I read another post about making only about 375 a weak tops as a newbie? My wife and I are wanting to team drive and less than a $1000 take home for 5 days is unacceptable. These companies are making enough money to pay their drivers that I hope. Is this true that you only make 250 to 375 take home. Thats a crime. let hear some feedback before I waste my time. Iam making over 20.00 an hour in a factory right now but wanted to move to Montana or Idaho doing trucking but I am not going to work for ####. I wish a union would step in thump some heads for paying that.

During training the normal pay is around 50 to 100 per day. This will only last as long as you are assigned to a mentor or trainer. Once you upgrade to a first seat driver (meaning you get your own truck assigned to you) then you will start earning cpm (cents per mile) based upon a routing program such as PC Miler or Rand McNally. Bottom line is you will not be paid for every mile you drive, There is a normal variance between paid mileage and actual driven mileage anywhere from 5 to 10 %. Pay should be in the mid 20's to 30 cpm for a fresh upgrade. At 500 miles per day this will equate to about 125 to 150 per day. Average weekly miles will be 2000 to 2500 just starting out. The usual pay progression is a raise each year of a penny or 2.
If you were to get in with a union outfit then you would get to top pay scale in 2 years (after you are a full time employee that is which make take several months).

As for teaming the normal route is you will both need to have training and some experience under your belts before you team up. There are some companies that would let you personally train your spouse but they usually require you to have several months of experience first. Good luck!

a husband/wife team can get alot more than that to start.
i've been out here for about 9 MONTHS solo and make between 500-1100 a week before the KGB... uhhh i mean the IRS gets their share

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tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
"i've been working all week, and i'm tired and i dont wanna sleep and i wanna have fun... it's time for a good time!!!!" alan jackson

Thanks.. And I opalagize for my f words that I was warned about through PMs. What companies do you suggest would pay a reasonable rate? Thanks...

i wouldn't take less than 28 CPM for first seat. some are as low as 26, but most are at least 28 these days. USA starts you out at .28 and avg. is 2500 per week but i have gotten in my first 9 mo. closer to a 3000 avg.
the pay grade increase goes : 28 CPM 0-3 mo. , 29 CPM 3-6 mo. ,32 CPM 6-12 mo and 36 CPM after 1 year

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tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
"i've been working all week, and i'm tired and i dont wanna sleep and i wanna have fun... it's time for a good time!!!!" alan jackson

Interstate has a good rep and are team oriented as is US Xpress. England has a train your spouse program but does not have a very good rep over all. Crst is another major team player but they have a very poor rep.

I ave never made less than .37/mile, including miles per week bonus. I have heard of some places that start guys at .32 or less, though.

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I suppose I should think of something to put here, huh?

I started out with TMC a few years ago. Even my first year i made over 60k. Second year was even more. There is money to be made out there, even as a rookie... Just dont cheat your logs to do it.

Although I hate to recommend them, check into CFI.

During your training period, you will make decent money. Then when you get together, you will split .42 per mile.

Talk to a recruiter, as those things may have changed since I left.

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

I really appreciate everyones advice and recommendations. I would never consider driving without spending a few months here at this forum first. there is so much to learn. I did not realize that companies wanted such a high turnover rate for drivers and that it actually benefitted there companies. I though that they wanted pople to stay on to save them money. Well another lesson learned...