Considering OTR as a new career....

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by rebelmedic, Dec 22, 2006.

  1. rebelmedic

    rebelmedic Bobtail Member

    8
    0
    Dec 22, 2006
    0
    Hi. My name is Joe, I am a recently displaced Paramedic, I am looking at getting into the trucking industry. I am tired of Paramedicine and the hassles that come with it.... I have not yet attended school and am just begining to look at schools and companies, any advice would be welcome. I am used to very long hours awake, 72 to 96 hrs a week for the last 6 years,

    My questions include...

    1. What will my salary be as afirst year driver. best and worst

    2. what companies should I look into, (bakersfield california)

    3. is local an option?

    4. How much money do you spend out of pocket???

    5. Would you be a trucker all over again, If you had a choice?


    THANKS EVERYONE RebelMedic:occasion5:
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. pro1driver

    pro1driver Heavy Load Member

    939
    47
    Mar 30, 2006
    North East, USA
    0
    average $35,000 - per year for about 1-2 years.

    the "usual suspects", like Schnieder, JB Hunt, Werner, Swift.........

    yes, when you get some experience

    depends on how much you like to eat/drink/do laundry/snacks/toys/etc,etc. but, say around $150.00 to $300.00 per week............

    a resonding NO.......!!!!!!!!


    my pleasure
     
  4. luvmyhubby

    luvmyhubby Road Train Member

    3,644
    2,732
    Sep 12, 2005
    Sidney MI
    0
    1. Your wages will depend on if you drive solo or team and who you work for but probably right around 35,000 or close....

    2. I can only tell you to avoid Swift and JBHunt ...do a google search for
    "trucking jobs" there will be tons of places to check out.

    3. Usually a newbie will have to get some experience before they can get a local gig BUT dont leave that out of your search, you just might get lucky enough to find a smaller company that would give you a break....not very likely but still......

    4. Weekly spending depends on how much you DONT want to spend....my hubby is out 14 days at a time, he has a cooler, laptop and tv in the rig..I stock him up every time he is home...it is much cheaper to shop at home than out on the road at a truck stop...drinks, snacks, microwaveable meals, instant soup and such...he eats once a day "inside" and it costs about 100.00 a week, mind you that includes his fountain pops, ciggys, and meals...and a new movie once in awhile, or laundry if he needs to do it...

    5. Hubby and I both agree with the good and the bad figured in YES, trucking has been good to him before I met him and even better since he has been with the current company for the last 2 years.
     
  5. Aligator

    Aligator Light Load Member

    85
    9
    Jun 21, 2005
    Mississippi
    0
    I made 57K this year, my first. You will not do that well unless you can land a job with a manufacturer of some sort......and they probably won't come looking for you; you'll have to find them. Generally if a company spends a lot of time telling you how great they are, they ain't all that great.


    Yup! For me it's a 5 year project, though. That's how long I need to work until Social Security kicks in. But trucking is doing the job I needed it to do.
     
  6. buck and a half

    buck and a half Mr. Miles & Miles with Many Smiles

    775
    57
    Aug 11, 2006
    madison,me
    0
    best of luck to you. I would still be driving a truck all over again. I can retire in a couple of years. Thought about it long and hard but you know what! Seriously thinking of buying my own truck again,with retirement income paying the bills,I can afford to pay for a truck and have fun money for me and the wife and grandkids. I don't think you will be sorry if you like to drive,its alot better than working. Try to get a no touch job driving unless you like a good workout. keep us posted on your progress please,thks.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.