Serious Questions From A Curious Mind

Hi, internet. So I'm thinking of trying my hand in trucking. I understand that every company is different, and many things depend on many things, so I know my questions may not have definite answers. I have many questions, but I'll try to keep this list short and to the point. These questions are mainly directed at OTR trucking specifically. Last note: Do not judge who I am based on my questions. I am not a lazy worker, I am just someone who honestly wants to know the truth, and am someone who knows what he wants. Alright, so here goes nothing....

- Is 70 hours a week a rigid and mandatory amount of hours every driver must work no matter what, or is that just the legal cap? In other words... How much control do I have in deciding my hours I work? Can I be "lazy" some weeks and not care how much money I earn?

- Typically, how long will I be training for? By this I am referring to sleeping in the truck out on the road with a trainer for a month.

- Which companies / schools do NOT require you to sleep in the truck out on the road with a trainer for a month?

- Are there any companies that will allow brand new CDL graduates to be hired for regional or local work, or does every company pretty much make the new guys go OTR for a year? I want to get my first year done and under my belt, but I would prefer to have a company that let's rookies choose a schedule like 7on/7off or 14on/7 off "right out of the gates." I hear that Schneider and Transport America allow this???

- Typically, how much could I realistically expect to earn in my first year (after deductions)? This is assuming I did not work extremely hard or extremely bad, but just did the job well or "average." I keep hearing that the pay is not "good," but for me, I don't need more than 100k a year to be happy. I've heard that the average first year salary is around 20-25k, and that sounds just dandy to me right now in my life.

- If I get in an accident that was not my fault, do I or the does the company pay for damages?

- Typically, do companies respect truckers' requests for time off?

- How much individual control do I have in taking breaks and/or naps? Can I pull over whenever the hell I damn well please? This is assuming of course that I am planning to make up for lost time if need be.

- Do new drivers get to pick what type of truck they want to drive? By this I'm really asking, will I be able to choose a truck in which the interior is designed in a way that I will enjoy sleeping in it more than a different choice (i.e. larger size, refrigerator, storage closets, tv hookup, etc)?

- What is the best company to work for, for someone like myself who just wants the first year under his belt so he can progress to higher pay and higher flexibility afterward, wants to see the country but not be completely disrespected from ******* dispatchers, wants lots of home time (unless this screws up the experience needed for better work after a year?), wants to bring a pet on deck (cat or dog), wants to be able to smoke cigarettes while driving, wants as much freedom as possible to choose how I plan to drive my routes (in terms of hours and roadways), and in general wants to work for an honest and professional company, but one that truly is more laid back and less strict and uptight about everything (professionally, personally, emotionally, mentally)???????

I understand this has been a lot of questions. As you can tell I am strongly interested in this, but that I also have fears involved with being able to work long hours without any personal freedoms, and fears involved with emotional stability as well. But, I already understand a lot about what drivers deal with so I won't ask you about the mental stuff. I've actually done lots of research already, but I need to hear the wisdom of real people, not just watch youtube video bloggers. I am thinking I might do this, and just see if I can make it through my first year. I always hear the first year is the absolute roughest. Any additional advice or wisdom you wish to share would be greatly appreciated. Thank you kindly. Peace and love.

~Aaron

Is 70 hours a week a rigid and mandatory amount of hours every driver must work no matter what, or is that just the legal cap? In other words... How much control do I have in deciding my hours I work? Can I be "lazy" some weeks and not care how much money I earn?

70 hrs is the max hrs you are allowed to drive in a 7 day period. So long as you get your load on time, I don't see why it would matter how hard you run.

Typically, how long will I be training for? By this I am referring to sleeping in the truck out on the road with a trainer for a month.

Typically depending on the company, your training Will be between 4 weeks to 10weeks.

Which companies / schools do NOT require you to sleep in the truck out on the road with a trainer for a month?

As far as I know all companies require this. Most companies will have you running in team which means sleeping while the truck is rolling..

Are there any companies that will allow brand new CDL graduates to be hired for regional or local work, or does every company pretty much make the new guys go OTR for a year? I want to get my first year done and under my belt, but I would prefer to have a company that let's rookies choose a schedule like 7on/7off or 14on/7 off "right out of the gates." I hear that Schneider and Transport America allow this???

getting a regional or dedicated route is tough for first yrs.. you can try but don't hold your breath.. you'll need to work your way up as that's how most companies work.

Typically, how much could I realistically expect to earn in my first year (after deductions)? This is assuming I did not work extremely hard or extremely bad, but just did the job well or "average." I keep hearing that the pay is not "good," but for me, I don't need more than 100k a year to be happy. I've heard that the average first year salary is around 20-25k, and that sounds just dandy to me right now in my life.

