Need Trucking Advice

No it's not gone. It's total value is tens of thousands. No truck school costs that much.

 

Hope this doesn't sound negative but I would personally advise you to really rethink this endeavor. I have been driving for 16 years and know what it takes to make it out there. I would always advise to a newbie that has a spouse or family to do something other than otr driving. You are going to be away from the family for 4-6 weeks at a time and living in florida could really add some time to this equation. Another thing is that drivers that are willing to stay out are the ones that are given the good miles. Getting home is a big stress to your dispatcher and the drivers who need to get home all the time and up doing all the dirty work such as picking up and delivering everyone else's loads. Plus they will keep you closer to home all the time which will give you crap loads and null miles making it so not worth being a driver and being away from home. Do the math.... 1800 miles a week x .27 cents a miles = roughly $480 a week before taxes! You can make this working the door at Wally World handing out smiley face stickers and still being home every night!

You will be investing quite a bit of time and money to find this out! The number one reason for newbies quitting is home time!

 

I'm a way, I agree. However, short term sacrifice can bring long term gain. Not all jobs are low paying and out for weeks.

 

It sounds like you are clutching at straws.

Making 12-15k, you could not possibly get enough from a tax return to pay for the school - much less bills during school and training.

And the first year as OTR you could not possibly send enough to your wife to support her, especially if she is not working.
It is hard just supporting yourself on the road, much less sending money you often don't have from week to week.

Just curious, what did you do in the military?

 

I have kids but can't claim them - my ex has that privilage.

Wow! 2 kids and a house gets you that much 'free' money? Must be nice.

Still, though, if I were in your shoes I would never do OTR.
I like time with my family, and like to see my kids.
As it is, being divorced and living in another state, being OTR is ideal for me. Instead of seeing my girls only every summer I can see them every month or two.
If we were still a real family I could not stand being with them for only a few days a month.
I would not even consider it a responsible thing to do.

And was the money mentioned?
I doubt that I am the lowest paid driver, and I know that many drivers make more than me because they push themselves much harder.
But...
No week is 'typical'. You get more loads some weeks, and less loads other weeks.
I pay $150/week child support, and sometimes I walk away with $600-700. Other weeks both my ex and I come away with $80 or so.
My average is around $450 take home.
I spend probably $150-200 per week to live out here. That will seem high to some, and you might be able to do better if you can manage to eat out of your truck for weeks on end. Not an easy thing, especially if you only have a 10 hour break. It can take more time to cook a meal on a truck than simply going in and getting fast food or a real hot meal.

And believe me, 10 hours does not really leave a lot of time for sleep - well, unless you can fall asleep at will and wake up ready to drive. I can't. I need a couple/three hours to unwind and fall asleep, and another couple hours before I am really alert enough to drive this big rig safely.

Plus you have other expenses like replacing worn clothing, internet (which can run from $80-200 per month, depending on how much streaming you do), video's to keep you entertained, laundry, sometimes showers, GPS, a TV and/or computer to view those movies and get on the internet, toll roads that you need cash for, etc.

Because out here, we live in our truck and our truck is our home.
'Home time' is simply a very short visit somewhere, until you are back OTR for the next month or so.

And now I really must be going.
I got here in Florida and was asked to 'help out' on a dedicated account - Walmart - so I have to be awake and driving after a strict 10 hour break with only 15 minutes for a pre-trip so I can deliver a load 135 miles away in an hours time.
Rinse and repeat for the next few days.
sigh
And this is so I can save enough $$$ to take my girls to Elitch's late next week, which I promised them last time but it didn't work out.


What I'm trying to say is this...

It is not an easy life, nor is it a prosperous one.
It is not a life suited to a family man.

It is, however, in the top 10 professions that are most likely to get you dead.

 

Hey man, sorry I was posting to what you had revealed at first. Didn't know the depth of your position until you revealed it in the last couple posts. Maybe you should try driving. Yes you will be away from the family but it sounds as if your options are limited. Find yourself a company that does their own schooling and you can get started for nothing up front. Sure you have to sign a contract with them but I would rather be on the hook with a trucking company instead of a bank or financial institution.

Being in ST. Augustine you could most likely get hired on with Central Ref. They have a school right there in Conley, GA on the outskirts of Atlanta. I won't bore everyone with the details but do a search on this website for them and you will get all the info. I have worked for them and highly recommend them.

Good luck man....