My 21 yr-old Son Wants to Drive. Which Training/Rookie Company?

How much do some of you drivers need to make in order to say it is an alright carrer I could be making more if I got my networking certificates but I make decent money better than most of the people that live in my area and way better than the kids I went to high school with

 

I make on average $1200 to $1500 a week so thats what i need to make to be content. Its the kind of thing the money is good but when you hit more the next week you want to keep exceeding that.

 

Depends what you asking, first year? long term etc. First year drivers with zero experience and such average around 35 k bEFORE taxes etc . After a few years ya can make about 45k or so depending how you run and what path ya follow, solo, trainer, team driver etc. A decent carrier is different standards to different people so its a loaded question. Some pople say a decent carrier is one that runs them hard for lots of money, others want more home time and find companies that offer more home time but less miles. We can't tell ya what would be a decent company for you, we can only tell ya what was a decent carrier for us, but then there will be someone just as quickly to say that company sucks

 

If he's 21 and actually wants to make career out of driving my opinion is he should look into the parcel/LTL carriers. I started at my current company when I was 22 and went through the lack of work nights off when I didn't have any bills or responsibilities. He can build seniority through his twenties and have at 30 what most drivers at these companies don't have till they're 45. Trust me, it can pay off.

 

I'm new here, but this thread made me sign up so I could have an opinion. I'm 25 years old and I'm thinking about getting into this. And while I respect those that have been doing this a long time, I have to disagree with some of the opinions here. I think people choose to do this for many different reasons. I am single and don't really care if I stay on the road for months. The way I see it, if I'm on the road I don't need to worry about rent, cable, electric, etc. I would be saving money that would otherwise be spent on daily things. I want to do this because I want to see the country. I want freedom away from the usual rat race and 9-5. I don't want to sit at a computer 8 hours a day or flip a burger. And as a 25 year old with no educational background, what other opportunities do I really have? Folks with college educations are working at Walmart with nothing to show for it but student debt.

The point I'm trying to make here is that it's not just trucking that's going to crap but the entire country. And as someone that can relate with the OP's son, I would appreciate opinions on which starter company those with experience would recommend. I don't care about "paying dues", I just want to get out on the road.

 

Stay away from FFE. Do your home work. Good choice would be Pam Transport.

 

Yeah right ffe isnt bad its free if you stay a yr..

 

Just finished Roehl RDTC last week. Excellent program, have my CDL and a job with them. I paid for my training in advance so I don't owe Roehl for the training. I will get that money back if I stay on and as I complete mileage steps. It's not easy, you have to show up every morning and perform, you have homework, etc... No horseplay, no messing around. It is still a fun place but work gets done and safety is paramount. I have nothing bad to report other than the Wisconsin weather the past few weeks really sucked. If you can't afford the training, Roehl will finance and then pay it back as you obtain paid miles. If you want more info, feel free to PM me.