2006-09-11 03:03:29 · 4 answers · asked by joseph6902000 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
It's a lifestyle rather than a job. If you aren't prepared to adapt to that, you don't want to get into the industry.
Some people may tell you that you can get a local driving job. Yes and no! Yes there are many local jobs available where you can be home every night. No, because those who will hire out of school for a local job are looking for someone who will work cheap! (I've seen $9-10/hr for new drivers locally, compared to $20+/hr for experienced.) As in any industry, you must pay your dues.
Over the Road drivers make much better money than local drivers from the start. Expect to clear $25,000-35,000 your first year over the road and go up from there. I have more than 3 1/2 million miles of experience and SEND HOME an average of $1500-1900/wk.
DO NOT let a company talk you into a lease purchase plan. (those are rip offs, with them selling you their equipment so that you are footing all of the operating expenses, maintenance and repairs. Most are paying .88/mi or so which is enough to run the truck, but not have any money left over for luxuries like a house and family. It costs about that to run the truck NOT including paying yourself vs a new driver making .24/mi as a company driver with the company picking up the tab for the truck expenses.)
After you have been with your first company for a few years, (usually the companies who hire out of schools will max your pay after 3-5 years.) you can move to a better paying company and as your experience grows so will your paycheck. (Companies that require more experience also pay more to get the experience)
Driving a truck is only 10% of being a truck driver. Make sure you know as much about the industry as possible and how to run a business before investing in a truck of your own. Big investment (a new highway tractor with sleeper is over $100,000) and constant operating, maintenance and repair bills.
It has been said that a truck is a hole in the highway into which you pour money.
2006-09-12 16:07:34 · answer #1 · answered by dallenmarket 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its a tough life, its hard on your family when your gone for weeks at a time. To own your own truck you have to take into account you will have to have money for fuel and truck repairs and ect. If you think you might like the life try driving for a company own truck first, then you will have a better idea of what you are getting into before you run out and buy your own rig.
2006-09-11 03:12:21 · answer #2 · answered by Granny 1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm looking into it myself. It depends if you have alot of friends or family that you like to hang out with. From what I have gathered, local cdl a jobs would be a better option for someone that does not want to be "at work" for a minimum of 14days straight. then only home for 2 then back to work. Most hours of those 2 days will be spent paying bills, cutting grass, sleeping, doing laundry grocery shopping, ect. then back to work. It's hard. Harder if you have kids.
2006-09-11 03:15:48 · answer #3 · answered by phusionx130 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That kinda depends on YOU.
If your just driving on the interstate
it can be kinda boring, driving 8 hours a day
5 days a week, Your back might hurt or your legs.
Everyone is different.
The pay is usually by the mile. and can be very decent.
2006-09-11 03:10:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