Possible New Driver

First of all thank you for your Service, since you live in Fort Worth why not go for a local company there's a tons of jobs in the dfw area, plus having a family takes a toll on them while you away and then you would have your wife hold it against you so it's not worth it buddy, again we can all give you a good opinion but you must decide what company fit's you criteria and needs. Good luck

 

When you're a divorced old man who hardly knows his kids, you'll think about things like this and wonder what the hell was going on in your head. I'm not saying don't be a driver, but we do what we do to support and enjoy our families. Most of us wish we had more time. Few of us have this attitude, even if we did in the beginning. If you think the night shift is anywhere near what weeks away are, you are in for a surprise.

 

Look at Community Colleges that offer a CDL program for credit, this will allow you to take full advantage of your benefits, including housing if applicable.

 

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportat...g/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm
Ignore the hourly pay. Many truck drivers work CPM and to make that $41k they work 70-90 hours a week to do it.

A few companies pay for training. Most are nothing but loan training scams, in that they deduct from your paycheck the cost of the schooling over the first couple of years you work for them. It is no coincidence, most do not remain employed with the same companies that front the loan.

LTL companies, however do often offer free worker to truck driver options that are free. LTL is also a much better gig.

In most states (all actually) you can get your CDL without going to school. I recommend this route much before paying for any schooling with your GI bill.

Most start as OTR. For most, OTR is a much worse gig; more work, more waiting, more dishonesty, less respect, lower pay, longer hours, less home time, and much less family life.

Many that just get a CDL are delusional about what the OTR lifestyle and income is all about. That is not without reason. OTR companies lie like mad to get meat in the seats and seldom live up to expectations.

That aside, I loved doing OTR and would do it again if I could find a honest company. But I have done it, I know what I would be getting into OTR. Most that enter this profession do not, and are as delusional as the day is long.

LTL, dump, construction, fuel hauling, ...... not OTR.

That is a loaded question. Who knows what the economy will be in 5 years? Even if you know that, there are too many ifs like - What is your location?, What are you willing to do beside drive? Who do you know? What is your driving record like? What will it be like in 5 years from now?

In a few rare cases you make more money is a team. But, for the most part the only teams that really work are husband/wife teams for obvious reasons; teams end up living in small cramped quarters for days/weeks on end.

Many other teams don't last, make crap, and many even earn less then what drivers would solo. It takes a special kind of run, drivers, and company to make teams work.

 

I love to drive, and that's the only thing that keeps me driving. 95% of dreamers quit in first month.
First six months I was ready to quit every second. I called my previous company, I was in printing, and if they would take me back I would go in no time.
After those first six months it started improving.
If you drive OTR you will see your family most likely every 2-3 weeks for 2-3 days.
About money you can make Fifty to hundred thousand, it's up to you, if you hassle every second 24/365 you can get to hundred thousand.
Most good companies won't take anyone,with less than 1 year experience.
To drive OTR is the easiest way to start.
I started with Swift, and looked for another job for years, and could not find anything better, because all the large companies that advertise in various truck brochures are the same BS.
But then 4 weeks ago somebody here on forum told me to check Craig's list for trucking jobs.
And I got good job in no time from there.

 

49K Aviation? With them expecting to go from 15000 planes to around 40,000 in the life time? Stay there. You will double your money in time. Don't come here.


1) What can I expect to make in the first year driving? I know it depends on company, but what's an average for newbies? Since I make 49k now, I'd to be close to that to maintain quality of life for my family and I.

Better to ask how much can you spend a week in the truckstops? There are famine weeks where no miles, no freight and there are weeks you work so hard with mountains of money. It averages out pretty badly.

2) Can I collect Post 9/11 GI Bill housing allowance at all in the training process, or will that not work since the company pays for training?

You are a Vet? That GI Bill belongs to you. Use it. Warning, companies indenture you via contract on hire so that you have to pay them if you got fired for rubbing a pole.... employments always at will.

3) I love to drive, travel, see the states in their glory. Do I have to start as a regional driver before I got OTR, or can I just go straight to OTR?

Regional? I suspect you will want OTR. All the Glory? HA. Ive seen the Glory. Ive also cursed it when it's a foot of split ice on Cabbage spinning the half on it (The drives on ice, other half on a little pavement) You will love it, curse it and everything in between. But what a Nation!

4) If I do decide to be a trucker, what company do you guys recommend?

Any company that will pay you at least maybe 40 cents a mile. In my day during the 80's they started off at 20 to 25 or so, they are still starting truckers off at 25 today. Where is the inflation. Show me the money!

5) As a follow up to number 1, what is earning potential say in 5 years? I don't want to be stuck at a single pay amount for years.

IF you are a bad driver you will not get paid worth a #### in 5 years. There are many ways to hurt yourself. If you started off at .40 you should be at least .50 should you survive 5 years.

6) This may be later, but my best friend who I've known since high school is interested in team driving. Do you really make more money, or is it minimal, or the same?

Forget the money. That cab represents a very small closet in which you two will be stuck living in for weeks at a time. I hope you both are good with each other. That makes for a elite team. But if there is conflict, any number of problems etc then forget it.

Husband wife teams make the best teams if both managed to survive training and work well together despite the problems out there.

 

Don't do it. One mistake out here and you could
Lose everything.

 

A wife and two young kids? Stay where you're at my friend. This is a decent gig for somebody single and homeless but not a family man.

 

I have a Masters in Meteorology and wish I would of stayed in that field . Loved it. But somehow ended up driving. Just for awhile till I find something else. Right. Nearly 40 yrs later I'm still driving. There's nothing I like about it anymore. The worst part. People with a death wish and their children are in the car. Do you really want to relive when someone pulls out in front of the truck your driving. It's a daily event sometimes numerous. Try stopping this going 60. Sorry for the sour grapes but you should know the underbelly of trucking.

 

Don't confuse leisure travel for trucking. They aren't even nearly the same. This is a job that will demand nearly all of your time.