Got 6 months exp. Time for a better job yet?

After 6 months, you are just wiping the water from your forehead. Another 6 months, things would be different to say the least. My comment is at least one full change of season cycles. (in other words, one year). That's dealing both with freight and weather seasons.

When you can start picking when those are going to impact you, start looking at other things deeper. You change jobs now, you might just pick another carrier that is no better.

 

try the dry bulk or grain haulers.

I prefer smaller, under 250 trucks, companies.

 

Try to get with a good flatbed or tanker company. Check some websites:

Foodliner (3 divisions & terminals all over the midwest)
Schneider tanker division
Melton Truck Lines
Bulkmatic

Check Careerbuilder website for companies that may not be nationally known.
Once you get into tanker/hazmat you can easily make over $60K per year. Most tanker drivers make more than that. Food grade tanker work plan on around $55K per year and around $50K or better with a good flatbed company.

Think back; you don't see too many tankers or flatbeds sitting in truckstops waiting for loads, they keep the wheels turning.

 

I would recommend that you stick it out where you are for at least a year. Leaving after only 6 months does make it appear that you could be a job hopper. Once you get 1-2 years experience, you will have many more options. Pay may sound low, but you need more experience in order to make yourself more marketable. Some carriers will not consider a driver who has more than 3 jobs in the last 2 years. Spend the next few months looking around and thinking about what you want to do in this business. If you find something that you are interested in doing, then try to talk with others who are doing it.

 

Schneider tank does NOT pay newbies with no or limited experience any better than what he is making now, guaranteed. In fact, it may be less. Do NOT go to Schneider tank unless you have no other way to train tanker. There are van and flatbed companies paying newbies much more than Schneider pays newbie tank drivers.

 

Six months exp is still a new driver.To get in with the better companies,they require 1 to 2 yrs exp.

 

Your first year, you are still trying to figure out how to handle the truck in the different conditions. Roads, terrain weather, traffic etc.

Then to add mixes like loads, trailers etc into it, you may/may not be able to handle it.

 

Heard tankers pays good.How many tankers do you see sitting at trk stops waiting for loads.I never see any.Have you thought about hauling hazmat tanker.I plan on doing that.