out of truck driving school, or two years less) then experience road driver. There no money out here anymore to be made. The ELD( electronic log data) keep you from making any money, and I don't think it help out in safety either. I think drivers are more stressed out, more in a rush, more careless, and more reckless because of it. These trucks stops are over price these days, no where for use to park anymore, fuel too high, no real benefits anymore. I have too much down time out here( waiting for load/ waiting to get loaded/ waiting to get unloaded/ traffic is worser/ more road work than ever/ more uncaring fellow truck drivers ). The DOT physical has got silly in some ways, and maybe unrealistic in it demands. When are you not going to get a truck drivers, that a couples of pounds over weight. Or will they have a perfect blood pressure with all the bullsh*t, that go with this kind of job. All these trucking companies lie( big or small ) to get you to come work for them. Break theirs promise, don't care about you, and tried to cheat you out of money, and personal time. You wonder why there a shortage of truck drivers on the road these days. This is also a dangerous job( especially in what type of trailers you pull for a living. A lot of times this can be a lonely job, that keep us from ours family/ friends/ and home for many days, or weeks.

[@losoj30]

I'm with a major carrier. We have detention pay and layover pay. I have 9 years experience and I make 56 cents a mile. We are out of spokane Washington.

[@SmartTrucking]

loso j Good company, who do you work for? Hang on to that job. dave

[@prevost8686]

It’s not going to change. The recruiter at the last company I worked for would look at the best drivers they had and tell them that if they didn’t like something they could leave. They had a line of warm bodies waiting to hold a steering wheel. That was his favorite response to everything.

[@SmartTrucking]

And as a result thousands leave every month. See how smart he looks in a few more years! Dave

[@MrMariobig]

This video is A jewel that will probably improve your life if your thinking about getting into the trucking industry, a lot of other video are putting bs out here

[@SmartTrucking]

MrMariobig I appreciate it . thanks dave

[@fabsbrito3586]

Wise man I wish old school drivers were like you sir. Greetings from portugal

[@SmartTrucking]

Greetings to you sir! One of my buddies vacationed there last year, said it was beautiful there!

[@fabsbrito3586]

Yes it is indeed ! a place that anybody should visit at least one time in their lives..

[@lakesnake2005]

You need to also be asking about their idle policy or lack thereof. And don't start with the Espar heater comments. I am talking about trying to sleep in Houston or Sarasota, not up north. You will not get proper rest in the South without a method of staying cool and leaving a window down will get you killed. And so after 30+ years of Class 8 driving.......I gave it up for a $16 an hour job just up the street, sleep in a BED with a shower close by and have as much Social Life as I can stand. WITHOUT a Dispatcher wanting to know why I want to go Home. Good luck and God bless my fellow Children of the Wind.

[@LukeLGK]

When the insurance companies finally come to their senses and realize they have 21 year old kids driving quarter million dollars trucks with $100,000.00+ worth of cargo....

[@3089280288]

the companies know how to deal with that

[@kyzersniper]

Thank you for your information..

[@melshiawells8974]

Thanks for the info.

[@SmartTrucking]

My pleasure! Dave

[@Gorbi1985]

After watching this, I am glad I drive in Europe :)

[@Ectoplasm987]

Wow better of working at walmart then trucking. thank's for the advise, i'm shock'ed

[@seyue1]

This Guy speak the Truth..Driving Truck just isn’t a middle income Job anymore. If I had done my Research like he did I wouldn’t have started trucking two years ago.

[@marcissobadass]

Wow, thanks very much for the honesty, Sir. I almost made a bad decision.

[@onaboatwithbryan9012]

I have been driving for 20 years, and I have been watching this industry get worse,from companies ripping you off, to the influx of new drivers that have no clue and will work for nothing. There will be one less experienced driver out there because i have had enough.

