getting started trucking

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by transit, May 21, 2010.

  1. transit

    transit Bobtail Member

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    May 21, 2010
    0
    may have to switch carriers,been working in factory for over 20 years,thats all i ever done,about 50, about ready to have knee replacement and docter says you can try and go back to work but might not be able to do job,it is not recommended to do heavy lifting again and kneeling well be impossible,lots of heavy lifting at work.tells me might have to get another job.
    is 50 to old to get into truckdriving? do you make better money at a local day job driving or otr? the local job might be hard to get,probly more money there, how many go to school and fail? seems hard if hardly ever done much long distance traviling and go out cross country,be really good to see country and go to places lot people never see. at 40 hours i clear maybe 450 bucks. how long or many hours do you work to get that per week. not much money when your paying for showers and rooms? eating out all the time,how much ######## and stuff do you got to put up with when starting out,have read some bad posts on this,sounds like could be rough,anyone know of any good places close to eastern iowa to go that might be hiring for beginners and that after awhile would get to go solo? team driving does not sound like anything that would want to do,lot more people would not get along with then would
     
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  3. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    Nov 8, 2009
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    I can answer some of your questions for you.

    1. 50 is not to old to get into trucking lots of older drivers out there
    2. Usually local jobs pays better, and harder to get without experience but not impossible
    3. trucking schools aren't hard, not sure how many fail but I can't imagine to many do
    4. OTR drivers work 70+ hrs a week and get paid by the mile so you will clear $450 a week. once you get threw training with whatever company hires you you should make more then that a week. Expect $30-40,000 gross first year depending on who you hire on with.
    5. you get a free shower when you purchase 50 gallons or more of diesel at most truck stops
    6. OTR drivers sleep in the sleeper on the truck not in hotel rooms
    7. If you get hired on with a company that allows inverters you can get a fridge and a microwave to cook in the truck to save allot of money on food.
    8. you might want to check out Watkins Shepard, they hire new drivers and have there own school, But with your knee you might want auto transmissions so you might want to check out U.S Express check to make sure there hiring Solo's NOT TEAMS out of your area.

    I suggest you do as much reading as you can in here and make sure your a good fit and qualified to drive and get hired before you spend any money on school.

    Good Luck! and Welcome to the Forum!

    American Trucker
     
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