I appreciate the replies... I am unsure, and it seems like it's something you just have to try and hope for the best. Basically jump in the water and hope that you can swim....

 

You SHOULD go to a truck stop and ask drivers how they like who they work for, the industry, etc. Most will be more than happy to tell you what is on their mind. Or you could go to a terminal in your area and talk to them.

I have been encouraged to do that by my instructor and numerous recruiter that have stopped by.

 

Trust me, that's not weird, especially compared to some of the things that happen in a truck stop. :wink: :lol:

 

Like right here in the Pilot in West Memphis....very weird. :lol: :lol:

 

i wouldnt be afraid of anything "weird"
if you are serious about trucking, do your research any way you can.
it will help you avoid some of the so called "rip-off" companies mentioned here.

this is your career, you livelyhood, your life. research long and hard.
its gonna be weirder working for some crappy place beacause you were to afraid to ask somebody.

 

$75,000 in three years is do able... 3 X 25 = 75.. :shock:

 

Picture this,

How much do you like camping? To me that is what is most like this job. Everything you buy for your truck will be to basically try to bring your home life on the road with you. Portable this and trial size of that. Like living out of a suit case on 18 wheels. Hope that helps you visualize it. Sure there is stuff you can buy for your truck but truely is that all you want to use your money for? Lets hope not. No I dont drive, Didn't see if you were married but it can hurt but also help.

Truthfully my husband doesn't see how he could be as successful without my help from home. Being that some calls you may need to make will be difficult from the road due to time difference and hours of operation, thing needed to me faxed, email, and followed up on. Seeing that there are plenty of guys that do do it by themselves I sure it is possible. I could tell you that it is possible to make that kind of money rather quickly if you have the skill and don't mind driving your azz off even in your first year. You do have to take the good and the bad and keep you eye on your goal. Trucking is unpredictable to a degree. People like me still love to shop, eat and need gas to get us there so truck drivers do have a job.

My husband is currently a trainer and gladly shows his student's his checks which they like and tells them how to do it for yourself. There is extra money is training though it is dangerous and very scary some times but if you can do it and willing to do the extra work of teaching other what you have learned it has it's benefits.

 

You are probably going to find out that even after all the research you have and will do, what YOU will find the results to be very different from what you ASSUMED they would be.

I haven't been driving long enough to see that magical 75k that you mentioned, so I can't speak on that part. I would suggest that you re-read Fozzy's post though.

Going to the truck stop will give you some of the picture, it will give you a fuller spectrum of what the drivers will tell you. Just be forewarned that there are people at T/S that say they are, but aren't. You might also want to visit the same T/S at various times on various days.

 

Actually, if you drive for Wal-Mart's private fleet you can make $75k pretty handily. Your best bet tho is LTL linehaul because you're home everyday. Alot of guys pulling out of our barn make over $70k. I think the top bid-run is over $90k.

You won't start out making that kind of money but just like any other line of work, you've got to pay your dues. As you build your seniority and guys ahead of you quit/retire/move away/etc you can bid on better runs.

You got that right.

24 years old...great time to get into LTL. The two companies I would look at are UPS Freight and FedEx Freight.

 

So will either of these companies hire me on without any trucking experience? And will they help me to obtain my CDL?