How are people making good money?

A better question to ask would be "what quality of life do consider 'decent' "? Spending weekends at your sons baseball tournament, watching your daughter leave for prom with her first true love.. If none of that stuff is important to you then whats it matter how much money you earn? Bottom line, money is NOT the reason men get in a truck and leave their family for months at a time, they're usually running from something. Maybe they're on the run from poverty, marital problems, poor life choices, etc. Whatever it is its definitely not the allure of riches that puts them in that truck.

 

I'm just figuring hourly based on millage. 23.5 an hour vs $261 in 7.5 hours road time. Some road runs at our barn are higher pay with lower hours.

 

Yes you ccan make good money, find what you like to do. I drive local now and make 60,000

 

Stay away from jobs that pay salary. No matter how many hours you work, you will get that rate of $700/wk. Welcome to free labor.

Not quite true. There are some gems out there, but drivers that land one typically won't advertise. Those companies also don't advertise for drivers, because they don't need to.

 

Often are hired by word of mouth and to a lesser degree, "Good ol' boy" system. You need to know someone to get hired.

 

Drivers don't advertise a good job unless they know they are secure with seniority.

 

For me, I AM getting into trucking for the money. I also happen to love driving. Iv been a mechanic for 10 years and still cant seen to make enough money to feel comfortable enough to purchase a house or have kids. I realized recently how stupid I am for continuing to try to make it in the field while constantly making less every year while the industry changes. I have a lot of experience, im ASE certified, state inspector, toyota certified, great csi, first one in the shop every morning, etc. Yet, I still make crap. The indusrty has changed, I made the most money my first year as a tech with no experience and not a single certification. So, im hitting the reset button on life and starting over. Im trying trucking. The pay isnt great right off the bat but iv seen quite a few guys make a killing. My dad and uncles have been in the game a long time. Im moving out of the house iv been renting and a chick friend is moving in with my gf. Iv accepted that our relationship might not last now. Niw more cable, house, electric, gas, water, etc. I already own my pickup so no paymentand im taking the insurance off of it. Im down to a cell phone bill. Im gonna try to stack some cash and make some moves wkth my old man coaching me along the way. Company driving is just to get me in the game. After a year my school will be paid up and im outta there. Like someone else said "good money" is relative, i plan on making just a bit more yearly than I am right now but with a lot more profit. I quit my job tomorrow and leave next tuesday for training.

 

Best of luck to you.

 

Got my current gig through my affiliation with a certain fraternity.