Rookie pay

There's still money to be made in trucking. But right now, we're all at a disadvantage with this economy. So you'll need to have some plan of execution, and a decent company to work it.

I've made just over $6K (pretax) in the past 2 months. That's not in line with what I've made in previous years, but it's good for me. I've reduced my driving a considerable amount this year, by choice.

I could make a lot more, I choose not to. Right now I need those weekends at home. It's spring, and I'm cranking up the contractors who work on my house. Obviously, they're getting rich. Because they can't seem to find time to do the work. Too busy elsewhere.

The money is still out here. It's just extremely difficult for a new driver to get. They're at reduced wages, and reduced miles, until they get a handle on their job.

When I say reduced miles. There are 2 reasons for this. A new driver is not familiar with routes, and takes more time. And dispatch tends to play with kids gloves, for a few weeks. To allow you time to get the feel of the road.

 

That is some good news to hear that the option is there to make some money in trucking. I fully agree with a back up plan, as I am not at this time able to fill the truck driver job because I am working at the moment. All I been doing in research and when the time is right I think I will make the jump but at this moment I am going to stick things out at my current employeer. All though it would be nice to part-time learn the business because I have a family, house, kids and just can't put all my eggs in one basket right now. I don't want to be laided off from my work right now but I am in a pinch because I have to stay till they close the doors to collect the package they are offering me. I used to work 60 to 70 hours untill a few weeks ago they decided to cut all overtime. Now I am stuck because of my schedule I can't pay all my bills and I don't have the available time to work somewhere else part time due to my scheduling conflictions. So more I read and research the more I want to get into the field but as you and many others have noted economy isn't getting better specially in my next of the woods. Let's face it they money I make a hour isn't worth the 90 min drive one way. So, I take back what I said about not having to except 30k a year, probabley with all the tolls and gas I would make out.

I am sorry about the rambling everyone.

 

I've been rambling all my life. You're in good company.

If you truely want to drive a truck and make some serious money. If you're in a situation where you can wait...just wait.

When this economy fully recovers, you'll have to beat these cheap SOB's off your doorstep with a baseball bat.

If you ever thought telemarketers were bad...just wait until you get in JB Hunt's database.

 

Oh my goodness, I been reading some of it. I stay away from JB Hunt, my neighbor works for them and if they are able to hire that man I know they aren't a good company. Can't tell we don't get along do ya. Very long story let's just say I won that battle but lost lot of money doing it.

 

Choosing a job out of necessity, is the most rational reason.

As far as a man or a woman lasting past his/her first month. Fear, desperation, and small children, will make them slit your throat to create the opening.

For every loving parent that seeks a job in trucking in desperate times. There is 10 times the desire to succeed, than you'll ever find in the person who merely drives a truck because they like it or enjoy the lifestyle.

25 years or more ago, I would agree that this is a lifestyle choice. That's no longer true. It's simply a job now. One that lets me travel, with minimum supervision.

Choosing a job out of necessity, is rational. Choosing this job out of necessity is not always rational. That question is not the only question I ask it is just the first one.

I do not try to disuade people from a career in trucking anymore than I try to persuade them. I try to determine their reasoning, their family structure and support, as well as their mindset. A man going to work as a truckdriver to support his wife and kids, makes absolutely no sense, if his wife isn't supportive. She is going to leave him and take the kids with her and all his work is for naught.

In truth, going to work as a truck driver is not a necessity unless your wife is telling you to do it. In these tough economic times, It is familial bonds and familial support that is going to pull us through, not money.

 

At the risk of having my shorts smoked... I'm going to give you my exact thoughts on that.

Any woman who doesn't support their husband making this move out of necessity.

Is a worthless human being, and not worth the air that she breathes. Let her leave. She was probably going to any way.

The vows were "For better or worse".

Not, "Let's watch our kids starve, because you're a worthless piece of #### that can't contribute during times of economic stress."

Do I seem angry? Yup...Especially since my ex didn't "support" me, when I was offered a 3 day a week job, with a starting salary of $50k plus beanies, in the mid 80's.

Because it required me to be away from home for 3 nights a week.

 

I understand that!

But if someone is happily married, and the wife says... "we'll find another way." It is better to find another way than to put your family and children at risk.

And yes, the woman may not be worth a hill of beans. But I don't think a reasonable person wants to put his kids at risk.

And no kid is going to starve in America, unless the parents are just too proud to ask for help.

 

1 in 8 Americans...adults and kids alike. Will go to bed hungry tonight.

 

There's all kinds of careers that will take a man far away from home,oilfield,construction,trucking,sales,railroad,and I'm sure there's quite a few more.
A man is responsible to feed and support his loved ones.
To me that's the bottem line,period.
Wether that may be 2 miles from home or 1200 miles,we got to do what we got to do.
Sitting around the house scratching your %^$& and crying about the economy isn't going to help the family.
It's not easy been there done that,but hey nothing is forever.

My 2 cents.

 

Sitting around scratching your %^$& in a truckstop waiting for loads and making $300 -$400 a week isn't helping the family much either IF you manage to get a job at all .