How Can I Make Any Money At This?

Ted says

I retired...

Did you retire, or did you not have a choice? Your profile you created 3 months ago says you're on medical leave......

In the end the ONLY real proof is seeing the tax returns supporting the stated claims lol

Got home seen my W2s was actually lil surprised my 1st full year 2020 .....Not killing myself and having a buncha shut downs or other delays. Taking a couple days of extended time off and working up on my cpm from .32 to .42 hmmmm I made 35k the first year where I am lol Now to push it n do lot more of those 6000-7200 mile weeks

In the end the ONLY real proof is seeing the tax returns supporting the stated claims lol

Got home seen my W2s was actually lil surprised my 1st full year 2020 .....Not killing myself and having a buncha shut downs or other delays. Taking a couple days of extended time off and working up on my cpm from .32 to .42 hmmmm I made 35k the first year where I am lol Now to push it n do lot more of those 6000-7200 mile weeks

Nice!

Also, Let us not forget there is a bit more to the pay thing than just the almighty CPM. Many companies pay for detention, extra stops, short run pay, etc. etc. Also, and this is a HUGE one.... if you have a good working relationship with your DM , many times they are given a lot of discretion for extra pay and perks they can divvy out to keep their productive drivers happy on the road. An extra $50 here or $75 there may not seem like much, but over the course of the year it does add up pretty quickly... especially when it's free money you get for being a valued professional with your support team at the terminal. As a rookie myself, I've had my DM go out of his way to take care of me with extra pay. Also, I've received great loads when others were sitting in the yard waiting.... I helped out my team by shuttling some trailers they urgently needed moved locally and was immediately given a 900 mile load from Alabama to Maryland, what made that run even better was the deadhead from Lakeland, FL to Pennington, AL was well over 550 miles. Some good money there, when I could have been sitting around waiting for a load at the yard. I know this example doesn't say much about the extra $$ perks I spoke about above, but is an example of getting taken care of when you are a team player and have a good relationship with your support team.

Ralph, who do you work for?

Yea it’s Emoney2423@icloud.com

Do you have an email ?

2

Agree 100% just saying how many incidents do you have again??? Just forgot lol

I’ll pass on the trainer status . That’s how more accidents happen out here because off the blind leading the blind per say.

They’re gonna start you off at 32 cents per mile you should’ve known this?? Your gonna have to run an run but flat bedders do pretty well no sliding scale after 3 months they’ll make you a trainer

Question for all of you more experienced drivers. So I’m going out to Nashville tomorrow for orientation but I’m a little skeptical on the .32cpm and how I’m going to make a living on it. Even at 3000 miles a week it’s 960 gross, which is going to be a hard pill to swallow. I guess I’m asking if there are any of you who currently work for western express who can give me tips on how to make more money or if they truly start you off at .32cpm?

Driving the truck isn’t my problem. But yes I will use my trainer for all he has knowledge wise so I can be a better driver. Also owner op isn’t the only way to go out here to make money. The middl goal for me is to drive for wal mart there’s great money there and it’ll put me in place for a better future. You were right about me needing to fix others companies perception of me and I’m going to work hard at it .

You have to get used to being paid a small amount because of your lack of experience, it doesn't really matter where you're going or driving for, after you're driving for at least six months consistently then and only then you can expect the pay increase. This is a troubling time for you, you're going to want to look into other people's backyard and see the grass is greener in their yard then your own. Sorry to use the saying, however it is true. You must drive your truck responsibly, remember this if you remember anything else,. YOU trust but verify everything. Directions, addresses, and routes you need to drive...

Another useful task for you to practice, stay out of the truck stops. It's expensive even if you don't think so. When you're sleeping and surviving in that truck, live in that truck as you would if you were living alone, you don't go out to eat every time you have a meal, you will gain weight... get into the habit of exercising and walking around your truck after you wake up, regardless the temperature outside, you will need to say somewhat physically active while on the road, it helps it helps a lot. If needs be go to a Walmart or some other grocery store of some kind, buy food and survive just in that truck. In a way it's like going camping, me personally I had an emergency service in the truck just in case I had to go to the bathroom, camping type of porta potties are available for camping needs. No it isn't what everyone talks about but everyone understands depending on what you eat depends on how solid your stool is but it is a bodily function that we cannot deny, and it is irresponsible thinking to ignore it, most drivers use a old water bottle as a urinal, it's a good way to keep you out of the truck stops, controlling one's bodily functions is a skill that you learn, unfortunately. It is also the main reason why truck drivers are looked at to be very disgusting people because most people forget to get rid of that on a daily basis. If you are responsible with it it's no big deal,

For the most part all of the information I am giving you is needed information especially when you're starting out by yourself, learn about the job, and or lifestyle, it is not something you can just go to work and come home, because once you deliver the load you have to be ready to leave immediately to do it again. there are a few key issues that you need to address or have addressed just in case.

