Questions about my hopeful career with Maverick

Disclaimer: I've only been with Maverick since November, so anything I say is "as of/ up to now, as a noob". Having said that I can tell you how it's been for me.

For the physical part, I'll be 44 in March. Saying I was in OK shape for a middle aged man would be more kind than I desreve. There is hard work to be done flat bedding, but you don't do it all day long. You "Hard work" when loading and unloading, but that's it. Some may load, unload and then get another load all in one day, but so far I haven't. I've unloaded and then reloaded in one day, but that's still only two "physical work" sessions.

I'll admit that for the first two or three weeks I was huffing and puffing, my heart was pounding and I honestly thought I had made a huge mistake. Now it's still work, but I seem to be used to it.

As for the pay. We get mileage pay, tarp pay and a fuel bonus. My pay does vary from week to week. The general range for me so far has been $500 ~ 800 (take home). This week my take home, after taxes net was $820. That's for slightly less than 2000 miles. (works out to 48cpm). I'm not the knower of all things, but I'm pretty sure I know that no dry van company is going to pay you that much just out of school. Maverick will.

Again, I certainly don't want to try and persuade you into possibly making the wrong decision. I just want to relate my experience to give you some real World data. Truth be told. I hate trucking. I'd much rather go back to being a musician. But that's not in the cards for me right now,but then again, neither is working crap jobs for even crappier pay.

 

CH, I appreciate your feedback. No need for ya to discredit it b/c you're a "noob". Actually, that makes it a bit more informing b/c it represents what's going on at Maverick currently w/ new drivers. So, thanks for sharing your take on things. I don't take it as you trying to persuade me on things, just telling your experience. That's one of the reasons I've been reading this forum for a good while now.

As far as the physicality of the work, that doesn't bother me at all. I'm just trying to, in my own mind, weigh the possible extra money vs the extra risks flatbedding brings. I'm generally a careful guy when doing risky work ---to the point that in my last job as head of a parks & recreation dept., I'd do high or risky work rather than risking one of my guys getting injured.

Just weighing options still. Again, thanks for your input

 

This job WILL KICK YER BUTT for the first few weeks... Guaranteed. But you will adjust and get better at it and in better shape- as Coalheart describes.

 

I'm sure it will at this point. But I've been trying to keep in decent shape during this unemployment deal the last 7 months. Still, it's nothing like doing a physical job.
You started out with Mav, didn't you?

 

Yep! Best decision I have made in a LONG LONG TIME.

 

I look at it as my company paid fitness program. People pay to go work out.....I get paid to work out! I love it and look forward to it every day!

 

Sweet. I hope everything comes back great. Wish you the best.

 

I call it my 30 min cardiovascular workout. But I will not say I look forward to it every day. Before you say it Jim I will yes I'm lazy. LOL