Any 1st Year Drivers Making at Least $45k yr?

[clawHAMMER]

I'm doing a little research and would like to ask about 10 questions relevant to you first yr drivers. The research isn't for any publication or anything like that, it's for my own "note-2-self" project I'm currently working on and pertains to first year drivers only at this time.

How 'bout we keep this pretty simple:

1) If you're grossing $45k a yr as a first yr driver, did you go to a truck driving school? YES or NO

2) Multiple choice question...You drive OTR, Regional or Local?

3) Do you primarily run NE, SE, SW, NW, Midwest or elsewhere?

4) How many miles per week do you drive on average? If you're paid by the hour, how many hours per week are you paid to drive?

5) How often do you get home? For how long?

6) What kind of product(s) do you generally haul?

7) How many trucks does your company have?

8) Would you recommend your company to another driver? (assuming your a happy camper)

9) If you could have any driving job in the transportation industry, what would it be?

10) If you were asked to answer some questions about your job and the trucking industry in front of a mixed panel of students, professionals, educators and blue collar individuals, what would you say about the industry if you had to sum it up in one sentence? Good, bad, love it, hate it, it sucks, you take alot of pride in it, you'd quit if you could, stay in school, be a doctor instead, ....whatever. Let 'er rip.

Thx for your time and happy trails!

[Colts Fan]

1) If you're grossing $45k a yr as a first yr driver, did you go to a truck driving school? YES or NO

Yes

2) Multiple choice question...You drive OTR, Regional or Local?

Well, I just came off a route where I would make a couple of local pick-ups, come back, unload, get loaded and head to Columbus, OH and back. This was a mon-fri route home every night. I just started a team run this week going from Indy to Hanover, PA to Langhorne, PA and back to Indy. This route begins Wed. morning, get back Thurs. morning, leave again Fri. morning, get back Sat. morning. Then off the rest of Sat, Sun Mon, and Tues.

3) Do you primarily run NE, SE, SW, NW, Midwest or elsewhere?

See answer to question 2.

4) How many miles per week do you drive on average? If you're paid by the hour, how many hours per week are you paid to drive?

This new route the way it is currently configured will pay me about 60 hours per week.

5) How often do you get home? For how long?

Off Thurs. morning to Friday morning. Off Saturday morning, through next Wed. when the run starts all over again.

6) What kind of product(s) do you generally haul?

U.S. Mail

7) How many trucks does your company have?

We have 9 tractors at our Indianapolis, IN facility.

8) Would you recommend your company to another driver? (assuming your a happy camper)

Yes

9) If you could have any driving job in the transportation industry, what would it be?

IMHO the best driving job out there would have to be a feeder driver for UPS.

10) If you were asked to answer some questions about your job and the trucking industry in front of a mixed panel of students, professionals, educators and blue collar individuals, what would you say about the industry if you had to sum it up in one sentence? Good, bad, love it, hate it, it sucks, you take alot of pride in it, you'd quit if you could, stay in school, be a doctor instead, ....whatever. Let 'er rip.

In one sentence... This is the one American industry that cannot be sent overseas, so as long as you keep your nose clean you'll always be able to provide a decent living for your family.

Mail hauling is a good gig. I do it part-time on Sundays because the guy who runs Mon-Sat burns out his hours for the week and they need a guy with fresh hours.

The best thing about hauling mail is that there's none of that OTR mileage pay garbage. It's all HOURLY. You still run a logbook but it's like a meter in a taxicab...whatever you put on line 3 or 4, you get paid. Stuck in traffic? Paid. Weather? Paid. Breakdown? Paid. Fuel the truck? Paid. Waiting at the sorting facility? Paid. You can go 50 mph or 60 mph and make more going at 50 mph...the complete reverse of OTR c00lie trucking.

I work one day a week and take home $250.00. That's $12,500 per year in my pocket that I salt away into savings.

[Root]

1) If you're grossing $45k a yr as a first yr driver, did you go to a truck driving school? YES or NO

Yes (PTDI Cert Prog w/ all avail endorsements)

2) Multiple choice question...You drive OTR, Regional or Local?

Regional

3) Do you primarily run NE, SE, SW, NW, Midwest or elsewhere?

My Terminal: Central TX - south & east primarily w/ some nifty money-makin' dodges, Central OK +- w/southeast, AR southwest, Louisiana west o I49

4) How many miles per week do you drive on average?

