Attention all rookies and wannabes: Local Jobs for New Drivers

Well said, opportunities open all over, especially for the motivated individuals.

 

Thanks Sax, I will give a telephone call to Conway tomorrow. I came across them via a search, I cannot remember where---google or TTR or whatever---that popped up the Conway ad the claimed the average linehaul O/O made $146,500 in 2011. I am confident this is a "Gross Income" Number--but still, quite eye opening.

I don't believe the ad had the 'six months' experience thing in it, hence why I telephone Conway.
I don't know the financials of the industry or being an O/O to know how to estimate the amount of expense such as fuel, tolls, repair, permit, etcettera, to arrive at what the average Net Income from Operations Before Taxes for these same 2011 O'/Os.

For me, wishing "to 'have the world as my "Oyster" as I am accused of such by hecklers in my thread, I would like a 'there-and-back' linehaul, such as Chicago to Indy/Detroit/Cincin/Cleve is kinda far/St Louis/Des Moines/Madison, much more than gigs that are local, regional, dedicated, intermodal, and of course, OTR. I won't have to clutch all day long like local yet I will still be home to pet the dog on the head everynight.

 

Check out NYS. and it may be similar in other states as well, I didn't check. Sometimes ya just gotta look http://www.dmv.ny.gov/cdl.htm

 

The average O/O makes $40,000 per year after all expenses. If you do what everybody else can do or is willing to do, that's about what you can expect to make.

 

Things have not changed....

 

Hey Bluestraveler...did you ever contact Conway?

 

Yeah, I went on their website to try and find out if they took new drivers. They have both student driver and driver trainee programs. In my hometown, Rochester NY, they have just implemented the student/trainee program but do not have anything scheduled. The local director of the programs was really nice on the phone and suggested that I try another location. I went back to their site and applied at a number of Conway locations (you can apply anywhere in the US on the main website). I received one automated response asking if I was willing to relocate and I responded that I was and really wanted to work from the company. That was 2 weeks ago and I have not heard anything back. I have them on my schedule of followups for this week. I'll post if I hear anything back.

 

Thanks for the information Big Hat. I have to say, however, that $40k is more than anemic if that is all an O/O makes. I think the top 40% of newbie drivers can make $30k. With the $146k I saw in the Conway ad, a gross number, and your $40k, a net number, then this implies $106k in expenses for the O/O.

Please note that ONLY the INTEREST paid on a loan cuts in to Net Income---not the return of principle. In other words, if an O/O is paying $500/wk in truck payment and $100 of it is interest, the other $400 is NOT an expense--it is a payment of principle. The other $400 part of the payment DOES, however, effect Cash Flow.

Despite many who think Net Income and Cash Flow are the same thing, they are two distinctly different accounting classifications.

 

The entire payment is a business expense for tax purposes and--ask anyone who's ever made P&I truck payments--it can very definitely affect cash flow. 40K after taxes and expenses on gross of 146k is possible; that's 27% of gross. In good years my after-tax net was 36% of gross (after taxes and expenses, which included payments that were principal and interest--I doubt my accountant got it wrong year after year). It costs a lot to run a truck. The gross isn't eye-opening. The net is.
40k net vs 30k gross?
Never heard anyone say net income and cash flow are the same thing.

 

I'm one of them... thought that was the way you did it... I am VERY grateful for the information!