About to begin truck school

A grand a week? I'll wait for the professionals to comment. Anyway, best of luck to you.

 

You MAY gross a grand a week once you finish your apprenticeship and go solo, but at that you'll have to be with some of the better paying outfits that train such as some flatbed operations and hope for a growing economy. Now, you could perhaps quickly move into the oilfield and work 70 hours on the clock at $15 hour perhaps, but the "typical" van job at a mega-carrier, no, you will be hard-pressed to see $1,000 gross in the first 6 months. I'd say $800 average gross may be more realistic in the first 3-6 months at a mega-carrier assuming you have a good work ethic and don't tear stuff up.

 

Spend several hours browsing through many of these forums. Trucking is a lot of things, to a lot of different people and it all depends on your expectations. The money can vary wildly from one type driving job to another but in the beginning, you're limited to what you can do and expect. You can figure "giving the man" 60-70 hours week of your time and gross anywhere from $700 to $1400 week. A low pay week won't necessarily mean you didn't give 60+ hours of your time. It's not your typical job where you clock in and clock out, and get paid for that time, no more, no less. Read, read, read, then read some more and you might begin to get a sense of what to expect.

 

I agree with STexan. Plus a word to the wise about schools & recruiters... they all "claim tons", but deliver "in ounces".
All the schools I've run across or have knowledge of, are mainly there just so you get adequate training to pass your CDL testing.
As far as job placement, that's just something they have to "try to do" to stay competitive and in business. I think in most cases you'll be lucky to see any more than $700 per week gross, and about $450-$500/wk takehome. That's in most cases, not all. Be sure to really check out the companies before you make any decision as to who to go with.
Don't get your info from recruiters. Gain info via the forums & talk to actual drivers of these companies.
Welcome & Good luck!

 

I had similar questions a few months ago.
The guys on this site know there stuff.

Good luck bro, I start school on Monday see you on the road.

 

Smaller the better..I got a job in heavy equip hauling right out of school back in May, Family owned and operated, .45 legal, .50 oversize. If anything this forum taught me is DO YOUR HOMEWORK!, don't just settle for less..Good luck!

 

Yea it's true u want have 2 sign year contract bcaz u are getting yo cdl outside company u go 4 training. Like its been said don't believe everything they tell u on pay and home time my first week after training I grossed 1800mi @ .33mi yo miles vary every week the lowest miles I got was 1200 the highest was 3665 but by the 4th months at company they had company raise across board by the time I got hurt I was @.40mi so it depend on to miles and what that company pay u by mile don't look for a 1000 check every week even as o/o they may not gross 1000 either ur gonna have 2 actually work get a good reputation with yo dm when he see u get to load there on time all the time yo dm will make sure u get good runs majority of time and get u home when u want GOOD ADVICE DON'T BS AROUND WHILE U UNDER LOAD get it there and move on 2 next one

 

Yes, you can make a grand a week right out of school if you go with the right company. Get all the endorsements, passport, TWIC. A community college CDL school is a good start. As STexan posted, those paychecks start after orientation and training & you are on your own as a solo driver.

Go with a tanker/hazmat or flatbed company. Many Millis drivers post they make $50K per year which is good for dry van. Stay away from the mega-refrigerated carriers; no reason to go with them with that community college CDL certificate. Ignore any "experience required" on trucking websites and apply anyway; many companies hire new CDL grads on a case by case basis, but don't advertise it.

It's not too early to start researching companies and making a list of those you want to apply with where the paychecks are good.
Superior-Carriers
Melton Truck Lines
TMC
Schneider tanker division
Holland Enterprises