Real first year earnings ? from a noob

I started an asphalt company and lost it last year so I'm now play catch up and get out of debt so there is no more retirement savings for a few years. I'm trying to stay out of bankruptcy.
I have a good job, that $60k was working local, 5 day weeks. I haul mobile medical scanners.
I'm back to running otr for them 3 weeks a month now though to make more cash. $.43cpm $25 perdeim, $25 every dock I touch. 3 weeks vacation the first day of employment, safety bonus. It's a good gig and the boss is cool. I'm hauling electric 4wd buggies now. 2500 to 3000 miles a week. usually 1200 loaded the rest empty and he doesn't make me try to haul other freight

opps, didn't mean to hijack the thread

 

It was good training but not fun. HE was tough and we had really nice 379 petes so he was protective too. He would smack my hanbd if I reached to downshift before I let it pull down far enough. It's be like... WHACK!! then you'd hear "hold that #### gear!"
plus he'd make me back into a dock over and over and over untill I not only got in it bvut got in it PERFECT and the FIRST time. and they wern't nice and easy docks either. Actually I did ALL the backing for a year.
Also there was no back road or parkign lot training. One day were were driving down the road in Ohio. I didn't even have a permit. He pulled over and said "drive" I said "how?" he said "guess you better figure that out"

#######!! lol

 

Looking for some clarification if possible.

After reading through the boards and looking at different companies to start and train with I noticed this.

PAM starts at .28 per mile, goes to .29 at 3 months, .30 after 6 months and .31 after 9 months and then .32 cents at 1 year.

Schneider looks like they start at .29 then goes to .35 at 6 months and .38 at 1 year.

Central Refrigeration starts at .29 and then goes to .30 at 6 months and then .31 at a year.

Yet all of them say that a first year driver will make about $35k-$40k.

I am by no means a math major but to me shouldn't Schneider be higher since for half a year your making anywhere between .03-.05 more per mile?

According to all three they pay mileage based on the movers guide so there should not be much difference there.

Or does one copmany really have more freight to deliver per mile?

All three have terminals near where I live and based on the boards any fo the three would be okay to start with to get my feet wet and get my seat time in.

Hopefully somebody can help me out and explain why the discrepancy.

Thanks

 

I understand the per diem pay as I have dealt with something similar in the past in different industries.

I just can't seem to grasp how all three can pay the same over the first year with milage rates being that different unless Schneider is really short on loads and miles.

 

No, just low on mile per hour.

 

It might be the degree of illegal running the company expects of you.
Probably won't be able to move as much time that legally should be on line 3 or 4 to line 1 or 2 with SNI as you could with Central or PAM.

If your already going to go OTR why not for a company that pays "practical" instead?

 

If your a new driver, put in 6-12 months with anyone (your paycheck wont be a big difference), that way you will have more doors opening with higher pay. Most new drivers dont make much because there still learning what they can and cant do with loads, they buy alot of accessories from truck stops and eat most meals in truck stops. It took me atleast 6 months to realise how much I was spending in those truck stops. I never made what I was expecting when I first started out. Per Diem makes a big difference (I dont like it). And another big one is Practical Miles! I was with Knight for a few years then moved on, I couldnt believe the difference between Practical and the shortest. Good Luck in your decision, and any company you choose learn all you can and talk to other drivers from other carriers so you can learn from them also. DRIVE SAFE

 

out of vogue, 1234

 

I know this will differ from company to company and person to person, but I would like some input of income I might expect to make as a company driver.

I'm anticipating at starting out around $30k, right? Realistically, what kind of earnings do some of you or some drivers you know make with a few years experience and a clean criminal and driving record? Lets say I do my 1-2 years with "bottom feeders" and suck it up making little. If I keep a clean record, can I expect the pay to increase and to what extent?

Is it possible for a good company driver to make in the $70-80k range being OTR?? Does local make more if you have experience and a clean record??

Any input would be nice. I'm about to leave the "corporate america" environment in January to go to driving school. I'm sick of 4 walls, a computer and heavy phone use. I wasn't banking hard core or anything but I have been making around $65-70k in sales and for my lifestyle it is comfortable. I'm looking to get to that range again hopefully once I get some experience. Am I dreaming?

I am going to a community college for training on Jan. 11th and I have to pay the $4500 out of pocket as I didnt' qualify for state funding. That blows....

Feel free to chime in and thanks in advance!!

Scott