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
⌃

Worried CDL Student

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by JFKHasNoBrain, Apr 25, 2017.

Page 1 of 7
  1. Apr 25, 2017 #1
    JFKHasNoBrain

    JFKHasNoBrain Bobtail Member

    23
    5
    Apr 25, 2017
    0
    Ok so I am about a week away from starting driving school to obtain a class A cdl. The school I am enrolled in offers the chance to get a job through some of the recruiters they have come in. So I decided to look up the companies and see what their workers have to say about them. It seemed like they all said the same thing. "Great for experience, not good for pay." I decided to Google "best trucking companies" then look into what their workers have to say as well. Even with these "best of the best companies" I was reading the same thing. "Great for experience, not good for pay." I go deeper down the rabbit hole and the more I read the more worried I'm getting. I'm seeing people saying that they're not even making enough to support a family. Some even say they have just enough to eat when on the road, but not enough for anything else. Saying they're basically homeless. Obviously I don't know anything about the industry, but is there a "dark side" to trucking people don't mention? Before my "research" I'd always believed trucking was a good way to make a living. 40k+ a year. Now I'm about to start school and I'm wondering is this really for me? The life on the road appeals to me very much, but I still want to have money and a comfortable place to stay when not on the road. I'm looking at doing otr trucking for a couple of years, then switching to local only once I've saved up some cash. Any input or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
     
    JFKHasNoBrain, Apr 25, 2017
    JFKHasNoBrain, Apr 25, 2017
    #1
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. Apr 25, 2017 #2
    gentran

    gentran Light Load Member

    139
    197
    Mar 29, 2011
    0
    Local ltl companies would be your best bet imo. They take on new drivers in markets where drivers are more difficult to find. Home every day and you can make as much or more than a new otr driver. Also, you dont have to live in a truck with trainer for weeks.
     
    gentran, Apr 25, 2017
    gentran, Apr 25, 2017
    #2
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  4. Apr 25, 2017 #3
    Midnightrider909

    Midnightrider909 Road Train Member

    2,383
    9,599
    Oct 26, 2016
    0
    It's not that bad. My wife and I started at 31 cpm and were at 44 cpm at the one year mark. We now make between 1300 and 1500 per week. You won't get rich the first year.
     
    Midnightrider909, Apr 25, 2017
    Midnightrider909, Apr 25, 2017
    #3
    QuietStorm Thanks this.
  5. Apr 25, 2017 #4
    JFKHasNoBrain

    JFKHasNoBrain Bobtail Member

    23
    5
    Apr 25, 2017
    0
    I don't expect to. Do you have any companies you'd recommend working for? Any you would advise to avoid?
     
    JFKHasNoBrain, Apr 25, 2017
    JFKHasNoBrain, Apr 25, 2017
    #4
  7. Apr 25, 2017 #5
    Wade68

    Wade68 Light Load Member

    162
    125
    Nov 15, 2014
    Port Richey, FL
    0
    Just sent a "start conversation" post to ya with my phn nmbr. I have a lot of info, but don't want to type it all out.
     
    Wade68, Apr 25, 2017
    Wade68, Apr 25, 2017
    #5
    Mike2633 Thanks this.
  8. Apr 25, 2017 #6
    Midnightrider909

    Midnightrider909 Road Train Member

    2,383
    9,599
    Oct 26, 2016
    0
    I started with Watkins Shepard and feel they treated me well. Avoid any Mega Carrier if you can. Try to get your Hazmat and pull tankers or go LTL if you can. @Chinatown will be here soon to suggest companies based on your location.
     
    Midnightrider909, Apr 25, 2017
    Midnightrider909, Apr 25, 2017
    #6
  9. Apr 25, 2017 #7
    pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    22,474
    20,137
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    You would be better off going regional or dedicated then at least you'll know what your pay will be every week.OTR I would say is the lowest of pays because the miles are so inconsistent.There will be times you'll be sitting for days waiting for a load.
     
    pattyj, Apr 25, 2017
    pattyj, Apr 25, 2017
    #7
    gentran Thanks this.
  10. Apr 25, 2017 #8
    slim shady

    slim shady Road Train Member

    3,468
    14,690
    Sep 14, 2011
    Chicago, Il.
    0
    Where do you live, lots of decent starter jobs out there
     
    slim shady, Apr 25, 2017
    slim shady, Apr 25, 2017
    #8
  11. Apr 25, 2017 #9
    Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

    3,844
    20,168
    Jan 23, 2016
    Eastern Iowa
    0
    I think the reason you are seeing so much negativity is because truckers tend to only talk about the negative. Plus, in my opinion, there are just a lot of wimps and a lot of dummies out here.

    The guys who go broke are the dummies who eat at the buffet 3 times a day and outfit their truck with all the latest gadgets. And don't even get me started on the lease purchase guys....

    But you get the idea. Watch how you spend your money and live within your means, especially for your first year.

    That said, give us your location and we can give you better insight on a good company to work for. Good luck!
     
    Kyle G., Apr 25, 2017
    Kyle G., Apr 25, 2017
    #9
    Milkman719, BigBob410, Sweet Jimmy and 4 others Thank this.
  12. Apr 25, 2017 #10
    JFKHasNoBrain

    JFKHasNoBrain Bobtail Member

    23
    5
    Apr 25, 2017
    0
    I live in Illinois
     
    JFKHasNoBrain, Apr 25, 2017
    JFKHasNoBrain, Apr 25, 2017
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

    • Page 1 of 7