WHAT WOULD YOU SAY BEGINNER PAY IS

[MARYKAy48]

what can he make net a wk /yr. he makes now 45 yr but might be losing his job soon.

First year driving OTR don't expect over $35k. Next year if there's no serious tickets or accidents you probably can bring in 40-45k. It really depends on how long you stay out vs. being home. You really can't have both unless you're an HHG god like rev.vassago. The rest of us mere OTR mortals have to work for the money.

I left an office job making $50k so I now how you feel with the "losing the job" thing.

[MARYKAy48]

what is the best company and how long a stretch at a time are you gone? also please one more are you a team or solo

[YoungZ.W.]

Where do you guys live Mary?????

[MARYKAy48]

thank you for your help

what is the best company

Well you're going to get mant different answers on this one. I think the best OTR company driver gig in my opinion woulbe be Wal-Mart Transportation LLC. But unless you have 5 years exp. no tickets or accidents, don't even bother knockin' (that's what I've heard at least time and time again, yeah I'm sure someone on here knows a guy who got in with 2 years exp. but thats the exception to the rule)

I drive for Crete.

how long a stretch at a time are you gone? also please one more are you a team or solo

3 weeks max. I'm solo.

[MARYKAy48]

I am learning alot from you thank you so much how long at a time are you home when you are home

1 week to 10 days avg.

[golfhobo]

what can he make net a wk /yr. he makes now 45 yr but might be losing his job soon.

I suppose you meant GROSS not net. Net is subjective depending on your tax bracket and deductions.

35k is about right for the first year. Not much more the second year. After 2 years, if you stick it out, you can get quite a bit more.

There IS no BEST company. It depends on what YOU want to do. There are companies to fit ALMOST any situation.

As you are obviously just starting to look into it, and haven't read the thousands of posts here, I might make a suggestion:

Most of the BIG companies offer about the same working conditions. Don't forget to look into some smaller or midsize companies. They often have found a 'niche' in the market, and can often get you home weekly.

His income will be about the same driving solo or team. However, it is often easier to get home more quickly and more often by driving team.

As far as big companies go, I found the payscale at Covenant to be one of the best for teams. I didn't go to work for them, however.

Is money a problem at the start? It is important to look at the pay while in training, and the TIME to complete training and start making real money. (This is where I found Covenant to be in the lead.)

Is he getting his CDL from a school, or wanting a company to train him and license him?

Many will tell you that "team training" as a concept is flawed, and will put him at risk. It doesn't have to be that way. But, the question in this case is really, is he a namby pamby who needs his hand held for 8 weeks before he can feel comfortable handling the rig? Or is he a capable driver, with life experience, who just needs some guidance while he learns how to handle a big truck?

Can you tell us more about him? How old is he? Is he ex-military? In what field? Has he ever backed a boat trailer down a boat ramp?

Has he ever driven in snow or on ice? Has he ever been out of his little corner of the world?

These may sound like petty questions, but they go to his level of experience and CONFIDENCE. LEARNING to drive a truck is, IMHO, about 20% skill, 30% training, and 50% confidence. And, where he fits on this scale is important to consider when selecting a company to drive for.

Many of your questions MIGHT be answered by reading MORE of the threads on this site. Others can only be answered if we know more about him.

We wish you both good luck, and welcome to the site! You've ALLREADY taken an important step in the right direction. I can't IMAGINE getting into trucking without first exploring THIS site. It is the best!

Hobo

[MARYKAy48]

He has back up a boat trailer he had one. very good at it. driven on ice /snow not with the boat. he hauled a snow mobile trailer also. He has backed up travel traiers. he would like to go solo if he can. He would like to drive 2 or 3 weeks then have a week offf to be with me. never been inn the military. he is a machinest. He is now 51.

[golfhobo]

He has back up a boat trailer he had one. very good at it. driven on ice /snow not with the boat. he hauled a snow mobile trailer also. He has backed up travel traiers. he would like to go solo if he can. He would like to drive 2 or 3 weeks then have a week offf to be with me. never been inn the military. he is a machinest. He is now 51.

He passes my basic test. Unfortunately, the BIG companies think that ONE PALTRY day off for each week out is reasonable. Personally, I DON'T!

That's why I found a smaller company to work for. I drive team and go coast to coast every week, and then get 2 or 3 days off.

Solos usually can't get home weekly unless they take REGIONAL jobs. It just takes too long to go "out there" and back as a solo. Unfortunately, most companies can't afford to let a rig sit for a week off after only being out for 3 weeks. This may be an unreasonable goal for you/him.

But, again.... there may be a smaller company with a "niche" that can accomodate you.

[MARYKAy48]

Iwould like to know if you like your job. sleeping in a truck,driving alot,being away from home. There has to be reasons why you do it. Do you like it or is it the money.

