I am looking at turning to trucking in order to pay the bills. I live in the metro Atlanta, Georgia area. While I do hold a current Class A CDL and current DOT card I have never run OTR, so I guess I would be considered a rookie. My class 8 truck experience has been local transport of trucks and moving a few trailers around. All totaled, I have driven a big truck off and on for several years...but again...no OTR experience. Not much experience I guess....but I do know how to drive a big truck. I have a spotless MVR, no criminal background and no drugs. I am 42, healthy and have no physical limitations. I have no endorsements on my CDL, but I can go this week and take the tanker, doubles and HazMat tests if needed. I know I will pass them all. Here is what I am looking for:
1-home every weekend or at least 46 out of 52. By being "home" I mean at the house for at least 48 hours
2-pay that is $750+ a week or better. Actually $850+ is where I need to be.
3-affordable medical for me and the wife. The kids have their own policies. She is diabetic and really needs the coverage.
4-decent equipment
5-I don't want to have to pay a lumper or anybody to unload my freight
6-financially stable company that will be still be in business a year or two from now
I don't mind if I pull a dry van, tanker, flatbed or reefer.....I just need to make consistent money. With life on the road, do dispatchers work with you if you need home time? I mean, if I have a doctor's appt or one of my kids has an event he wants me at, is it possible to get home during the week to meet the family obligations? Or, are you a slave to the truck and just SOL with your life? I would like to stay away from companies like Swift and such as I have read way to many bad things about them on CAD.
I am looking at doing this ASAP. Thanks for your input.