You can avg around 300 to 1200 a week depending on how hard you run. If your lazy then you'll get craps miles and craps checks but of you run and burn miles you'll see a good check.. miles fluctuate each week, so your pay will change.

First yrs can get 25-35yr. Just depends on how crazy hard you run.

If I get in an accident that was not my fault, do I or the does the company pay for damages?

I'm not sure on this one, but companies pay insurance for a reason, most bigger companies have a repair shop that does body work. Chance of you paying out of pocket is low, but you risk your job with any accident.

Typically, do companies respect truckers' requests for time off?

some companies will get there on time, some will drag there feet.. but if you scratch your DMs back they'll scratch yours... In other words if you pick up a trailer due to another driver quoting but you have home time set , gennerally doing this "favor" will get you and extra day off.

How much individual control do I have in taking breaks and/or naps? Can I pull over whenever the hell I damn well please? This is assuming of course that I am planning to make up for lost time if need be.

So long as you make your loads on time, I don't see why this would be an issue... Being on time is the key to this career.

Do new drivers get to pick what type of truck they want to drive? By this I'm really asking, will I be able to choose a truck in which the interior is designed in a way that I will enjoy sleeping in it more than a different choice (i.e. larger size, refrigerator, storage closets, tv hookup, etc)?

They may tell you to look at theses trucks and then pick which one you want, but I know with swift, they will just issue a truck.

What is the best company to work for, for someone like myself who just wants the first year under his belt so he can progress to higher pay and higher flexibility afterward, wants to see the country but not be completely disrespected from ******* dispatchers, wants lots of home time (unless this screws up the experience needed for better work after a year?), wants to bring a pet on deck (cat or dog), wants to be able to smoke cigarettes while driving, wants as much freedom as possible to choose how I plan to drive my routes (in terms of hours and roadways), and in general wants to work for an honest and professional company, but one that truly is more laid back and less strict and uptight about everything (professionally, personally, emotionally, mentally)???????

This is a loaded question....every company is different. You'll see the country, no doubt in that. As for pets, it comes down to the company.. when I drove for swift, pets where not allowed, but as I'm going to prime now, they have a pet deposit that's required.. smoking is allowed in trucks but there may be a deposit. I dint smoke so I can't tell you.

It all comes down to research. Check out Company-Sponsored Training and call around.

Have you considered LEASING?

Have you considered LEASING?

Horrible idea being first time driver... It's really hard to succeed as O/OP.. after a few yrs of learning the trade, it wouldn't be a bad idea, but managing a business in the trucking industry is really tough.

That was meant as a 'tongue-in-cheek' remark. But, it seems to be the best way to get the '100% control' of your time that he's looking for, (once he's paid his dues).

- What is the best company to work for, for someone like myself who just wants the first year under his belt so he can progress to higher pay and higher flexibility afterward, wants to see the country but not be completely disrespected from ******* dispatchers, wants lots of home time (unless this screws up the experience needed for better work after a year?), wants to bring a pet on deck (cat or dog), wants to be able to smoke cigarettes while driving, wants as much freedom as possible to choose how I plan to drive my routes (in terms of hours and roadways), and in general wants to work for an honest and professional company, but one that truly is more laid back and less strict and uptight about everything (professionally, personally, emotionally, mentally)???????

Aaron, you've asked so many things, and David did a great job of giving you an answer to each one systematically, but I'm concerned that you are setting yourself up for disaster with the way you are approaching this whole thing though. I'm gonna try and explain what I mean and hopefully clarify some of the things that I don't think you really comprehend about this lifestyle/career.

First off the path to "higher pay and higher flexibility, and lots of home time" is something any trucker would love to find. It's an incredibly naive understanding of the business though. Higher pay and lots of home time are incompatible things in this industry. Just getting in your first year with that mystical "best company" is not the way the higher paid drivers got to where they are. I tell people all the time that this career is so much like being self employed that I'm convinced it is why a lot of people fail at their attempts to make it out there. I was self employed for 30 years, and employed a fair amount of people to work with me also. When you are the boss, or the main one who is responsible to make sure things get done right and in a timely and professional manner, you have to be willing to go the extra mile, work longer hours than everyone else, cover every little detail in making sure things are done right, and do it all with a will and a drive to not only succeed but really kick some butt at it. When you come into this business with the kind of attitude and work ethic that is more concerned with being able to smoke some cigarettes while you're enjoying seeing the country side, and having your faithful companion along by your side for pleasure while your taking your own route and stopping for a nap when ever you feel like it, and wanting the freedom to choose how and when you are going to arrive at your destination, while commanding all the respect you are certain you deserve from your dispatcher , my friend, you will not last three months at this.