[@SmartTrucking]

+Bryan C Two less, count me in too. Dave

[@jimnickles2347]

I Burned a Perfect CDL and Medical card seven years ago KNOWING there were ZERO Jobs in my area. Haven't Worked a day since. I don't live a damned BIT Worse than I did Trucking. Plus, I don't want to KILL Everyone I encounter with my bare hands,lol. I don't TRY to run people over anymore, either, when they pull out in front of me. Still got High Blood Pressure, though. I do miss my LargeCar Pete's, Pilot Coffee, and Petro's Chicken Fried Steak. ALL the Rest of the Industry they can stick in their asses.

[@canadiantimberwolf1]

I hear a lot of truckers that are promised the world, and then reality sets in after the novelty wares off. My guestimation in the pay area is that, Companies have not paid miles or hourly in a pay bracket based on early 1990's rates. Up a bit, I would hazard a guess no later than 1993 at best. I was just talking to RBM Carriers and they pay by the Hub Miles. Mostly mid west USA and your carrying over sized loads at about .52 max and .42 least. Trucks are Peterbilt and Kenworth. Yep ,things have to change soon. Drivers are getting very peeved when they are sleeping in a hostels or barely making rent and bills and the owner drives home every night in his Lexus or BMW M4 Series.. And he shows off.. My worst peeve..

[@goodnamesareallgone1]

Intelligent thoughts. Thank you.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you! Dave

[@black007die]

I like your videos man it's inspire me to go get my CDL but then again living on the road is a next thing I really don't want to do

[@SmartTrucking]

You could always run local. That's what I'm doing these days and I'm quite enjoying it! Dave

[@juanjaramillo1854]

Well...I'm 20 days away from starting my CDL training and have to admit that after watching this video my enthusiasm went down the pipe. I'm not criticizing the video, on the contrary, I appreciate that someone who knows what's the real deal is sharing the naked truth about the facts, but it was a low blow for me. I have a couple of friends who lost their jobs in the last 5 years and got their CDLs and now work local for FedEx and tell me how happy they are there, and they were the ones who actually got me into considering this option as I'm gonna run the same fate in my job soon, but Idk now....I'm afraid my bubble burst. But thanks for the video anyway...I'll be using it to make my final decision.

[@rondye9398]

Most FED Ex drivers are contractors that bid on routes. Low bid gets the route then they hire a driver with no benefits and crap wages. UPS on the other hand does pay real wages as do the restaurant supply outfits.

[@joelblea4992]

Juan, did you end up getting CDL training? Interested in how it went/is going. Thanks.

[@juanjaramillo1854]

Joel Blea - Unfortunately not yet. Since my training is gonna be paid thru the unemployment I had the appointment with the counselor already and he said everything looks good but things are kind of behind here in NJ and I was told to wait about 3 weeks, and the 3rd week is actually this week, so I'm expecting news any time now, Joel. Take care and happy new year 👍

[@juanjaramillo1854]

Ron Dye - Hmm, thanks for the info, Ron.

[@joelblea4992]

Juan Jaramillo thanks and good luck.

[@steveducell2158]

lol makes you wonder what the "compensation" package was for the recruiter sounds like recruiters are really salesman............and all a salesman cares about is HIS commission and that comes down to the numbers game.............

[@SmartTrucking]

You've got it exactly! Dave

[@georgiep6971]

Couldn't agree with you more sir. Thank you for sharing. Really hope carriers view this and take something away from it. Only a matter of time before they're all pretty much forced to increase pay and incentives, time to get real!

[@1watcopranks]

Thank you for your opinion, I've been tossing the idea of buy my own truck. I just wasn't sure if it was worth the risk. Now I know it is definitely worth it.

[@MrStropparo]

By the way. Truckers that earn hourly which is a dream , don't get overtime. Loophole in the laws excludes trucking from overtime requirements. Truckers screwed again.

[@thundermountainbuildings4880]

MrStropparo I've worked nothing but hourly driving jobs... I got overtime at everyone.. otr is crap... took me 2 weeks to figure that out.

[@rondye9398]

Well, some get OT but most fit into one of the loop holes. Like containers or any freight that originates over seas. Many others too!

