Where do all the drivers go?

I have no experience, but from what I've been reading on this and various other trucking sites, I'd say you are probably correct. Since I have not been on the road yet, I know my expectations are unrealistic. But I'm pretty sure they're not so unrealistic as most newbies, since I've been reading everything I can find online and listening to folks who have been trucking for years.

Even so, while I think I'm gonna like this job, until you actually experience it, there's no way to really know. It's entirely possible that in 400 days, I'll be looking for a job in my old career field.

It helps that I'm not pressed for money. Sure, $1000 or more a week would be swell, but even if I make only $400/week I'll be fine.

 

Not all companies hire new grads. A lot of companies require some experience, fro 3 months to 2 or even 3 years. You usually won't see a lot of ads for those latter companies, they usually pay good and treat their drivers well enough that they have minimal turnover.

I believe a lot of newbie drivers get out within the 1st 6 to 12 months. They basically find out it's just not for them. And that can be for lots of reasons, both real and imagined. That is a lot of the turnover that one sees.

Another is the people who tough out the 1st year or so, then move on to a different company, with that 'the grass is always greener' idea. Once in a while it is, but not always.

Your analogy to being a landlord is just about dead on. You really can't know what it's like till you've tried it.

The trick is to find a company that meets your needed balance of home time, income, equipment, benefits, etc... Some find it from the git go, some never do.

My 1st 2 years driving, I was with 4 companies. The 1st and 3rd flat out lied about home time, and it was like pulling teeth to get any. The 2nd company expected you to run illegal when ever it was needed. The last, a small local guy, got me home just about every weekend, ran my good and paid me a decent wage. I only left him (and trucking) when my wife got sick. I went back to the Post Office so I could be home every night and have good benefits.

I've been away from it now for a few years, but I've missed it and am going back to it.

Good luck.

 

Hope she's doing better!

 

I heard that 60% of new CDL's are out of the industry within 9 mos after graduating. Getting thru training is tough---how do you like living 24/7 in a cubicle size space with another man while he is your boss and calls ALL the shots!

Plus OTR driving (must start out that way, 3-4 wks out at time with only 3 days off--unless you have an 'in' who will hire/train you) is NOT for everyone! Lots of hardships, tough on a young family with kids (I do OK since home 1-2 times/wk for a day or so---so the kids still remember me--heh heh), but my 1st yr out was very tough on my family.

But I also read that the number of older drivers that are retiring is vast. Many have saved their money, and with the changing industry (things aint what they used to be!) are getting out in their 50's with 30 yrs OTR.

If you really want to drive a big truck, must go thru the 'dues' period before maybe finding a local or home weekly job..also depends on where you live and the outfits in that area. Sorry but that's the reality..

 

That's a big plus in your favor, and another reason why a few leave the road. They think, from all the recruiter claims and advertisements, that they will make mega bucks. When they don't, they get discouraged.

I took home $340. per week from my retail job. So if I can take that home, plus, say, another $60.00 for me to use on the road, than the wife and I are on budget. If I'm getting .24 cpm after taxes, that's aprox 1700 miles. After 6 months, I go to .27 cpm, so then I would only need 1482 miles per week. And that's not counting any accessory pay I get as tanker driver.

So anything over that $400. take home a week is abonus for the wife and I.

 

Are you a trucking school student right now?

 

Excellent attitude Jim. You'll do just fine.

If the big meat grinder doesn't gooble you up in the first year.

 

First companies try to sell a dream to get people into the industry.. They show commercials of bobtails (truck) pulled up to the beach and the driver just having a great old time.. That could not be farther from the truth..

As a new driver if you want to make money you have to move move move. There is no time to be sitting at a beach.. Anyways if you did go to the beach you will find a nice sign that says "NO TRUCKS"

Crete carries recently fired any driver who was not running (not 100% sure of this number, I can get the actual number) around 10,000 miles a month.. That put a lot of people out of work such as people who was retired and only out to make extra money and enjoy life on the road.. They sold them a dream and then canned them for believing it..


Its a LIFESTYLE not a job..

Most people just don't want to deal with the lifestyle, Living out of a truck..

Companies are out more then ever to make every dollar they can from each driver, thus they are not going to give you time to enjoy being on the road...

 

Most signs I've seen, pop up well before you can even see the beach. Generally a mile or so away in some areas.

I heard the same thing from another driver the other day. he had just been put in a new truck, and they were raising sand about low miles. Although he had never gotten more than 9K a month from the start.

My lifestyle, has turned into a J-O-B. And I certianly agree, it's difficult to enjoy "time off" in a truck stop 100 miles from nowhere.