WHAT WOULD YOU SAY BEGINNER PAY IS
 

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.

what company do you recommend
 

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

Where do you guys live Mary?????

michigan
 

thank you for your help

Re: what company do you recommend
 

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.


3 weeks max. I'm solo.

hi
 

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.

Re: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY BEGINNER PAY IS
 

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

hi
 

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.