I was recently laid off from my job and am now looking at other types of employment (like the other 10% of the people in my state that are currently laid off), including trucking. I do not know anything about it, other that what I have read in this forum or heard from a few of my friends that are truckers. Like anything new, there is a lot of info to retain and digest, plus not being familiar with it I do not know fact from personal opinion. My questions may have already been asked by other members so forgive me if I ask again. My questions are as follows:

1) What is the average pay for a beginning trucker (annual salary)?
2) What is the best way to get into it? Is it best to go to a training school that you pay for or sign on to a company like Prime or one of the others that offers training and a job? I live relatively close to NETTTS but I would have to pay out of pocket.
3) Do you get paid for training with a company like Prime or England?
4) Do you get to take the truck home? If so do you pay for fuel to get there? How does this work? I don't think I live nearby any of the large trucking companies and would likely have to drive into NJ, NY, PA or CT...which would take a while to get to.
5) It doesn't seem that you get to go home very often.....how does this work?
6) Any general advice?

Sorry for all the questions...but I find it is best to ask the experts than to find out the hard way. Thanks in advance.

Maybe $35k your first year. Some do make more. But this is a down economy. Expect less.

Pay it yourself, it at all possible. 18% interest, and reduced pay scale isn't what it's cracked up to be.
Not enough.....
It will depend entirely on where you live. And the company you drive for.
One day off, for every 7 worked, at most places. And most ask that you wait at least 2 weeks to put in a request. Then they may take as long as 7-14 days to get you home.

Go into this industry without owing anyone for your training. Paid training would be MY personal deal breaker, knowing what I know.

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I was also laid off I have been collecting unemployment and found out that they will pay for my cdl training. You should check into that before you sign with any company.. Good Luck

thanks for your replies.....i will look into whether or not the state will assist me with the cdl...and if so i will look into NETTTS. Thaks again.

There are so many programs out there that will pay for your training. Check with the state employment agency. They have programs and can tell you who else does too. With all these grants and programs out there , there is no reason for any driver to pay for the CDL now or even go to paid training at some trucking mill.

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I just checked and there is a WIA program that I think will cover the cost of CDL training...now I just need to wade through the red tape that goes along with it......hope I don't need to sign over my soul. But assuming my layoff is not temporary and the state doesn't run out of money in the unemployment account (which is actually a possibility according to media) then I will be getting a paycheck and have the time to actually do it. I guess then the only issue will be getting a job with absolutely no experience.

surprising alot of companies are still hiring people with no exp but won't touch exp drivers til march. to me that tells me they know something that is going to happen in feb. but aren't sharing the info right now.

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do you think there will be a boom in work or the opposite?...I am personally still waiting for the big crash myself. How does this industry look right now?....I know it is difficult to gauge as other industries that are generally booming are hurting bad now so everything is relative...but there is little work out there in other fields....I see quite a few jobs posted for the trucking industry. Again I know nothing about it so they could all suck but at least there is something being posted. Is it even worth looking into? Any thoughts??

I got fired now nobody will look at me whats the big deal there is always two side to the story. I not lied about anything tell all those that ask me what happen did you quit or fired I have told the truth and why then they say I cant help you. Ok what can I do. Word of advice would be helpfu; thanks

They can't help you just because you were fired? Or is it the why? How's your MVR and DAC?

You can't lie about the firing anyway, it'll be on the DAC either way.