Comments By Robert J.

Serious question. I've been reading that most LTL drivers are unionized and make 70k-80k per year vs. 30k-40k per year for OTR drivers, and that LTL drivers get motel rooms rather having to sleep behind the cab of the truck. I've also read that turnover is very low for LTL, whereas it is astronomical for OTR.

Why does anyone drive OTR then? It seems like both jobs require the same things - a clean MVR, a CDL, and maybe some endorsements.

There has to be a reason why so many drive OTR instead. What are the big downsides of driving LTL?

From what I've read, it seems like you just talk to them on the phone and by messaging through Qualcomm? Is that correct?

I imagine that's kind of strange not ever seeing them in person, or do you? Is it kind of a Wizard of Oz thing where you don't really know who the man is behind the curtain?

It comes with the job, would always have impatient people like that when I would leave certain Wal-Mart stores in El Paso. They always have them near a damn off ramp so leaving the store especially the ones right along i10 could be a pain. This would often lead to honks and being flipped off, which is quite funny being that i just brought the groceries to the store they just shopped at.

G town made a good point of being aware of them as well as expecting them to do something stupid. Had a person drive around me on a single left turn in Houston. As long as you expect it you will be ok.

Another thing is a saying Errol taught me, drive your own road. Those damn people should have left before you did. Not your fault that busy intersection doesn't have better signage to help you cross. As long as you keep your cool, you already won.

I've lived in Houston all of my life. We have absolutely horrible drivers. Some of them act like they are driving in the Grand Theft Auto games.

The same thing happened to the right rear tire in my 4-wheeler, a long tear like someone took a knife to it.

When I took it to the tire shop, I was told that I'm very fortunate the tire didn't come apart and that it is very dangerous to drive on.

I can imagine the consequences would be 1000x worse for a tire to fail on a big truck.

I was sitting at an intersection this afternoon with my left turn signal on, and I had to wait for a couple of minutes for a break in traffic as it was right after work and there was a long line of cars going straight. Anyway, there was an idiot in an SUV behind me who kept laying down on his horn. I suppose he wanted me to get T-boned. There was no way I could cut out in front of the oncoming cars without getting hit. I also saw his hood bounce a few times, so I was afraid he would push me out into the intersection. Of course when I eventually was able to turn, he swerved around me and sped off.

What are some good techniques to not let impatient drivers like that get to you?

I have never worked for a large company in my life that had problems paying its employees.

In my experience, that is only an issue with small companies.

It’s a tarp from his flatbed and being that it’s snowing, wind and wet it’s going to weigh about two hundred pounds. Fun fun

200 pounds?! He must have the strength of He-Man. What a tough dude!

Thanks, Old School.

BTW, what are you lifting up in your picture?

Thanks, Errol. So I take it that being self-motivated, content with one's own company, and having a thick skin are really the keys to success. I can handle that.

As far as getting PO'ed at a dispatcher, I've dealt with a number of people in my professional life who have problems with their managers. 90%+ of the time, they are the problem because they aren't doing their job properly or they are slacking. I see it all the time. That is more of a "work" thing than a "trucking" thing. Some people just can't admit that they are lazy bums with bad attitudes.

Thanks, G-Town. What I wrote is what I live by every day when I'm driving my car, and it certainly will be in an 18-wheeler.

I hope I didn't come across as scolding the OP, as that was not my intention. It was more of a general message for everyone, and discussion about accidents made me bring it up.

I'll look through Gladhand's posting history in a bit. I'm always up for learning from others' struggles and challenges. It builds character and makes you a man if you face your problems head on and don't quit.