Hi avg: 2400 Lo avg: 1800 All miles paid same. Flat rate for local runs, (which can add up fast)

5) How often do you get home? For how long?

Weekends off. Industry Std: From Fr nite/ Sa AM to Su takeoff for Mo AM delivery point.

6) What kind of product(s) do you generally haul?

Building mat'ls, steel wire coil

7) How many trucks does your company have?

650 +-

8 ) Would you recommend your company to another driver? (assuming your a happy camper)

Recommendation would be based on more lengthy interview of potential candidate first.

9) If you could have any driving job in the transportation industry, what would it be?

Seriously, I don't have all the info I need to answer that one with any alacrity...

10) If you were asked to answer some questions about your job and the trucking industry in front of a mixed panel of students, professionals, educators and blue collar individuals, what would you say about the industry if you had to sum it up in one sentence?

"This industry is no different from any other, really... all have their advantages and disadvantages.. and all require some research followed by some Soul Search before an individual can make any worthwhile decisions as to what's right for them - and what probably won't work if you use any sort of realistic approach to your decision making process as goes career choices."
:wink:

[dieselpower]

you are right mail hauling is just as good as ups or the other ltl companies. i make 22.26 an hr and i drive a straight truck. I work 5 days a week but i can work a six day if i want to but i know the relief driver like a brother and he wants that one day so i let him work it. when christmas rolls around we work six or seven days sometime this is when you can make some serius money mail hauling pays every single holiday it is (10). when one driver goes on vacation the other drivers have the option to keep on working or let the relief drivers work the other hours. I made a little over 55,000 thousand last year and i was home every day no over the road. you get paid for every single thing you do while on the truck even taken it to the shop or picking up a rental. i have been driving for 19 yrs and this is my retirement job right here. if you are a rookie it may be possible that you can get on without experience but the company i drive for wants two years over the road even for straight truck jobs. 55,000 may not sound like a lot to some guys but for me it is well enough for me to pay my mortgage and truck payment with. those are the only bills i have my wife pays the other ones.

[wsclinger]

Diesel Power, I take it you are an O/O if you have a truck payment to make??? or are you talking about your personal PU? My wife's first hubby was a driver and when I talk to her about my desire to become one, she tells me that getting on with the company that hauls the mail is the way to go. I've never made $50K in my life and have been working since 1-77, so to this man $55K sounds pretty gosh darn good. Any ideas how to get info on the companies working for the post office in a major area, as I live just north of Columbus, OH.

Thanks

[dieselpower]

hello. i am not an o/o i am a company driver. i meant my personal pickup. you can try mail contractors of america they have a web page and so does pat salmon and son those are like the big ones out here. the company i drive for has just over 200 tractors. you may have to start at the bottom and work your way up but you can still make good money. one of our relief drivers made right at 45,000 last year keep in mind he is a relief driver. he doesn't work a full schedule just when other drivers are off he works their off days. i am on pace to make over 55,000 this year because the contract renewed and we got a raise. the work is to easy it is all rolling carts and pallet most put on the trailer with a forklift by a post office worker contractors are not allowed to use post office equipment. i go to 2 post offices unload and reload and the same process at the other one and head back to my starting post office then unload do my post trip and off the clock. you can send me a message or something and i will give you my companies name and see if we contracts in your area. they don't hire off the street anymore they let the drivers know when a run is open and you can bid on it are let someone know about the opening.

[dieselpower]

hello. i am not an o/o i am a company driver. i meant my personal pickup. you can try mail contractors of america they have a web page and so does pat salmon and son those are like the big ones out here. the company i drive for has just over 200 tractors. you may have to start at the bottom and work your way up but you can still make good money. one of our relief drivers made right at 45,000 last year keep in mind he is a relief driver. he doesn't work a full schedule just when other drivers are off he works their off days. i am on pace to make over 55,000 this year because the contract renewed and we got a raise. the work is to easy it is all rolling carts and pallet most put on the trailer with a forklift by a post office worker contractors are not allowed to use post office equipment. i go to 2 post offices unload and reload and the same process at the other one and head back to my starting post office then unload do my post trip and off the clock. you can send me a message or something and i will give you my companies name and see if we contracts in your area. they don't hire off the street anymore they let the drivers know when a run is open and you can bid on it are let someone know about the opening.

