Any Advice?

I felt my pulse increase while reading your posts. I can't imagine how difficult these circumstances are.

I've been preparing for a career in trucking for about 2 & 1/2 years now. I wanted to get started back then, but I'm glad I took the time to research and prepare myself and my wife.

One of the best posts I've read in this thread was from ole GasHauler. Not the advice about getting a government job (yuck!)
but about preparing financially.

If trucking is really for you, and you really want to pursue it, then don't think of it as a last resort, but as a goal.

During the last year, I've worked a second job making anywhere from an extra $100-$300 a week. That money, along with additional savings will go toward school and paying several months living expenses while I go through training and get acclimated. It's been tough, but it will be worth it.

You mentioned a min. wage job will only bring in $300 a week. What about two min. wage jobs? A person with your exprience and skill set is worth his weight in gold. It's just determining how to mine that gold... Could you live with family and develop a specific plan/time frame to save money to last the transition period? Just a thought.

As far as first year earnings, the concensus seems to be $40-$50k is tough. But I'm a numbers guy by trade (credit analyst/commercial lending) and have crunched the numbers everyway they can be crunched. Depending on what company I start with, I can tell you down to the mile how many miles I'll need to run to take home what I do now. Key word, "take home".

Even though I gross $40k now, I have calculated that I can take home the same amount as a driver at $32k gross. Note: this is not true for everyone! But in my case, I've have a number of large deductions that will go away by the time I become a driver, and witholding will be less.

So you may not make $40k, but you may not need to.

Do your homework, and best of everything to you.

 

Please do a search, and let me know how many noobies make 40K the first year.

I agree, some make that, or more.

But it is a very small minority !!!!!!

Good Luck !!!

 

Hey Andrew5184 make sure you add cost of living on the road into your numbers. This is probably what kills most drivers. If you are not smart about spending your money on the road you will not go home with anything. Stay out of truck stops. Don't eat there, it is expensive and usually makes you ill, don't by stuff there (especially movies) take your shower, fuel and leave or vice versa! Stock up at WAlmart. You can get a tractor trailer into just about everyone of them. Put a decent size fridge in your truck and stock it! Don't buy bottled water, for the love of god!!! It is costly and retarded! Of course have a gallon or so for emergencies, but get yourself a good insulated mug or thermos and fill it up at the when you fuel at the truckstop. Most truckstops will probably give you free ice especially if you are getting fuel. Doing these things will also help keep the weight off. If you smoke or dip try to kick the habit because in a truck all day will probably increase your intake naturally. We had a satelite radio and listened to Dave Ramsey every day. It made quite a difference in our lives. Kept us on track of our goals and listening everyday really hammered it home.

 

heres my 2 cents................you can make as much if not more working at mac's in the morn, and burger king at night, plus you won't be subject to all the rest of the crap we gotta put up with, and you'll be home every night, plus working the 2 jobs will still not be of what the hours you'll put in trucking. They took all the dignigty and professionalism from us in the name of greed, these trucking compainies are looking for desperate people, and not the ones with brains either) trucking is a sad sad place to make a living anymore.

 

Good Points !!!!

 

Thanks! That is one area I could see being my biggest problem. I can fritter away tons of money on food and beverages.

But like you, I'm an avid Dave Ramsey listener, and he has really helped me get control of my spending.

 

This is a sad, sad post. It really drives home the point that 85% don't make it more than a year.

All the more reason to do your research. And sometimes, even when you do, you'll try it and realize it isn't a good fit.

 

Alright I've got a couple more questions if Dave doesn't mind me posting in his thread. I do have my own I could post in, but it's full of pictures.

1. Do you have to wear a uniform when driving? Can you wear anything you want?
2. How hard are people to get along with in this business? When I get to my destination are they going to give me a hard time about where to go, tell me to not idle my truck or even tell me to stay in my truck?? Are the folks at the truck stops easy to get along with? What about your DM or the company you work for? Will they treat you with respect? How hard are 4-wheelers to get along with?
3. What is the one thing that can really set you off out there? Have you ever just lost it with anybody and told them where to get off?

Thanks.

 

Phroziac that Motorola plant is at Beach Street & I-820 in Ft. Worth, TX.

 

Andrew-sounds like you did your home work and yes great threads here on what it's like. The reality is somewhat different and I am not one to say don't try. I am all for if you have the right attitude and really really want to do this then go for it!
My husband started in Feb-start up costs for all the 'stuff' and don't forget a cell phone w/decent plan cuz you are gonna want to talk to the family (we have Verizon free calls to other Verizon) good truckers maps and GPS, CB not a given but still comes in handy and all the cooking gear fridge etc. Just know too after a LONG day you may say F*it and just eat at the T/S. He's now to the point (not counting training where you get paided beans) the checks are getting to be better and much more average not the up and downs. Of course this is also a busier time of year for freight. Hubby has had some pissa$$ days and some great ones! (the day he hits the dock spot on and the unload goes great vs being stuck in NYC traffic on Memorial day weekend or hunting for a place to pull over in the Bronx....) You will hear many naysayers and again I say go for what is right for you. If your wife is not on TTR get her on here! I have learned ALOT from experienced to newbs happy and not so happy. Being the one left at home is an experience all in it's self too.
GOOD LUCK!!