Expectations

Its a slow start thats for sure and depends on which route you wish to travel. You can go to a private school for 5 to 6 weeks or you can pick a company in your area that offers training and then you go on the road with them;however, you are obligated to sign a contract in most cases and stay with them for up to a year or longer. Many options, you should research this website.

 

If you have an E reader there are many books on the life of a trucker and which path would suit you the best. If you are free to travel for many weeks at a time you have more options but, if you wish to stay home more often your options become limited as a new driver

 

your numbers are off but a little bit.

New drivers GROSS Between $25,000 and $40,000 their first year. This will depend on who do decide to go work for, how much time you spend at home, and how long you are out with a trainer. And experianced drivers only average $50,000 a year.....some make $100,000+ but those are few and far between. Even O/O's only take home around $50-$75K after all the expsenses. So dont come in thinking your going to get rich.

For Example if you start at swift you will NOT see $40K your first year, but if You start with Watkins shepard you will even though both companies start at .25cpm.....

Same with Prime you will not see $40K but at Maverick or TMC you could...



DO lots of research and pick your first company wisely and can and WILL make or break you in trucking. and will greatly effect your paycheck.



And please take the advice you read on the forum.....Dont be the guy that says "Well i read the 100000000000 threads about how much werner sucks and even read the website www.wernersucks.com but i'm going with them anyway because I think I can suceed there" if you spend enough time on here you will see 1000's of threads with people saying things just like that and they always come back crying and wineing about how badly they got screwed but XXX company....



American Trucker

 

problem is, every company on the face of the planet sucks according to the " bad company" forum here.

 

People only post negative stuff. There are HUNDREDS of post with people who registered, posted a complaint, and died off the forums. Trucking is only going to give you what you put into it, that includes researching your first company you want to go with.

 

Baloney! Companies like Werner give trucking a bad name. They will ride you hard, and put you away wet.

Don't say you were not warned and I ain't going anywhere.

 

Well its unfortunate that at times those are the only companies willing to give us newbes a chance. The good ones require 3 months to a year before they accept an application. It leaves us with limited options.

 

not true! Find me a negative thread about Watkins Shepard......




American Trucker