I don't think your getting slammed for posting the numbers as much as for you coming across as bitter. I did attend swifts academy, I did do 6 weeks training with swift, and I was with swift for over 1 1/2 years. I saw some realty sucky paychecks but overall my paychecks were ok, even though I was at .26 cpm the first 6 mos. ( this was b4 they raised you every month for the 1st 3 mos). I agree the beginning driver should expect the worst pand hope for the best but based on my exp. your numbers don't match my experience when I started.

If you have brains or ambition, do not take an OTR job.
Like sin, it will keep you longer than you planned.
And cost you your life as a husband, a father, and a citizen.

lol, that's a funny one.

Exactly my point. Many look at the numbers and not the big picture.

something about joey shabadoo seems very familiar

Like a Basketball Player or A Temperature Beverage In A Certain Kind Of Cup??

The truth is that the economy is down. Miles are down with most carriers. You can still earn a decent living. I would not put too much credence in those who constantly put down otr driving. While this isn't for everyone, those who put it down so much are the ones who likely could not make it in the profession. Some people are just not cut out for this business. Some find it difficult to be away from their mommies or familes. That isn't a reason to put down others for enjoying their chosen field. There are some who have a poor work ethic. You can't sit in a truck stop playing video games and make a good living in this profession. There isn't as much supervision in otr trucking as in many jobs such as working in a factory or punching a clock. Making a good living requires that the driver be disciplined and a good time manager. He must have the discipline to make his pick ups and deliveries in a timely manner. Those who are used to whining and getting their way are not likely to make it in this business. Trucking was built by self starters who found a way to do their jobs while over coming tremendous obstacles. Whiners and those with a poor work ethic will find it difficult to make it in this business. Those are the ones who will come on here and tell others how bad it is driving otr. Just because they could not make it doesn't mean that others can't.

Just as in any other profession, you start at the bottom and work your way up. Pay isn't the greatest starting out with many companies. Many jobs start out at minimum wage and your pay increases as your experience and proficiency improves. Trucking is the same. It takes time to learn how to best do your job and that isn't something you learn in a few months. This is a skilled profession. There is essentially an apprenticeship period where you work and hone your skills to a professional level. I don't know of a single profession where you start out at top pay without any experience. Many drivers can be earning as much as many college graduates with a year or two. There are not many other professions where you can earn as much without several years training or a degree.

This business attracts people from a very broad range of backgrounds. I have met attorneys, doctors, businessmen, teachers and college professors who have decided to change careers and drive otr. There are others who barely have a high school diploma who come to this business. There must be a reason. I have a good friend who was once a college professor. He has a Masters Degree and opted out of teaching to run a trucking business. Another used to run a manufacturing plant supervising hundreds of people. He has successfully been running his own authority for several years. These are people who have experience in other professions and are qualified do do other things but have chosen to drive otr rather than sit in an office or classroom. These are not dumb people. They might make more doing something else, but chose trucking. Sometimes it isn't about the money, although both earn a good living driving. It is about enjoying what you do for a living. You can find things that you don't enjoy about any job. If you don't like it then don't do it. However, there is no reason to constantly put others down for doing what they enjoy.

Very well said Gman - very well indeed.

Others also live in an area with a depressed economy. Based on a 40 hour work week, I'd have to be paid roughly $20 per hour to make the money I do driving a truck. However, around here you'd be lucky to get a minimum wage job working 40 hours.

My wife is perfectly fine with me being away from home during the week, but starts getting upset when I stay out for 2 weeks. Lucky for me I work for a carrier where I'm home probably 99% of every weekend. Besides, she works night shift and even if I was home every day with a 'normal' job, we wouldn't see each other anyway.

It's all what you make of it.

kudos gman, put it out there pretty accurate. coudn't have said it better myself

If you are speaking from experience perhaps you sucked as a husband, father and citizen before your OTR career.