[wsclinger]

Diesel,
Appreciate the info and unfortunately I can only reply to PMs and can not initiate one yet, as not enough posts I guess. I just want to drive and the sooner the better. Yes I have a family who, just like everyone else, I would like to see each and every night, but that still doesn't mean that I don't want to be driving as my career. My Mrs' ex drove roll-offs here in the Central OH area and then got hooked up with Ashland Chemical. So she is up on the subject of driving and has given me some good advise. She also has told me that once you have a CDL, that you can even find good driving jobs without having to hit the OTR time.
All I know is that I want to get my CDL and I want to find a good paying, good hometime, driving job. I don't mind long hours, I don't mind working outside, (I actually love being outside in all weather.) Just pay me a decent wage for my efforts, give me benefits for my family, and give me the chance to see them often, or at least regularly, and that company will get a hell of a great driver......

I need to find a company willing to give me a break into this industry... As. I'll Make Them PROUD....

[ICS]

1) If you're grossing $45k a yr as a first yr driver, did you go to a truck driving school? YES

2) Multiple choice question...You drive OTR, Regional or Local? OTR

3) Do you primarily run NE, SE, SW, NW, Midwest or elsewhere?

NE,SE,Central

4) How many miles per week do you drive on average? 2,700

5) How often do you get home? For how long?

every 5-6 weeks for 2-3 days. thats by choice

6) What kind of product(s) do you generally haul?

anything 53' dry van

7) How many trucks does your company have?

2,500 OTR many thousands LTL

Would you recommend your company to another driver? (assuming your a happy camper)

Yes for the right person

9) If you could have any driving job in the transportation industry, what would it be?

well a first year can't have any job but maybe i would do a dedicated run with a couple days off a year

10) If you were asked to answer some questions about your job and the trucking industry in front of a mixed panel of students, professionals, educators and blue collar individuals, what would you say about the industry if you had to sum it up in one sentence?

Thats hard... I enjoy it but I know it is not for everyone. it can be mind numbing. I wont give you any illusions, there is many reasons why the turn over is so high.

[clawHAMMER]

Some good responses, thx for those...keep 'em coming.

[clawHAMMER]

Hmm...well, ok then. I guess this tells me with over 800 views to this post that not very many drivers are making $45k per yr, or they jusy didn't want to leave a post.

I have a tendency to believe the reason is theres not very many drivers earning a min of $45k a yr. That's pretty sad. And disturbing.

[bjs24]

I'm doing a little research and would like to ask about 10 questions relevant to you first yr drivers. The research isn't for any publication or anything like that, it's for my own "note-2-self" project I'm currently working on and pertains to first year drivers only at this time.

How 'bout we keep this pretty simple:

1) If you're grossing $45k a yr as a first yr driver, did you go to a truck driving school? YES or NO

2) Multiple choice question...You drive OTR, Regional or Local?

3) Do you primarily run NE, SE, SW, NW, Midwest or elsewhere?

4) How many miles per week do you drive on average? If you're paid by the hour, how many hours per week are you paid to drive?

5) How often do you get home? For how long?

6) What kind of product(s) do you generally haul?

7) How many trucks does your company have?

8) Would you recommend your company to another driver? (assuming your a happy camper)

9) If you could have any driving job in the transportation industry, what would it be?

10) If you were asked to answer some questions about your job and the trucking industry in front of a mixed panel of students, professionals, educators and blue collar individuals, what would you say about the industry if you had to sum it up in one sentence? Good, bad, love it, hate it, it sucks, you take alot of pride in it, you'd quit if you could, stay in school, be a doctor instead, ....whatever. Let 'er rip.

Thx for your time and happy trails!

1) yes i went to a truckdriving school no i will not make anywhere near 45000 my first year my DM hates me

2) OTR

3) rarley west of the miss mostley SE to SW up to PA- Ohio areas

4)1000-1500 no im not happy about it

5) I stay out for a month go home for 3-4 days my DM has never hit my target date

6) all kinds , paper rolls , groceries , pop ,

7) The most of all

8) Although I am not happy and am in the process of making a change i would reccomend the company and ill tell ya why. Evidentley i pissed off my DM when i bitched about my trucks (2) being in the shop more than being driven by me making money. i know the option to chang DM's is out there but how can I trust the guy sitting next to the guy that has an issue with me ? I cant. I talk to other drivers in the company who have no problems and are getting miles so i guess its my DM. Im of the attitude right or wrong if i feel im getting screwed for no reason i make a change.

