Question:
cashflow
Junior Member (less than 10 posts) posted June 30, 2003 09:31
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I just got out of training and spent a few weeks on the road by myself. I work for a small company, we only run about 32-38 states. I have yet to take home more that 550.00 for one week and I run as much as I can. My day was like this: Wake up shake off my load, drive to load again, get loaded(flat beddin'), get a shower, jump in the bunk and get maybe 6 hours of sleep(choice 6 hours of sleep or spend .5 to 1.0 hour eating) and drive again. I run hard. I still couldn't take home more than 550.00 a week. I made that much before I got laid off of my last job in a 48 hour week and I was home every night! I have really abused my body in the last couple of weeks and I can't and won't do it anymore. I can't see how I come out ahead by doing this to myself and bending the hours of service rules like I have. Can more money be made and still have a life of some sort, eat right, sleep right, have an hour or so to relax everyday without killing yourself in the process? Need truthful answers.
Let's see if you guys cna help this guy out and take your Union -VS- Non-union and your doomed kinda B.S. to the RT. Newbies have enough to deal with. Thank you.
Your misery is limited by the depth of your imagination. 1 Iron
Dodge makes it. . .CUMMINS shakes it!
www.TurboDieselRegister.com

Answer:
Originally posted by 1 Iron:
cashflow
Junior Member (less than 10 posts) posted June 30, 2003 09:31
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I just got out of training and spent a few weeks on the road by myself. I work for a small company, we only run about 32-38 states. I have yet to take home more that 550.00 for one week and I run as much as I can.
As someone new to a company, not to mention to an industry you can not expect to make top dollar. You do have to work your way up the ladder. You didn't mention what your average weekly earnings are nor what your average weekly miles nor how you are paid so it is difficult to know just what your true situation is in comparision to what it could be.
My day was like this: Wake up shake off my load, drive to load again, get loaded(flat beddin'), get a shower, jump in the bunk and get maybe 6 hours of sleep(choice 6 hours of sleep or spend .5 to 1.0 hour eating) and drive again. I run hard. I still couldn't take home more than 550.00 a week. I made that much before I got laid off of my last job in a 48 hour week and I was home every night!
You really can not compare trucking wages to wages made in more typical job. It is a totally different type of work, (more like piece work in a factory than anything else). In some ways trucking is easier than working in a more typical job and in other ways it is harder.
I have really abused my body in the last couple of weeks and I can't and won't do it anymore. I can't see how I come out ahead by doing this to myself and bending the hours of service rules like I have. Can more money be made and still have a life of some sort, eat right, sleep right, have an hour or so to relax everyday without killing yourself in the process? Need truthful answers.
You will NEVER come out ahead abusing your body, "bending" or breaking the hour of service regs, and in general not looking out for yourself and your health. What many people in any industry have to learn, what you have to learn, is how to work smarter instead of trying to work harder. Learn what YOU can and can't do and let your boss know when you have hit your limits. If you are delayed getting loaded and won't be able to deliver on time in a legal and safe manner speak up.
Like I said earlier trying to narrow down your real problem(s) more than vaguely is difficult without some more info.
Can you have some sort of life while driving OTR? Yes you can. It won't be a "normal" life compared to a regular shift job, but with a little adapatation, and some learning on your part you can have it better than you do now.
The biggest pointer I can give you right now, based on what you have told us, is work on your time management skills and your trip planning skills. Learning to drive a truck is easy. Learning to effectively manage your time is the hard part.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
If this is "take home" then taxes and all have come out of it. With the taxes added in you are around 750. a week. Not the most but at 52 weeks that is 39000. This is a little over the average for a new driver. I think the gov has it at 36000 a year. Also if it is take home then all Med insurance, 401k, stock purchase, and advances, if you have any of these are figured out.
Do not risk hurting your body for anyone. It is not worth it. You will not make enough on any load to cover the damage. If you have to run illigal to make this then you need to look into a different carrier, or STOP running illigal. What are they going to do force you to run illigal. 90% of the companies out here cound not affort the fine or have there ICC number pulled. You will not get rich quick in this line of work, unless you win the lottery. You also NEED to have a financial plan, this will help you so much later in life, even next week. What will you do if you have 3 bad weeks in a row? Form a plan. Good Luck202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
Now we're cookin'! Thanks Guys!
Your misery is limited by the depth of your imagination. 1 Iron
Dodge makes it. . .CUMMINS shakes it!
www.TurboDieselRegister.com

