Milk tanker vs OTR

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Makasouleater, Dec 21, 2014.

  1. Makasouleater

    Makasouleater Bobtail Member

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    I think I may have changed my mind on OTR being better than picking up milk, and delivering it. After watching numerous videos, and reading lots of things about OTR truckers getting killed. What does working for a small business that treats you well, pays around 50k a year with all the full time benefits you can get, including 4 weeks paid vacation, compare to OTR?
    From a thing from western express as a rookie you make .35 cents a mile, so it looks like you start with around 175 dollars a day. Vrs farm pick up at 150 a day, or around 190 if you pick the milk up and deliver. That 150 190 here is what a rookie or a experienced driver makes. Is there a lot more to be made OTR
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    There's OTR drivers making $100K+ pulling chemical tankers. The average is $60K+ though.
    $150.00 a day isn't that much after deductions. There's a few flatbed and reefer drivers making a thousand a week or more.
    A new CDL grad posted yesterday, his first paycheck was $1700.00 before deductions and take home was $1300.00. That's pulling reefers OTR.

    Read post #18

    Just enrolled. Sheridan Adult Vo Tech. So. Fla.
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2014
  4. Makasouleater

    Makasouleater Bobtail Member

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  5. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Hi Makasouleater, 1st, welcome aboard. 2nd, coming from someone that's done it all, BY ALL MEANS, stay with your farm pickup! Farmers are great people, and I'm sure you have developed a friendship with many of them, as sometimes, the milk truck driver is the only person they see on a regular basis. I'll bet you get cookies, lunch, they are great people. I have had several farm friends, worked for a farm , and while the job was disgusting (I was the mechanic) the guy was a great guy, and we're still friends to this day.
    OTR, not so much. OTR is a lonely job, and with exceptions, of course, it generally attracts people that are out of options, and it's the "only game in town".You'll miss holiday's, birthday's, funeral's, Bar Mitzvah's, you name it. OTR works for some, but there's a huge turnover when people find out what it's really like. It's not just the money, as you can make good money doing OTR, but at what cost. If you're married, you can probably kiss that good-bye as well, OTR driver's have some of the highest divorce rates in the country, not to mention the health aspect. Crummy food, lack of exercise, and so on. Please, stay with the farm pickup.:thumbup:
     
  6. Makasouleater

    Makasouleater Bobtail Member

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    [QUOTE="semi" retired;4376734]Hi Makasouleater, 1st, welcome aboard. 2nd, coming from someone that's done it all, BY ALL MEANS, stay with your farm pickup! Farmers are great people, and I'm sure you have developed a friendship with many of them, as sometimes, the milk truck driver is the only person they see on a regular basis. I'll bet you get cookies, lunch, they are great people. I have had several farm friends, worked for a farm , and while the job was disgusting (I was the mechanic) the guy was a great guy, and we're still friends to this day.
    OTR, not so much. OTR is a lonely job, and with exceptions, of course, it generally attracts people that are out of options, and it's the "only game in town".You'll miss holiday's, birthday's, funeral's, Bar Mitzvah's, you name it. OTR works for some, but there's a huge turnover when people find out what it's really like. It's not just the money, as you can make good money doing OTR, but at what cost. If you're married, you can probably kiss that good-bye as well, OTR driver's have some of the highest divorce rates in the country, not to mention the health aspect. Crummy food, lack of exercise, and so on. Please, stay with the farm pickup.:thumbup:[/QUOTE]

    Nope I am not married. Thank you very much for the reply. Yeah that is about the jest of it that i was getting from every one. I will have to think hard about if the potential to make more is worth it.
     
    "semi" retired Thanks this.
  7. Makasouleater

    Makasouleater Bobtail Member

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    "semi" retired Thanks this.
  8. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Great, I'm glad to hear that. ( besides, an added perk, you'll meet a lot of cute farmer's daughter's on your route):biggrin_25525: That video was awesome. I know, I did it backwards, commented , THEN watched the video. But I already knew exactly what that brave man was going to say, and I give him a lot of credit for doing so. He was SPOT ON. thanks for that.
     
  9. plow boy

    plow boy Bobtail Member

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    I never regret hauling milk. You always got a job somedays when you dont want one. Never seen anyone starve to death on farm pickup. The farmers always leave you something on the tank for Christmas this time of year. Called a boy I hauled with twenty years ago at nine thirty at night to jump start my car at church. He said I will be right there. The friendships you develop you cant put a price tag on. Milk Haulers are special people
     
  10. Goldenfan

    Goldenfan Heavy Load Member

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    How many days a week are you going to be working hauling milk? How many hours a day? Paid OT over 40 hours? What type of terrain? (all hills and gravel roads?) You will be home every night though where as OTR you won't and you probably won't make as much either. If you're getting $15 an hour local you'll be paid from the time you start until you end regardless of breakdowns, unloading etc.

    The reefer post China referred to was running teams so keep that in mind. If you're used to having hobbies and doing things now you can kiss that good bye unless you're able to get home on weekends or get into a place with decent flexible home time. If you ever plan on having a relationship being gone for weeks at a time it probably won't help that prospect. The amount of time off most trucking companies offer is an outright joke. I like to do other things in life. I also have a wife that works which you'll find some, but not all truckers can't find that or take them with them out of fear they'll dump them. Those ones may spew the big money they make but if it's a 2 adult household and the wife won't work cut the income accordingly.

    Good luck in you decision and what state are you located in?
     
    "semi" retired Thanks this.
  11. Milkman719

    Milkman719 Medium Load Member

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    Keep running milk! without the tankers bringing the raw milk in from the farms I wouldn't have a job delivery it to stores.
     
    "semi" retired Thanks this.
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