Starting School in 2 weeks!

glad your not looking to get rich, to many 1st year drivers have been on here screaming they have been screwed, because they aren't getting huge pay checks, But you can make a fairly descent pay, but you will need to stay out longer away from the family, not trying to be a downer, but that's the simple truth, better paying job In this industry will more than likely want at least a year under your belt, good luck

 

Go with the best pay and benefits since you have a family. Re-evaluate the situation after 12 months.

 

Check out that 2k bonus. Make sure it is legit. Sign on Bonuses are generally to experienced drivers most places.

 

right now you are at the mercy of the industry. so listen closely to the recruiters voice. ask about starting mileage wages. how i based the weekly wages for the trucking industry.

the weekly pay scale based on a 1000 miles. and how to view it.

.32 cpm x1000= $320 gross a week
.32cpm -.10 perdiem=.22 x1000= $220 a week gross
.22 cpm -.065 cpm taxes=.155 cpm x1000 =$150 a week gross
.155cpm -.05cpm family heatlh insurance cost = .105 cpm x 1000 =$105 a week gross pay.

a senseble person in the trucking industry bases pay on a common wage that is earned in other career fields. such as a factory worker that brings home $289 to about $340 a week.

so what should you expect to make the first few years of trucking. between $18,000 to $32,000 gross.

so when you are talking to recruiters and they tell you starting pay. base it on 100,000 miles. and the rest is simple.

my advise to you. I would try using the pilot experience couple with fleet management experience to find a job that is going to be more suitable for you.

the other part of trucking that doesn't get mentioned. is once you become a trucker. you can't get out of it. the reasoneople in america don't hold any value for the skills and the discipline it takes to be a driver. pretty much drivers, especially truck drivers are seen a dumb lazy burden on society. and very few employers out side of trucking give drivers a chance at another job. so you should understand that you are wanting to enter a career field where there is no respect for the men and women working as drivers. and you should start getting use to being lied to all the time. by nearly every one you meet. this part is the cold hard truth.

good luck to you.

 

Very true. I once had a manager for a courier company tell me truck drivers "weren't a good fit" for his business (which was essentially long distance delivery) because they were lazy, smoked in the vehicles and refused to wear company uniforms. To be honest, that does sound like a lot of drivers I know. Once you're in, you're in. And if you try to apply for menial work like Mickey Ds people are going to immediately become suspicious as to why a commercial licensee is going out for such a low paying job...

 

I believe you've already learned a good lesson. Never quit a job unless you have income or another job to go to. You've already started the most important part of getting into the industry. That's research. Make a list of what you want. You already know about medical insurance so that should be a good point to look for. Look at all the aspects of the job and not just pay. For example one company may pay you .50$ a mile but if you're only getting 1000 miles a week top it's not so good. Look for drivers that have been with the company for a period of time. You kill two birds with one stone here. You can ask them how they like the company plus if you find a few then you know there's something that's keeping the drivers. There's always a reason for high turnover rates.

When you go look for a job do not make the mistake a only send out computer applications. Do that but get out and see some companies also. You may get turned away 4 out of 5 companies because they tell you to fill out an app. on line, but that one company you go face to face with is very valuable. You should set face to face job searches as the number one priority. Not only can you set a good example for yourself but the company can match you with the application. Can you imagine how many job applications these companies see that are the same?

Don't trust your school or recruiter. They will help but their job is to make money either from the school or the company. Beware of other people telling you that it's impossible to do something. You never know what can happen until you apply. I've seen new drivers get hired on with large oil companies because they needed a driver right then and there. Some companies are self-insured and do not need to follow the insurance companies rules.

Listen and learn all you can. Take notes for later. I'm sure the Hazmat process will be delayed because of the shutdown but by the time you need it maybe you won't have any problems. You'll learn all about the hazmat process in school. One thing that just about all of us do is we do not get hazmat endorsements unless we will be using them.

You're going to be struggling now for cash. I recommend having 6 months pay put aside when first starting. So know that so you can plan. You might want to wait on school until you can bank some cash. The reason you would do this is because the clock starts as soon as you get out of school. When you finish school you should be prepared for work. You should know where to go and what to look for. Good luck and use us for research. Once in awhile some of us know a little that might help.