Strategizing The Long Term.

Hey everyone.

I’m new to all this so please keep that in mind when you answer. I don’t know the lingo or many of the basic concepts, although I'm reading a few ebooks on it right now. I’m trying to come up with a good plan or path to take. I realize this is a large question I’m asking and that it has multiple answers, many of which are not simple. Go ahead and give me your advice based on what you’ve learned, or, If you know a book that answers all this, go ahead and tell me it’s title, please.

Let’s say there is a guy who is not afraid to work his ass off. He has a history of not getting burnt out, serious work ethic, etc. And, he learns fast. You give him a text book to study or train him with procedures to understand, he memorizes it all quickly.

I'm learning that with trucking, there are different arrangements that make very different annual incomes. Some 40k. Others over 100. Working for companies, lease purchase, team, flat bed, Propane, etc. I imagine these arrangements take different amounts of time to get into. Perhaps some options take several years whereas other options are only 1 to 2 years before you could be in that particular set up. I also imagine some of those options have a problem of job availability whereas others are more so a sure shot with less competition. I’m already aware that OTR means you probably loose contact with all your friends and family. I’m ok with that. I’m a loner anyway, and single. I don’t mind staying "single" for years. I’m willing to move wherever in the country to get the best trucking job.

So what I want to know is, 1) Which arrangements pay the highest? How would you maximize the money you can make in a year? 2) BUT, among those options, which ones don’t take too long to qualify for. If it takes many years to get the qualifications, I'd probably skip it and go for a different arrangement that takes less years. Again, we're talking about a workaholic here. I take everything i do in life very seriously. 3) And, among those, which arrangements have more of a problem with availability and competition? Which have less of an availability problem?

If you know of any arrangements that fits all three parameters, what are they? And, if you have any advice of how to make it happen, I’m all ears.

Thanks a lot. Sorry about the long winded-ness.

Hi Jake,

Welcome to Trucking Truth. Although this is my first post, I have been a long time lurker. I can't answer your questions about how to find the high paying job opportunities other than to repeat some of what I have learned. In general you make the most money by operating safely and not hitting anything, accepting whatever load you are given, getting it delivered on time, treating everybody with respect and a smile regardless of how they treat you, and not letting the other stuff get to you. As you do that your dispatcher will come to recognize your dependability and will take care of you. Doing this first year drivers will probably make about $35,000, about $40,000 to $45,000 the second year, and about $50,000 to $55,000 by the fourth year.

There are some opportunities to make more so look for them, but many of the big money "promises" are linked to leasing or owning the truck which isn't recommended here. There is just so much to learn about trucking in your first years, and so much risk to leasing/buying that the chances of just breaking even are slim, and many who go this route end up failing or just barely making more than a company driver while working much harder.

The general recommendation is not to get into trucking looking for big money. You will make enough for your needs and more, but if you are looking for big money you should probably be looking at other career fields. Getting into trucking is more of a lifestyle choice. And it isn't for every one. You mentioned several characteristics that would help you be very successful in trucking, but I would recommend that you take some time looking at the resources here on this site. Since this is my first post I'm not comfortable inserting links, but if you browse the different areas here you will find a great step by step process for getting into trucking including choosing what kind of freight you are interested in and choosing a school. There is also link to a free book Brett wrote about his career and what worked and what didn't. It might be a little old (Sorry Brett) but the only dated info is about the logbook. It is a fun and enlightening read.

Anyway, if you are still interested in trucking, stick around. As the site name states, you will find the truth about trucking here, both the good and the bad. That is very different from most of the other trucking sites.

Anyway Welcome,

Paul

I would have to echo what Paul said on everything related to this site. Although I am just starting school I can tell you that the advice and the educational material here is awesome. I am very comfortable in class and feel like I am way ahead of where I would be without their help. Read everything that is on here...including the older stuff (this site has been around for a number of years) and especially the blogs and chronicle posts from the veterans. You want to see inside of trucking before jumping in? Well you've come to the right place.

Welcome to the site, we have tones of great info and some awesome drivers/soon to be drivers.

I recommend you check out our Truck Driver's Career Guide, it has a ton of information for this career choice.

I'm learning that with trucking, there are different arrangements that make very different annual incomes. Some 40k. Others over 100. Working for companies, lease purchase, team, flat bed, Propane, etc. I imagine these arrangements take different amounts of time to get into. Perhaps some options take several years whereas other options are only 1 to 2 years before you could be in that particular set up. I also imagine some of those options have a problem of job availability whereas others are more so a sure shot with less competition. I’m already aware that OTR means you probably loose contact with all your friends and family. I’m ok with that. I’m a loner anyway, and single. I don’t mind staying "single" for years. I’m willing to move wherever in the country to get the best trucking job.

