Chief said:
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So me and my wife are concidering getting our CDL's and hitting the road and we have some questions and concerns we were hoping the folks on here could help us with.
We'll try. But, what made you think about doing this?
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We do about 80K/yr. But, after 3 thru college have limited savings. Our kids are grown and about to be out of college and we have no ties to our current house or town.
80k is nothing to sneeze at... but, if you don't like what you're doing... You MAY only make about 70k the first year or two, but it gets better. I guess you mean that you rent. Okay. WHERE are you? This makes a difference in what is available to you.
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Married 12 years and love to travel and the outdoors. So, thinking of selling out and hitting the road.
A stable (long term) marriage is a great asset for trucking as a H/W team. My brother and his wife survived it for a few years.
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Game plan is to pay dues the first 2 years, buy a truck and do O/O w/ athority and make a nest egg. Sounds simple right? I know enough to know better.
You sound like a smart man. 2 years is probably long enough to pay your dues, but I would think long and hard about becoming an O/O that quickly. There ARE other options.
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Concerns are:
1. Being seperated for training. I know this is a small hurdle but still.
Some companies will train you together. My brother started first... and then was allowed to train his wife. And you're right... it IS a small hurdle.
2. What we can expect out of our trainer. We have read mostly horror stories. Yes, I know the bad stuff is all that makes the internet, that's why I'm asking.
That's a coin toss. But, still... in the greater scheme... a small hurdle. If either of you feel your trainer is breaking the law, call your safety manager and ask for another one. I've heard/read the stories too. But, I had no problems.
3. Company recommendations. Looking at Schneider, Watkins&Shepard, US Express currently. Hoping to find someone who does H/W team training.
I don't like to DO recommendations. Don't know enough about these big companies. I wouldn't normally suggest ANY "lease" deal.... but, Schneider is currently offering a $12,000 sign on bonus for teams (with a lease deal obviously.) Be VERY careful about this... but, I would trust them over C.R. England or PRIME.
This is usually where I interject the idea of looking at smaller companies that use teams exclusively. My brother was able to go out with a trainer for a few weeks and then train his wife. Smaller companies often will "work with you" on such situations.
Are you on one coast or the other? If so, there are many companies that haul SOME commodity to the other coast, and bring back produce. It's not a bad deal.
4. What can we really expect pay wise year 1, year 2. Most are advertizing 40+K/yr, 5K-6K mile per week. I have a feeling this is probably not the norm.
$35k each the first year or two. After that... if you're STILL in trucking... the sky is the limit (but the norm would be $40k each.) 5-6k miles a week is certainly doable as a team who is willing to run.
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We are looking to stay on the road w/ limited home time.
This makes you a dispatcher's DREAM! That is why I said the miles would not be a problem with MOST carriers.
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We like the travel aspect and would prefer using our "down time" to see somewhere other than home.
This is not always so easy to do. But, I have done it, and others I know have done it. You may need to rent a car, or be able to drop your trailer (company consent needed.) I knew a couple that strapped bikes to the back of their truck and spent every weekend "touring" the Oregon coastline.
I, personally, have seen/crossed the London Bridge in Lake Havasu, and took a train to see the Grand Canyon. Also, dropped my trailer and bobtailed down to Mt. Rushmore. Gambled in Las Vegas, walked on the California beaches, and "stood on a corner in Winslow, Arizona!"
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But, just because we want to drive does [not] mean the freight will be there to support it.
The economy is getting better. I think the freight will be there with the companies you mentioned. If not, check some others... like LandAir, ForwardAir, or LandSpan.