New driver desperate for help (2duis)

Recruiters are typically used car salesmen types. They don't often, if ever, talk anyone out of working for the company that is paying them to recruit. Recruiter words are not binding on the trucking company.

 

Your dueling DUI's aside, I noticed that you thought you'd make better than $23/hr driving a truck. This is not realistic. Once you figure out all the hours you spend driving AND everything else, I'd be surprised if you clear $16/hour. Add to that having to eat at truckstops, and you'll be taking home significantly less than you are right now. Let's face it, trucking has become the 'last chance' job for guys who can't make a decent living any other way. If you're making $23/hour at age 23, you are obviously not desperate enough to need getting into this EDITED of a career.....

 

Umm.... it's actually a very good career!... now, he might not and probably won't make the money he's looking for at first, definitely not the first year, but depending on what aspect of the industry he wants to get into, (what type of freight, hometime, ect), he can absolutely make good money if he keeps his nose clean, and gets experience under his belt. If you want to be home every day you won't make as much, but still a good living, if you're not afraid to work hard and come home maybe weekly, 80-100k is realistic in this industry after a couple years experience if you stay away from the megas. It's irresponsible to tell people there's no money in this industry, I know better! I'm doing it and have been for quite awhile, both as a company driver and independent contractor. I've seen bad ones that'll starve you and worked for others where I made six figures. Don't let crap attitudes like this discourage you man.

 

Y'know, I've addressed this myth about the "$100,000/year trucker", and I've asked for ANY driver who makes that kind of money SHOW US THE MONEY; at least 4 months of pay stubs proving they make that kind of money. I haven't had ONE driver take me up on this. Heck, I'll even help you remove all personal info from your pay receipts! Nope, nobody......

You see, kid, you've bought into the hype that the recruiters give you. The reality is that MOST drivers give up on the job after 2-3 years. I was a fool and stayed in for 7. I made 'pretty good' money for the time for a couple of years (a bit over 40K in the mid-late 80's). I even worked for a major carrier in the main office only 20 years ago, and I can tell you that NOBODY there made that kind of money; I had access to the driver pay info!

It's the same reason why people fall for con men; they SHOULD be suspicious, but they just HOPE that maybe they MIGHT get filthy rich themselves. You stand a better chance at making $100,000 at a roving game of '3-card Monty' than you do at any carrier. You MIGHT make a lot of money if you are a 'specialist', you know, somebody with specialized equipment, carrying extreme loads, but then, you ain't no carrier driver, either.....

 

Dude, go somewhere else. I did Foodservice for 10 years, made 100k all but maybe 3 or 4, the others were between high 80's-high90's, I got burned out went to a GOOD company running regional, made again high 80's-low90's, now I'm leased to them. You obviously found the wrong company/sector of the industry, or you maybe just aren't cut out for this. As far as sending personal info, ummm.... no!!!. Not because I can't,.. because I don't have much free time between running two businesses to send someone that doesn't matter my personal info so you can claim its fake.... go back to doing whatever you do now and let real truckers tell people about how this industry is and can be, if you're smart and work hard. Have a good day!

 

@Sharkwater513 I'm going to give it to you straight. If I read your comment correctly you did not get these DUIs while holding a CDL. This means part 383.51 does not apply. The 2015 DUI was 8 years ago and honestly, there is a good chance it will not be held against you. I highly recommend you speak to somebody who works with carrier recruiters who can give you a general idea of where you stand. Here is the bad news followed by better news.

The bad news is right now the overall economy is down. I know several drivers who have lost a lot of miles over the last 18 months. This means the carriers can be a bit more selective in hiring. If they have access to a driver that has a clean driving record that is who is going to get the job.

Now, for the better news. Go on and get your CDL and maintain a medical card because ----



----is your best friend right now! The longer period between that last DUI and the future is to your benefit.

One last point, don't pay for SAP. Check out your local social services agencies and see if they offer alcohol treatment services. If you can't find some free or reduced services see if you qualify for Medicaid, if you do you can use this program for these services.