Knight Transportation.............Can't Do it.....

Non sense, I was on track to making over $50k @ my first driving job. Which was at a small ma and pa running reefers out to Cali and back. Stay away from the mega grinders if you want to make money. Downside is you will run very hard, be paid on 1099, and most likely drive old equipment. So pick your poison I guess.

I'm sorry but I won't sell myself out for cheapo wages. There is no reason why I should. I have experience, clean driving record and no accidents. I do a days work and expect a days pay. $16 an hour straight won't cut it. I was making $19 an hour with overtime after 50 hours five years ago. If all drivers did like me these outfits would have no choice but pay fair wages if their whole fleet would sit.

I don't want to get hazmat too much BS involved. Nor do I want to haul it. Let alone for $16 an hour.

 

Look guys. On this whole salary thing... im not defending anyone or any company. Bottom line is THIS. 30K -35K as a company driver per year.

. This wage is a surviving wage and to some a living wage depending on where you live.

Does it "justify" the type of work we do out here?






NO.



Is it the companies fault? No.


Is it the governments fault? We the people will never know.

 

Of course it's the companies fault. Why can some pay $21 an hour with OT while others pay $15 straight time?

 

30k? I made more than that my first year...at Schneider...in 2002. Really wish you guys would strive for better and put these junk haulers either out of business OR make them pay better. 30k is fine...for a bank teller working 30 hours a week. Good grief people!

 

You want the big bucks, like $21, then try local work. Possibly Union work, since they have the employer by the B####. Other then that you must work up the ladder to make the money.

Today they want to walk in., as a newbee, into the big bucks just starting.

 

I've been out here 4 years doing otr. Never made more than 35k in one year. 3 different companies. Same exact pay.

 

Look fiddle. My advise to you. Let's get trucking! You sound like a smart guy. My guess is, you'll be one of those successful o/o I see hauling ash down the highway. Talk to these guys all the time. They're a very special breed.

I know about Schneider too. My friend out of east los angeles drove for them. Had a few complaints but not many. He pulled containers in the intermodal division. Never had empties. But he also regrets leaving them.

Trucking companies have become, how do I put it...I guess Leveled is the word. Like if they all got together and said "this is going to be the new trucking standard" then everyone got involved. DOT, investors, insurance companies, state and local law enforcement. Everyone got on board with this. Now, the driver will only make so much.

I've had different types of Trucking jobs.

Local at $15 per hour 40-50 hours a week. All live, driver unload. Almost got killed by a falling pallet of merchandise while using the lift gate on the truck. Very heavy heavy work. Every single day. Ask the beverage distribution guys.

Otr. Lease purchase. Ran hard! Trained students at crst. Made $151k gross. Deductions and expenses came out to $132k. My take home for the entire year was $19k. Will never do it again. As an o/o you'll never see home. Not in every case though.

Even did armored transport for 3 years before I got my cdl. Made $10 per hour. 40 hours a week.

So my point is that trucking will never be like how it was before in the 70s and 80s back when my grandfather and father trucked. Cost of living keeps going up and the truckers salary keeps on staying behind.

I stay regional OTR.


I stay content.

$35k.

Btw. Smaggs? Really? The guy drove for one year. He complained about the mechanic going into his truck with dirty shoes and got dirt in his truck . I mean...c'mon. He has been complaining since day one. He always had trouble getting reimbursements. Never asked, never knew that without a purchase order number from your fleet manager, payroll will not reimburse you on anything.

Apply at your favorite Trucking company, learn the ropes, get your weekly paychecks and enjoy the ride. Simple.

As smart as you are, you'll do fine. Trucking is cool because everyday is different and your always learning something new.

Right now, im learning some insider stuff in operations to use to my advantage. Very interesting stuff.

Good luck. God bless.