What is the REAL average first year income for a new driver

What even worse than that, In the early 90s 40k is what I was making running local

 

Oh, I see now!

 

Local all the way especially now I see no parking situations all over in the near future.

 

You have to remember that you will be eating at truckstops while out on the road and they are not cheap or good so you will probably also pick up a bug somewhere that is going to slam you..not vd I hope but flu.

 

I've known like 4 OTR guys so far. Granted they are not newbs but they seem to be doing well for themselves, and they all like the job. They got nice houses and one of them owns a boat. The guy with the boat was my childhood best friend dad. He drove for a company called 'Yellow'. Remember going out one time with him to pick something up and he was getting ready to drive out. It was like midnight, but I got a chance to look inside the cab for the first time. It was pretty cool

 

Otr driving is not for everyone. It is not a job it is a way of life.

 

Your better off going ltl money wise and quality of life.
A few months ago ABF had an add on Craigslist recruiting new drivers.
There's also OLD DOMINION, SAIA and a few others. There's also la speciality produce that runs back and forth . Vegas to la.

The only way your going to come close or surpass your current wage is an ltl gig.

The other problem with otr is you get used to it and going back to a much more structured life style can be problematic. This is in addition to everything else you stated and you really hit the nail on the head.