9) I absolutley without a doubt found the job i will die doing. Ive been a restaurant manager/owner for 20+ years completley changed my life at 41 years old and do not regret it. Ive had trouble where i am yes thats true but theres alot of companies out there all i want is miles. the company im going with in about 1-2 weeks (smaller) will get me the miles then the whole ordeal will pay off. I dont look back I look forward.

10) Yes i would talk about it if asked ive had problems with the company i started with but its a very big industry. With everything there is good and bad and ive seen a bit of both BJS

[Jumbo]

1. Prorated I should make about $55,000 for the whole year. No school

2. OTR

3. Everywhere

4. 2500-3000

5. I stay out about 10 days then home for 2

6. Oversize and legal flatbed

7. 90 including the o/o's

8. I don't recommend my company even though I love it here

[southernpride]

I'm doing a little research and would like to ask about 10 questions relevant to you first yr drivers. The research isn't for any publication or anything like that, it's for my own "note-2-self" project I'm currently working on and pertains to first year drivers only at this time.

How 'bout we keep this pretty simple:

1) If you're grossing $45k a yr as a first yr driver, did you go to a truck driving school? YES or NO YES.... SWIFT SCHOOL

2) Multiple choice question...You drive OTR, Regional or Local? UM.... I GUESS REGIONAL BUT DEDICATED

3) Do you primarily run NE, SE, SW, NW, Midwest or elsewhere? SE

4) How many miles per week do you drive on average? If you're paid by the hour, how many hours per week are you paid to drive? 1800-2000

5) How often do you get home? For how long? GUARANTEED WEEKENDS, HOME SOME WEEKNIGHTS

6) What kind of product(s) do you generally haul? PAPER PRODUCTS

7) How many trucks does your company have? 12,000+

8) Would you recommend your company to another driver? (assuming your a happy camper) YES...BUT ITS NOT FOR EVERYONE

9) If you could have any driving job in the transportation industry, what would it be? HMMMMM.... WELL PROB ICE ROAD DRIVER (LOL, J/K)

10) If you were asked to answer some questions about your job and the trucking industry in front of a mixed panel of students, professionals, educators and blue collar individuals, what would you say about the industry if you had to sum it up in one sentence? Good, bad, love it, hate it, it sucks, you take alot of pride in it, you'd quit if you could, stay in school, be a doctor instead, ....whatever. Let 'er rip.

....IT'S NOT A JOB OR CAREER, ITS A LIFESTYLE. ITS NOT FOR EVERYONE, AND IF ITS NOT FOR YOU, YOU PROB WONT DO WELL.

Thx for your time and happy trails!

[all18wheels]

1) If you're grossing $45k a yr as a first yr driver, did you go to a truck driving school? YES or NO

yes and yes

2) Multiple choice question...You drive OTR, Regional or Local?

mostly line. some local, some OTR

3) Do you primarily run NE, SE, SW, NW, Midwest or elsewhere?

northern and southern cal and surrounding

4) How many miles per week do you drive on average? If you're paid by the hour, how many hours per week are you paid to drive?

2000-2500 but i am paid %

5) How often do you get home? For how long?

just about every weekend. sometimes in on friday out again sunday evening

6) What kind of product(s) do you generally haul?

military freight, structural steel, and other flatbed freight.
highbed, stepdeck, RGN, curtainvans and rarely 48ft dryvan

7) How many trucks does your company have?

40 or so

Would you recommend your company to another driver? (assuming your a happy camper)

i do and i have

9) If you could have any driving job in the transportation industry, what would it be?

this one, or linehaul doubles for LTL or Grocerystore

10) If you were asked to answer some questions about your job and the trucking industry in front of a mixed panel of students, professionals, educators and blue collar individuals, what would you say about the industry if you had to sum it up in one sentence? Good, bad, love it, hate it, it sucks, you take alot of pride in it, you'd quit if you could, stay in school, be a doctor instead, ....whatever. Let 'er rip.

i needed a good paying job with the very little marketable skills that i had.
i found it with this company. i got lucky. i knew someone who got me into this place and trained me out of school to drive flatbed.
I know theres alot of guys out there who bust hump 70 +++ hours a week and spend way too much time away from there family while getting screwed by their company. i feel for them. but, i am also grateful that i did not have to pay my dues with any coolie carriers.