Be honest, is trucking a good job?
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by morgothaod, Aug 9, 2012.
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Also I want to say that the people who say 'its not a good way to make a living' usually are the same ones who are struggling due to lack of experience or discipline, or are just lazy. you will find them in truckstops camped out, usually complaining about how bad it is to be a truck driver. the best advice i could offer is if you spend your time in the truckstop, you aint makin money
fland Thanks this. -
I would say an average company on an average week would pay between $600 to $900. If you want to pm me I could talk to you if you would like.
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It pays the bills I guess. If you live in a rural area it may be worth it, I live in Washington, DC and you are far better off doing something else working far less hours making better money.
For what it is worth, I am getting a few IT certs, I find that running solo you have a fair bit of time assuming you log reality, rather than working while logged off duty. Of course that sort of logging is commonplace despite being unethical and illegal.
Real wages for have grow much more slowly than many other industries, while drivers can still make a living even while driving legally they won't make much or at least much for people who live where I do. Of course, you can choose to work otr and live in a cheaper area.
Outside of the economics there isn't a very good culture out there in my experience, I have decided not to buy a CB for example as basically the worst trolls on the internet seem to all own one and want to see who they can get a rise out of. I remember as a child people on the CB being helpful and giving you good directions, but lots of people now are likely to tell you things that will get you in trouble.
I have found in these past 6 months that the pessimistic, negative culture at most truckstops is also something to avoid, I have never heard so many complaints for such crazy reasoning in my life. Just the other week I heard someone blaming the president for the low bridge in Middlesboro, ky. This bridge might have cost him his job, but it is clearly marked 13'2" and was around long before the president. The think is other truckers there agreed and added thier own complaints to his negativity feeding itself.
So the culute, and money isn't the best, bit it is still worlds above working in fast food or department stores, and you can't afford to be too picky these days, you can probably afford school and a modest apartment in most places and that is all you really need to get ahead.
Edit: when I mean not much I mean it from my perspective, I.e. 60k is average here, a household income of well over 100k is necessary if you want a house and kids where I live, if you can do that where you live on 30k you could feel rich as a driver. -
As a wannabe myself, $40k a year is a huge pay raise for me. Sad but true!
I am going to look at the positives going into this, because quite frankly, there not much else out there. Positive attitude and PATIENCE! I am going to make it work -
$75,000 a year ? Probably for less than 5% of the drivers out there .
Get a better job if you stick it out a year ? Again , only for a small percentage . Drivers aren't leaving the good jobs and BFI's are eliminating good paying private fleets by making them dedicated accounts .
There are better career choices where you get real paid training with a future like machinists or welders . Working on a cargo ship or river tug pays well and offers a good chance of advancement .
Young people beg for government funding instead of going in the military and earning educational benefits and possibly learning a trade that will provide a good future.
I'll tell you something else . A lot of veterans are getting medical care from the VA they wouldn't be able to afford otherwise . The VA clinics in this area are so overbooked they are paying for treatment at private facilities . -
The industry is not as bad as this thread nor posters on TTR sometimes make it out to be. My guess is, a lot of guys who have less than positive attitudes gravitate to this forum to let off steam. That's why I think there's the constant drone of negativity. There's plenty of drivers out there hustling and making a decent/good living and enjoying the work at the same time. They're not interested in all the whining that may happen here, so you won't be seeing their posts because they're not interested in this kind of nonsense.
Like others have said, it's what you make of it. -
our drivers are averaging $400 a week. they run totally by the book. and do there 34 at home DURING the week. don't ask me why.
i run by the book. my 34 is on the weekend. i average $800
i also look like a clwon. dress like a clown. smell like a clown. and i can't seem to get fired or put out of service.
so that logic doesn't hold up.
the world hates truckers. most of the truckers on the road are becuase they can't find work elsewhere. and most of them don't last 6 months.
it's the only reason i became a trucker.
but, to put it bluntly. you all hate us. and want nothing to do with us. but once your broke. you all want our jobs. and then you all do such a lousy job and get yourself in a wreck. that the govt has decided to create more and more regulation and shove it down our throat. forcing those of us who actually do suvive and like the living to retire. thus creating more rookies and more govt regulation.ShootThis, Everett, ShortBusKid and 1 other person Thank this. -
The IT certs are an idea if the jobs are available, which I know they are in some spots. I walked away from an IT position where I'd been for 8 years to get back in the truck. I missed it. Sometimes I second-guess my decision, but trucking is in my blood and I've done it since the 80s. Of course, the difference is; I'd already had the experience, so I didn't have to subject myself to the indignities of being a mega-carrier steering wheel holder. Also, my salary where I was working was nowhere near the national average because where I worked was pretty much the only game in town so, being in a right to work state, I had to suck it up.
One of the things I like about my job is that, if I need to make extra money one month to take care of an unexpected expense, I can. Run a little harder. Stay out a little longer. Can't do that at a desk job.
Oh, while I do agree that fudging a log book may be illegal, I take issue with you calling it unethical. The restrictions placed upon us by lawmakers that have no clue make it difficult, so we do what's necessary.Phillip Memug Thanks this. -
Don't listen to some of these people. Jesus Christ they make it sound like its indentured servitude. My god if it's that bad for you quit. Listen. It's as good as you make it. Are there some bad companies? Yes. Sometimes you live and you learn with some. I still enjoy the road, and I make good money. Yeah. I have an E-Log and a castrated truck. But you know what, I still make good money. $1000 a week or better, usually better. Just like anything, if you go in with a bad attitude and a me against the world attitude, trucking sucks. If you can see it for what it is, you get to go places that others don't get to. It's not the destination. It's the ride. We live in a big beautiful country. There's a lot to see and explore out here. If you're new, it'll take a while to make decent money. But give it time. It all works out. The naysayers out here feel they are entitled to do as they please, to hell with the rules. It's not the Smokey and The Bandit days anymore. Trucking is a good job if you make it a good job. I chose to make it one. Almost 11 years later, I still enjoy the ride.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
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