is 29,000 a year job worth leaving to drive trucks?

I have a spotless DAC, along with a spotless driving record. I have had 3 different jobs within the past 4 years.

I work for who offers me the most...not who pays the most. IF they change the rules of the game. I leave, it's as simple as that.

That's NOT job hopping in my opinion. I consider it a breach of contract on the company's part. I hire on with ONE set of rules and MY rules are not subject to change.

The company I drive for is listed in company DAC reports within this forum. I posted my opinion. Quiet honestly I think.

I'm home every weekend.

I average 2500 miles a week...or about 5-700 more than I want, if the company would allow me to take 3 days a week off.

My annual pay has dropped 40% plus over the past 4 years. Some by choice, some by the current economy.

I made $33k in 2009 and only worked 10 months (less weekends). I've had checks as large as $1200 a week, or as small as $250 a week.

I made $63k in 2005, and stayed out as much as 3 months at a stretch.

I have more money in the bank NOW...than I did 5 years ago.

I bought a new car in '05 and struggled with payments. I bought a new car in Nov '09...and I'm not concerned with payments.

Anymore questions??? Because we're back to the net to debt theory in this train of thought.

 

The 21,000 was gross, in more ways than one

However, I was really blessed in getting that dedicated account or I would imagine I would still be out there OTR. From what I get in talking with company drivers (would definately NOT recommend going Owner Op in this economy now) that are still OTR they are still averaging from 1700 to 2300 miles a week or so on a good week. Have also heard the horror stories of 1000 miles a week but most of those that I have talked to in those situations are bragging about how many loads they turn down on a weekly basis. Well, guess what.... ya turn loads down and you gonna sit a good while. Planners don't like that and you go to the bottom of the list again.

The dedicated I got on has a total of 18 drivers and about ten are used as slipseat in daycabs. Most have been on the account for longer than 3 years, and once someone gets on the account they don't leave it willingly. The situation with me getting on it was nothing short of perfect timing honestly. I don't say all this to discourage you from Swift or trucking in general, just letting you know the chances of getting on a dedicated like this one are indeed low. The old adage of "right place at the right time" applies drastically. Swift does have a number of dedicated accounts based out of Decatur that usually gets you home for atleast a restart on the weekends. But they do currently have rather long waiting lists for spots.

In today's economic climate you have a tough choice ahead of you. Sorry, but I do wish you the best of luck in making the right choice for you and your family.

 

if oyu can find one, look for a local company inyour area, perhaps a container hualer or similar. Way back when I started ('97) with this company, my first full year I made about $22,000. It took me a few years to get to earning some decent money, but 4 of the last 5 yrs I've grossed at least $53,000 to $55,000, I work regional/local gone maybe 5 nights a month.

 

I am going with Swift to get some OTR experience then I plan to find a good local or regional job making good money. I don't really understand why I am getting all the bad feed back from people who are still truckers. Im not trying to be an ##### but if trucking and the money is so bad then why are you still driving? The job I am in is slowly losing business and has been for the past few years with no end in sight that why I am getting into trucking. I want to have a job at the end of the day and not wait until this ship sinks and then I am forced to look for work.

 

The reason your getting negative feedback is because trucking has also been losing business, though not exactly slowly. Jobs are disappearing yet there are many new drivers. Many of them are having a hard time finding work and many that do find work may as well be considered part time with the miles they are getting. Times are tough everywhere and I personally wouldn't recommend anyone leave a steady income unless you are guaranteed a job and are guaranteed decent miles. If you take a look at the Swift forum here I don't think you're really guaranteed either.

 

Money isn't bad for those that have been in it a while and got started years ago . But you're leaving the job you are at because it's slowly losing business ?
Trucking is losing business FAST ! Like over 100,000 jobs lost in the last year and all carriers reducing their fleets because they moved 11% less freight in 2009 than they did in 2008 .
You guys don't understand . There are no new jobs . Carriers are putting 2 or 3 newbies in the same truck in a year . One comes in and quits , then another fills the seat until he gets fired or quits , then another temp comes in . When a newbie is told at orientation he'll get a truck when available it means they know before long several more will bite the dust . And another ones gone , and another one's gone ....
But as more jobs are eliminated nd more wannabes graduate CDL mills a higher percentage never even get hired .

 

100% true and spot-on the money!!
Trucking for most is a dead-end job...I can't imagine why anyone would enter this profession unless they're desperate or disillusioned.
A few will get lucky and hit the trucking lotto, but the vast majority will be working long hours for meager pay and never seeing home.

