Feds & DOT say's $16.+hr. -$25.+hr.

IMHO, I would not go with the company you are thinking about, I've done it and it didn't do -5 months, 65k miles, <$8K bring home, if you know what I mean.

I will say that it is a "buyers market". The best time to buy a house relative to the price of a house is when the economy is at it lowest, generally the house will be least expensive. It will be harder to secure financing for the house, but if a buyer can get passed that, then it is surely the best time to buy. So, with that said, I would encourage you to proceed very cautiously, but do not get overwhelmed. It will be harder with little or no experience, especially in FL, to get a even a decent job right now, as a lot of others have already said in this forum. Your first couple of years/jobs will be almost nothing but a learning experience. But if you want to be a trucker, a ditch digger, a doctor, a radiologist: who cares what anyone else thinks. It is your life, your choice. Certainly be educated before making any decision, but also screen the facts from the rest of the chatter. Best of luck to you in whatever you decide!

 

Check this out http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/search...a+&x=116&y=16&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y

 

yeah but any other job that pays $8 an hour doesnt let you work 90 hours a week...

 

There are some good paying jobs out there where you do not have to go OTR. If you don't mind REAL work try US Foodservice or Sysco. I worked for US back in '94-'99 and made $32,000+ the first year and $53,000+ in '98. I averaged 45 hrs. a week. After getting out of school and with some luck you can get on as a switcher until you get a year in. They are hiring frequently, at least in charlotte NC, because most drivers do not want to do that kind of work. US Foodservice was a great company to work for. I would still be there but I found my current job making more money. The company I have worked for since '99 is better than them and they will hire grads to work on the yard as a switcher till you get 2 years in. I made over $60,000 a year the past 2 years and rarely work over 42 hours a week, I sleep at home every night, and I average 12 to 1500 miles a week.
Keep a spotless driving record. Pick a company and DO NOT quit it for a least a year, 2 would be better. Then after you get 2 years more doors will open.

Good Luck

 

You said it right . Some carriers LET drivers that are dumb enough work 90 hours a week .

 

I have teamed 5x, two times it was cool, the other 3 times really stunk. From habits (being with a smoker when you don't smoke) to open hostility, I would rather deal with the loneliness of solo than teaming. Of those 5 codrivers, there was one guy that I would break that rule with, but he got into training. He was super easy going, loved driving nights, really funny sense of humor.

 

There really is no set amount of stops for a route driver. I ran the same LTL freight P&D route for three years and some days I would have 10 stops between deliveries and pickups, while other days I would only have 2. Other runs we had would have 25 stops on a slow day. It all depends on the route and what customers need to be serviced that day.

Keep in mind also, it took almost 2 years of a starter job for me to land a good job. It then took 4 1/2 years at the good job to get a money run - then it took me 5 years and 3 months to hit top rate (that's much longer than most though). So essentially, it took me 7 years to make the money I wanted to. I'm now have over 8 years behind the wheel an have a good line-haul run at a good LTL company at the top pay rate for drivers - it takes some time.

 

notice he only worked there for 5 years. that's about how long you can do that kind of work before it physically destroys your body. hauling gas, delivering food, etc. is great for a few years....then it's back over the road.