is it worth it?

Sure they can support them. From a distance! Hubby going to be gone for 4-6 weeks at a time. Don't let the recruiters fool you! When he's home for those two days he will probably be sleeping. It is a good career, however if you have a family I in my opinion I don't think its worth it. It is very tough being a single driver. That is a big reason driver turn over rate is high.

 

I believe his pay may be cut.........up to 50% or so. depending on his new company !!

Good luck to you all, remember----Family First !!!

 

The way things are in the trucking industry today, no, I'd say it's definitely NOT worth it. If he can find a local job making $25 to $30K, you'd be a lot better off having him at home.

He'll be lucky to make $25K running regional as a newbie. And then there's road expenses.

 

not true, I made 45k my first yr, a lil more than that the second, prob he gonna have is he'll be putting in at least twice the hours, and not gettin paid for it, also not being home prolly for a min of 5 -7 days

 

3 out of 4, no make that 4 out of 5 respondents say "NO!" IT IS NOT WORTH IT! Trucking kills families and will eventually kill yours. Not to mention what it does to the driver!

 

Having the class A and some semi driving experience gives you options. Options are very, very good.

I had a nice straight truck job (around $45k with decent bennys) the last 4 years but when it went away a month ago I was able to stumble into another similar paying job (though less secure and with almost no benefits) because I had a class A and remembered enough from my 9 months of over the road to get through a check ride.

I didn't make that much OTR (I think it averaged out to to about $750 a week gross BEFORE road expenses) but it gave me some options later. We went into it with the mentality that we could do anything for a year.

OTR was harder on the family than it was on me. Our paychecks swung wildly depending on freight volume, breakdowns, and how the load and pay cycle fell. I think the weekly net pay extremes were $50 and $1070. When something bad happened I was several states away. I was gone for 2 weeks at a time, sometimes 3. When I was home (usually for 48 hours) laundry, restocking the truck, trip planning the load going out of the house, catching up on leep, and all the errands and chores that required my physical presence didn't leave whole lot of quality time for the family.

And really, after being alone for days on end it was hard to be around people, even the kids. I was already an introvert and the experience pushed me several ticks farther in that direction. It was pretty rotten for the kids to go for a couple weeks without seeing them and then to have me distant and irritable. Someone that is more naturally outgoing might have a different set of problems, though.

I think in summary having a class A and enough experience to make it mean something is good, but Over the Road is not so much.

 

He can make a decent living OTR and flatbedding will normally get him home more often than 5-6wks! It will be tough on both of you cuz it will be you meeting the teachers and handing out punishments as well shoveling the drive and most every thing else. Pay will most likly be in 30-40k range and will good one wk and nothing the next YOU BOTH MUST HAVE A BUDGET to even out the light weeks. When figureing pay keep in mind the tax deductions for OTR That can be big $$$$$$$

 

On a per-hour basis, he's better off at McDonalds.
Only problem is that McDonalds won't work him 80-100 hours per week.

1st year OTR...figure $25k-$30k on the gross.
2nd year...$30-$40k.

He'll top out at about $45-$50k and never go above that.
He can make a bit more if he hardly goes home, cooks his logbook(s), and takes every ###### load they give him.

The turnover rates are through the roof in this industry.
As are the divorce rates.
Also, factor in the damage to his health from sitting all day, poor diet, lack of exercise, irregular shifts, diesel fumes, etc.
Trucking is the 7th most dangerous US occupation.
Truck drivers on average have shorter lifespans than the general public.

Where in Ohio do you live?
If he can stick it out for a year or two, his best bet would be to apply to an LTL carrier:
$18.00-$22.00/hr (for all hours worked)
Overtime after 8/40
Home everynight/off every weekend.

Besides that, he's better off getting away from trucking.