New driver in N,C. What can I expect

I tried doing a search but nothing really answered my questions. I live in central N,C and graduate in 3 weeks. The main companies I'm looking at are TMC, Millis Transfer, and Roehl. On the back burner I have Central and Prime
Im coming from a sorry job, hardly bringing home $425 a week. I'm single and willing to stay out 2-3 weeks a time onceI go solo. During my first year what is the realistic pay I could expect to BRING home after taxes. Id love to find a company starting out bringing home $700 if possible.
Any information regarding the companies Im looking at and weekly pay would be appreciated. If I can not match at least $550 a week I would be better staying where I'm at and being home every night.
Thanks

 

Based on your pay expectations, Prime should be first choice on that list, IMO. But no matter what company you go with, you need to be staying out 6+ weeks at a time if you want to earn any sort of respectable paycheck in your first year.

In any event, you probably won't bring home $550/week during your training phase with the new company, and probably not for a few months after you're released to go solo.

If your school is on their approved list, EPES transport would be worth looking into, as you'll probably get more time at home with them because of your location.

So for you, I'd recommend Prime if the paycheck is top priority, or EPES if hometime is most important. You can't have both for the first couple of years, so choose one.

edit: There are company forums here on TTR. Drop in there and talk with folks that actually work for the companies you've listed and ask their opinions. I'm not sure if EPES has a forum, but there are drivers that work for EPES that are active in the forum; just do a search.

 

Epes , considering your location would be a good choice. Also , once you get some experience look into GSF in Garner...I worked for them for 30 years, its a local job, home nights, unless you run the longer routes, but they foot the bill for a room. Great pay , good ins. great retirement too.

 

Yeah a few of us Epes guys on here. Home every week, can stay out longer if you want, I made mid 40's first year tracking better than that bumping up on 2 years. PM me if you have specific question I'll be glad to help you out if I can. It's a good gig far as OTR goes I'm happy here and we've a got a bunch of 10-15-20 year+ drivers. That says a lot for any company out here

 

Im only 10 miles from epes. Also averitt express, any idea on their operation and pay/hometime ?

 

www.epestransport.com

^ It's all spelled out in detail right there.

 

Thanks. I've read it but I prefer personal reviews. My main question was whats the chance of me bringing home 700 a week

 

prime may be your best choice....they pay 600 a week during training.. im in sampson county, nc. i plan on going to roadmaster when i turn 21 in August and prime 4rm there

 

To start with maybe not so good....you must learn to walk before you can run. After 6 months to a year as long as you apply yourself, don't want to run home every week end, and remain accident free...then you'll be in a better position to earn more. Might want to lower those expectations a bit to get your foot in the door.

 

I've been averaging $1k/ week since I got my CDL, but that's working for a 2 truck outfit and being paid 1099 flat percentage of gross to the truck.