If you had to start all over...

If I had to start over (and was younger), I'de join the Marines. I'de retire. Then I would get my old job back. Then it would be OK to work for 2 to 3 weeks at a time without a paycheck..

 

Specialize like OS or tankers. I went to driving off road HH and the truck you see below. It has a down side but the upside greatly out weights it. I'll retire in a few more years at just over 60 comfortably.

 

If I had to start all over again, I would run away as far as I could. But assuming I had to be a trucker, I would get some good $10000 for a downpayment and buy my tractor independent of any lease purchase programs. Then I'd work for the company that I do know, haul their trailers and no obligation to stay. North and back in 4 days hauling meat or west with meat and back with wine in 5 days. I guess it's an ok job, about as ok as a trucking job can get.

 

If i had to start over?, man! thats a scary thought, but I'd try local first, maybe end dump, or belly dump, something like that, if nothing available, then maybe look to OTR, that would be hard to advise on with experience drivers, we all have are own little quirks and not one company will be great for all, best thing i can say is, talk to as many driver from multible companies, and go from there

 

Thanks for all the posts.

I had a great trucking job. I drove a day cab, was making more than $900 a week, was off every weekend and only stayed out over night about once a month. But, that company went out of business when fuel prices shot up a few years ago.

After that I tried another company that insisted I cheat my log and wouldn't let me come home at all. So I quit the industry for a few years.

When I wanted back in no one wanted to hire me because I couldn't prove I had over 2 years experiance driving. Maybe I didn't look hard enough or in the right places, but now I'm under contract to PAM and while I'm getting plenty of miles, I can't seem to get two long trips on the same weeks paycheck. So, my pay has been very low.

I'm starting to think about breaking my contract and looking for better, closer to home.

 

It would be good if you could stay with them for at least 6 months to 1 year to give yourself some recent verifiable experience.

 

Yes, that was my plan. But, my wife has had to move in with her mom and get on food stamps. She can't get a job because we can't afford daycare for our 5 month old baby. My last paycheck was $170 and we just can't live on that.

In 6 months I can become a trainer and start making some good money. But getting there is hell.

 

Times are tough and hope you have the best of luck with your new family.

 

If you are getting plenty of miles, it seems to me as though your average pay should be adequate. If you are getting plenty of miles and have a short paycheck one week, you should have a much larger paycheck the next.

 

If you break that contract you will be in a worse hole than you are in now. It could be worse, at least your wife and child have a place to sleep and eat, I am not making fun of your situation, alot have been there. If you are getting good miles why only 170$? It is gonna take a team effort between you and your wife. The last thing you want is to be worring about them when you already have enough to worry about. How long are you staying out? I am still puzzeled about the good miles and 170$ how many miles and how much per mile. Think outside the box, on how to keep more of the money. I also think your wife might need to find some way to work PT, if she is on food stamps, there is also assistance for child care, she just needs to contact the local Human services office in your area. Try to hang in there it will get better, at 6 months start contacting other places and see what happens. Good luck and keep us posted.