New Driver's: How is the pay, really?

They really don't care. But they'll hire you.

How much debt? Is there not a way you could be able to do as huntersdad suggested, WIA? or something similar?
If you didn't have a couple of blemishes on your record it wouldn't matter as much. But trucking full of guys that got out of it real quick for one reason or another. And even though you're way ahead of "the game" by being active in learning about trucking, you never know.

My second week solo out here I got a mild case of food poisoning or something. To make a long story short and leaving out the parts with plastic bags and paper towels. I was close to leaving the truck on the side of the road.

I don't see those local dump jobs as that bad myself (couldn't do it for long). Its honest at least. And every OTR company has a little CRengland in them.

 

As a team drivers, my hubby and I have been able to pay off all of our debt since Feb, which was about $18,000. If you work hard, eat out of the truck, and cut down on other expenses out on the road you can save a lot of money. We also decided to move out of our apartment since we are never home so that has also saved us tons of money every month.

Good Luck!

 

I hope as a team my hubbie and i can make good money.. We are selling our house, and trying to get out of debt..i went to driving school( only girl there for two weeks) while hubbie was out on the road..i have a new and great respect for drivers now after being out there.. We had a great time together and met some neat people..hope to meet some of you!!

 

I won't say what I make because everyone will want to do it. Just becareful who you hook up with, They all give a line of BS so you will sign.

 

Hey Globetrotter, how's it going this is Rdmann long time since we talked.
Nice to see you guys are doing well with the green train, I will start with the Swift Driving Academy in Lewiston, ID sometime this month September 17th or 24th Trans Union didn't work out, so starting over with Swift.

Take care,
Rdmann

 

Hey.... I'm in the looking stage for a training school. I have talked to CRE, got accepted but now I am leary of them from all the posts here. Lately I have been talking to Drivers Solutions and would be signing on with PAM or USExpress. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. ZZ

 

is there a swift school in your area? i think ppl would rather you went w/ them than cre ... or if you're dead set on reefer ... what about southern refer trxport or central reefer?

 

Making $800/ week after taxes and spending $100/ week in misc. But I'm doing local and not sleeping in the truck.

 

Avg. 3k miles /wk at .30/mile = $3600 gross and that is taking NO home time and NO time off each month. I would guess your actual monthly gross is closer to $3000 to $3200 per month.

 

My opinion.. just from reading the above, especially the predicted income based upon working 8 hr.s per day, 7 days a week... drivers are so abused by companies it's pathetic. Guys think "wow, I MADE $40k my first year!!! Let me ask you, how many HOURS per day/week/month did you actually WORK to make that? Break down that $40k or $50k a year GROSS to an hourly gross wage, and then back out costs... food, tolls, tools, clothes, accessories... and see how much you really make. Your actual TIME WORKED is not only driving time, but time sitting, waiting on loads, waiting on repairs...all the time you are NOT at home relaxing with your family... all the time you are IN or WITH your truck. Now look at what you really make, and then how often you see the wife and kids... and THEN compare it to a suit and tie existence (something I have never been able to do btw... the suit and tie gig). Anyway.. just an exercise here in reality v. "I made $50k last year!"