Is this a Trucking forum or an ANTI-trucking forum!?!?!

Discussion in 'Report A BAD Trucking Company Here' started by MagicFingers, Sep 2, 2007.

  1. MagicFingers

    MagicFingers Bobtail Member

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    Sep 1, 2007
    House Springs, MO
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    Hey everyone, I'm new here, but man! I almost wish I hadn't joined. Not because this place doesn't have good info., because it DOES! It's just that I'm about to become an OTR company solo and now I'm having SEVERE second thoughts!! I mean, am I gonna have to file bankruptcy or something just for trying to do a job (this "job" by the way is what I've wanted to do for a long time.)? I'm flat out scared now, I have no idea what I should do. Tons of people are saying that OTR drivers (SOME of them) are only making like 500-600 a week!! Now is that BEFORE taxes? Either way, that's NOTHING like I was expecting! I was hoping and expecting to make about 900 gross weekly AT LEAST!! Yeah right! Not from everything I've read on here I won't. My instructors and counselors at my truck school are telling all of us how good of money we're gonna make ("around 40k in the first year"), I wish now that I could sue them for false advertising or something. But at this point, if I back out I'll have to pay like 10k out of my pocket (which I don't have) to pay for the school! This is BULLCRAP!! Please, someone give me some INSPIRING words to make me stick with the job that I've wanted to do for a LONG time!! :biggrin_25510::biggrin_25524:

    PS. sorry for all the rambling, I hope it made some sense.
     
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  3. Louise

    Louise Bobtail Member

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    Jan 9, 2007
    ontario,or
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    income is about 34K a yr.:biggrin_25512: for first time driver. you make good money while with a trainer. then it go down to $250. to $375. weekly after taxes the gross is $700. weekly.:biggrin_2551:
     
  4. jamwadmag

    jamwadmag Road Train Member

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    Feb 28, 2006
    Desert Southwest
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    If you are getting into trucking 'just for the $$$,' you wont make it---60% of new CDL's drop out within 9 mos!

    But if you really like big machines, driving the U.S. ,and can put up with some hardships (not like being at home in your recliner!), then you may like it!

    Trucking is NOT for everybody! But for those who like the 'illusion' of being your own boss and spending solace time as well as being with other bros and sis's OTR, it can be rewarding!!:biggrin_25525:
     
  5. raindancer

    raindancer Light Load Member

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    Jul 30, 2007
    memphis,mo
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    Magic
    Don't give up just yet. Like Everything else you have to learn the ins and outs. Yeah at first it can be a bi#$% but give it a chance and try to learn everything you can. Network, Network, Network. Talk to other drivers so that after you have some time in you can call some shots. We all started somewhare and had to pay our dues. Hang in there.
     
  6. whiteviper1985

    whiteviper1985 Light Load Member

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    Aug 24, 2007
    SHHHH its a secret :)
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    who are you going to be driving for?
     
  7. Scarecrow03

    Scarecrow03 Road Train Member

    3,411
    7,443
    Sep 27, 2006
    In Your Head
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    To answer the question posed in the title of this thread, this is a "we're gonna try and tell you everything you need to know before you start into trucking forum". That being said, please bear in mind that not everything said on this forum is 100% factual, just like the rest of the world wide web. However, the first year earnings of an OTR driver discussed on here are about right. I hit the 40K mark during my first year, but that's because I became a trainer. Knowing what I know now, I think it was absolutely absurd that I was training drivers after just 6 months on the road, but I didn't make the policy. I just took advantage of it.
     
  8. MagicFingers

    MagicFingers Bobtail Member

    43
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    Sep 1, 2007
    House Springs, MO
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    Well, like I said in my initial post, being a trucker has been what I've wanted to do for quite some time now. It's not the money, if it was the money, I'd go to college to be a doctor or something. Nevertheless, it does play a part. I don't want to make as much as a burger flipper at mcdonald's you know? I can't wait to get out on the road, and like I said, I'm gonna go through with it, I'm just worried AND excited out of my ghord.

    Louise, you're saying I'm gonna make more money during training than I will while out on the road myself!?!? :biggrin_25524:I'm only going to be making 375 bucks a week cleared!?!? That is HORRIBLE!! That does NOT add up to even 20 thousand a year, much less 40 thousand!! :biggrin_25510:

    I'm going to be going to Star Transport when I'm out of school. Yes, the one in Morton,IL.... I know it's not the best company, but my contract will only be for 12 months, then I expect to hopefully go to Crete or a specialized hauler like Anderson. That's my dream job. A 13 axle rig hauling wind technology components and other VERY heavy stuff. :biggrin_2553:That's of course if I don't have to file bankruptcy in my first year. God, 375 a week in my first year? That just can't be!!
     
  9. WiseOne

    WiseOne Inactive contact bullhaulerswife

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    Feb 8, 2004
    Truckers Report, TN
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    We had another member say the same thing from another trucking forum. The problem is...it is REALITY we speak here. If you want smoke blown up your tail, those other trucking forums sure will blow plenty of it up there for you (because they are ALL for the $$$ and recruiting, we are NOT). You want reality and truth, you are in the right place. You just wait and see what we mean...you WILL see it! We wish you the best and we will TRY and help stop you from making a horrible mistake from the start here.

    :)
     
    Joetro Thanks this.
  10. MagicFingers

    MagicFingers Bobtail Member

    43
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    Sep 1, 2007
    House Springs, MO
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    So wiseone, it's "reality" that I'll only be clearing 375 bucks a week in my first year? I don't understand that one bit. That means I'd only be driving like 900 miles a WEEK!! :biggrin_25521:

    Once more for clarification, I'm not going into this industry for the money, because I know it's not pro sports figures I'll be makin' here, but I can NOT live if I only make 19-20 thousand a year.

    What kind of "horrible mistake" are you referring to?
     
  11. safetydog

    safetydog Bobtail Member

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    Sep 2, 2007
    taylor, Mi
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    MagicFingers Hey glad to see you have big ambitions (heavy haulers)but you may find it very hard with only one year to get into a good heavy haul company, they have qualifications of usually two years minimum and that's with heavy haul experience during that time, heavy haul is not something a lot of companies train, it's very expensive to train that area and so they leave it up to the driver to find it (I would check into thier qaulification requirements know that way you will know what you need and they might be harder by the time you go to get the job, that's the other thing about this industry it changes everyday, hour, or minute). Also you can make good money you have to change your life style, work when you can and be expected to put a lot of hours in. When you think about it your going to work 70 hours a week (in your logs) and then your going to get about 900.00 to 1000.00 a week gross but not every week, that's just the way it works you'll have good weeks and bad weeks, welcome to trucking, but look back at the hours you put in divide the money you made by the hours.............................some times McDonalds looks better and better............................but I can promise you one thing once you get desiel in your blood, your in it for life and all in all it's been a great life. My wife and I both are in the trucking industry and it has paid the bills and the mortgage and always provided for our family so I can't complain to much just wish things were better (but everyone does that). As always good luck and be safe.
     
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