[@Grooverski]

MrStropparo Not true from my perspective. $35 per hr. + benefits + plenty OT if you want it.

[@1detarrednu]

Which trucking companies pay overtime hours?

[@zzzz-ok7733]

MrStropparo FED-EX, ODW, OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES, ALL PAY OVERTIME, MEALS, HOTEL IF NEEDED, IF YOU BREAKDOWN AFTER EIGHT HOURS ITS ALL OVERTIME!

[@josephrosario7908]

Detention time pay is the reason I just quit TMC

[@benhawke7231]

That's why I started a local driving job. 21/hr 48hrs/week and the home time is amazing.

[@SmartTrucking]

That's the way to go these days! Dave

[@jaboajump5271]

bravo - and how - good statement

[@csababalogh777]

There is no truck driver shortage. Actually there are too many truck drivers, and that is causing the low pay for the job. The whole thing created by the companies to decrease transportation costs. And yet they still mentioning truck driver shortage everywhere. No comment.

[@Miller-wd7rq]

How is there not shortage when almost every trucking company is looking for drivers

[@andycortez2626]

There running everything on rails,

[@noconsentgiven]

There's no shortage, if it was as bad as they say they wouldn't be getting away with .90 freight.

[@biggyk87]

I sure hope a lot of important people in this industry watch these videos. I want to get into trucking myself, but am also on the fence.

[@SmartTrucking]

Do all of your research first. Don't be in a rush to get into this job. There's a lot of sacrifices that many folks don't realize, until they've sunk a lot of time and money into training.

[@biggyk87]

***** My old man has been a driver for about 15 years now. I use him as an example while trying to decide. But yes you are right, im not going to rush anything. I would prefer after the winter to take action.

[@lifeson241]

***** A big racket! They get your 5 grand and they know you will quit 50 people at 5 grand..Do the math..:()

[@lifeson241]

***** True

[@vinnyvdalidemonet8527]

Thank you for your voice.

[@gt4real377]

I run DEDICATED and end up back home Friday come back Monday I made the company bend by creating the pattern in my favor . Running from El Paso TX to Michigan and back . So I wont end up resetting on the road and getting 2 days off . Side note : the companies say you get just 34hrs but you can take longer to come back you just have to calculate the pay period .

[@SmartTrucking]

Good job there driver! Dave

[@TopMentor45]

Agree! 100%

[@trepoole378]

These companies want students!! They don't want students trained by people like you and me!! Experience is a downfall, because we know their tricks and want pay for our experiences!!

[@jdaniel3068]

Im not a trucker and will never be, but find your videos so interesting. The trucking industry seems similar to airline pilots these days.

[@SmartTrucking]

I'm pretty sure the pilots are making a lot better money. Dave

[@jdaniel3068]

Smart-Trucking.com Really? Maybe Ive not seen enough of your videos. Entry level regional pilots are starting around 20-25k, which is quite scary.

[@arthouston7361]

Learned to drive on a farm at age 11. I worked as a mechanic with my Class A. The above video is the reason I am not a driver for any of these companies.

[@matamarcusmata]

it's only getting worse i get a couple calls every day with job offers and I tell the same thing getting paid per mile now a days is a scam. I work for hourly rates only

[@SmartTrucking]

Only way to go anymore in my opinion. Dave

[@AntoineFinch]

I drove trucks in the 80's and they some companies payed only 25 cents here almost 30 years later they are still paying 25 cents for new drivers at some companies, The Govt need to step in and set some pay regulations even thou I hate Govt involvement its the only to get these companies to pay a living wage

[@azxff1]

Deregulation is what shaped this industry into what it is today. To many singing the praises of conservatism while setting up a system where wages barely grow. The government wants to protect the public, they are leaving the protection of drivers up to themselves and doing so on purpose... A sort of "you made your bed now lie in it" kind of thing.... Trucking went right when they should have stayed in the center now the unions are about gone and the oligarchs are importing more sheep to do the work.