It's a good idea to think about doing at least a full year of OTR. Now it is possible to get something with a local company such as Conway, FedEx, ABF, etc.. They may require you to work on the docks, which is would mean loading and unloading trailers, however they'll also train you to drive their equipment, help you get your CDL and get you rolling. There is also the possibility of going local after 6 months of OTR, it just depends on the company.

You are correct about losing contact with friends and family, at least physical. You can still call =D great thing about cell phones. Now getting the "Best" trucking job isn't a matter of moving anywhere in the country. There really isn't a "best" job, it all comes down to you, your attitidue and how you treat everyone you come in contact with, whether it be a customer, your dispatcher or fleet manager.

So what I want to know is, 1) Which arrangements pay the highest? How would you maximize the money you can make in a year? 2) BUT, among those options, which ones don’t take too long to qualify for. If it takes many years to get the qualifications, I'd probably skip it and go for a different arrangement that takes less years. Again, we're talking about a workaholic here. I take everything i do in life very seriously. 3) And, among those, which arrangements have more of a problem with availability and competition? Which have less of an availability problem?

Im not sure what you mean by "arrangements", but Im guessing you mean OTR Vs Local, or Dry van , vs Refer, Vs. flat bed? If you can get on with a local company there is a possibility of making more there, but its not easy work being a rookie and landing a local gig. Your first year OTR you can expect 30-35k, and more after that. As for maximizing your cash flow in a year, keep your self safe and legal, avoid accidents, and be on time. As stated above, you bust your hump and prove to your DM that your not just another steering wheel holder, then you'll make some decent $$.. One of our forum mods took the time to write down his entire year of pay. Daniel B's first year breakdown, its a good thread.

The option the doesnt take the longest, well thats tough and it goes back to either going OTR or working hard to land a local gig. I said it before, it takes at least a year of OTR to get a good local position, though we do have drivers that have landed local gigs out of school and after 6 months OTR. It is possible, but takes work.

Availability in trucking is always there. You can apply for school, get your CDL and be hired off the bat through a Company-Sponsored Training . Trucking Industry is always after drivers. One of the highest turnover rates in the working industry.

Now, in order to get yourself on the right path, you'll need a CDL. How you get it is your choice, however you'll need to goto a school that has at least 160hr minimum class time. You can accomplish this either by going to a private school or Company-Sponsored Training. Most of the time Private schools are paid out of your pocket though you may be able to get help if its at a community college or if your a vet there are programs out there. Company training is what most go with as its nothing out of your pocket. The catch though, is you stick with that company for a minimum of 1 year, after which your debt to the school with me cleared and your free to go where you please.

If you decide to go private school route, then you'll also want to work on getting pre-hires , which Understanding Pre-Hires will help you out. Basically, you get hired with a company while in school, once you get your CDL you head to their orientation class.

It may be hard to Choose A School, again it all comes down to you.

If you need anything else, just ask.

You mentioned a few things that will make my answer simple and sweet for you - you're willing to move, you're single, you want to maximize your income.

You're going to have to specialize to some degree in order to have a high-paying trucking job. Tanker is one avenue. LTL is another.

Here's my thread on LTL trucking: LTL Trucking: My linehaul job

Location will trump experience. So if you're willing to move, then you're going to be able to put yourself in a position to have better opportunities. Linehaul trucking pays some of the best wages in the trucking industry. Drivers make between 70-100k a year. Rookie linehaul drivers will generally make more than experienced OTR drivers. LTL companies will also hire student drivers - some have their own driving school and will PAY YOU to get your CDL A. I give a list of LTL companies in my thread.

If you're interested in linehaul, then find where some terminals are located and start inquiring. In general, whether you're interested in LTL or truckload, the northeast will probably give you some of the better opportunities in the entire country. The fact that you have multiple major cities within a few hours drive of each other, means that a lot of freight gets moved and there are plenty of major freight lanes. The northeast is ripe with LTL companies. Contrary to truckload jobs, you'll need to be close to terminals in order to land a LTL job.

Location will trump experience. So if you're willing to move, then you're going to be able to put yourself in a position to have better opportunities. Linehaul trucking pays some of the best wages in the trucking industry. Drivers make between 70-100k a year. Rookie linehaul drivers will generally make more than experienced OTR drivers. LTL companies will also hire student drivers - some have their own driving school and will PAY YOU to get your CDL A. I give a list of LTL companies in my thread.

Great info! :) It looks like you did a ton of research and figured out how things fit together. Glad I bumped into you. I'm beginning that same journey. I assume 70-100k is after a few years in the company. Right? Unless you meant less time than that. Are there any other sources you would recommend me to read about LTL and linehaul? I saw truckingboards.com in your thread. As well as inquiring into linehaul companies in my area. Anything else? Would linehaul involve more time stuck in city traffic?