where is the money??

[ChikinTrucka]

Something else that a number of you may find is that once you have a couple of years experience in driving, it may be difficult to go back to something else, even if you are qualified. Many companies will not hire a driver away from the trucking industry because of the driver shortage. For example, welders make more than I do, and I'm a certified welder with experience on TIG, MIG, A-C and D-C ARC, but 10 years ago I put in no less than 11 applications and was not hired for any one of them because I'm a driver and the industry is short. Never mind that I've also worked as an electrical engineer for 13 years. I'm stuck with driving until I retire or come up with my own business.

I'm sure you weren't hired just because the welding industry is concerned about the Driver shortage- the truth is more like- you've been AWAY from the welding industry and have little or no current work history in a SOCIAL
ENVIRONMENT WITH CO-WORKS-- you've been on your own in the cab of a truck- that's what they SEE now when they look at your resume, application- a sterotypical SUPER-SLAB SLOB with few current social skills(ability to work in a team enviroment- with direct supervision) and probably they visualize you pissing routinely in a bottle, not bathing or brushing your teeth reguarly. Face it-- becoming a a truck driver is like -- showing your pecker in a porn video--- might be fun the first time or too- but if you ever want to be anything else in Hollywood--- you're blacklisted.

Hmmm, have to agree with you here.... Good help is very hard to find, I know, I've been on the hiring end. The last thing I would consider is if it will hurt another industry. Heck, I've gone TO other places and offered people more money just to TAKE them away from their current job. I would bend over backwards, step on toes and tick off the competition if it meant I could hire a good worker. And if you don't think good workers are hard to find, just look at the average trucker today... tailgating, cutting off cars, not using signals, stopping on the highway, parking in more than one spot, rollovers, low bridge accidents, road rage, unsecured loads, parking in the way at truck stops, parking in the fuel island and taking a shower, the list goes on.... good help is hard to find. If you're good at anything you do, you can get a job. If you want to weld, go to a welding company and tell them you'll work for free for two weeks if they'll pay you what you want once they see what you can do. Sometimes it just takes a little initiative.
Peace out,
Chikin Trucka!

[Zen Road Warrior]

hey folks, thanks for all the replies, took me a while to get back.

I actually am constantly driving, loading/unloading, and never really getting a full 10 hour break. The break is usually loading/unloading. I actually "get in trouble" if i take a 10.5 hour break.

they pay i can count on, without the per diem that i got rid of, is an average of $400 -$450 gross. i have no deductions other than taxes.

i discovered this website after i joined up with x&(*&^%$#@# and was not wise. the pay is .27.

tend to always max out my hours especially the 70. "they" don't actually let me restart so sometimes i wrestle that.

I'd like to leave but my previous job history has a lot of job bouncing, so the longer i stay, the better off,i think,i should be, but i've really had enough. enough of the carrier that is.

I actually like otr but feel a step above homelessness based on the pay.

from the advice, it seems it would be best to get enough time in for something specialized like the car hauling.

[derelict77]

Unless you have fallen in love with the nuances of OTR you should go local and get an hourly paid position. It took me a year to find a good spot. Dont jump at the first opportunity you see. You will still work your ass off going local to make good money, but its worth it imo.

[Cluggy619]

You know, I use to post my pay on this site.

I thought I was doing some good giving some information to some of the other drivers.

I found myself under attack, and gave up posting information.

$400 per week? That pay is laughable. The Mexicans standing on the corner are laughing at you.....I told them what you made...they told me they do better.

The only person who really loves you is the company your working for.

Job hopping might not be a good thing, but if you're only getting $400 per week, I say "Hop, hop, hop, then run like hell".

Just a little info:

My brother haul concrete. Home every day, works local. Class B truck.

$15.00 / hr., guarantee 40 hours, averages 55-60 hours per week. 1 1/2 pay for overtime.

Average pay for a Mixer driver.

I make a guarantee check of $1500 per payday, and I'm paid twice a month, on the 15th, and the last day.

