How realistic is it?

I would hope you raise your Goal quickly. If you are only making 38,000 then you are pulling the rest of us down. Driving a semi truck is a skill. Driving is a Profession. If you work for less then 45,000 your first year then the rest of us might have to take a pay cut and I for one won't.

Remember, if you are making less then 45,000 to GOAL. Get out and Leave.

 

You should make that almost by mistake,even with a mega.Say you make .33/mile and get 2500 miles for the week.Thats 825 gross.Even if you took a week off every month (and they aren't going to let ya do that more than likely),you'd still pull down 33K for the year. P.S.Those numbers I used are on the low end of what you'd probably be making and running,depending on whom you ultimately sign on with. My advice is do your homework deciding on which company you sign with,and then stay there for at least a year. At that time your options (and income) are going to expand exponentially.

 

I am also just getting into the industry, here in Northern Michigan. I am happy to hear there may be opportunities to get over 45k right away, and would love to know more details of how this might be possible here. I have been hearing good things about NBT in the area, and their numbers are a bit low to start, but offer more home time. I have also heard the flatbedding could gross a bit more if there are some around this area that any of you know about. I am also going to work on my X endorsement to hopefully open even more doors down the road as I am hearing the Hazmat / Tanker combo is worth it, but the employers are looking to hire some with experience.

Any help is appreciated.

 

Man that sucks Northen Michigan is a tuff place to work no matter were you live. I know this cause I was born and raised their. I am with a mega starter company and I am on track to gross over 40,000 this year if I dont drive my truck though their building first

 

Tolan, do you mind sharing which mega you are with now? And, what you like / dislike about them?

 

I work for Swift. Its a crap shot if you get a good dm and thats what has helped me is a dm that doesnt just view you as a number. Also I have proven that I want to run as hard as I legally can. My biggest complaint with them is the rate of pay. I understand that I am a rookie and will make rookie pay but .29 cpm is outrageous. I do ok because I do nit have a family to support, a car payment, or rent. I can take off time were ever I want and they are pertty good at getting you their when you ask to be their. I drive a newer truck and have been noticing they are getting ride of older trucks left and right. They got a bunch of 2015 out on the road now. The reality is trucking is what you make of it. You have to be extremely driven (no pun intended) to do this. Every decision is yours to make a good dm can help but for only so much. I hope that helped some if you want to know more about the companies their are company threads that give you a good insight on them cause its their employees postting on them. Also this fourm has helped me so much even if I didnt post or reply to a post just reading what other people are going though and what the vets give them for advice.