What is average for a new driver

But yeah I agree otr should be paid more.

I’d like to see hourly w/ot become the standard so you guys can stop getting screwed.

 

I'm not a 100%, but I think theres something about the hour clock regs that requires OTR guys to be paid cpm? And local guys within 150 air miles of their barn are allowed to be hourly and dont need logs? I know they def dont need logs, but I think the short distance also allows to be paid hourly.

Personally, I'd like to see swift, CRE, and all the other megas unionize.

 

OP how are you going to pay for school ? What do you want to haul ? Where are you going to live ?
I retired in 2010 , used the G.I. Bill to attend a community college program , going to an approved school , can really help getting a better paying driving gig , right out the gate . I run a tanker 1k take home can be done , but have to be willing to work to get experience .

 

The OTR / 150 mile CPM/ hourly depends on what clock you use . My company runs the 70 / 7 clock we get paid by the hour no matter if we are local or over the road .

 

Well hell. Guys should fight to be hourly across the board. Imagine a mega having to pay their OTR guys $25 an hr. You'd have a line around the block for people wanting the job.

 

All depends on how you do the math , when I run local short runs , hourly is good . If I run long runs 650 miles a day I think I could make more getting paid by the mile . I like to mix it up sometimes it's good just to get out a few days.

 

Imagine the guys making .38cpm though.

 

you might be right.

I’d like to see it too it would be good for everyone regardless if union or not.

getting drivers to agree on anything or try to help themselves is pointless though. Too many stuck in their ways.

It’s 100 mile air rule as far as logging I believe. I don’t log anything at work. Get paid hourly with ot just like any other job.

 

Best advice , use part of GI Bill to pay for a good approved community college course , with that you have the freedom to choose who you want to drive for , if you don't like it you have the freedom to change as you see fit . In my opinion pulling a tank is the way to go , make good money , easy work lol . I was in the same boat as you , retired SFC , wanted a second career , tried a few different jobs , driving a truck has been working out . 1k a week is very possible if you do it right .

 

I started as a flatbed driver with Melton back in March. Things have slowed up here recently and because of some time off work I've made as little as $300/wk gross. But that was mostly cause of the time off. I've made as much as $1495 one week. I average between $800 to 1000 gross each week.

The work is hard but mostly I like the simplicity of being a truck driver. I hate sitting around truckstops when things are slow. If you've got a wife or family, I think you'll find it's really hard.

Finally, don't let some company pay for your schooling and be their #####. As a veteran, the Gov't ought to help you thru VA VocRehab. They'll pay for it and then you can get a company to reimburse you for it. The VA in Asheville NC is awesome. So is Transtech Trucking School in Arden, NC.