Should I even get into trucking?

Out of curiosity, do you carry commercial insurance on your car? And if not, will your normal policy pay for any claims if you have an accident while driving for work?

 

Your medical specimens may be insured, but I'm not so sure about you and your car. You may want to call a different insurance carrier or a different branch of your insurance company ("What if I did this . . ."), or do a search on-line. If you call an 800 number for information, they have your number, even if it is blocked. If you call your agent, you can bet that he/she is required to document the call and post your file. He/she has a higher obligation to the company than to you.

"Just because I am paranoid, that doesn't mean that people aren't out to get me".

 

120,000 miles a year (48 weeks, 2500 miles a week, things I have been told are average for truckers that run 'normally' (Not lazy, not 'running hard') ) x .298 cents a mile (starting wage is .25 cents for a swift driver, goes up every three months, to a maximum of .32/.34 (east / west) by the end of your first year.) .298 is the 'maximum average' (Each pay jump added togeather divided by the 6 pay steps in that first year = .298) )

120,000 x .298 = 35,760 (48 weeks out. 2500 miles a week)
130,000 x .298 = 38,740 (52 weeks out. 2500 miles a week)
To reach 40k its
144,000 x .298 = 42,912 (48 weeks out. 3000 miles a week.)
156,000 x .298 = 46,488 (52 weeks out. 3000 miles a week.)


This is just swifts numbers. I should have said 'first year' come year too it looks alot better. Jumps to 40k and 49k respectively (On the 48 weeks out 2500/3000 mile example)

If my numbers or miles are off for 'average' running, please let me know. I'm here to learn

What is concidered 'low' 'average' and 'hard running' (But legal) Injun has stated 2200 is a 'lazy' swift driver. So I figured 2500 = average?

 

so tell me the good points if any-can you make a living as a newbie

 

That all depends on what types of driving you will or won't do and what your definition of making a living is. But for most people I think the answer is generally yes.

 

Those numbers will never hold up... nobody ever gets those miles every week as there are too many variables.

Example... I loaded Thursday for a 5AM Saturday delivery. No freight out of Arkansas on the weekend so I sat until Monday.

I loaded Monday afternoon and delivered Tuesday morning in Wisconsin where I live. I have maintenance to do this week (and I need a break!) so I won't load until Friday... but my delivery is Monday... so there's a week without a load.

Weather conditions, breakdowns, traffic delays can all cost you a day here and there making those 'perfect' weeks an anomaly.

Drop and hook operation help somewhat but I doubt very many irregular route drivers work more that 40-45 solid weeks every year unless they are on a dedicated run.

 

Drew, did you contact your insurance company? I'm curious to know what you found out.

 

So, you guys are saying that my recruiter(s) are lying, and that i won't work 42.5 hrs/wk and make 55k my first year if i lease?

 

I think 2,000 is a more realistic average for a new driver 1st year. Expect 2,000.