Getting into the business

Don't focus too much on the "published per-mile pay". Consider terminal location in relation to your home, their primary operating lanes, and the overall comfort-level feeling you get from them and various feedback you get here and elsewhere. 4 cents more per mile don't mean squat if you're getting jerked around at every corner, and kept Away from home for months at a time.

Having said that, I'll also say take their self-praises and divide them by 2, and take their self-criticism and multiply that by 2. I.e., if home time policy is important to you, fine but don't expect them to honor their promises every week/month, especially in the beginning.

 

Since you are being laid off, check with your local unemployment office & state labor dept. about the WIA - Workers Investment Act. This program pays for truck driving school.

From my experience in this industry, you're best money as a newbie, would be to get with a reefer(refrigerated) trucking company. With reefer, your chances of larger weekly paychecks are increased; reason being a refrigerated trailer can haul dry van freight or refrigerated freight so your chances are better to keep rolling.

If you choose a company training program you will probably sign a contract to work for them, but if WIA pays for your schooling, you can pick and choose. Two examples, drive4marten.com pays top @.445cpm & Navajo.com pay tops @ .40cpm & there are many others to study also. Most refrigerated companies have other additional pays such as detention pay, stop pay, per diem pay, layover pay, etc. On this forum I've read positive comments about Central Refrigerated & Knight's refrigerated division & I understand they also have training programs. lots of good remarks about transamtruck.com , they hire truck school grads.

 

Don't know about pam but I did do 8months and 4 days at CRST had a great DB too trainer was cool. I had to different Co drivers I fired the first one after 2 months and teamed up with a guy That I went through training with, we had a system in place for driving and got along great. But even with a great Dispatcher are miles started dropping off at 6 months we were never late on p/u or delivery did a ton of conway and cat loads. My last Co driver sat for 3 weeks at a drop yard in IL. for 3 weeks after his first co driver quit with no notice and you cannot drive solo till you have at least 6 months in. they sent him a list of names every couple of days to call people but either they had already quit or were driving with some else already. We were told if you quit before your contract is up we would be charged 4500.00 for the training the funny part is about 2 weeks after I quit I got a letter congratulation on finshing your 8 month contract but we must inform you that your training was valued at 1500.00 and counts as income so we will be deducting to taxs owed from your next 3 or four pay checks.

 

First and foremost whatever you do stay away from CR ENGLAND, that's a scam if I ever saw one. Next if you are laid off check with the unemployment office in your area and see if they have any FREE trucking training. These county sponsored Career Centers offer paid training, see if you can get into one of those programs. I'm new to the industry as well been internationa motor coaching it for 6 mos now I want to move on to the big boys.

 

You should after your schooling/training period be able to meet your goal of 1,500 a month most months with no problem. Try and save any extra for those slower months too. 25,000 to 30,000 your 1st year or 2 is not out of the spectrum. As to schooling try and find a community college near your area that offers cdl training...you'll get better training and may be able to get tuition help through grants and the like. Most of these programs have job placement service as well . Good luck....

 

OH, oh, I think I'm in trouble 25-30K, my first year no, no I can make that as a cashier at Aldi, when I saw Sam say 1,500 a month I almost fainted. I'm trying to hit 1k per week. Now what do I have to do and who do I have to chase to get that much?

 

Yes, realistically you are looking at $25,000, 28, 30 a year. 1k a week!?! No. Despite what you may hear from the super truckers on this site you are going to see 1k a week as a new driver. As an experienced team driver this can be obtainable. If you are paired with a good lead driver then you could possibly do 1k a week as a newbie. If you are a fairly fast learner and you aren't a slacker, meaning, you aren't afraid to hustle then ya I believe you can do 1k a week. Do the math.... As a team you can run 7000 miles a week. You will be paid between
$.17 - $.20 a mile. Maybe a little more if they aren't hub miles. So you are looking at between $1190 - $1400 gross weekly. After a year or so and once you gain some experience you could be a lead driver and get bumped up to about $.20 - $.25 a mile. If this sounds like something that would interest you I would personally steer you into the direction of either air freight or expedite. Also Reefer. These are the top three avenues in which freight is run the hottest!

Just remember what you are getting into. A team that runs 7000 a week is running hard! The truck never stops! You don't get to shower everyday! A team also typically doesn't go home as often as solo drivers. It will take a little getting used to learning how to sleep in a moving truck but I'm sure once you get worn down enough it shouldn't be a problem. I've always found jumping out of bed and behind the wheel in less than 10 min. a little more challenging than the sleeping part. Nonetheless, that's my two pennies!

Good luck man...

 

If you are going to get in this game,

and only make 25K your first full year..........


Stay home, find something else to do.


30K minimum and closer to 35 at least,

or it isn'tworth it.