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ATA now supports longer and/or heavier trucks

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I did team with the wife. As the trainer I collected 1K plus after taxes for 2 months regardless of the mileage the truck did. During the remaining 10 months our team ran 210,000 miles rescuring late loads off single drivers too tired to arrive on time and save the accounts by preventing service failures. Our income tax return combined was 60,000 plus AFTER the deductions which included the flat rates for drivers on business away from home. We did this by storing 3 weeks worth of food, water and disposibles for 2 people at once in the upper bunk and two freezers. That added about 1100 pounds to our tare weight but gave us total freedom from the truck stop except for fuel. We had a Marine grade 110 volt inverter which gave us the ability to microwave or use a proper coffee pot (Just make sure you are not on broken concrete for 30 miles) A pota potty gave us "RV" status with a chemical toilet so we only needed to clean up in the showers as required. Everything else was done on the move 24/7 If I remember correctly we would leave LA Sunday, arrive Jersey Wed, leave the same day and be back on the west coast by saturday. That was brutal and it took it's toll on both of us. The money just piled up in the bank because we only needed like a few dollars as required for tolls and lumpers etc. (We were never home to spend it and life with friends and family did suffer) Now we live on far less and almost debt free. Healthy too. That I think is a good result of leaving the road after a number of years. I have run into Union Drivers who have explained to me that if I could stand the duty I can double that gross and be home every weekend. However the companys "Slash and Burn" and replace the weak. I was already "Maxed out" in Reefer Team and did not want to ride around in a 30 year old mack for 30 dollars an hour or whatever it was. 9-11 killed the cargo for me. So that is my story. Im occasionally running the Class 8 vehicles several times a quarter for very short trips on private property as a temp driver for the memories. I would not trade anything to go back. However that one Pete 379 I processed last week seriously showed quality care and tempted me to buy it outright and get into the business again. One can dream. No, I already stated many reasons why trucking needs to change at the driver level. It can cost up to 7,000 dollars or more to recruit a driver and place him or her into a rig under a load. Many companies pay this cost without complaint. But try to get a 3,000 dollar set of tires for a bobtail already 9 months into the fiscal year with winter coming on and they will laugh you out of the shop stating that the rubber still meets federal minimums. In the mean time 50 giggling students line up for a orientation tour of the yard eyeing the tractors that are being detailed and prepared for them. Consider this: One account in St. Louis called Anhauser Busch (Beer) had 116 loads availible to go out one friday night after 9-11 (Before the holidays) There were approx 340 drivers with the company I was with at the time layed-over in the St Louis area making NO money wishing and hoping for a load out of the same facility Monday. In the mean time you had food, showers, laundry etc... That is usually a large expense and added to the stress of "Awake and waiting by the phone (Or satellite) for the call" That time is never taken into account and if you are tired come monday morning with 1000 miles to go.. too bad. I have had alot of fun with this thread and learned a few things. Goes to show a old dog like me can learn some new tricks. See you all on the flip side. Keep it safe.
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