And I've always made more than that most of the time, with only a couple of times at the guaranteed rate.

There is money in driving a truck.....but not for people who let a company screw them, and then come here complaining.

I see it like this. Either you can settle for the $400 per week your company pays you, or you can go to another company that pays more.

Talk with sheepdancer. I'm sure he can help you. :wink:

[repete]

less than 2 years verifible exp. and I gross $1000 a week, home every day and weekends, there are out there you just have to look

[beartooth pass]

Specializing can be good with the right company. I've been in a hazmat group for the last few months. To get us back home, to a terminal, next load, if hazmat is slow, we run steel. We run lots of steel, but the customers are mostly very easy to deal with.

Hazmat isn't for everyone because of the picky stuff you have to put up with at both shipper and receiver. Depending of the nature of the load, you will have your truck searched, sign over your cell phone and camera, get a sort of DOT check on your truck, get your ID checked, get your picture taken, and more.

Look around, talk to drivers outside of your company, research etc. Some carriers, especially the big ones are just trying to fill seats. So the good pay isn't there. If you run loads daily even not counting weekends, you should be doing better.

Hang in there, good luck to you.

[shaun]

I was making about a grand a week driving OTR for Schneider. There wasn't a lot wait time for loading/unloading because it was mostly drop and hooks. The people I dealt with on a daily basis were good to me.

Now I drive locally delivering cryogenic liquids and do pretty well. I'm on track right now to make between $55-60k my first year and I get to be home everyday.

The companies around here that are hiring for this are requiring 3 years driving experience.

[rumbarrel]

Specializing can be good with the right company. I've been in a hazmat group for the last few months. To get us back home, to a terminal, next load, if hazmat is slow, we run steel. We run lots of steel, but the customers are mostly very easy to deal with.

Hazmat isn't for everyone because of the picky stuff you have to put up with at both shipper and receiver. Depending of the nature of the load, you will have your truck searched, sign over your cell phone and camera, get a sort of DOT check on your truck, get your ID checked, get your picture taken, and more.

Look around, talk to drivers outside of your company, research etc. Some carriers, especially the big ones are just trying to fill seats. So the good pay isn't there. If you run loads daily even not counting weekends, you should be doing better.

Hang in there, good luck to you.

hmmmmm, just curious, why would you have to sign over your cell phone and/or camera???? and for how long???

[RunNGun]

I would imagine it has a lot to do with "homeland security". Cameras can take pictures that can be used for reference, cell phones as well. Cell phones can also double as explosive devices, or triggering devices for explosives. Technology has led us a long way, and they just seem to want to keep everything kosher. I know for a fact that if you deliver to any medium to high security military base, they will tear your truck inside and out, and then some.

As far as getting things back, I would imagine that when you leave the gate, they return your personal effects that were taken.

[heavyhaulerss]

to each hi own. I have done extrmemly well in the trucking business. i've always been of the mindset that it's not what you make, but what you do with what you make. I have made at times a lot less than others I personally know but I was usually a happier person with less stress. Considering all the affects of the industry & the economy.. I'ts not the same as when I got into trucking in 99' but I chose to get into trucking & I can choose to get out of trucking. I have no one to blame for getting in or staying in. when I first moved from a big money making northern city to the south, everybody thought i was nuts. they really thought i was nuts for taking my first job in the south making $5.85 an hour. after making $14.00 an hour in the big city. after getting priorities in order & 18 years later i still run across those big money makers from the city & believe me they are nowhere close to being content & happy as i am. some are doing well. but those who thought you have to make a lot of money to be happy are now asking me how i do it.. and i start with the same line i usually post here... champagne taste on a beer budget is what gets so many folks into trouble. thats not just for truckers. but for anyone to wich it applies. I would rather be around a guy who makes $400.00 a week & is is a good mood & fun to be around than a guy who makes $1500 a week but is always cussing & complaining about everything. like I say to each his own.. just be happy!! if your life or job is not good .. make it better.