What is average for a new driver

I made that. Its not luck its just if you are willing to do the job.

Me its team driving and driving into cities to do pick ups and loading trailer set at -30 degrees. Some cities like Philly and Baltimore really suck for driving. But we have to go there sometimes. Rain snow or Sun we have to do the pick up. Its not hard loading trailer when its warm out. But if its winter and snow like today in NY... Oh man it sucks!

You get used to it and my job will learn you a lot about maneuvering a truck through tight spaces. More than just driving warehouse to warehouse.

If your willing to do work like that then 80k is easy.

If all you wanna do is pull a dry van solo on good weather days only then yeah, first year pay may be low cus everyone wants that.

 

Totally agree with you beginners don't make a lot until you get experienced

 

which is probably better than a driver in Texas

just saying I’d play the long game, trucking sucks for the most part if you’re talking otr.

 

It doesnt matter what you pay someone will do the work or they won't. You can give someone a good run that pays 2200 and they wont do it because too many stops. They will do something easy like solo linehaul where I work, then complain they arent making enough.

They arent making much because they drive terminal to terminal only, drop hook, first year driver, and they are solo. So they have to wait while team trucks get filled first.

 

You're right.
Also, the OP will be retired military, so he'll be scratching his head wondering why some people think trucking is so hard.
He knows how to read people and mirror people and counter them, so he won't have problems with troublesome people at shippers and receivers to the same degree as most.

 

Linehaul drivers at FFE have the option when waiting for a load to help out local and regional. I get offered and do at every yard I have been to, except for Portland (they aren't usually short on help)

 

If they take local do they get hourly pay? I dont know too much about linehaul, I will take LTLs on the weekend, but I am on the plasma side.

Portland is only terminal I havent been too. I go to Portland on occasion but usually drive up empty the whole way. Lol

 

Yes, when I do local I get hourly pay. Regional you get miles, drop pay and detention.

I figured you worked plasma when you said you loaded and negative 30.

 

Are you retiring after your 20 or just finishing out your enlistment after a few years?