Are you a trainer?

I'm going to start my orientation with CRST on May 04, 2009. Anyone have any advice.
How much money I'm expecting after my 28 days period. A week, stimated.
When you get your time off, they drop you any where or on your state yard, so you can get your car.

 

Each carrier is slightly different. Plan on being gone (away from home) for the full 4 to 6 weeks of training. Normally you will be routed to your domiciled terminal once your training is complete. Once there you will be tested to see if you have attained the necessary skills to become a first seat driver.

In the event you do pass the test you should be put on the list for a truck assignment.

Some carriers will send their newly upgraded drivers home for a few days while they wait for a truck to become available. In the meantime they get to see their family before going solo. This also allows the driver to gather any additional supplies he may need as well as relax for a few days before getting back on the road.

Other carriers may want to assign you to a truck immediately (provided they have trucks available) and send you toward your house under a load to deliver. This will make the company money as well as pay you for the miles to swing through your house.

Most carriers pay by the mile. I do not know what CRST is offering a freshly upgraded solo driver but you can find out this for yourself once you attend orientation. Figure on running 2000 to 2500 miles per week to start.

The current economy is pretty sluggish so the miles may be lower but "normally" 2500 miles is used as the "average" a new driver will be expected to drive per week. Once you get used to the job and you prove you are a safe, punctual, and reliable driver you will be given more miles and be eligible for higher pay.

You should be able to earn $600.00 to $800.00 per week once you are a solo (depends on cpm pay and miles driven though).

 

Pretty optomistic posting there . Many members posted they waited 3 or 4 weeks for an available truck and $600 - $800 a week is twice what some claim they are making . A fortunate few might luck into the scenario you stated but it shouldn't be counted on .

 

Cedar Rapids Super Truckers (Cedar Rapids Steel Transport) is a team operation, That may be the amount to the team. As the secondary driver of the ream he will probably realize approximately 40% of the total.

 

With the down turn in the economy that may very well be true at some carriers. Miles do seem to be down almost everywhere.

I took the time to go to the CRST website here is what they have posted;
Contract Students
1st month (28 days with trainer)
Students coming out of driving school earn $50/day flat pay when assigned to a tractor*
1-2 months:
$.22 per mile
3-5 months:
$.23 per mile
6-12 months:
$.31 per mile

So based on the above info the driver should be able to "estimate" his possible earnings.

1500 miles # .22 cpm= $330.00 week
2000 miles # .22 cpm= $440.00 week
2500 miles # .22 cpm= $550.00 week
3000 miles # .22 cpm= $660.00 week


The above figures are for a "solo" driver. If this fellow intends to be a team once he upgrades then the miles will be consistently higher but the pay will be split.

What is really sad is that when I started driving back in 1992 the best otr pay offered was .21 cpm for a driver fresh out of truck driving school. JB Hunt even withheld .01 cpm for a year as an incentive to stay. Here it is 17 years later and the starting pay is .22 cpm? sheesh.

Starting out is always tough (more so in the current recession) but with longevity comes higher pay. He could take his "experience" after 1 year of service and get a much better paying job as well.

The key is to get his foot in the door and stick it out through this rough time.

 

That's good info . I doubt a new driver gets over 2,000 miles a week but he might . I've heard with some carriers as your pay rate increases your miles go down . But getting a much better paying job after a year ? That's doubtful now . Drivers aren't giving up jobs anymore . There are also too many drivers with 5 or more years experience out of work looking for jobs .

 

Valid points. I have "heard" similar sentiments over the years but have never really seen it personally (as far as miles being cut based on higher pay).

I guess I am still not used to being in a "recession." I am counting on things turning around by the Spring of next year. Whether that comes to pass remains to be seen.

In the meantime we all must hang on tight and do the best job we possibly can. By helping our carriers (employers) remain profitable through quality, on time service, we may be able to keep our jobs.