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please give your advice

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ginseng, Jun 10, 2009.

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  1. Jun 10, 2009 #1
    ginseng

    ginseng Bobtail Member

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    Jun 10, 2009
    wv
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    any advice please:
    my husband is planning on leaving for arrow trucking company next week. He has no otr experience so he starts off at .32 cents a mile after orientation. they give a broad range of 1700 - 2500 miles a week. from my calculations after taxes and living expenses that should be somewhere in the $500 / week range. (that is speculating one can live off $100 a week on the road) but im not sure that im calculating correctly and need advice from someone who actually does this for a living. Currently he averages right at $700 every two weeks. so im trying to see if this is worth it or not before he takes the plunge.
    thank you so much
     
    ginseng, Jun 10, 2009
    ginseng, Jun 10, 2009
    #1
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  3. Jun 10, 2009 #2
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,676
    12,237
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    :biggrin_2551:Food is the most expense on the road. Depending on his eating habits, $12-15 per day will cover it. Buy as much munchies/can goods/ bread etc BEFORE he gets on the truck. DO NOT buy grub off the shelf at a truck stop. Showers are free when fueling. Bring laundry soap from home. Have him keep a diary for the first 2 weeks on expenses, all expenses. Some people are pretty loose with the cash, but it will get you into trouble in a hurry. He should carry enough cash/credit cards to get himself home or out of a jam. Nothing's worse than being stranded 1400 miles from home with $8.49 in your pocket. And remember, it will be a good couple weeks before you see the first paycheck.:biggrin_2554:
     
    Allow Me., Jun 10, 2009
    Allow Me., Jun 10, 2009
    #2
    ginseng Thanks this.
  4. Jun 10, 2009 #3
    ginseng

    ginseng Bobtail Member

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    Jun 10, 2009
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    thank you so much for your advice. I am also trying to see or rather compare his current earnings against new potential earnings with those additional living expenses. He is wanting me to leave my job and pursue my nursing degree which would be nice, but I'm scared to death he wont make what he is thinking he will and Ill be out of a job..
     
    ginseng, Jun 10, 2009
    ginseng, Jun 10, 2009
    #3
  5. Jun 10, 2009 #4
    rookietrucker

    rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,061
    7,055
    Jul 15, 2007
    TEXAS
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    Not to be criticizing your situation but more of a opinion. I would first wait 6months to a year before leaving your job for school. A percentage of newbies in trucking fail within the first six months for various reasons and the last thing you two would need, is to be both unemployed. One mistake out there as a newbie can finish his career as a truck driver. There are plenty of posts on this board with the information your looking for. It might take a few days to sort through it but it's enough for you to gain some ideas of this industry. I'm not wishing he fails but it could make a world of difference knowing what he is getting into. Good luck to both of you
     
    rookietrucker, Jun 10, 2009
    rookietrucker, Jun 10, 2009
    #4
    ginseng Thanks this.
  7. Jun 10, 2009 #5
    onelikeseabass

    onelikeseabass Light Load Member

    139
    25
    May 31, 2009
    Somewhere in great 48
    0
    Well congratulations to your guy. $0.32 for a brand new driver with no experience. That's nice!

    I shop at what many here call "Wally World" aka WalMart. After avoiding them for almost a decade, I caved. They have the best selection/prices for food and are usually easily accessible by truckers. I only spend about $35 a week on food for all three meals. Nothing fancy of course, but I'm a newbie and need to save my pennies for now.
     
    onelikeseabass, Jun 10, 2009
    onelikeseabass, Jun 10, 2009
    #5
    ginseng Thanks this.
  8. Jun 10, 2009 #6
    ginseng

    ginseng Bobtail Member

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    Jun 10, 2009
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    ya, that is what they said .32 and then .34 after 6 months. He drove once before about 9 years ago but it was under 3 months so he cannot claim OTR driving experience with that, He has since then always drove local. which he loves, but his hours along with so many others has been cut. I can work part time with the option of returning full time if needed but it is a seniority thing. so id have to wait until they needed me full time again and loose my 8 years of seniority to boot.
     
    ginseng, Jun 10, 2009
    ginseng, Jun 10, 2009
    #6
  9. Jun 10, 2009 #7
    ginseng

    ginseng Bobtail Member

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    Jun 10, 2009
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    OK, so if a trucking company says they give you 1700 to 2500 miles a week, which is the most likely? ( you can tell I'm new to this ) but I have read a lot of truckers post not to believe the company. and Id imagine that the economy has effected truckers greatly over the last couple years.
     
    ginseng, Jun 10, 2009
    ginseng, Jun 10, 2009
    #7
  10. Jun 10, 2009 #8
    onelikeseabass

    onelikeseabass Light Load Member

    139
    25
    May 31, 2009
    Somewhere in great 48
    0
    Just estimate on the low side of whatever they tell you. Nothing is guaranteed.
     
    onelikeseabass, Jun 10, 2009
    onelikeseabass, Jun 10, 2009
    #8
    ginseng Thanks this.
  11. Jun 10, 2009 #9
    Crotts Trucking

    Crotts Trucking Medium Load Member

    375
    115
    Dec 23, 2008
    Duncan, AZ
    0
    1700 to 2500 is an average. Your husband comes home for 3 days, only gets 800 miles that week, next week gets 2600 miles. thats 1700 mile average.
    They also average the miles company wide for recruitment purposes. some guys have bad luck, or bad habits, and get few miles. others bust there butt, and get high miles.
    I would keep your job, it will make the first 6 months to a year easier on both of you.
     
    Crotts Trucking, Jun 10, 2009
    Crotts Trucking, Jun 10, 2009
    #9
    kickin chicken and rookietrucker Thank this.
  12. Jun 10, 2009 #10
    txranger28

    txranger28 Bobtail Member

    35
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    May 25, 2009
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    True! Don't believe everything the company tells you, they're looking to bring people onboard, not drive them away! However, I wouldn't base your decision strictly upon what you read on these forums. They are filled with great widsom and knowledge which are of good use to newbies; however, they are also filled with folks that have an axe to grind.

    Do your homework, read, compare, study and come to a decision. Hey, if it doesn't work out, atleast he tried.

    Is this the only company he is looking at?
     
    txranger28, Jun 10, 2009
    txranger28, Jun 10, 2009
    #10
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