How much $$ am I really going to make 1st year..??

I would suggest you be more specific in your question.
For example when I got out of school I was an experianced
class B driver. I networked myself into a LTL position
that paid 1000 a week home every day. This was in
the 90's. Others on this forum go thru school and can't
get a job because of being a convicted felon or haveing
a past DUI or suspension. So why don't you tell us
about yourself, and the companies in your area your
interested in. Perhaps then someone from your area
who runs for a company your interested in can help.

 

Some LTL's hire right out of school some don't. I would try the
ones that do first by Googleing them. If it were me I would
tell them I would be willing to work the dock also. Whatever
it takes to get my foot in the door. Then try the ones that
require more experiance but apply as a dockworker. But thats
just me, I don't mind comming home dirty every day.Do a search
on the top of this forum of who you apply for. Roel seems to
be a good company OTR. They say stay away from JBH and
Swift.

 

You said home every night big dream. If you work PD during the day
with no experiance and you deliver in the city it will probably be
a bad dream. Backing in off the street in heavy traffic. Finding
docks 20-25 times a day. I suggest you work nights till you
get some miles under your belt. Hope for home every day.

 

If you have a good work record and they hire you LTL that
is reasonable. Once you get hired you have to be fast enough
to get the job done. Careful enough to keep doing it. Use your
spare time to keep in good physical shape. Some companies
if you have one accident during your probationary period your
fired. Preventable acicdents ruin careers. When your on the
dock imagine your invisable, because to a tired forklift driver
you may be. I have seen several people put themselve out
of work for many months just by climbing onto the dock
and falling off. If your fat you have a worse chance of
lasting. Tell your family or roomate there is nothing more
important than your sleep during the day.Some LTL companies
pay dockworkers within 2 dollars an hour of drivers. My guess
is between 14-17 an hour to start depending on the company.
Usually takes 2-3 years to get to top rate. It varies too much
to be specific but its worth trying if you think you can handle it.
Good luck.

 

you can't "expect" anything substaintal righ now. you are coming into a season in which things will move rapidly due to "end of year" tax time. then, after the 1st of the new year, and perhaps up to mid april there will be a slowdown in freight. you, at the bottom of "the list" will not be working more than say a senoir driver who has been with a company many years. if you manage to get into a union shop, like some LTL companiies are (just not all of them), expect to work on a "call-in basis", meaning, when they need you, they call you in. then, if you're not available, kiss good-bye that job. as for New Penn, they do not hire right out of school. you need some experience, and again, you'll be "casual" help, not full time. same goes for Yellow/Roadway, and even UPS.

your first year, (assuming) you start real soon before these upcoming holidays, you "might earn" up to $30,000. your next year, it'll go up because you would have established yourself at your job. but then again, you'll be the "bottom feeder" of any list, so expect to stay at home several times per month.

if you want to "expect" more money, then go OTR for a long haul company, get your experience, and be done with it.