I'm not being critical of you, I just want you to step back and think about what you've said in your original post and then think about the sacrifices that a hardworking self employed person would be willing to make to be successful at his chosen field. I burn around 6,000 dollars of fuel every month in my truck. Why do you think any company would be willing to let you run around enjoying the countryside in a $200,000 truck and pay your fuel bill every month when you are determined to do it your own way and at your own pace? It is a major capital expense for them to start any rookie off on this adventure, and they expect you to start making them some money or you will quickly be on a long bus ride home. (That's just simple straightforward economics) We talk a lot about this being a lifestyle and not just a job, but that doesn't mean you manage the whole thing for your pleasure. Your first priority has to be to do the job efficiently and professionally. You're not just working for "the man" - you are working to satisfy the trucking companies customers, and if they need you to deliver something at 2:30 in the morning after a ten hour drive through mountain passes and construction zones, then you need to be the type of person that says "hell yeah, I'm the man that can do it."

That is the way that people find themselves in the "higher pay and higher flexibility category". That is also the reason why so many people fail at this career. You've got a lot to consider before you make the plunge, but make your decision carefully and evaluate your motivation for wanting to get into this. If you are not the type of worker that is willing to make some big sacrifices to make things happen out there, then you may find yourself with a lot more home time than you bargained for.

Your first priority has to be to do the job efficiently and professionally. You're not just working for "the man" - you are working to satisfy the trucking companies customers, and if they need you to deliver something at 2:30 in the morning after a ten hour drive through mountain passes and construction zones, then you need to be the type of person that says "hell yeah, I'm the man that can do it."

That is the way that people find themselves in the "higher pay and higher flexibility category". That is also the reason why so many people fail at this career. You've got a lot to consider before you make the plunge, but make your decision carefully and evaluate your motivation for wanting to get into this. If you are not the type of worker that is willing to make some big sacrifices to make things happen out there, then you may find yourself with a lot more home time than you bargained for.

Amen! Success in any endeavor requires that attitude. Well said. Being dog tired, irritated and stressed out motivates me even more to reach my destination. I too learned at a younger age to do what needs to be done with zero exceptions.

I second (or third) what Old School says.

I had to stop driving at this time last year (I was almost done with my 1 yr) because I couldn't handle it. All I wanted to do was just enjoy the sights and drive a little. When I realized my mistakes, It was too late and I had already turned in my truck keys and was on my way home. I've spent the last yr doing local driving, and felt like I was missing something, Thats when I decided to return to the industry and give it another go. Knowing what I messed up on last time and knowing what I know now, makes it that much easier.

Thank you all for the honest feedback. It's exactly what I wanted - honesty. I knew that the kind of response I would receive would be the kind it was, because I understand that I sound ignorant. The truth is, I've done hours and hours of research, and I've seen lots of youtube videos from people detailing the truth about the industry, and it's corruption (in certain ways). I understand how hard it is, because I've thought long and hard about it. Obviously though, I can only truly know what it will be like for me if I try it out. I just don't want to spend thousands of dollars on trucking school, or worse yet, regret my choice but stay anyways because my company is paying my tuition off or something. Anyways, basically, I was just asking the questions my heart wanted to find out about (the adventure aspect, the freedoms available, etc.), because my mind already knows that trucking is one of the most difficult careers there is! I'm still considering it though. I honestly am a harder worker than my post appeared to be, and I'm built to be a self-employed individual. I desire solitude, I desire travel, I just desire to find a freaking company (or type of trucking) that will respect their own offer of home time scheduling as best as possible to me, and one that will be the most "easy-going" on me, since it will be a shock to everything I've known before. I just want to get my first year over with as smoothly as possible with not a lot of random bs (yes, I know, "that's just trucking") and then stop OTR to be a dump truck driver or something and make 17-24 bucks an hour..... I do not think I could not handle the job's demands. I just think I'm gonna be ****ed off because I was told "just get your first year over with and then the doors of opportunity are blown open" everywhere on the internet, but I was being misinformed greatly..... I wish I you could see who I am instead of reading my text, because I understand how easy it is to judge me by the words I type. The truth is, I just need to find out what I need and truly want in my life, then the choice will become clearer and clearer. Thanks to everyone for replying to me. It touched me. Much love, peace, and respect for you guys. It's because of you that this world keeps on buzzing. I humbly bow to you all. : )

Part of this site is being truthful. Thus the name Trucking Truth...

It has its moments when it's bad, and good. Sometimes you'll find yourself with free time to explore whatever city your in, other times you'll be rushed to hit a dead line. It's part of driving. I can tell ya, it's a rush being out there though. You never know what your going to see, or who you will see.