New CDL Holder Looking For Advice

The cushy job I've applied for is hauling fuel for a truck stop. The cushy part is the job is paid hourly, not cents per mile CPM. Loading fuel can often have hours long backup at the fuel loading racks. The job is Sun-Thur nights. I'm a vampire in my soul. I worked that schedule for 18 years at a previous company. Driving a truck at night is almost like a license to steal money. 90% of the stress in trucking, for me, are the people in cars staring at their smartphones until 8 inches prior to an exit. At night those idiots are off of the roads. The company has good health insurance, and is located everywhere, in case I want to transfer back out west. My commute would be 10-15 minutes, if I get the job. It pays Overtime after 40. A typical week would gross $2k.

 

I have always had a very good credit rating. What I did was looked a few used trucks (which was a mistake - never buy a used truck), found one for 73k that still had 6 mos on its warranty. I had 70k cash in the bank and between equity in my house, retirement accounts, ect had about 500k in reserves, so I went to my personal bank and asked them for a loan for it, knowing full well since I had enough to pay cash for it I would get the loan. I did with nothing down and leased on to Landstar. I had only planned to keep that truck 2 years and ended up only keeping it a year and a half I had so many DEF issues with it. I ordered a custom built Western Star 5700 (157k). Again, went to the bank, nothing down and off I went.

Edit: No way would I lease a truck. I am a numbers guy. I crunch numbers every way from sunday and know whats what before I make a move. A few years back I opened a CDL training school (where I leased 2 trucks and 2 trailers). I figured I had 26 steps that had to be done before I could do it. I had a plan A, B, C, and D for every one of those 26 steps and in some cases I was up to plan N, O, and P.

And for the record, my figures were spot on the money. The only thing I had miscalculated is other peoples ability to come up with 3k cash for the school. I even had a bank willing to give students loans, all they needed to have was a job paying at least $100 a week which you can make part time at a burger joint. I couldnt have been more wrong on that...

You dont want to lease a truck. I did for that because I wouldnt be driving those trucks so I wanted someone else to have to worry about the maint costs on them and was willing to pay a little more for it.

 

And this is 100% true. I also prefer to work at night. You make much better time. I would rather deal with the drunks than the idiots and @$$holes. And its a hell of a lot easier to find a parking place when you are shutting down for the day at 10am

 

As a long time union trucker I know who/where the premium work was. Not always available because the folks don't leave a good situation.
Word of mouth or checking w a local teamster office can give you more insight.

Private carriage or carriers are companies not for hire. Many still exist but many have also went the way of the dinosaurs.
Private fleets of package delivery, department stores, petroleum and gas, auto parts, beverage and snack companies. Some union and some not.

I mean you won't be hired at a top notch outfit without a qualified background. Figure where you'd like to start. Chicago is a good place to get back to often. Do a year and move on to a better company. After 2 more years you will be qualified to work most any top notch/paying jobs.
At that point you will most likely have figured out if the life is for you, and if you want to continue.
Plenty of good people and info herein

Good Luck.

 

It will take years of experience and weathering all sorts of economic swings to get to what your goal is.

That said, if you are able to reach 250k (years down the line that 250k being equivalent to 185k now, so think ahead), you will have to become an O/O and find a recession-proof niche. You will never be able to make that kind of money within the next 5 years as a company driver. You will never be able to make that kind of money hauling freight that is subject to economic downturns. Best of luck to you. Other drivers with much more experience than I have given valuable insight. Lean on that advice and never look for a short cut. There are no short cuts worth taking.

 

You asked how I make that much working so little. I found this guys story on another thread, and thought I would post it here. THIS is how you make the big bucks: SERVICE.

You go out of your way for a customer and they remember it. 90% of what I do is for 2 customers.... I did this exact same thing 2 weeks ago. I was on my way back to Mn with a load when the drain plug on my oil pan blew out (Im sure the guy at Loves stripped it when he changed the oil, but no way I could prove it) 45 miles from delivery. Had the tow truck swing by the receiver and dropped the trailer there (their spotters took it from the gate). Cost 200 extra, but I had a VERY happy customer.

 

New CDL holder . 250 k . Dancer . Business degree

Look , it's good to have goals . Good to have plans . Establish a timeline. Unless you start to own a fleet or truck(s) company yourself . Realistically, and not what some say here , I don't see what your asking happening anytime soon. Ministry, evangelist, philanthropy. Well , render to Caeser and leave your riches to the rich so you yourself can pass through a needle yourself. Philanthropy, give to those you can see where your money goes . Unfortunately, most big places that offer help do not do so well . You have alot of irons in the fire my friend and a lot of soul searching to do . May you be guided in wisdom .

 

My lease guys do I pretty good 1800 to 2500 they have no maintenance.i keep an back up truck for my 5-6 drivers The lazy ones make 1000-1300 but everyone is home everyday off weekends

 

I question Chicago I'd say texas

 

Get own authority.Best way to get in.Port business in VA stays steady.Alot of dispatch companies will broker for 10 percent.With own authority you don't need to meet experience requirements.probably gross 450 first year.net probably 200k .be home everyday and off weekends.