[golfhobo]

Iwould like to know if you like your job. sleeping in a truck,driving alot,being away from home. There has to be reasons why you do it. Do you like it or is it the money.

Well... it ain't JUST the money, honey!

Seriously, I don't mean to put you off, but you're asking questions that have already been asked. Scan the board. Go back a page or two on each forum.

Here's a place to start, concerning your last question:

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=25677

And, yea, I LIKE sleeping in the truck! The bunk is MUCH bigger than the couch I sleep on at home! :shock:

[Ian Williams]

Well you're going to get mant different answers on this one. I think the best OTR company driver gig in my opinion woulbe be Wal-Mart Transportation LLC. But unless you have 5 years exp. no tickets or accidents, don't even bother knockin' (that's what I've heard at least time and time again, yeah I'm sure someone on here knows a guy who got in with 2 years exp. but thats the exception to the rule)

In Feb. a guy from my barn on the same shift as me got on at the new Wal-Mart DC east of town here in Reno. He had a whopping 8 months of driving experience with Schneider and Con-Way. He did have something like 15-20 years working airline ground crew though.

Last I talked to him he actually took a pay cut from LTL to run a yard goat there but he's much happier.

But that is here in the super strong sellers market for drivers here in Northern NV.

Hey Ian did you get your new uniforms yet?

[silvan]

He has back up a boat trailer he had one. very good at it. driven on ice /snow not with the boat.

I hadn't driven a manual transmission more than two or three times, never backed a trailer, and I got through some rough initial times and made a successful career out of this crazy nonsense.

Driving in the bad stuff is a little different. I was supremely confident in my ability to drive in anything in my car, and I still am, but driving in bad stuff in a big truck still scares the crap out of me after 10 arduous winters. I don't think I'll ever stop being terrified of winter in a big truck, and I think maybe that's why I'm still alive.

I think a big key to success is knowing when you can't go any further, and parking the son of a bitch until some other time, then counting the super truckers in the ditches the morning after. I've never been sorry I parked it, that's for sure.

But that's probably a whole nother topic unto itself. I'll shut up now.

[Orangetxguy]

Driving in the bad stuff is a little different. I was supremely confident in my ability to drive in anything in my car, and I still am, but driving in bad stuff in a big truck still scares the crap out of me after 10 arduous winters. I don't think I'll ever stop being terrified of winter in a big truck, and I think maybe that's why I'm still alive.

I think a big key to success is knowing when you can't go any further, and parking the son of a bitch until some other time, then counting the super truckers in the ditches the morning after. I've never been sorry I parked it, that's for sure.

But that's probably a whole nother topic unto itself. I'll shut up now.

What is an arduous winter like Silvan?? I know...it isn't funny...but...it really is. I've never been afraid of driving in "adverse" conditions. Of course...I grew up in Montana..learned to drive there..and have been up and down the Rockies numerous times, in trucks the BBR's wouldn't park next to, then or now. Have never had an accident..because I have never taken the risk. I'm not afraid to hang every ounce of iron on the truck, if that makes it safe. I also have no problem grabbing a room, if I feel it is the safest thing to do.


And your right...the key to success....and safety..is knowing when to park it. If there is any reason in a Driver's mind to be concerned...then it should be parked.....anytime of year.

[jnk2001]

Well you're going to get mant different answers on this one. I think the best OTR company driver gig in my opinion woulbe be Wal-Mart Transportation LLC. But unless you have 5 years exp. no tickets or accidents, don't even bother knockin' (that's what I've heard at least time and time again, yeah I'm sure someone on here knows a guy who got in with 2 years exp. but thats the exception to the rule)

In Feb. a guy from my barn on the same shift as me got on at the new Wal-Mart DC east of town here in Reno. He had a whopping 8 months of driving experience with Schneider and Con-Way. He did have something like 15-20 years working airline ground crew though.

Last I talked to him he actually took a pay cut from LTL to run a yard goat there but he's much happier.

But that is here in the super strong sellers market for drivers here in Northern NV.

Sellers market, as in more jobs then drivers?

[Aligator]

what is the best company and how long a stretch at a time are you gone? also please one more are you a team or solo

Work for a manufacturer if you can. It's tough, but they are around.
I'm gone 3 days max, then home for a night, then back every weekend.
The job is REAL tough to learn, but I like it now that I've got my first year and a half behind me.
I made 57,000 my first year, but you will not do that well if you just follow the recruiters around. Your husband has to make his own phone calls to lots of companies; even those who say they want 2 years experience. That's how I got my job. I was 60 when I started.

[MARYKAy48]

what do you mean manufacturer? He makes 45 now as a machinest but might be losing his job or makjing it hard to stay there. You do like your job? Thank you