Answer:
Oh yeah, he's SO much better informed now, ...
Let's see if you guys cna help this guy out and take your Union -VS- Non-union and your doomed kinda B.S. to the RT. Newbies have enough to deal with. Thank you.
1 iron, until you either own this board or get appointed some sort of Board Fairy, don't be telling anybody where and when to post.
___________________________
Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-Stoney Jay Gould
__________________________
This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
Just sortin' out the B.S., though it still seems to follow.
Your misery is limited by the depth of your imagination. 1 Iron
Dodge makes it. . .CUMMINS shakes it!
www.TurboDieselRegister.com

Answer:
Oh my. Well, then ...
Give a guy a break
these guys are just to rude to imagine.
In reality the trucking industry is tough on new drivers. They expect a lot and return very little. It is true that you must pay your dues.
Once you have been a driver a couple of years the industry opens up with opportunities. The pay and miles driven increase. Once established you can expect $100,000 to $150,000 dollars a year on average. You will only be on the road 4 out of 7 days a week. You will be able to pick your hours. Usually you will have a 60 day paid vacation yearly. Then most companies will take you personally to the truck dealer of your choice and let you pick out your own truck with any options that you want.
Just remember you must pay your dues first. By the way Prime would be a great company to start with. After the superb training they practically give you a truck. They love their drivers.
___________________________
Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-StoneyJay Gould
__________________________
This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
Give a guy a break
these guys are just to rude to imagine.
In reality the trucking industry is tough on new drivers. They expect a lot and return very little. It is true that you must pay your dues.
Once you have been a driver a couple of years the industry opens up with opportunities. The pay and miles driven increase. Once established you can expect $100,000 to $150,000 dollars a year on average. You will only be on the road 4 out of 7 days a week. You will be able to pick your hours. Usually you will have a 60 day paid vacation yearly. Then most companies will take you personally to the truck dealer of your choice and let you pick out your own truck with any options that you want.
Just remember you must pay your dues first. By the way Prime would be a great company to start with. After the superb training they practically give you a truck. They love their drivers.
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Too Funny!!
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http://www.msnusers.com/PrincessPennie/shoebox.msnw


Answer:
Wonder where he found that.
Great Stuff
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
hahaha
Good memory, Stuffs. You probably know where, but it came from one of Fozzy's threads. Remember "The Fluffy Little Bunny" stories? You remember the context and who the author was, right?
___________________________
Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-Stoney Jay Gould
__________________________
This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
Yep I sure do.
Great Stuff
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Blast From An Unkinder, UnGentler Past here on Fantasy Island ....
http://roundtable.truck.net/6/ubb.x?q=Y&a=tpc&s=6456013822&f=4076031032&m=1426047032&p=1
___________________________
Humans are amazing creatures. "With all the things you can train them to do, I've been considering getting one."-Stoney Jay Gould
__________________________
This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
In reality if he is taking home 550 a week then that averages out to 2200 a month in take home pay. If making more is what he feels he needs then he should be looking at a bigger picture when it comes down to his paychecks and these are:
1. What kind of draws/allowances are you taking prior to getting your checks.
2. How much are you withholding on your taxes?
3. If you are taking out for 401 how much? Could you do with taking a little less out for a while until you get established?
4. If getting medical is it worth the price you are paying? If not can you get better insurance somewhere else for a cheaper rate? Sometimes going with a company plan isn't always better.
But all in all for a newbie I would say that you are hitting just about right for earnings. As it's been pointed out you are new to the game and will have to pay your dues. Once you have finally established yourself then you can start to see a little more as time goes on.
------------------------------------------------------------ Success is 1% inspiration and 99% persperation.
Answer:
Thank ya'll for taking the time to give your two cents.
To answer one question I never got any advances off my check. I use my ATM card when I need money. I only claim one dependent on my taxes and the health insurance is less that $20.00 a week. I try to limit my spending to around $50.00 a week most times I spend closer to 80.00 or 100.00. I said that the most I have taken home is 550.00. my check usually is around $300.00. The week I made 550.00 I ran really hard, harder than I was comfortable doing. I really pushed my limits that week. I always tried to pick the shortest routes but sometimes the shortest is not always the safest or the fastest. I try to use my limited knowledge of the road and the knowledge of my fellow drivers to my advantage. I do enjoy the work and the chance to meet different people. The most fun I have had has been talking to different drivers and trying to learn something from each of them. All of them are willing to give some little bit of advice or a helping hand when they see a need. But I started driving to make some money. I never thought I would get rich at it, (You never get rich working for someone else) but I did think I could do just as well money wise as I did working as a machinist. I do understand that I have to 'pay my dues' but the bills will not wait for that to happen.

Answer:
I would say you are working for the wrong company. I know of companies that will work you hard for very little money, flatbed. How long did you go out for with a trainer?
It would be nice to know either where you live and more importantly where you work. Some companies have poor reputations.
Great Stuff
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"