Rookie pay

Exactly, OTR is only viable for a newb is 35-40k is the standard first year wages for someone who works their behind off.

50k+ should be standard for 3 or more years experience. Otherwise, it's better to stay home and work two jobs if necessary. At least you can sleep in your own bed and see your family regularly while you bust your ##### 60-70 hours per week.

I just don't understand anyone making the sacrifices of otr for a starting wage in the low to mid 20's.

For anyone considering entering the industry right now, remember knowledge is power, don't go in with unrealistic expectations.

 

I don't think has gotten into the "pay for idle fuel" mode yet. But I wouldn't put it past them, sometime in the future. They are complaining about idle times though. You might want to ask a current Swift employee to get the low down on that.

CDL schools barely cover teaching a prospective driver to shift gears, some don't, they use autos.

Yes, the first year is usually a very expensive learning experience for the new driver.

Things that ding the new driver.

Forgotten receipts -- very expensive if it's a lumper. Some run as high as $600

Pride -- Even more expensive, when you clip the hood off someones truck. Because you were too proud to get out and look, for a 5th time.

"Little" accidents -- There is no such thing in this economy.

Log Books -- The learning curve can get extremely expensive in some states. $1000 plus.

Uncontrolled spending -- We all have to eat. But there are a 100 things you can do to save money.

Companies that charge for "improper" tire maintenance. (aka SRT) $100 a pop, per tire.

Schools fall way short of teaching the new driver anything other than how to hold the wheel.

 

Rjones, its one thing for a driver to stand firm with 30yrs experience, but new drivers have to start somewhere on the pay scale, and no co. is gonna start a newb at the top. I agree that .30 is peanuts, but in this economy, for a driver starting out, it might not be. Depending on their fiscal discipline, and home life expenses.

 

How can you except pay of $30,000 in today's economy. Come on, how can you survive on that salary. I can't believe that anyone would think twice at a salary like that.

 

Schools can't really cover it because every company has their own policy . Besides , if a student is already in school a contract has been signed and they're comitted . That's why these forums are important . Wannabes get fair warning .

 

Some of us live in the more desirable areas. Where the cost of living is more reflective of the real world, not over inflated by stock market moguls and unions.

A modest home still sells for under $50k where I live. That includes a fireplace and a full acre of land, within the city limits.

A gallon of milk, is only $2.79.

My cigarettes, are still less than $4 a pack Even with the tax increase, and I don't smoke generics.

I've been doing great on my past salary. The cut I took this year, isn't even being felt in my household. But the increased hometime is

 

Worse yet, I EAT $100/wk from the GROCERY store. I've had a lot of second thoughts myself even though the VA will pay my school if I have a prehire (which I probably can't get now with a good co.) I won't be coming out until the economy rises significantly.
It just looks bad even if you kinow what you're doing.

 

Yes but the tanker side is a little better cuz yu get detention time etc and you were in the right place at the right time when your company was still hiring students. A year later things have completely changed. I am a newbie just out of CDL school and I would luv to get on with a tanker company but as you know it prob wont happen. So I have to settle
for the bottom dwellers like swift!!!! Love your posts wsyrob.