4 Weeks Down 4 To Go At Road Masters Driving! I Have A Question?

As a trucker did anyone maintain a somewhat nice, beginning living for their family? During your first year. I'm new to this site.

Usually the first year is the year you make the low end on the money scale. remember, you have no experience so once you build it up. you'll get paid more, depending on the type of trucking you want to do.

Welcome aboard Rashawd!

Indeed that first year is pretty lean. Right now it seems most new drivers are making about $32k-$36k their first year, around $40k their second year, and it will top out somewhere around $50k-$55k somewhere between years 3 and 5. Those are pretty good estimates.

Brett is right. The first year will be hard but you can do it. I learned that if i drive most to all of my hours every day i make a decent paycheck. There are a few keys that will help you bring home more money though and make sure you always have cash in your pocket.

My company offers per diem pay. This put more money on my take home and pays less taxes.

I also run on daily pay so that the money hits the bank faster to support my family at home.

I buy groceries at wal-mart and eat truck food while i am out for each stretch.

I have a stove ($30 at Pilot) and heat up soups and make grilled cheese so i always have a hot meal.

I have a cooler and just buy a bag of ice every few days to keep refrigerated foods.

I have a hot water pot ($20 at Pilot) so i can make coffee and cup of noodles.

These little things not only give me more time but also save a lot of money while i am on the road. Eat healthier and you will feel better and have more energy.

Thank you guys the info is really helpful another common question, choosing a good starting company. With the emphasis on "good". Some say Werner Enterprises, others Schneider, and U.S express. It might be stupid to ask considering this question could mostly depend on my interest in the jobs. Well I guess where'd you guys start? What was your experience?

I think the question of "good company" to start with is a matter of opinion and your own relationship that you build with your dispatcher. There are drivers who are not really happy anywhere and there are drivers who are happy everywhere. I personally started with Knight Transportation and am still there. I have a pretty good relationship with my dispatcher and we understand each other. My style is different than some of the other drivers, but it works for me. Basically i don't talk to my dispatcher very much. He sends me a load assignment and when i get within about 200 miles of delivery i send a message on the qualcomm and let him know when i will deliver and he has time to complete a pre plan for my next load. Sometimes if they are shorter runs or it is going into a weekend he will send me 2 or 3 loads on a pre plan so i can keep going. I personally run 14 days out then home for 2-3 days. I run very hard (as close to 11 hours of driving as possible) everyday until i have a reset.

My personal style is not good for everyone and everyone runs their own way. Some run 7-9 hour days and some run less or make stops at places to see the sites. No matter what company you choose you must figure out how you want to run and what is best for you.

I have talked to a lot of others and among the most positive responses (that hire non-experienced drivers) are Knight, Schneider, Swift, Melton, and Roehl. I have heard some not so positive responses from others, but since i do not have any first hand knowledge i will not repeat it. Once you have a year or so on the road and are able to determine what is whining and what is real there is no real right or wrong company. I still consider myself a rookie but will always try to pass on things that i learn out there whenever possible. I hope this helps you.

Thanks Thomas that is a big help! I'm just gathering and giving helpful tips myself on the schooling aspect, mostly. You seem like you have your sights on hard work a respect the hard working no bs or complaining workers.

Well, I aint got no advice cause I havent made as far as you, but still, good luck in/on whatever you decide!!!!

Thanks my man! :-)

Rashawd, the company you go with will depend on a few factors. I see you live in FL...there aren't alot of options for companies that will hire you there. So if getting home is a biggy...start looking for companies that will hire out of that area.....