First of all I want to say that I?m so glad this forum is here. I have learned a lot because I know zero about trucking. My fianc? of several years and I are planning to go to a local technical center for 8 weeks at a cost of $1,450 each starting August 21st. We have no kids and don?t plan on having any. So, we don?t care how much home time we get as long as we can bring our dog.
Because we were both hourly paid employees before this I?m trying to get an idea of how many hours a day we will be actually working for the money besides the fact that even when you have off time you are still away from home and cannot necessarily do what you want to do. This of course is all contingent on me being able to drive a semi.
I have looked at U.S. Xpress website. So here is a hypothetical example: Teams average 5,000 miles per week. The pay per mile for teams is .40; split .20 each (after orientation and company training). On average for every 7 days you are out you get a day off. So, let?s say we are out 21 days and then come home for 3. Now for the 3 weeks out I?m assuming you would take a couple of days off during that time. 5,000 miles divided by 6 days = 833 miles/day, divided by 2 of us = 416 miles each/day divided by 55 mph, is about 8 hrs. of driving for each of us a day not including meal breaks, rest breaks, logbook time, tractor-trailer inspections, weigh station time, unloading/loading. Now if this 5,000 miles is straight GPS and not ?practical miles,? I guess we will be driving more hours a day to get that pay. I keep seeing ads of $50,000 gross a year per person. Is this a realistic expectation with us working as a team or would we have to break laws and work very long hours? Or is $50,000 realistic after the first year? If not what should we expect?
Has anyone ever had a run to Alaska, or does any company offer such runs?
We want to make money, but also make it an enjoyable experience, is this possible? Any comments appreciated.