needs advice to get started

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by sublimeoholic, Oct 10, 2010.

  1. sublimeoholic

    sublimeoholic Bobtail Member

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    Oct 10, 2010
    fort wayne, in
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    I am considering going to the truck drivers institute in south bend, IN to start a career. I was told that I would most likely wind up with a regional job where I would "be on the road for 5 days or so then be home for 2". I was also told I would make 40-45,000 my first year. If this is true I would like to jump on the opportunity. Does anyone have any advice that could help me decide what to do?
    Thank you,
    Craig
     
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  3. Rocky64

    Rocky64 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 3, 2010
    Greater Chattanooga
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    Truck driving is a good career. That is my opinion since Ive only had a few truck driving jobs and don't know much.

    If you applied for a regional driving job and met the requirements, I would say you have a good chance of getting it.

    40 to 45,000 your first year is ok, but I bet you drive closer to 120,000 miles.

    My advice is to do it.
     
  4. Milk_n_Cookies

    Milk_n_Cookies Light Load Member

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    Oct 10, 2010
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    Take everything you were told with a grain of salt. My advice is do not go into trucking.
     
  5. sublimeoholic

    sublimeoholic Bobtail Member

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    Oct 10, 2010
    fort wayne, in
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    I meant 40-45000 dollars my first year...and I dont really have a choice about getting into it right now. I have no job a wife and 2 kids...I need an income....yesterday. Is 40-45000 and home a couple days a week possible for a newbie?
     
  6. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
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    Not to say you can't land a job like that but you will definitely need a rabbits foot or four leaf clover. $45,000 a year is about $900 a week. That is a high wage for an over the road driver! Maybe get into something like Pepsi or Budweiser etc... where you would make commission off your sales. That's really the only way I personally see you taking home that much in a five day week. Running by the mile I don't think you will be pulling that off. Keep in mind I am in Florida though and local driving may not pay here what it does up there. Sorry, trying to keep it positive without shooting you down. Maybe some posters that live up your way can chime in. Anyway welcome to the forum and good luck to you!
     
  7. sublimeoholic

    sublimeoholic Bobtail Member

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    Oct 10, 2010
    fort wayne, in
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    I just moved to Indiana from Florida in hopes to get a job in my field as a Harley Davidson Technician but no one want to give me a job till spring due to the slow winter months. How can a recruiter tell me I would make 40-45000 and it be more like 25-30000 (maybe)
     
  8. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    Deland, FL
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    They tell you a lot of lies. They work off of commission and are no different than car salesman.
     
  9. sublimeoholic

    sublimeoholic Bobtail Member

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    Oct 10, 2010
    fort wayne, in
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    what is a reasonable idea of what a new guy would make?
     
  10. Milk_n_Cookies

    Milk_n_Cookies Light Load Member

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    Well, after being on the road a few months the wife and kids thing is going to become a problem for both you and them. I wouldn´t put a lot of faith in the home every weekend thing you were told either. More likely every 2 or 3 weeks.

    But you say you don´t have much option so I´ll skip all the reasons not to do it.

    To answer you´re question, could you make 40-45,000 in a year truck driving? Sure.

    But you could also make 40-45,000 in a year working at 2 fast food places as well for the same amount of hours or probably less. Seriously.

    Here is my advice, the minute you have your CDL and begin driving OTR, start putting your app in for local jobs. Dump truck, Coal bucket, Cement truck, something. OTR is no place for a married man, 2 kids.

    Just do it long enough to get some exp and hired onto something local.
     
  11. sublimeoholic

    sublimeoholic Bobtail Member

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    Oct 10, 2010
    fort wayne, in
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    another question that I have been wondering is why would you be gone for 2-3 weeks? you dont go drop off then come back? it sounds to me like you go drop off pick up then go somewhere else.
     
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