Help a trucker wannabe out!

Good luck again ORG-I learn everyday from what hubby and I are going thru and this website. It's a wealth of info -just sometimes have to look past the disgruntled people bi*#ching and complaining or those boasting-or the peeing contests that sometimes goes back and forth in theads..... oh and yes there are those!

Cleaning up on the road is what you make of it- you can get shower credits as you fuel at TS (truckstops) and use those -some are not pretty but we have all used public facilities that are not. Wash up use wet wipes keep water in the truck. There are laundry facilites etc. Hubby's company does have some facilites at some of the DC (distribution centers) where he has spent the night. As you delve more into this you will find (and see I am sure! or even smell them first!!!!) the TRUCKER who is not clean, not shaven, has dirtry ripped up crappy smelly sweats and T-shirts on -but again-we see that in the public-but unfortunately use ''I live on the road'' as an excuse. Just go to Wallyworld on the first of the month to see prime examples of public displays of OMG what were you thinking!!!!!

One other big thing is learning the lingo on here.....lots of abreviations for everything!! felt like that when I first started reading thinking what the hell is an FM or TS or DC!!


I am SO NOT Doing my job today LOL!! well actually I am doing in between posts.....

 

LOL okay I am by NO means an expert on shower credits- but from what hubby tells me -you get fuel at the TS and are given ''credits'' like one shower credit for say 50gal. You then can use that credit to shower- generally when he fuels it's 100-150gal or such at a time depending so he may have some credits to use at a later time--but found out the hard way they do not last for ever. Hubby has also paid for a shower (like during training). Most of the TS ones are okay yes private with toliet sink and shower and you get towel and soap too. Some are not so nice. He has only been on the east coast side so NO idea what it's like out west or south. The ones at the DC are not so nice and he actually went down the road to the TS. You may want to see if there are any truck stops near you and see that they are like.

Some people call drivers ''steering wheel holders'' but you see how much there is involved and we are just touching on bits and pieces!

 

Money,

lets talk money !!!!!!!!!!!

 

money: all depends on where you start and with who- but basically from what I read on here and know-anywhere from (newbies) 0.25 to 0.35 cpm.

ORG keep reading up on the companies like you are-I have no personal experience w/any of those and would only be able to tell you what I have read on here. I do know there is a great thread by Oldnewbiegonnabe under General/discussion about everything- I'll get by w/a little help from my friends. Oldnewbie- just started at Swift and has been posting updates daily. He's in his 50's and just getting his CDL A has his B and was driving a school bus. (He was on this site since last Fall asking questions. ) On the other hand you will read lots and lots of Swift jokes or don't go there!!
You can also hover over someones name on here to get to their ''home page'' (?) and see all the threads they have started or posted on-another way to find info if someone on here spikes your curiosity.
Pretty much you make what you want of where you go. If you go with a positive attitude and know you are gonna work hard (which sound like you already do!) then you hopefully get the same back at you. Hubby's company is one of the bigger ones or 'driver mills' as I have heard it called (but not one of the worst) but he has had no problems. (no not on your list)

 

depends on the company I think- those numbers I got from off here and I know what my husband makes. Orientation /training is a set pay per day or week like $50 day or $250 week. Not much. And each company has how many hours you need to train to go solo like 160-300hrs. Go to the company website to see what they list as pay but I have a feeling you will see things like ''up to 40cpm'' Unfortunately starting as a newbie you will be on the lower end but I agree you want to be able to support your family. As in any industry you know the new guys start at the bottom. And that until you get experience ''how the heck do I get experience if no one will hire me!'' stands so true.