[@AntoineFinch]

Amen

[@azxff1]

Antoine Finch I drove OTR back in the 80's right up until 91 when the CDL came out and put an end to the fun. I got started after the oilfield in OK crashed and they started laying people off. Those were the days Antine and you know they were. No schools, no CDL, it was wild times. On the day I decided I was going to drive a truck I just called one of my truck driving reletives and got a phone lesson which wasn't hard because I had been driving rig up trucks in the oil patch. I went to Springfield and applied to a company.. Lied like a bold dog about experience, I had a chauffers (sp) and my cousin had told me what to do. Back then they would hire about anybody but you had to take a road test and a physical, remember the cough test? LOL! So if you passed both you were hired. So this guy takes me outside to an old 79 cabover Freightliner with a 45ft flatbed (remember those?) Says get in and take me out on 44 down to the next exit, turn around, and come back... It had an old school 10 speed and I had been in the rig trucks so I cranked it up, took it out the fence down to the stop sign and just pushed the clutch in and used the brake... Went down onto the big road and took off. Went to the next exit and coasted in, went over the top and headed back.. All upshifts..ha ha.. Guy just rattled away and just before we got back he say's.. You ain't never drove a tractor trailer in your life have you? I said, nope! He said, well you done good but you don't know how to downshift and you got to know that headed west. So he showed me how to downshift and told me he couldn't hire me cuz he knew I was bs'ing. So I went to Joplin and applied at Tri State..TSMT.. You know, one of the biggest government carriers out there now, tightly regulated now. I did the same thing and they got me in an old International 9670 cabover (remember that) I took that guy down the road and passed the test...LOL! I got hired by one of the hardest carriers to get on with now. No background check, no drug test, just can you drive this... Yeah, the point is that things have changed.. A LOT! I put 8 years out there, had a bunch of fun, had 6 DL's at one point..Had a sidebox full of log books, never ran out of time..LOL, never had it checked unless I was stopped for speeding and I drove for O/O's and drove fast trucks, you know the kind. This industry has changed and a lot for the better safety wise but a lot of it is just petty, just bs piled on the driver and drivers are so short that the kind of guy they get now usually wouldn't have been a hand back in our day. I have a government job now, CDL with hazmat and $20 an hour with benefits you wouldn't believe and 17 paid holidays a year... And I am home every night and all weekends unless it snows...LOL! I do miss it, but I think what I miss is no longer there... Remember, we were all pretty tight back then, we lived a lifestyle and we all looked out for each other... CB's were the big tech, not smart phones. We had atlas's not tom tom's. You never ate alone unless you wanted to. You are right .25 a mile was good pay or you could get 23% of the NET... I made good money because shit was a lot cheaper then. I was making $800 to $1000 a week then running like an outlaw but that made me pretty well off in 1985... It was a lot more fun wasn't it Antoine...

[@AntoineFinch]

Amen Brother Bobby,now sitting here with an Alabama CDL Permit hazmat,tankers and doubles just needing a truck to road test, pretrip,in cab and brake test? Guess i'll go to Swift have to take the school but at least i'll have my CDL

[@marianasreality]

***** I think the free market will decide what the job is worth. That is why there is a driver shortage right now. They will have to raise the pay until drivers are willing to do the job.

[@19charandeep]

very helpful ... thank you

[@zvestar]

You're great and a 100% truth teller

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you sir!

[@nalgasaplaudiendo3119]

Better off as a Class B driver or Yard Driver

[@marianasreality]

How about giving truck drivers tax exempt status?

[@SmartTrucking]

marianasreality I like that idea! Dave

[@davidmeissner5010]

Here's a idea...I will drive your Pete and you can stay home and relax? Ah... just kidding. Another big problem that I feel has driven drivers out of the industry is the repressive hours of service rules that force drivers to drive tired and sit while wide awake. They need repealing. Great video. Thanks.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you David! Dave

[@charlieg8553]

wow.... thanks for the insight.