Wannabe driver asks: "is it really this bad?"

Don't believe everything you hear. If you have a good attitude, clean record and willing to work, I think you will do well. For salary, my guess is well above 30K year one.

 

During training, pay will suck for the most part.

After that, it's all on you.

 

Crap Shoot !!!!!!!!!!

Big Time !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yes it is a little bit of a Crap Shoot now it seems with the economy. But I would like to mention a few things.... This is one carreer that you will notice you hear more bad then good, but remember these are people who sit in a truck by themselves for weeks at a time. For the most part the only people they talk to are other drivers... I think the negative thoughts come out allot from this life style. On the other hand read between the lines and look at the success stories. Swift is put down allot but I know two people who are company drivers for them one is regional other is OTR they are very happy there and make a good living. Yes at first it was a bunch of BS but now they are doing well. Yes recruiters tell you what you want to hear but if you stay on top and keep trying calling rather then filling out apps on the Internet you will find a job, and you will make at least 30,000 your first year. Dont lease a truck be a company driver no matter how good they make it sound!! Seems like most who dont make it and are not happy lease. This is info I have gathered from people I personally know. I never worked for a big company so I dont have personal experience. But The people I know are people I grew up with and there friends. Good luck in your decision.

 

I am reading a lot of horror stories on here about new drivers that pay $5000 for cdl training, have nightmare trainers at their first company, then making only $300 or less for working 50 to 70 hours a week. I have been looking at trucking as a way to make a decent living, but if I can't make at least $600 a week, then I need to look elsewhere. Should I even bother entering this industry? Can I expect to make at least 30K my first year, or is it a crap shoot?
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I was with 4 different trainers in my 5 weeks of training and all trainers were very nice people trying their best to make me learn how to drive safely

when you start driving solo, expect at first to do most of short runs in metropolitan or rural area with a lot of traffic lights, stops, heavy traffic, narrow roads, tight turns, etc. and spending most of time loading and unloading then actually driving, in other words pain in ###, all good loads usually go to old experienced drivers, $400-500 a week is the best you can make in your first months if you survive these months, it is also so easy to screw things up since you are inexperienced and getting the hardest assignments the same time. Later when and if you are able to build relations with dispatcher you might get better loads or just go on a dedicated route

If you can you are better to go to community college, over 97% of drivers who sign for paid training can’t make it through 1 year, and all charges become due if you get fired

 

I will second this opinion!
Your odds of "living the good life" as a truck driver are about slim to none! Not in today's economy and the trends I see in this business seem to be making it more difficult by the day.
Play the lottery, you'll have better odds!