gob/bad/any advice accepted

I started in 1997 after the military, 22yrs- the best advice that I would like to give you is patience's, lots of it, thats were a lot of people fail after the first yr.

Don't tell the people at the place that you drive for when you start after about a year how to run there business or how screwed up the company is, they work there they know.

Patience's will be one of the keys in surviving the job, be very safe, go a few miles under the speed limit.

I would tell ya to get into the dry - van first to learn, trust me it will suck in the rain or the snow doing a flat bed, did that for many years wished I started out in dry van first.

Also don't try to be a hero delivering your load, ask for spotters when in tight places and if you can google earth your next delivery from your truck do it, so you can see what you may be up against and do not feel bad telling dispatch that its not safe for you to do it, again don't be a hero.

There is a lot to driving a Big rig, some places are now offering an associate degree's (2 yr) in trucking, but they also train you in being an owner operator, your job is not only delivering the goods, but avoiding accident's that other people may cause- to you.

Your support staff at home-wife and kids will be very important. They to will have to have patience's.


You can make a good living from it, and land a good paying job with good home time after as little as a year behind the wheel, but you may have to relocate for it, I have a brother that works for Wal-Mart he makes 6 figures, on a 6-2 sch.,

I have another that drives can not last more than 2 yrs at a driving job he has had 4 in 8 yrs , that is mouthy and tells them that they are all messed up and do not know what they are doing, etc you get the picture and he cannot make more than about $40,000 a year he's the one that will tell ya that he knows it all,.

Then you have me, I work for a good Co. and average about 62,000 and I am about the lowest paid driver work 5 on 2 off. I tell my dispatch all the time that I appreciate what they do. The jobs are out there, just be patience, and nice and it will come to ya and if you want to get ahead even more be willing to relocate for the right company. Watch your bottom line when starting out keep cost as low as possible, and do not even try to think about being an owner operator for years, stay a company driver less headache's. Just my 2 cents

Keep us posted

And asked Questions

 

I was using the amount of pay....a friend of mine is making there.....for the last 2 months.....he has made around $1500 a week

 

barbershop,, cool beans congrads! take care!

 

Hey Shop, you're my hero. When I grow up, can I be like you?

one more thing: sounds like you have an excellent wife. Do whatever it takes to take care of her emotional needs. Do you understand what I am saying, amigo? The Cool Kids are rooting for ya.

 

Does the kitchen area have any windows at all in it. I have worked at a place in management of a retirement facility, and even though the kitchen had some air in it from the big unit, it was not enough in the hot summer months. There was at least 2 window units installed, and once when they had a cooking enclave going on, we had one of the portable floor units from Home Depot sitting on counter and vented into the stove area.

 

Hi Iraqralph43,

I'm new to this site and looking for info on Sunoco. I've applied there. $1500 a week sounds like great starting pay. How long have you been with them? Where are u working at that they do three weeks on, one off? Do you work 6 or 7 days a week?

Thanks for your help. I'm a newbie trying to get into the oilfields in Texas.