Tough Career Decision: Need Exp Trucker Advice

Hub miles, unload pay(driver unload with pump), load pay(driver drinks coffee while shipper loads), detention pay, meal pay(per diem), drop & hook pay, axle-out pay(weigh the truck only-no sliding axles on tanker), vacation pay(based on 52 week average pay), trailer washout pay(just for taking trailer to trailer wash & waiting). I guess the planet you asked about is the " OTR Tanker/hazmat planet." Not all OTR tanker companies pay exactly the same or for the same things, but the pay annually is very close to the same.

 

I would definetly take the RR job.... The reason I say that is becuase of the benefits mainly, but the money if more than you will get driving a big rig, as a company driver. It sounds to me like your REAL interests are in FOOD..lol Nothing wrong with that brother, people go to eat, right? What is keeping you from opening a resturant? Hell, a hot dog stand? Someone else said it right, doing what you love, working your butt off and making a good living is WAY better than doing something you don't love, working your butt off and making better than a good living... It not too late to anything at 41 brother... Keep talking to people and do what you really want to do. God bless

 

At 41, It would take many years to get anywhere in the railroad, but it would take only a few years till you are making good pay as a trucker. Food business / restaurant is about as risky a thing as there is out there.

 

Do You even have a Class A CDL?

 

Does it matter? He can get one, so no issue there.

 

Not sure what you're asking here unless it's choosing between a career in trucking and food as your post indicates your application to the RR "was declined about two months ago."

If that's the case, go with driving. Like another driver indicates, opening a food business, especially in this economy, is a risky undertaking.

 

I made 50k my last two years at SNI. I'll do it here at Crete. And being paid odometer miles, but having mileage pay that is "a little low" isn't always everything it's cracked up to be. Sounds a bit like you're having to work harder, not smarter.....

 

Like someone else said, it'll take a good while to get started good in RR. Get into trucking. You're limited on who will hire you as far as being a newb goes. These companies are Swift, Werner, CR England, and Schneider (I think Schneider still trains). Give those companies a call. They will get you your license, train you, get you on the road. You will catch hell for driving for these companies but you have to start somewhere. Stay around for 1 year and suddenly these doors will open to tons more truck driving job opportunities. After 1 year, I'd suggest getting a local driving job (UPS, FedEx, Saia, Yellow Truck, Averitt, etc). Staying on the road for 2-3 weeks at a time will put weight on you FAST because you're doing a lot of sitting and most truck stop food isn't good for you. If you get on doing OTR, I recommend buying a refrigerater. Keep fruit, sandwich meat, and snacks. This is a lot cheaper than eating at a truck stop and is alot better for you. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

Hope he doesn't have facial hair. That would have to be cut off for some of the tanker companies. I would hold off on selling everything until I'm sure I can pass the cdl school. You have big $$ hopes but find out soon enough. The government regulations limit how much you can drive. Company's freight, and Good planers also limit how much you can make. You will also find that after a month or so you will have to get out of the truck maybe get a hotel room for 3 days and chill. Also you will find driving a truck is not as easy as it looks.

After the cdl you may get at the low end 300 dollars a week until they feel you can go on by yourself. Usually that is 6 weeks. Also know that an accident can make it hard to find a job so if you back up into some rig and get fired. Hopefully you will have some place to go. Or fine one of the super bad trucking companies to work for who will make your life a miserable hell.

ON the bright side if you are safe and take it easy I'm sure you can get some bills paid off but I would only budget on making 5 to 600 a week after training and hopefully you will save some just in case the unexpected happens.

 

Some other things to think about.

1. Do you have 10 years of verifiable work history?
2. How's your health?(Diabetes,High blood pressure,sleep apnea?
3. Criminal or driving record does it look pretty good. No 15 over the speed limit violations in the last 3 years?
4. Have you had any surgeries and do you know dates some will ask for that information as well as previous workmans comp claims and do you have dates.

You don't need to tell us those answers, but they will be on applications and tested for in medical exam. People with high blood pressure get sent home a lot.