I don't know what to do anymore.

Ouch. You'd be lucky to make more than that for the first 3-6 months even if you didn't have license issues.

 

Did you try Cypress right there in Jacksonville?
Carolina Cargo will probably hire you and if you work hard can make just a little over $800.00 weekly. To earn that you must work hard and take advantage of the fuel bonus, on-time delivery bonus, etc. Their drivers have posted they make that much with no problem. You'll see lots of California because their bread & butter is frozen chicken from the Southeast to California, then produce back to the East Coast. That's not all they haul, but that's their primary freight. Stick with them a few months or a year, then you can easily move on if you choose. Not many posts about this company because the drivers don't have time to sit at a computer.

Did you try Florida Beauty Express? Make average $1700.00 weekly before taxes. They run hard like Carolina Cargo. Sometimes we do what we have to do in this old life, huh?

 

Keep your job as a diesel mechanic. At least then, you can get a 2nd job if you need to in order to earn a little extra pocket change. The CDL-A is a resume enhancement in your line of work, especially if you choose to apply with a fleet...because now you are able to drive the trucks into and out of the shop, recover abandoned trucks, or run a truck out to a stranded driver. (Companies I've been associated with in the past have used their mechanics to help drivers get back to the yard when e-logs puts them out of hours within spitting distance of the terminal). If you REALLY want to make the most given your qualifications, get a 2nd job with a tow truck company. Start in the light/medium duty to learn the ins & outs and work your way up to the heavy duty stuff. Being a certified wrench helps on service calls...customers appreciate it when they can get back up & running quickly, and you're able to move on to the next call. Light duty stuff wouldn't fall under the HOS regs, so working multiple jobs wouldn't be an issue. When you move into heavy duty, though, you'll probably have to give up the wrenching job (unless they also have a shop...in which case they'd likely put you to work when you don't have a tow).

Bottom line, you probably aren't going to make $800-1000/week on a regular basis with zero experience and a blemished MVR. $400-600 is probably closer to what you should expect to earn at the companies that will take you. Can you find a better paying job? Sure...they do exist...but in your position, they'll be few & far between.

 

Study the OOIDA.com website for the business end of being an 0/0, especially the insurance rates.
In the meantime you will have to tough it out and do what you have to do in order to reach your goal.

 

I agree with Chinatown. Landstar and other o/o outfits want 1 yr experience so, I would hammer down and work the year, save your money for the inevitable things that will happen to you as an o/o in your second year. It will go by so fast. Swift may hire you, they have a new payscale, much better than when I started with them at .25 cpm. Keep your head up and keep the faith.

 

Your a step ahead if you have experience as a mechanic. Not only do you know how to treat a truck, but you can save a great deal of money on repairs.

 

don't study OOIDA they say they are for O/Os and drivers,,they are only interested in making money off O/Os and drivers ,,when you get insurance thru OOIDA they act as agents and add 10% or more to a premium. Go to an insurance broker and you will get a better price or go to Daily Underwriters and they do not charge interest to finance your insurance,,OOIDA and AARP are the same,,sucking people to think that they are looking out for them but only acting as pimps to get a chunk of your money,,

 

To be more clear, I meant study the insurance to get an idea of the costs which will probably be very high due to the license suspensions; buy insurance anywhere you want, but be prepared for high costs in the beginning. The main issue right now is to gain driving experience OTR.