Truck drivers?

[motoman]

Any truck drivers on the board (the kind that requires a CDL)? I'm ready for a change of scenery and have considered getting a truck driving job. I'm not necessarily planning to make a life long career out of it but have considered it for the next few years. As I look around at different companies, it looks like most will pay for your CDL training, with that being said, I have a few questions.

Can you make decent money off of it?
Are the jobs consistent?
Is the money better or worse with team driving?
Are there companies that just deliver to surrounding states?
What sort of schedule do you work during the week?

[Chili]

Any truck drivers on the board (the kind that requires a CDL)? I'm ready for a change of scenery and have considered getting a truck driving job. I'm not necessarily planning to make a life long career out of it but have considered it for the next few years. As I look around at different companies, it looks like most will pay for your CDL training, with that being said, I have a few questions.

Can you make decent money off of it?
Are the jobs consistent?
Is the money better or worse with team driving?
Are there companies that just deliver to surrounding states?
What sort of schedule do you work during the week?

Starting out you will likely be stuck on long haul, unless you have a connection. Plan on being home 1 day a week at best.

As a driver for large transit companies you will be bringing in something like $30 - $40k a year. But are usually paid by the mile.

Choose van trailers over flatbed, since you are not getting paid while securing and tarping flatbeds, since you are being paid by the mile.

If you can get an intermediate route, or pay by the hour, jump on it and count yourself as lucky.

Most large trucking companies will pay for your training but you will have to pay them back over the first 12 - 24 months.

[Chili]

To specifically address your questions:

Can you make decent money off of it?
As a fleet driver, nothing huge. As I mentioned, $30 - $40k. If you can get in with a moving company you can make a lot of money but will be home only every 2-3 months or less.

The real money is as an owner operator, but most first time O/O's fail within a couple years.

Are the jobs consistent?
Fleet jobs are, as long as you are able to pass physicals and keep your driving record clean.

Is the money better or worse with team driving?
Typically better because of less down time, but you better really like that other person.

Are there companies that just deliver to surrounding states?
Sure, but usually these jobs are taken by experienced drivers that started at the bottom and worked their way up. That is not ALWAYS the case, but more often that not.

What sort of schedule do you work during the week?
Fleet jobs are 24 / 7 with the exception of mandated "rest" periods. Local and itermediate just depend on the company and product.

[JimD]

Ive had a CDL-A since 1995 and have about done it all. First off, those companies that pay for training make you sign a contract usually a year. Most of those have 100+% turnover...b/c they suck. I'd defiantly ask about what kind of trucks the company has, i cant speak for all types but my neighbor is a shop supervisor for a big truck company, and those International pro stars are about some junky ass breaking down piles of shit. They rarely have problems with their freightliners but the 13 letter shit spreaders they have are constantly in the shop, even brand new ones.
And to answer the rest of your ?'s

1.You can make a living driving, but not get rich, i made very good money as an owner operator, i pulled about everything but best money i made was pulling RGN's, drop decks with oversize shit.
2. Once you have a CDL and some experience, you can pretty much get another job anywhere. Ive told a company i quit and was driving something else the next day.
3. IMO team driving sucks, better money but the truck doesn't stop, usually your on a schedule and can't stop, and sleeping in that bitch took me awhile to get used to. I wouldn't even consider it with someone i didn't know.
4. Lots of companies do regional work, of course some bullshit ya and get you to run some garbage out to Oregon...hows that for regional
5. Those big companies run you 14 days out home for 2. Your pretty much fucked until you get a year down, and can get a local job.

[motoman]

Craig, I take it you've driven before?

[Chili]

Craig, I take it you've driven before?

No, but my dad was a truck driver his entire career (still does) and I was in the industry for over 10 years. Never actually drove though. Bought, sold, financed..

I also looked into driving back in the late 90's and was 2 days from starting driving school when I found a better job.

[motoman]

I appreciate the info. Like I said, it's something I've thought about and wanted to look into, and I've heard the money can be good. Just like any job I'm sure you have to work your way up and into the money. Since I'm single with no kids, I thought it might be worth a shot. Biggest thing I'm looking for a job where I'm not behind a desk all day with room for growth that'll pay me at least what I'm making now.

[Chili]

I appreciate the info. Like I said, it's something I've thought about and wanted to look into, and I've heard the money can be good. Just like any job I'm sure you have to work your way up and into the money. Since I'm single with no kids, I thought it might be worth a shot. Biggest thing I'm looking for a job where I'm not behind a desk all day with room for growth that'll pay me at least what I'm making now.

If I didn't have a family I think it would be something I would like to do for a while. I love long road trips and driving. I won't knock you for it!

Adam still drives. Started out long haul and has been doing local driving for a roofing company for some time. You might want to reach out to him.

[motoman]

If I didn't have a family I think it would be something I would like to do for a while. I love long road trips and driving. I won't knock you for it!

Adam still drives. Started out long haul and has been doing local driving for a roofing company for some time. You might want to reach out to him.

Adam Crain?

[Chili]

Adam Crain?

Nah, the Adam formerly known as White88GT. You know him don't you?

His screen name here is Adam. Lives with Skidmark..

[motoman]

Nah, the Adam formerly known as White88GT. You know him don't you?

His screen name here is Adam.

I know the screen name, can't think if I've actually met him. I'll shoot him a PM.

[Chili]

I know the screen name, can't think if I've actually met him. I'll shoot him a PM.

Cool, you have probably seen him at a G2G at some point, he has been to many of them.

He started as a courier, then went over the road for a year or two, and has been driving for a roofing company delivering materials for a couple years.

[Mike]

Greg, find a job running hotshots.

[Cobraman]

I can see you lighting up a perdomo in a big rig lol

[TexasT]

If you have a way to get a cdl a and some experience, I'd look into going to the dakotas or pensylvania or even south Texas and doing oil field work if you can stand it. Decent money but the conditions are less than ideal. Hauling water or fuel ain't bad if you don't mind working nights. The hardest part is getting started somewhere which is why those companies have you by the short hairs. They know you need them to get the license and experience.

I drive local and wouldn't consider anything overnight or even at night at this point but you gotta feed the family so I have done most of what I listed above .