Lifestyle?

40K your first year is doable. Just make sure that you budget well so you don't end up spending 39K.

 

I see your from Nebraska, call CRETE.... If you have young kids or your wife wont have it with you being gone 7 days or longer, then forget driving. I was in your boots at one time, not happy with my same ol same ol job.... and made the change to truck driving... I love it, but its not a job change, its a life change, its not for everybody. Good Luck to ya!

 

Rookie, I'm hearing the same $40k talk from the driving school recruiter as well. I'm researching the heck out of this as I HAVE to get back to work and soon! I have child support and have only worked 3.5 months this year # $10 ph.

I just came from the oilfield last year where the work conditions and rules make trucking look like a cush govt job (from what I can tell). I have no illusions of a glamorous, playboy lifestyle, but it isn't four walls and a bossman breathing down your back either.
I suggest as others here have, do your research! I sure am.

 

im doing the same thing checking here, checking there. i dont want to run in thinking im going to make a million either, but if i can 35k it will be a nice improvement. im looking at driver solutions what about you.

 

Some guys buy that recruiter crap about the travel, the money, the freedom, etc. etc. What they don't tell you about is the reality of living your life in a truck.


If your gonna team up, make sure you can handle 8 hours of sleep in the bunk as you travel down an endless maze of bumps and jolts- I thought I could- It rrally is tough and certainly not for everyone. Goodluck man

 

I can tell you for sure that the oilfield trained me well for this. It was not uncommon to drive 5 hr's + through the night (with no sleep), only to arrive at the rig site and have to rig up our equipment and trip in the hole. Didn't matter how tired you were or how hot/cold it was, you couldn't keep the rig waiting when you are a service co. employee.
Can't tell how many times I slept in my truck with a jug of water to brush my teeth or take a "tailgate bath" or how far it was to a one-horse town to get some junk food at a gas station.
You were living out of a vehicle (Dodge 2500) that is a LOT less plush than the most spartan bigrigs. You were lucky if there was a wireline truck with a full length bench that you could sleep on.
While on duty, you were in a loud doghouse with the brake squealing, diesels roaring and pipe clanging.
I think it was a great boot camp for trucking..

 

I'm going forward with this when I start school on Monday. I can't sit around any longer waiting for the perfect job to come out of the sky. It's a good fit for me at my age and place in life.
Not necessarily the best thing for everyone..