The "B" word!

This is my first year in trucking, and I am doing better than I thought iwould. Anytime you start a new career you can't expect to make top dollar pay at the entry level.
Right now I am out west, I unloaded this morning and they weren't able to get me a load,but they it looks like they will have one for me tomorrow. They keep me running for the most part and even out west here I have never had to wait more than two days... I could gripe, but it will reset my hours and I only had 9.75 left, so this works out well.
No matter what I do for a living I have bills that need to be covered, and every job has it's expenses.
For me I have been able to bring in a bit more than what goes out and been able to cover few of the things that came up... like needed to get a new laptop...

If you want to make it you will... You have to make your own path and don't sttle for the crumbs..

 

There are a few good companies to start with. I started with Wiley Sanders at the end of November. As a new CDL driver fresh out of school, I am required to spend ten weeks in training with the company which will end the first week in Feb. So far, my training pay at .14/mile has still paid me more than $850/week team driving. Next month, I will be on my own at .32 to start. Company pays for idleaire which is nice. They also have alot of their own freight which keeps the miles up even in this slow economy. Equipment, while older, is in great shape and maintenance is excellent. People are great. My trainer has been wonderful and helpful, can't say enough about the company or process. As for expenses on the road, I am spending less than $35 weekly on food by shopping Walmart, and other discount stores and cooking, or I should say heating, in the truck. I spent $20 on a 12Volt "oven" which works great for soups and other canned foods.

It can be done. This is from a guy who used to make $55/hour before the economy exploded. After looking for work for 12 months without any luck, decided to try this. Other than the time from home, I enjoy the experience. Highway is easy, backing in the North East is a pain and I have spent as much as an hour getting in to some places but my trainer has let me try while offering helpful suggestions but not interfering.

You can make it in this industry if you are willing to sacrifice where needed, take any load assignment, be humble, be quiet, and work hard.