How to make more money other than experience?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Nyseto, Mar 29, 2019.

  1. Nyseto

    Nyseto Light Load Member

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    So I’m currently with a mentor at Swift about to upgrade to solo in a few more weeks and I already got my tanker and doubles/triples endorsements on my CDL, looking to get my hazmat on there too. My question is, other than putting in the time to gain experience, how else can I make more money by moving vertically as opposed to horizontally (driving more miles/experience). I’m gonna be going into flatbed after I have my 200 hours by the way.

    I’ve been thinking about doing tanker or getting into car hauling or oversize trucking. What do you guys think?
     
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  3. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    finish any contract you have with Swift...if you got your CDL with them, that is.

    i'd highly recommend at the very least you get in 6 months of driving, BEFORE you jump ship.

    1 year would be better, giving you 4 seasons of driving.

    to "job hop" so soon, speaks volumes of your work ethic....which jumping ship after only 200 hours, is telling me, you don't have much of one.

    "you gotta do the time", no quick way to really gain any experience jumping ship for every job you think, is going to pay you more...
     
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  4. SteerTire

    SteerTire Road Train Member

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    I agree with the above. But...

    There are several companies that will hire you at a much higher rate of pay. Even without a years experience.

    I do believe I saw a Crete thread here. Where someone was hired in at 40+ per mile with 6 months. They’re not bad, if you like running your ### off.
     
  5. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    a full years worth of experience is (in my opinion) better than 6 months..for one, it shows commitment and dedication over a lesser amount, and gives the driver 4 seasons worth of experience, even if he/she lucks out, and doesn't get dispatched to snowy areas.

    but yes, 6 months will suffice at some carriers.
     
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  6. SteerTire

    SteerTire Road Train Member

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    Agreed. But most of the mega companies play the regional game with drivers.

    It would take him years to gain the type of experience that most of the older drivers got in one.

    Many of our first year drivers are kept out of places like NYC or Boston. And are kept south in the winter. Allowing them to just get comfortable with driving the truck.

    I’ve done all of the lower 48 & Canada. Excluding the NW Territory. Through every season. I didn’t do it in a single year. But It’s hard to get that kind of experience these days, even with 5 years.

    That’s not a brag. It’s only a reference to experience. Experience that can’t be gained at a Mega in one year.

    So bailing on a job is the only real issue he may have. But that’s why carriers have revolving doors. One walks out, two walk in.
     
  7. Nyseto

    Nyseto Light Load Member

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    No no, I meant right after the contract is done which is one year. No less than that. I’m talking about what to do after one year or when the contract is paid.
     
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  8. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    oh ok...from reading how you posted it, sounded like you were gonna jump after training.

    good luck.!!
     
  9. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    I think you should take your time for a year or so. Have some patience, because that is really required to be safe in this line of work.
     
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  10. zinita17601

    zinita17601 Road Train Member

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    Food service company but u gotta work your ### of,sygma network sent me to nyc with less then 3 months experience.made between $1200 and $1500 take home back in 2008
     
  11. Midnightrider909

    Midnightrider909 Road Train Member

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    Use your year at Swift to research other better companies and decide what niche of trucking interests you. Don’t be afraid to approach other drivers currently driving for carriers that you might want to jump to. That’s what I did and decided to haul explosives. If I were younger and solo I would have done car hauling. Tankers pay well and if you want a challenge there’s heavy haul. Put the time in, keep your license clean, and do the research.
     
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