Realistic starting income stated by community college?

[tdc]

I've been reading many posts on this terrific site for a good while now and I have learned a great deal. I'm an educated and "mature" guy who's very seriously considering a new career as a truck driver. I've ruled out the mill schools and other scams as I felt fortunate to have a local community college nearby that has a training program.

I just noticed an ad which they just placed in the local rag that claims "95% Job Placement" (fine with me!) and "Graduates earn $42K first year." While they do state 42K as an AVERAGE in their actual documentation (the wording/statement in the ad was probably because of space constraints) I find this number awfully high. My impression was that first year drivers make anywhere from 25 K to 37 K...

This makes me a little uneasy. I have two questions for anyone who cares to share their thoughts and experience.

1) Have you seen other community colleges advertising such high numbers?

2) If you were in my shoes, would you see this as a red flag or just as an overly enthusiastic 1st year income statement by a program seeking to attract people?

[MedicineMan]

I'd assume that is not average but an "up to" figure. You can always call and ask to see the documentation supporting the claim. If they have it then great. You can make that money if you don't mind working and don't want to come home every week. I was running with a guy this week who has been out 7 months!! that's crazy if you ask me but he basicly said why do I want to sit at home alone? Good question I guess.

[IdahoGhost]

I'd agree with MedicineMan, probably an "up to" figure. I found that solo driving OTR 48 states open dispatch would yield around 24-26K/yr given all the "issues" that occur, like long waits on the dock, or deadheading, weather, etc.

Depends a lot on the carrier, the miles and the pay scale... YMMV...

[tdc]

Thanks for the replies folks. Here are two actual quotes from that institution.

One from 2006:

"What level of income can I expect to earn at entry level?
As an entry level Class A driver, starting pay would be approximately $35,000. This may be a conservative figure depending on the company and the type of driving involved. Data collected from previous CVT students reflects a starting income of $39,000."

And the latest one from 2007 (FWIW this one confirms what I'd been told in person regarding the 42K being an average and not an "up to" figure):

"As an entry level Class A driver, starting pay would be approximately $42,000. This may be a conservative figure depending on the company and the type of driving involved."

I hope the concerns expressed in my original post make more sense now.

[stinkyfinger]

The rate of pay vastly varies depending on the out fit, as stated above. Example...There's a company where I live at, they pay you 8 yes I said 8 bucks an hr shaggin trailers. Then you have other companies that will pay you 23 bucks an hour delivering freight or packages. Just be forewarned, that if you go over the road,long distance or regional, your gonna spen a good amount of your pay "out there" workin, allthewhile hoping your company reimburses you in a fair and timely manner for things such as tolls,scale receipts, etc

[MedicineMan]

They are not saying average. They are saying approxamatly/ WHich means they are saying nothing at all as it is not a solid number. Plus they go on to say from figures gathered from past graduates... Now you may not be a trucker yet my friend but let me tell you a little something about truckers stories!!!.... We like to talk and if you listen to the cb the next driver ALWAYS makes more than the last.

WHat's the difference between a truckers story and a Fairy tale? The fairy tale starts with "once upon a time" and the truckers story starts"you won't believe this....but" That's about the only difference

[25(2)+2]

Originally Posted by MedicineMan

............................,


WHat's the difference between a truckers story and a Fairy tale? The fairy tale starts with "once upon a time" and the truckers story starts"you won't believe this....but" That's about the only difference

Right on, and you should take many of the claims in this business as probably being stretched and augmented, you can make very good money compared to working for minimum wage, but you can sit at a receiver or shipper for long periods of time as well, and make very little or nothing.

[MedicineMan]

another factor is the truck. you can have the big truck OR the money but very very rarely will companies have both.

When I started I was making under $.24cpm, had the big ol shiney 379 pete chiken mobile. Haulling produce where It would take 6 to 18 hours to laod the trailer in some hellish lettuce field in AZ. and then I'd have to unload it myself or pay $80 to have it lumped. Even running almost 5000 miles a week it doesn't really add up now does it. Especially when it was expected for me to keep all that aluminum polished or pay to have it done, DO you know what it costs to have three tanks, 6 wheels, two air tanks, grill, headlights, battery boxes, steps and deck plate polished?????? Not to mention the trailer wheels and reefer tank.

[lobshot]

Over the course of a year you would have to average nearly 12,000 miles per month if you were getting 30 cents per mile. That is physically possible but not likely, therefore the ad is misleading.

[Cerberus]

Originally Posted by stinkyfinger

The rate of pay vastly varies depending on the out fit, as stated above. Example...There's a company where I live at, they pay you 8 yes I said 8 bucks an hr shaggin trailers. Then you have other companies that will pay you 23 bucks an hour delivering freight or packages. Just be forewarned, that if you go over the road,long distance or regional, your gonna spen a good amount of your pay "out there" workin, allthewhile hoping your company reimburses you in a fair and timely manner for things such as tolls,scale receipts, etc

curious here.........whats up with the name ? it's gotta be a good story with a name like that.