Originally Posted by jd112488

hey belpre, was the 'bigballs' reference to the great ac/dc/ song by the same name...i hope so, you just may be a little cooler than i thought. the thing with me is i say what is on my mind, we can argue or wrestle, and when things are settled then it is over...unless it comes up again and again and again. i bet if some of you guys would run with me and talk on the radio or stop and get some coffee, you might like me. we may not agree on everything. but we can still have some fun.

Originally Posted by jd112488

hey belpre, i actuall live about 25 minutes from lancaster and till next friday haul out of the paper mill that is on 33 right as you go out of lancaster, there is a bar right across the street that sells all beer at good prices...mich ultra for 1.50. i also got family down in wv, right near belpre. parkersbugh, actually vienna. and the rest is from up in st. marys. i drink beer with anybody, give me a shout...i figure that friday evening when i am done with this job i will be a might bit thirsty.

Originally Posted by belpre122

Prison is actually a common training ground for OTR drivers. Strange that you would make such a correlation, Butch. Yes, imprisonment is probably a fair comparison to 'cool beans' OTR trucking.

Simple Butch! Local driving is not only where you are apt to find the better carriers, but the good paying, steady jobs.

Pray tell that you can avoid OTR sentencing guidelines. If you find an OTR carrier that you stay with for a year..........or two, let us know. You will be known as the Mark Spitz/Michael Phelps of the OTR industry.

Let's hope that it all works out that way, Butch. If you end up OTR, you'll find out soon enough about the whole 'play by the rules,' 'drive safe,' ruses that cut-rate OTR carriers blabber on about only to satisfy insurance requirements and to pacify the DOT.

Anytime Butch! Always happy to help.

Gary

Originally Posted by GMAN

It can get a bit cramped if you are in a truck for extended periods of time. It helps to get out of the truck and walk around or go into a truck stop and sit in the drivers lounge for a while to break up the monotony.

I have heard some good things about Roehl, Millis and a few other carriers who hire new drivers. Swift and Schneider catch a lot of flack, but I think both are good companies. You don't become that big without doing more things right than wrong. I have met some Swift drivers who are doing very well. I think the biggest complaint are their slower trucks. I prefer going a little faster, but the idea is to make a good living. I met a guy with Swift who told me he made $57,000/year and he had only been with them for about 2 years. I believe he worked a dedicated account for them. Most people will not stay with a carrier long enough to see the larger paychecks. They are always chasing that penny raise. As to which company would be best for someone starting out? That would depend on where you lived and what you want. If I were starting out and needed a company to start my career I would probably look first at Millis and Roehl. There seems to be less negative posts that I can recall from these two carriers. I would check with several of them to see which one is the best fit. You need to find where they run and when they can get you home, if that is important to you. What works for me might not work for you. Take your time and talk with several carriers before making a decision. Keep in mind that you don't have to stay with any carrier permanently, but the longer you do stay will enable you to move to the better companies.