Please help...I don't see how this is a good career

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by cavigu, Oct 19, 2010.

  1. cavigu

    cavigu Bobtail Member

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    I am having a really hard time with my husband's new career path of being a trucker. He is finishing up training this week and will begin work on his own soon.
    I should be grateful he tells me because he got a dedicated account right away, so he will most likely be home every night. But, he tells me he will be working around 70 hrs a week?!?!?! And, he will only be making about $100/day!!! That comes out to $7/hr!? He won't even have a consistent schedule or 2 consecutive days off a week.
    He will still be away from home a lot and we have 2 young children the youngest who is only 6 weeks old.
    I am grateful my husband is motivated to bring an income in and that I am able to stay at home with our young children for now, but I can't help wishing he could just get a regular job which would pay the same working 8-5pm M-F and weekends off. Please enlighten me I have been really depressed I can hardly eat or sleep.
     
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  3. leanright

    leanright Medium Load Member

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    Oct 12, 2010
    phila,pa.
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    Ok I misread it the first time. Yeah $100 day seems about right. It depends how far he travels and how many miles he gets. He should be bringing home about 500-700/week. That's just a rough estimate. When he resets his hours he'll get 34 consecutive hours off duty and it's usually a little more than that since they might not have a load for him at exactly 34 hours. It might be more like 40 hours give or take. So sometimes when he's nearing 70 hours he would be able to get at least 34 hours off duty.
     
  4. cavigu

    cavigu Bobtail Member

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    Sep 20, 2010
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    No, $100/day, so about $600/week.
     
  5. canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    she said 100 a day--which still isnt a lot--but at least if he is home every night he can save by not eating at the stops
    how much was he making before?
     
  6. leanright

    leanright Medium Load Member

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    Oct 12, 2010
    phila,pa.
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    Sorry I misread it. I edited my post above,
     
  7. Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

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    ova-hereee
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    if its a dedicated account like you said he says, then he will most likely be on a salary rather than per hour pay scale. i have done 3 different dedicated runs, and this is how i was paid. now IF he is going to be paid a "salary" then you can depend on a regular amount of money each week.

    trucking IS NOT an 8 to 5 job....never was, never will be.....you work as required to work. any 2 days off (consecutive) are a "weekend" in truck-world....

    as we DO NOT KNOW which company he works for, or the dedicated account, we cannot help you any more. BUT, if you were to tell us the trucking company AND the account, there is a slight possibility that someone HERE works the same account....

    so give us more information
     
  8. KE5WDP

    KE5WDP Road Train Member

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    Waskom, Texas
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    Support your husband. Yes, this is a low paying industry. Our employers call us "professionals" but they don't pay like it. Or at least most don't.

    I have 2 kids myself. One is 11 and the other turns 6 in November. We have made it thru the years. We like where we live. Small town and all. In order to have the things we have, I have to sacrifice many things.

    Good thing about bigger companies (which is why I am a fan), is that most will allow you to take off for whatever reason. Want a trip to grandma's? Go. Want a week or 2 off to do something with the fam? Take it off. There will be trucks to cover you. Unlike smaller companies.

    Hang in there and be tough. Utilize the cell phone. Have him get the internet in the truck with a webcam. Technology nowadays makes life alot easier out here on the road.

    Just remember, you think its rough on you?? You can't imagine how tough it is for us on the road. We miss many things and it gets to us. So keep on supporting him.
     
  9. Gitty

    Gitty Medium Load Member

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    in my truck
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    It's very sad that your husband decided it was important to have a job and support his family. And he is only going to make 100 a day. What a terrible thing that is, OMG what is this world coming to!!!

    Honey be Glad your man can work and your not the one out here and him taking care of your babies, because you have No other choice and be glad that both of you are going to get to see your children grow up. Some of us didn't get that lucky!

    Pull up you big girl panties, and make him happy when he comes home, and make him miss you, when he is gone supporting his family!!!
     
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  10. mysticguido

    mysticguido Light Load Member

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    Sep 20, 2010
    Wharton, TX
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    $100.00 a day sound bad, but does He /Will He get insurance to cover Him, You and the kids? If so add that cost in to His pay. Even if He has money taken out for the Insurance. He'll come out better then a 9-5 job that pays $7.00 a hour.
     
  11. cavigu

    cavigu Bobtail Member

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    Sep 20, 2010
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    He works for Swift on their dedicated account. I think he gets paid by the mile he was just estimating about what he would make each day and I calculated what that would equal per hour.
     
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