Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Considering trucking?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ProspectiveTrucker, Jun 14, 2013.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jun 14, 2013 #1
    ProspectiveTrucker

    ProspectiveTrucker Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    Jul 6, 2012
    0
    Hello everyone! I presently work as a correctional officer but have previously worked as a police officer. I used to also be in the military and am an Iraq war veteran. My driving record includes several suspensions for failing to file insurance, plus a suspension for driving 9mph over posted speed when I was 18 during probationary DL period, and a suspension for driving without a insurance. I'm 28 years old now and all that was prior to me becoming a police officer.

    Now that's out of the way, I desire to leave government/public service since I have no control over my paycheck. My department has been on pay freeze since 2006 and there is no overtime available. If anything we're taking pay cuts due to inflation and increased insurance premium. I might make $35k this year. I guess what is appealing to me is my buddy who just got into trucking. He went CR England 5 months ago and just got picked up by Sysco. They say that the lowest paid driver at his location made $55k and the highest $85k. I can only presume they have awesome benefits. This sounds VERY attractive. I want to have more control over what I earn so I can provide better for my family and have more to invest.

    i guess my question is: Is leaving my $35k/year (net $498/week) job to go a route like Sysco worth it? I understand I'd need experience first and have to go OTR. I'm willing to put myself thru cdl school. So I could go work for US EXPRESS or anywhere better than CRE. I 'd require the same pay take home immediately since I've got a mortgage and a family. Is there anywhere thst could meet my salary requirements? Just looking for some advice! Thanks everyone!
     
    ProspectiveTrucker, Jun 14, 2013
    ProspectiveTrucker, Jun 14, 2013
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jun 14, 2013 #2
    brakecheck

    brakecheck Light Load Member

    79
    28
    Jun 6, 2013
    0
    Best Keep Your Day Job..
     
    brakecheck, Jun 14, 2013
    brakecheck, Jun 14, 2013
    #2
  4. Jun 14, 2013 #3
    TheDude1969

    TheDude1969 Heavy Load Member

    807
    823
    Jun 10, 2013
    Joliet, Il
    0
    You mention family, you would be perfect for food service, if your still physically fit enough after all those donuts J/K! Depending on your location, and company that hires you... Food/Beverage could be the way to go.

    At least in my area, there is never a news paper w/out want ads for them, and since they are so hard up for drivers they take anyone that can put a truck in gear, and unload 10 tons by hand, two wheel cart into store, and watch your own back in nasty neighborhoods. As with any seniority oriented job, you'll suffer the worst route, and lowest pay... however $35k seems lower than any delivery driver I've spoken with.
     
    TheDude1969, Jun 14, 2013
    TheDude1969, Jun 14, 2013
    #3
  5. Jun 14, 2013 #4
    HotH2o

    HotH2o Road Train Member

    4,100
    4,868
    Sep 23, 2012
    0
    I hear CO's can make good money smuggling contraband in to the jails/prison?
     
    HotH2o, Jun 14, 2013
    HotH2o, Jun 14, 2013
    #4
  7. Jun 14, 2013 #5
    ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

    4,250
    11,049
    Mar 3, 2013
    Fort Worth
    0
    Absolutely it's worth it. Your going to hear a lot of negative on this board. But I for one have enjoyed trucking and it has been good to me. I say go for it.
     
    ethos, Jun 14, 2013
    ethos, Jun 14, 2013
    #5
  8. Jun 14, 2013 #6
    jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

    2,199
    2,507
    Dec 1, 2009
    hastings, Fl
    0
    What state are you a CO in ? I would try to stay with the State until I was vested in retirement, if close.
     
    jbatmick, Jun 14, 2013
    jbatmick, Jun 14, 2013
    #6
  9. Jun 14, 2013 #7
    Cman301

    Cman301 Light Load Member

    284
    211
    Feb 26, 2013
    Maryland
    0
    You can make that kind of money in foodservice, but remember it is a "strong body ,weak mind " job and you will earn every dime, but that said if you can work as a co. you can make it in trucking! good luck !
     
    Cman301, Jun 14, 2013
    Cman301, Jun 14, 2013
    #7
  10. Jun 14, 2013 #8
    coastie

    coastie Road Train Member

    1,245
    540
    Oct 20, 2006
    Cleveland, Ga But heart is in PI
    0
    It will be hard at first making your payments, before u go trucking save up some to pay while ur in Training. FOr you will need money to eat while on the road and paybills back at home and most of the training pay barely pay to eat on the road
     
    coastie, Jun 14, 2013
    coastie, Jun 14, 2013
    #8
  11. Jun 14, 2013 #9
    texan168

    texan168 Light Load Member

    50
    23
    Jun 18, 2012
    0
    Although there are people that get lucky and fall into a very cushy job at the outset more than likely the first year for you is going to be a #####. The money your talking about is very doable but you will have to work your ### off and will be home very little. After a year with the same company you can essentially write your own ticket in this industry at that point new avenues will open up and you can make good money with great home time or great money with little home time. When I was younger I was home very little and ran my tail off so I wouldn't have to when I got older. Now I make allmost as much as I used to but I'm home everynight and week end the trade off was acceptable to me and it is what I expected. I will mention this though You have to have a very stronge marraige as to make good money you can expect to only be home 2 or 3 days a month or more.
     
    texan168, Jun 14, 2013
    texan168, Jun 14, 2013
    #9
    Gunner710 Thanks this.
  12. Jun 14, 2013 #10
    truckingbizness

    truckingbizness Light Load Member

    67
    36
    Apr 19, 2013
    0
    Why do you say that?
     
    truckingbizness, Jun 14, 2013
    truckingbizness, Jun 14, 2013
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2