Your safety in that truck, no it is not legal for most companies to carry a firearm in that truck, but you can have other tools available for you just in case an intruder breaks into the truck while you're in it, tire thumpers are always a good tool to use in this, another is wasp spray (be careful with that one) I would strongly suggest look into some legal service to follow you in your career just in case. I did, the only way a driver can actually make money being a truck driver is to own the truck. Once you get to that point the money changes drastically. Earning a $900 paycheck a week gross is pretty typical. but if you stick at it you can make a decent life for yourself and your family. Being an owner is a bigger responsibility and a bigger cost to you, a good thing not to do is dream, focus on the task at hand and you will be fine... Sorry for the book, but I do pick on a few topics that are REAL and problemsome when you are on the road... When driving respect other people, even if they don't deserve it. Watch your distance...

Another point I can bring up very short, is vehicle spacing, when I were actively driving it's called the Smith system, a lot of trucking companies adapted to the system and are teaching our drivers to do the same. The Smith System, teaches drivers to look as far as possible there was second of every minute of every hour of every day, when you are driving down the road, Leave yourself and out, means leave yourself space next to you to maneuver if you need to, try to stay eight or nine seconds away from the vehicle in front of you, this is where the skill kicks in I have more experience guessing what drivers are going to do before they do it then you do, insurance companies have that part right.... Going up and down mountains take your time there's a lot at stake, your safety is key, there is no such thing as freight being more important than the driver. most toll bridges have available what's called is a bridge

Question for all of you more experienced drivers. So I’m going out to Nashville tomorrow for orientation but I’m a little skeptical on the .32cpm and how I’m going to make a living on it. Even at 3000 miles a week it’s 960 gross, which is going to be a hard pill to swallow. I guess I’m asking if there are any of you who currently work for western express who can give me tips on how to make more money or if they truly start you off at .32cpm?

Also, Let us not forget there is a bit more to the pay thing than just the almighty CPM. Many companies pay for detention, extra stops, short run pay, etc. etc. Also, and this is a HUGE one.... if you have a good working relationship with your DM , many times they are given a lot of discretion for extra pay and perks they can divvy out to keep their productive drivers happy on the road. An extra $50 here or $75 there may not seem like much, but over the course of the year it does add up pretty quickly... especially when it's free money you get for being a valued professional with your support team at the terminal. As a rookie myself, I've had my DM go out of his way to take care of me with extra pay. Also, I've received great loads when others were sitting in the yard waiting.... I helped out my team by shuttling some trailers they urgently needed moved locally and was immediately given a 900 mile load from Alabama to Maryland, what made that run even better was the deadhead from Lakeland, FL to Pennington, AL was well over 550 miles. Some good money there, when I could have been sitting around waiting for a load at the yard. I know this example doesn't say much about the extra $$ perks I spoke about above, but is an example of getting taken care of when you are a team player and have a good relationship with your support team.

Ralph, who do you work for?

Hey Auggie, I work for Knight out of the Lakeland, FL terminal.

Eric, no answers from my household, sorry. If this is your 'shot in the dark,' at least you have one! Husband and I have seen more than one driver, wash out of the industry; passing a fleeting opportunity because they thought they were 'better than' that.

I/We wish you well, good sir. Roll with it. . . Look at O/S bygosh!

Onward and upward; best of luck to you tomorrow (well, today?!?!)

~ Anne (and Tom!) ~

I started at $.30/mile and finished the first year at $40k. Second year I earned 20% more.

While many here make much more than me, I bring home >$50k AND get home weekly (often multiple times per week).

This job isn’t for everyone. But few jobs start you out with this kind of pay, require little schooling and offer income growth as quickly as truck driving. AND, while many are facing layoffs, we’re busy!