Realistic Pay I can expect to make.

To answer the original question: After about 6 months, I was bringing home about $600-$700 a week, doing a regional job. 5-6 days out, 34hr break over the weekend. After a year, I was up to about $650-$800 a week (I got better at planning and using my time wisely).

As far as back injuries, be careful using the landing gear. I've tossed my back a couple times doing that.

 

You can expect to make $300-$400 a week while you train.Then when you get out on your own you might make $600 a week if your lucky. Get some experience in and you can climb anywhere from there up to $1200 or more a week.

 

Did you get your injuries on the job? If so theres always social security disability!

 

I started school at the end of June. I finished school in July. I started with SNI in August.
I can not speak about your health issues, but there is a pre work screening they do. There is a video on the website (and alot of other companies are doing similar). I know I busted my ##### and unloaded nearly every trailer I could.

When I was OTR on a dedicated account I was typically home for a ten hour reset during the week, and my 34 hours rest on weekend. Not a minute more.The last twelve weeks I was OTR, I was averaging bringing home $800-$900 a week (with per diem). My first four or six weeks I could not make a plan, map a trip, organize anything, so I was probably only averaging about $500 a week.

Three months ago , I went to a local gig with SNI which pays a salary on a four day work week. I make about $700, but am wrking 48 hours opposed to 70-80 hours, and I sleep in my own bed each night, see my kids each day. If I work even one extra day , fill in for someone, or take an outside run, I can make what I did working OTR.

From reading this forum and talking to alot of other drivers on the road, drivers in and out of my facility, I hit the lottery of trucking with this job. All I know is I am happy, home, and whatever I am making now, is alot more than the $0 a week I was making a year ago.

Raid3r

 

Hey thanks but to quote george jones "I don't need your rockin' chair
Your Geritol or Medicare" I have already mentioned that I will find something.

 

Well, thats a good thing! I've got a busted up back and a bad elbow from work! But I'm still gonna do it and hide the pain! I passed my DOT physical! Good luck to you sir!

 

If you have a bad back stay out of louisana, arkansas, dallas/ft. Worth, chicago, nyc or endure the pain from bouncing. There are some killer pot holes out there

 

I was thinking along the same lines as you bigkp,at 56 my back can't withstand the heavy lifting I did when I was younger,the spine compresses with age.Also my job is being privatised,so I will be retiring 6/30/11 with a decent State pension and benies.But I'm too young to do nothing till I croak so I was thinking get my cdl and drive,but guess what, when you have a bad back sitting for long periods of time is not good for your back,walking at a comfortable pace is the best thing to lubricate and loosen up the moving parts of your spine.So I don't know what I will do but it won't be driving.
Also my son is OTR with Werner since 1/3/11 ,he hasn't been home yet,it's almost like they kidnapped him.His average paycheck is not much more than $300 a week,myself I wouldn't get out of bed for that kind of money(heck my pension checks will be double that).But he's enjoying himself seeing all 48 states,puts up some real nice pictures of scenery on face book,and he's always happy when he calls,so I guess he's cut out for the lifestyle of living out of a truck.
Maybe if you can have your back fixed surgically,then go for it,I know that's a scary thought.What ever you do,Take care.

 

300 bocks a week? Are you serious?

 

Dont forget about all the major highways in CA. lol