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He wants to take his wife as a rider; WDT doesn't show on the website about riders, unless I missed it.

 

A bit of sleuthing sez only spouses are allowed to ride along.

Still -- not a bad idea to call 'em, & ask.

--Lual

 

Thank you very much Sir

 

I’ve heard a bit about milk delivery services. Do you happen to know what the starting pay would be or if I’d be able to use my own truck?

 

correct. My wife wouldn’t be a driver. Perhaps some time in the future if she’s willing

 

@ATXCowboy --

The milk-hauling carrier above was suggested to you, for 3 reasons:

1. Their proximity to you;
2. Given the current (and coming) economic conditions, milk is probably a more stable form of freight (i.e., food) than other freight options;
3. This company will train you from the very "get-go" to do bulk tanker duty. The experience you get from that will set you up later for some of the highest paying gigs in the industry.

First-year pay for a beginning driver depends on at least several factors:

• How hard you are willing to work/run;
• The loads/customers you get;
• Your total compensation package--and accessory/detention pay.
• Your other expenses (if you run/own your own tractor).
• How few (or many) mistakes you make (this affects your safety bonuses).
• Whether you are local, or regional...or over-the-road (OTR). The longer you stay out--the more $$$ you make, generally speaking.
• Last--but not least--the type of freight that you pull.

That's a pretty good "starter" list--but I'm sure I've left something out.

As a first-year driver hauling food-grade tanker--set a goal of $65k. If you exceed that--consider yourself a success. This figure assumes you are a company driver.

I've never driven for WDT. If you wan't to be an owner-op with them--call them and ask if they accept owner-ops.

For beginning positions--I would highly doubt it.

Suggestion: drive with WDT for a year (or longer) as a company driver, and bank that money for your own truck (save it "for a rainy day").

THEN (after say, 15 months in it), decide if you still even want to be in trucking.

You could later decide that buying a truck this soon was actually a big mistake....

If you buy your own tractor later--you buy with more experience and wisdom that you've gained from being in the industry for that time--and thus, you'll likely make a much better, more informed decision.

Think about it......

--Lual

 

Thank you for the reply. Truck driving is likely to be a 5 year at best experience for me since I’m near retirement. For this reason, I’d like to finish off these few years as smoothly as possible.

To be frank, I haven’t worked for anybody for many years and prefer to work independently. I really would like to narrow down my options. But we need the sleeper and complete autonomy otherwise my wife will not be on board with this. If I can deliver milk in a sleeper that seems like the best way to cruise into retirement Expediting is out of the picture for certain but I’d be open to other prospects in which I could use a sleeper.

My wife and I also take 6 weeks off every year from November-January to visit family abroad. This length of time might be problematic for most domestic companies if I’m hired as an employee. So… I don’t know if the way we operate as a family will be a good match for being a company employee.

Why do you say that it’s unlikely that we’ll be able to be o/o since the very beginning delivering milk? Please accept my apologies if this is a dumb question.

 

@ATXCowboy
I take lots of time off also to visit family abroad. I used to call the company and say the flight was cancelled and drag it out another week. I didn't care if I was fired or not because of my CDL with all endorsements and TWIC.

 

I don’t quite understand why vacation time in the states is so limited. Seriously, I’d be hard pressed to take a vacation abroad if it’s only for a week or two. Doesn’t make financial sense considering travel time and expenses

 

Working for a cdl temp service probably best; work when you want to.