In general, I feel that truck drivers are underpaid for what they do. At Swift, they are grossly underpaid. The OTR truck driving lifestyle is very hard. I feel that the work is worth $50000/year, if not more. I worked for Swift from Feb04-July04, and I made about the same money I could have made delivering pizza. Very poor compensation considering all of your road expenses, being away from your loved ones, the stress of driving through cities you have never been to before. Barely manageable schedules, endless little frustrations. Predatory dispatching. Low long haul wages for local work. Being viewed as suspect by law enforcement authorities, targeted by criminals, and poisoned daily by diesel fumes.
At night, I say a silent prayer for the well being of all the truck drivers out there. I really appreciate what they do, it's too bad that Swift doesn't.
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