SOMEONE said it couldn't be done...

Agree with you completely Tazz... if he gets beyond the first year, he'll be alright. However, the OP needs to understand where in the freight cycle he's basing all of his assumptions. Late spring is not the "average." That's not negativity - its reality. We're about 2/3 of the way up to the income crest in late summer - think of it as a sine wave. Using this as a basis for comparison, I'd suggest the OP may be over-estimating his total income in the neighborhood of 5 to 10%. It's something he should be prepared for.

- Windsmith... your 2nd quarter tax payment is due on the 17th. 15% alone for self-employment plus income. Something around 8% of your gross for the 2nd quarter will most likely cover it.

 

where in MA were you?

 

Don't ever quit following SHEEP. You will never get ahead by following the crowd. I applaud you for taking the road less traveled. I did that for a short time in the trucking industry. If you are own your own and can find a small company (I.E. you talk to the owner on a daily or at least weekly basis) you can do way better than the guys out there telling you to pay your dues, haul for some huge company where you are just a number until you get your experience and then you might find something that pays a little better. NEVER let someone tell you it can't be done. Yes it is a lot more work than just showing up and punching the clock (or the log book) like so many others do, but if you keep your head about you, listen for GOOD advice, and keep your goals in mind, you can do anything you want to.
This industry has crushed so many people. All the big companies and their huge promises (LIES) have pushed so many into a small box where they think everyone has it as crappy as they do. Then when they see someone start to pull out of the $&!# they grab hold of them and try to pull them into their little trap. Don't let little minds slow you down. If anything I say you are aiming too low. Yes you can do what you set your mind too. The only thing you have to limit you is the limits you put on yourself. It may not always happen as soon as you want but if you plan for success and have a game plan to make it happen you can get there. You may have to adjust your plan for unseen obstacles and it may take longer than you would like but the world is short or people willing to do whatever it takes. Go harder, prove a the critics wrong.
I applaud you!

 

Agree with 4seasons I never worked for one of those big crappy companies with 60mph governers and little pay and never plan on it you're doing it the way I did got my cdl through a little local company pulling tankers then started pulling demo and trash in a walking floor trailer was making 800-1000 per week back in 1994 so it can be done

 

Windsmith, don't pay any attention to all these pizz ants that try and bring you down to their sorry level. You are 43 years old, not some snot nosed 21 year old, you do have some earned life lessons behind you and are willing to learn more as you go. If you are enjoying what you are doing, and it does not work out as you planned, so what, you tried.
But, as most forums, when you come on and make rash statements, you are inviting all the negative attackers to jump on you like a buzzard on road kill. I like you gumption, stay positive and keep a good attitude.

 

lol! edit it to a "maybe" and i might agree w/ ya, but when you add in benefits such as health insurance,dental, eye, holiday pay, vacation time, 401k+ match, bonus's,unemployment benefits, disability insurance...

he can do better at jbhunt going 62 mph, honestly.