Paralysis by Analysis..

Good for you! That is the first step in the right direction.

Now, as to where you will make more money, local or OTR, it just depends on each gig. As a rule, you will make more OTR, but your expenses will also be higher. And as I said, that is only "as a rule." I made more in local work than I ever did over the road.

 

Define "spendable". Yes, you should be able to bring home $500 a week starting out...without issue. However not all companies pay the beginning driver the same, your milage may vary.

Unfortunately, that's the state of our industry. They don't pay beginning drivers what they pay experienced drivers. And you've known this your entire life.

On the other hand. Target miles "average" for the majority of large companies are at around 9500 miles per month. Very few companies will give a driver more than that now days.

9500x .40 = $950 gross per week...provided the month has 4 pay periods. Or roughly $700 a week after taxes. About $500 or less if you eat in a restuarant 3 times a day. Deduct another $200 a month for insurance....oh yes...driving a truck is a great way to get rich.....not.

First year drivers average even less.

 

TelcoBilly....it depends entirely on the company you sign up with. Talk to drivers and stay away from the obvious ripoffs. A company with 50-300 trucks is probably best in my book. Don't lease! Don't team! You can tell when someone's BSing you. Listen to a driver who has nothing to gain.

 

I'd sign up with a good flatbed company if I were you. You can get in and out faster and don't have to sit around waiting for appointment times as much. After the 4-6 weeks training ,you could start making $50,000 a year. I'd imagine they pay a little more in California than they do in the midwest because of the cost of living. Some people will tell you not to expect this ,but they don't know what they're talking about. You sound like a guy who's not afraid to work. A lot of the horror stories are from fragile ,gullible people. The only question mark I have about the amount of money you can make is whether or not we go into the great depression...then who knows? As far as companies...Medium and stable is better than big and flashy.

 

From what I've heard...Schneider's a good company and treats their drivers pretty good. They just don't pay as much...at least not when you start.

 

I'd (personally) look at Watkins and SHeperd our of Missoula, Mt. or May Trucking out of Salem, OR before Swift or Werner..

In general, MY tastes lean toward companies with fewer than 2000 trucks. I mentioned the two above because I know they take newbies right out of school. I know there are others - those are just what come to mind right now