1 year experience... could use some career advice

I think that research is pretty important.....keep looking. I have been driving for almost 3 years now...did the 1-year training school thing OTR, found a job hauling tanker (local with minimal overnight). All the while kept applying for jobs that I really wanted, which was only (2) companies Con-Way LTL and UPS....guess how it worked out for me?? Don't ever give up!

 

Ltl is an option. I'm home every night and weekends holidays etc. Mail hauling pays decent home everyday with that also. The thing with ltl is benefits. Most mail contractors don't have any but they pay extra on the hour to make up for some of it. I made $20.44 about 10 years ago. It's probably more now.

 

Perfect example about experience. Your probably getting .65 cents a mile and someone driving for 40 years working at those truckload carriers are getting .40 if they are lucky. They might get $50 for a holiday once in a blue moon. Might see the house twice a month. It don't take experience in this industry.

 

I certainly think I'm an exception...not the rule. But I do think that if you settle in and just accept the status quo then that's what you will have. Not that there's anything wrong with the status quo....I just think that if your going to have the responsibility of being a commercial driver, along with all the sanctions from DOT, FMCSA, etc., there should be compensation that reflects the enormity of the other. And being home everyday is not a bad thing either........

 

Depends on what YOU want to do. If you don't mind working the food service industry is a good venue. I did it for 30 years with the same company (GSF). Great pay and benefits...ins , retirement etc. Home every night, work 3 to 4 runs a week...12 to 16 days each month. Only thing is its work, driving is NOT the main thing, working the stops is. Good Luck.

 

Yeah, I know a dude that works at one those food companies. I think it's the same one. He's union but his hourly pay is less than most. He makes most of his money sorting and segregating. His checks are constantly $1700+ a week and it don't slow down in the cold months. I've been driving since 21 and and in the military. I don't know a thing about sorting and segregating. I can't stand the smell of a warehouse. I had to use spell checker just to spell it. I wouldn't last a day in the food world. I guess it's not my cup of tea.

 

Just look for companies and apply. Ive been in contact with a local company hauling chips since I had my license for maybe two months. Went for an interview a few months ago. Was told that when I hit my year mark, if there was a position open, its mine pending I pass the road test. My road test is scheduled for Monday morning, to the exact day Ive had my license a year. Honest people, decent equipment, good pay... If my road test goes good, I dont see myself finding another gig anytime soon. When you find a place that interests you, be persistant and show them that, it will pay off. Good luck!

 

I went to college with major university and not as much help as you might think. It's what you know, who you know, and when you know it. Owned my own construction business for over 20years. Married perfect woman, four perfect kids and then the economy nailed home business terms like working capital, cash flow, advertising, piercing the corporate vail, attorneys, and crooked judges.

 

I had the same situation years ago man. You have a year in .. you're golden. At 2 better but a year is all good.

Look at local companies.. find them. They wont advertise. You may not even know theyre in your town. Tell them what you want. Also look into foodservice and ltl companies (there are threads about them here). Best of all : Look into dedicated. The right dedicated run is the best of all worlds. Small companies with ded runs usually have somehting going out and coming straight back. You get to drive your butt off rather than dealing with city traffic all day, still get to see the country (you'll miss that) and get home every day or two days to sleep in hyour bed and be home ALL weekend.

Most importantly dont settle man. Take some time off and look around. You've paid your dues you arent a desperate newbie begging for work anymore you're a skilled professional they need. Find what you want.. dont lose that family.

 

Seems like a lot depends on where you live.
There are lots of local driving jobs that pay better than that here in the PAC NW.
I landed a gig driving a chip hauler after just one year,on my second year with the company now and should gross about $50K this year with one of the bigger local outfits.
There are better paying jobs with a little more experience around here so I expect to do better in another year or two,one of the smaller outfits drivers are averaging about $60K a year and it's closer to home for me.
These are both 5 day a week jobs averaging 12 hr days,I start work at 7:00 am and go home every night so life's pretty good,not bad for a driver with 2 1/2 years I guess.

Edit: oh, and I don't do a lot of city driving,lumber mills are out in the country so I have some nice routes!