 

You want a job at the end of the day yet you are going to quite a job you have so that MAYBE you can get a cdl and have a job driving. Yes I said maybe. 1st off you have to pass the trucking school. There are lots of reasons my 100's of people flunk out every month. Including from Swift. Then you have to complete your on road training. Yet again another way to fail. Then you have to keep on the straight and narrow. Make to many mistakes and you will find your self un-employed and un-employable.

The government is coming out with new rules called the CSA2010. These rules will mean that even the smallest mistake can cost you your job. So go ahead, roll the dice. maybe you can be the 1-5 people who will make it in this industry for more then 5 yrs. The gamble is yours to make. Keep the job and pay check you now have or risk it all for a chance to be a truck driver.

You want to know why I'm still here. Well when I started ( with Swift by the way] companies where hiring any one who breathed. They where not as picky as they are today. The rules where looser and making a mistake was not only no big deal. it was expected. As long as you didn't kill any one you could move on. I busted my butt for 18 yrs to get the experience, Skill and record that companies are looking for today. Today I am a prize bull. A 1st rate driver. Clean DAC with re-hire and 100% service rating from every company I've worked for. Clean DMV record, and the experience of driving in 49 states and most of Canada. Companies are begging me to come to work for them.


But to get this way I had to give up allot. Been single 17-18 years. Lived out of the truck most of the time. Never bothered with having a home. Why bother paying rent on some place I was only going to see for 3-5 day ever 4-6 weeks. Stayed in motels when I was on off time or with Family. Was a nomad and had no ties. This way I could devote my self to my carer. Now I'm in a position where I can work 15 days and then take 3 off. I have a wife and a home. I will never give up the road cause I've worked way to hard and given up way to much to get where I am.

So if you want to take the Gamble then go for it. But just remember. For every driver like me who loves what he dose. There are 10 that wish they had never set foot in a truck.

 

Are you blind or just thick in the skull ? You're NOT going to get a majority pat on the back for your decision.

Yellow Freight has lost 2 BILLION dollars in the past 3 years, even with HUGE employee pay concessions. And they were (still are in some circles) considered a GREAT company.

Experts say it's not a matter of IF, but WHEN Yellow will close the doors. Putting 30,000 experienced people on the street looking for a job. How do you think your resume will stack up beside theirs ???

Over 1000 trucking companies closed the doors for good last year alone. Can you name even ONE other industry that closed that many businesses?

Over 75,000 drivers, lost their jobs last year. Over 1100 the week of Christmas. Admittedly, that is less than the construction industry lost. But still.

You have a guarantee of $29k a year, so long as the job last. You currently HAVE a job. UNEMPLOYMENT benefits will last for 99 weeks !!!

Trucking analyst predict we will lose over 175,000 drivers this year to CSA scoring. Guess what they will be looking hardest at, log books....the number one weak spot of over 80% of first year drivers.

Trucking WILL still be here next year.

There are ZERO guarantees in trucking. Not even a weekly check.

In the past it was pretty much a guaranteed source of income. That is not true today.

In the past, I held multiple drivers license to protect my job. Now, it's pretty much 3 strikes and your flipping hamburgers.

The simple act of "bumping" another piece of equipment, damage or no. Can cost you your entire future.

You abilities and work ethic will determine your worth and length of employment in this industry.

You've already made your mind up....why bother with any questions at all.

And just like a Doctor or Nurse....

Once you hold a CDL...experience or not. The likelyhood of you ever drawing an unemployment check is almost ZERO.

NOT because you have a job, but because it's extremely difficult to get on unemployment as a CDL holder.

 

I agree. I started driving bc the 3 jobs I was working I lost all of them within in a week. I was going to lose my apt and I would have no where to live. Driving was something I had to do. I had a roof over my head and the pay was horrible. There were times I had negative paycheck. I wouldnt eatfor days but I still continued on. For the year i made a little under $18,000 and i now qualify for welfare. Ive never made that low even when I was 16 and I was hardly ever home. I dont get along with my family I have no kids and I have no boyfriend so i never had a reason to have home time. I would stay out 3 or 4 months at a time and maybe take hometime somewhere for 3 or 4 days. ive also had todeal with alot of stuff most people wouldnt be able to make it through. I know that I might not get to the point where other drivers are that make $55,000 or get to be local and make alot but kindof know what im getting myself into and ill take the chance. Hopefully I wont end up SOL or on the short end of the stick.