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Trying to sort through the BS

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by Chapstick, Oct 4, 2009.

  1. Oct 4, 2009 #1
    Chapstick

    Chapstick Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Oct 4, 2009
    0
    I've been thinking about starting a career in trucking.

    I don't care about home time. I like my current job, and wasn't considering leaving until Januaryish. I just hate the monotony of 8-5, same office, same computer, same day everyday, etc. :biggrin_25521:

    However, since I don't know any truck drivers, it's difficult to know the difference between reality, manipulation, and burnout.

    I like being alone, I love driving, I have a perfect record, I'm not a whiner, and I want to work as much as possible.

    My real questions are:

    Is it realistic to think I will have the opportunity to consistently earn at least $2000 a month after taxes and insurance out of CDL school?

    I was thinking of paying for school up front and then looking for tuition reimbursement from a company. Does this happen often?

    Am I only allowed to get hired out of my state of residence?

    Do many companies allow drivers to take their 'home time' in other states? (ex. Instead of spending a few days at home could I visit my Aunt in Denver?)

    I was interested in driving a flatbed. I like the labor aspect. Will I be able to get enough miles? What is the best type of work that keeps the wheels rolling consistently?

    And finally, what are the relatively decent companies that run all over the US? Or do most OTR companies travel all over?

    I was kinda thinking about a place that ran all over the US, Canada, Mexico, even Alaska...? My priority would mainly be to just drive everywhere all the time...

    Is this a lost cause?
    :biggrin_2556:
    Thank you for your advice, and for your service.:biggrin_25525:
     
    Chapstick, Oct 4, 2009
    Chapstick, Oct 4, 2009
    #1
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  3. Oct 4, 2009 #2
    blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

    5,817
    7,678
    Jul 12, 2009
    A.W.O.L
    0
    KEEP YOUR JOB! STAY HOME...Your options are going to be VERY limited and you will be back trying to get you old job back in six months.
     
    blackw900, Oct 4, 2009
    blackw900, Oct 4, 2009
    #2
    halfburn Thanks this.
  4. Oct 4, 2009 #3
    dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

    9,922
    3,713
    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
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    Not a problem if the company has the freight.
    Many companies offer this, it requires you signing a contract. And more often than not...working at reduced rate of pay.
    You'll most likely attend orientation in another state. You live where ever you live ;)

    This varies from company to company. This question is best asked BEFORE you attend orienttion.

    At this time, no one is rolling with consistancy. Milage will vary depending on the company, type of freight, and the amount of freight that needs to be moved on any given day.

    A reefer would be your best bet here.
     
    dancnoone, Oct 4, 2009
    dancnoone, Oct 4, 2009
    #3
    simplyred1962 Thanks this.
  5. Oct 4, 2009 #4
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,740
    12,462
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    Any U.S. carrier will only operate in the states and maybe Canada, but not Mexico. Just a few will run to Alaska. Don't fall into the trap that so many office workers do, thinking that being a trucker will liberate them from boredom and daily routine. You think office work is boring? Visualize sitting in your truck at a truckstop 1200 miles from home over a weekend in Possum Breath, Ks. in January with the wind howling, staring through the windshield, knowing your only relief from boredom is to go inside the restaurant and drink coffee and watch the snowflakes fly. And it's only Saturday morning and you might get a load on Monday. Or, driving across N.M. for the 89th time, now that's boring. I won't mention waiting for your load at a meat plant or produce shed for 18 hours.
     
    Allow Me., Oct 4, 2009
    Allow Me., Oct 4, 2009
    #4
    madbunny, simplyred1962, Lil'Devil and 3 others Thank this.
  7. Oct 4, 2009 #5
    GunRunner7

    GunRunner7 Bobtail Member

    29
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    Oct 6, 2007
    Tomball, Texas
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    GunRunner7, Oct 4, 2009
    GunRunner7, Oct 4, 2009
    #5
    zincman and simplyred1962 Thank this.
  8. Oct 4, 2009 #6
    kwray

    kwray Medium Load Member

    550
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    Jun 14, 2009
    Pennsylvania
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    Unless you're prepared to do a lot of your own cooking on the road, you'll burn through about $150 a week in restaurants. Sometimes I get bored running the same ten mile stretch of interstate every day (been doing it for over two years) but in my experience being home every day more than makes up for it. You can get hired in any state you want, but be careful, some states like New York tax nonresident workers, but I'm not sure if that applies to OTR drivers. Otherwise you only pay taxes in your home state. But then again if you dislike the day job thing so much and you're willing to bust your hump, you might have what it takes.
     
    kwray, Oct 4, 2009
    kwray, Oct 4, 2009
    #6
  9. Oct 5, 2009 #7
    woofless

    woofless Light Load Member

    185
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    May 24, 2008
    Armour, SD
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    woofless, Oct 5, 2009
    woofless, Oct 5, 2009
    #7
    KO1927 Thanks this.
  10. Oct 5, 2009 #8
    LooneyTune

    LooneyTune Just plain nuts

    596
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    Sep 12, 2009
    Ottawa, Illinois
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    Trucking is what you make of it. If you expect to come out here and run your behind off, make tons of money, and be home every night then you may want to reconsider trucking. If you come out here with the expectations that some weeks will be good, some will be bad, that you'll have to wait on loads sometimes, be far away from home, and that no matter what company you drive for will do things from time to time that make you mad, then you'll do all right out here.

    I'm not saying the above things are right but it is an unfortunate reality of trucking today.
     
    LooneyTune, Oct 5, 2009
    LooneyTune, Oct 5, 2009
    #8
    FriedTater and simplyred1962 Thank this.
  11. Oct 8, 2009 #9
    madbunny

    madbunny Medium Load Member

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    Jul 17, 2006
    Indiana
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    I don't understand, you say you like you're current job then why would you want to be a truck driver....makes no sense. :biggrin_2556:

    It is not an easy job and "Allow Me" did a good job of suming it up. If you think you'll see the country well if you drive nights (sometimes you have no choice) there isn't much to see and if you crossing NM their is even less to see. :biggrin_25523:

    You need to understand this is a very time consuming, mental, physical job, it's not as easy as most of us make it.
     
    madbunny, Oct 8, 2009
    madbunny, Oct 8, 2009
    #9
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