Retired from Service and looking for work

$60K is easily achievable with hazmat tankers, even for new drivers. The work's easy; drag a hose and hook it up, then snake it back in the storage tray on side of trailer after unloading.

That $60K would begin after all training is complete and you're a solo driver.

Contact some tanker companies that hire new CDL graduates and inquire if your back problem would stop them from hiring you. Also ask which schools they recruit from.

Here's some companies that hire new CDL grads even if the website has "experience required."

SVTN
CTL Transportation
Superior Carriers
Trimac
Tidewater Transit
Schneider Bulk

 

Some companies are 100% no-touch freight, but the pay won't be as good as tankers. Maybe some other drivers will add to this.

Ozark Motor Lines

 

Welcome to TTR and thank you for your service. Physical activity was slim to none on the dry van reefer gig I had for my first year. I gained weight as a steering wheel holder.

As far as pay, under min wage after all added up. Pay per mile does not factor in all the extra. I'd suggest tanker or LTL for the better money.

 

I'm doing the Tool Time Tim Taylor grunt right now

 

Hi dlp, I too, thank you for the service. I think the $60K part is a tad optimistic, and $30-40K is probably more realistic. Be skeptical of "sign-on" bonuses, as they are merely a ploy to get you in, and I heard, most of these don't materialize for a year, and then, the company finds some stupid excuse not to honor it.
Most trucking requires some sort of physical duty, although, doing what you're doing is pretty rare. Dragging a hose around (which can be kind of heavy), re-stacking pallets, finger printing a load( floor loaded loads) are all pretty common. Many companies boast "no-touch" and while there are situations like that, I've had like 7 (sarcasm) "no-touch" loads in my 35 +years.
The least amount of physical activity, in my experience, would be tanker, (although, very limited openings), dump truck, or a line haul( take a trailer to a terminal, drop and hook, and return). Remember, in trucking, as with anything else, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually isn't true. Good luck.

 

I am being medically retired, 15 years active, with some Guard time in there and a break in service once all is said and done, I am talking to a couple of companies now, I have a pre hire from one, but I already have the CDL and a few years driving.

I think there are allot of great opportunities out there, I am not a huge fan of Crete, but they have their Patriot fleet, I am not sure what the requirements are, you can check the website and see. I am sure there are allot of companies that love to hire Vets.

Keep us posted.

 

Don't just look at the yearly gross, you need to focus on what you will bring home after taxes, meals and what else will take your money during the week. Then take what you bring home and divide the hours that you have spent making this amount. At this point you will get a pretty good idea if trucking is profitable for you.

 

Groendyke Transport is a tanker company and they pay between 50-60k. They are real big on hiring veterans since the company owner is one. The physical demands of driving a tank isn't that bad. The hoses aren't heavy at all. If you can climb up the ladder and onto the top of the tank than you'll do great as a tank driver. The hardest part of pulling a tank is the mental aspect of it. You are dragging a constantly shifting load so you have be on your toes when driving.

My suggestion to you is get on youtube and look at the differences between dry van, tanker, reefer, and flat bed. The videos will give you a good idea of the physical demands and you'll be able to decide for sure on what kind of freight you want to pull. Once you decide that you can begin to narrow down the companies to work for.