Questions from a Student

you get 1day home for every 7 days out usually
newbies average around 30-40k first yr
seasoned drivers can make upwards of 60-80k or more, really depends on what division you go with, tankers make good money,flatbedders have better opportunities like Oversize which pays Good.
it is a Good career but you need a very supportive family and gotta really love your job.
hope this helps you out,Good Luck

 

You being a family man, you need good pay.
The good pay is with tanker/hazmat. Get those endorsements along with a passport & TWIC.
If you do this and are aggressive with the applications, you should be making $60K - $70K + annually within 12-24 months after graduation from CDL school. You can make this money local or OTR. Ignore the "experience required" on companies websites & apply anyway.

 

Get a passcard its cheaper than a passport. Only $65 n a photo from walgreens is 10. Look for a company that pays more than 33 cpm starting out. I work for Maverick in the TCD division, started out at 35 cpm, 3 months later hit 38 cpm and 6 months I'm at 41 cpm. In 1 year i goto 42 cpm. Look at the CSR scores. Stay away from CRST, england, swift, pam, stevens... All the really big ones. Do your HOMEWORK... Go to the truckstop and talk do different drivers. Get their word, cause the recruiters are silver tongue devils.

 

A passport is for crossing the border in and out of Canada.A TWIC card is the Transportation Workers Identification Card,it is used for access to ports.Stay far far away from C R England,Swift and Stevens transport.Where you live is something that will determine which company to drive for.Do not let a recruiter talk you into a L/P program.Pick up some driver recruiter books at local truck stops and look thru them.You can always talk to drivers in your area.

 

you can also just get an enhanced license it includes your passport.

 

To answer original question and not get side tracked on pascard/passport....It all depends on the company. I work for TMC trans. Yes I have to tarp, but they have a paid training. On weeks I get home I make at least 1000/week and on weeks I stay out 1200+/week. Last year, ( my first year as a trucker) I made 58,000. I average 47 cent / mile. Flat bed is a lot of work because you need to strap and tarp, but its very rewarding. For TMC, you can get home weekly and if you stay out you can take an extra day off when you do get home. I found staying out 2 or 3 weeks was best for me.

Now I'm a trainer and make 1600+/week and I'm only in my second year. I'm on track to make over 80,000 this year and I get home every 2 or 3 weeks.

Driver above said 20-40k your first year...At TMC, I shattered that goal. They will never ask you to run illegal and are a greet company. Your other options are, Swift, Us express, Warner, or some of the other big names. All of them pay horribly. Do to insurance requirements, no small company can get insurance for new drivers so you will need to go with the big names to start. Feel free to msg me I fyou want more info on TMC, but I think it was a great choice for me and i am making tons.

 

check twic online for locations,you cant do it at a dmv