Ceva Logistics, the trucking company that employed me the last 3.5 years

[Tobin S.]

That's not exactly the same truck I drove for them, but it's close to what many of our drivers drive. I did have a day cab, but I hauled a specialized trailer that had a lift gate on the back that I used to unload it. My truck and trailer also had Honda logos all over them. I worked out of a Honda parts distribution warehouse in Troy, Ohio. I'd pick up my load at midnight and make seven deliveries a night at Honda dealerships. I'd then return to Troy, park the truck, and go home. Including inspections, fueling, and paperwork it was about a ten hour day when everything went right. Breakdowns, bad weather, construction, accidents closing part of the road, delays in loading, and heavier than usual freight could all make the night longer.

Ceva is a very large multi-national corporation. Probably the biggest trucking company that nobody has ever heard of. The operation out of Troy is a very small part of the company. Including day shift drivers, I think they have about 30 drivers there. It was a good place to work. I averaged 50k a year, was home every day, and had decent benefits. If I needed to be home all the time I wouldn't be going anywhere. A few of the drivers there didn't disguise the idea very well that they thought I was crazy and stupid for buying a truck and going out on my own. But the job was killing my spirit. As someone said in another thread, some of us are meant to wander the earth. Somebody cue up Freebird. :)

Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np0solnL1XY

There are a few drivers there who are proud to be company men and they'll tell you that. That ain't me.

[Capn Sunshine]

1. be proud, Knight of the Road

and know that we thank you for your fortitude so we can get our stuff where we are.

Peace and smooth roads amigo.

[MiddleFingerMom]

2. "Independent Trucker" by Brooks & Dunn

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Sounds like a good song to stay awake by.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMB6yiAHX_w
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[david13]

3. I know the feeling. I also know about CEVA in that they are all

around here. Perhaps I see them coming into Toyota, or it could be Honda, both of what have north America headquarters here.
But I've also seen them on the road out toward Fontana.
Anyway, win or lose, you are doing it the way you want to. And I think that is the way to go.
dc