I have a question for some experienced drivers out there. First, I am no dummy when it comes to trucking. I have a Class A with all my endorsements, 15 years of experience, a passport plus a Twic card. I have made excellent money in trucking being a Temp. Yes, I said the word "temp" driver. If your in the right spot at the right time you can make 1700-1800 gross a week being on a dedicated account (local or Regional) being a Temp. Temp services will use you and throw you out the window when theres no work so save every penny. I also have done regional (living in the Northeast) and I liked sleeping in the truck. I never actually did the 48 states but I want to. Companies look at my experience and call it OTR because I was regional. Presently, I have been applying to Mega Companies and the offers are coming in. No, I really don't want to work for them as a solo driver but instead be a Driver Trainer. I heard from a student at Prime that I could make huge money (120K) doing just that and the students would actually like me!
Nevertheless, I am coming down to the wire. First, I don't trust the Mega Companies and their false promises not to mention them ruining my DAC or PSP report. So, this is where I need Drivers with years of experience to chime in:
Two offers on the table so far:
1.
a. A small 10 truck company that does OTR reefer. I met the owner and spoke with a driver plus they even went as far as showing me their pay stubs. Yes, I know... I deleted the info after I viewed it with a fine tooth comb. lol
b. A Penske 2017 Volvo or Freightliner with speed pass for all states.
c. Working off paper logs, yes I can cheat. I would only cheat if I was feeling rested so no comments.
d. I can get all the miles I want, easy money.
e. .50 cents a mile paying ALL miles once I get in the truck. If I go to the grocery store with the truck, I get paid the miles. I can stay out as long as I want.
f. No health ins or benefits but a company employee NOT a 1099, paid bi-weekly.
g. No corporate bs, no cameras in trucks, no tracking, nothing! Idle the truck when sleeping, no opti-idle!
h. No pet policy, bring whoever with you, just get the job done.
i. No DAC or PSP reporting.
j. I can take the truck home but since I vacated my apartment (single, no kids) I would stay out longer or visit my parents when needed.
k. They will let me take the truck home (day 1) to get organized before I depart.
I already took a drug test for them!
2.
a. Mega Company, Crete/Shaffer.
b. pet policy, 700.00! And you know there not going to refund that.
c. fridge policy, 600.00!
d. elogs.
e. Not much for training new drivers, its not lucrative.
f. They want to start me off at .45 with 15 years of experience... bs! And thats practical miles which you can subtract 5-10% of the top.
g. DAC/PSP reporting.
h. good health ins @ 27.00 a week for a single person.
i. They promise 2700-3000 a week, something I don't believe.
j. Opti-idle, paid weekly.
k. Corporate policies!
Is it really that profitable to be a Driver Trainer or should I pick from the above. I'm leaning on #1 and I would appreciate your thoughts.
Posted: 8 years, 3 months ago
View Topic:
Is trucking worth it anymore?
I have a question for some experienced drivers out there. First, I am no dummy when it comes to trucking. I have a Class A with all my endorsements, 15 years of experience, a passport plus a Twic card. I have made excellent money in trucking being a Temp. Yes, I said the word "temp" driver. If your in the right spot at the right time you can make 1700-1800 gross a week being on a dedicated account (local or Regional) being a Temp. Temp services will use you and throw you out the window when theres no work so save every penny. I also have done regional (living in the Northeast) and I liked sleeping in the truck. I never actually did the 48 states but I want to. Companies look at my experience and call it OTR because I was regional. Presently, I have been applying to Mega Companies and the offers are coming in. No, I really don't want to work for them as a solo driver but instead be a Driver Trainer. I heard from a student at Prime that I could make huge money (120K) doing just that and the students would actually like me! Nevertheless, I am coming down to the wire. First, I don't trust the Mega Companies and their false promises not to mention them ruining my DAC or PSP report. So, this is where I need Drivers with years of experience to chime in:
Two offers on the table so far:
1. a. A small 10 truck company that does OTR reefer. I met the owner and spoke with a driver plus they even went as far as showing me their pay stubs. Yes, I know... I deleted the info after I viewed it with a fine tooth comb. lol b. A Penske 2017 Volvo or Freightliner with speed pass for all states. c. Working off paper logs, yes I can cheat. I would only cheat if I was feeling rested so no comments. d. I can get all the miles I want, easy money. e. .50 cents a mile paying ALL miles once I get in the truck. If I go to the grocery store with the truck, I get paid the miles. I can stay out as long as I want. f. No health ins or benefits but a company employee NOT a 1099, paid bi-weekly. g. No corporate bs, no cameras in trucks, no tracking, nothing! Idle the truck when sleeping, no opti-idle! h. No pet policy, bring whoever with you, just get the job done. i. No DAC or PSP reporting. j. I can take the truck home but since I vacated my apartment (single, no kids) I would stay out longer or visit my parents when needed. k. They will let me take the truck home (day 1) to get organized before I depart.
I already took a drug test for them!
2. a. Mega Company, Crete/Shaffer. b. pet policy, 700.00! And you know there not going to refund that. c. fridge policy, 600.00! d. elogs. e. Not much for training new drivers, its not lucrative. f. They want to start me off at .45 with 15 years of experience... bs! And thats practical miles which you can subtract 5-10% of the top. g. DAC/PSP reporting. h. good health ins @ 27.00 a week for a single person. i. They promise 2700-3000 a week, something I don't believe. j. Opti-idle, paid weekly. k. Corporate policies!
Is it really that profitable to be a Driver Trainer or should I pick from the above. I'm leaning on #1 and I would appreciate your thoughts.