Trucking: Newbie, professional truck drivers, driving cross country

Question
Hi I had a question about getting into the trucking industry as a driver. I am looking for personal experience and what I can expect as far as income and overall help. I have a family and I would like to be home as often as possible every other night or every night. I like driving cross country so I would like something like that. I have seen some jobs where you can be home most nights and still be OTR. I also see some places that say they will help train to get your licence but it seems like I still have to pay for the school. I have also heard that trucking has a very high turnover rate. I tried doing some research but couldn't really get that personal experience I was looking for. I even called a trucking talk show and they were no help at all and very rude!! Also I am 40 years old. Is there an age restriction? Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Steven.

First off your going to make anywhere from $30,000 to $65,000.  It depends on the company, pay rate and experience.  A company will pay you either per mile (not odometer, Atlas usually), a percentage or salary (rare).  Usually your looking at per mile.  Some companies have higher pay per mile, but their runs are shorter.  Look into it hard and find out their average length of run.

Before I go too far, you need to get training.  Company sponsored training is usually a great deal.  If you leave the company within a set period of time (say 6 months), they'll charge you for the school.  Past that, it's free.  Not a bad deal.  Whatever school you decide on going to, make sure it's PTDI (Professional Truck Drivers Institute) certified.  This guarantees that your getting the best education possible.

Trucking has an extremely high turnover rate.  Many big fleets have 100% turnover every 7-12 months.  There are many reasons for that.  Probably the biggest one is being away from home.  You want to be OTR, but home every night, or every other night.  True OTR is where your gone at least 2 weeks.  Some guys stay out 2 months.  Almost all OTR companies won't have a position that gets home every night, or every other.  You will find some local and regional companies that can help you out there.  You have to search them out.  You probably want to look for some dedicated route.  One problem you'll face is that there are many drivers that want that same run that gets them home every night, and they have OTR experience.  It makes your application go farther down the pile.  I'm not trying to be discouraging, but that's how it works.  You'll have to really do some hunting and try to get your foot in the door.  When I went to truck driving school in 1991, they basically told me that I won't be able to get a local job until I've run OTR for a year.  I had to run 3 before CF would even look at me.  Times have changed and depending where you live, you may have more opportunities available to you.  Finally, many of these local and regional companies won't pay for truck driving school.  It's up to you, but Uncle Sam will help you out!

I would hit some truck driving schools in your area and see what they say.  Take everything with a grain of salt.  They may promise you the world!  You'll at least get a good feeling of whats available to you (in getting you home).  

Next, you can drive until your 120 years old, if you wish.  This isn't the military.

I got a college degree and two weeks later went to truck driving school in Michigan.  Everyone thought I was nuts (and/or stupid).  Next to marrying my wife, it's the best decision I've ever made.  I love trucking.  I sit in the office a lot now, but there's nothing like getting behind the wheel and just driving!  I think you'll love it too.  Just find out what companies will hire you out of school and get you home.  Like I said before, hit up driving schools, read the paper and go to sites like www.bubbajunk.com or www.classadrivers.com.  You'll find a fit somewhere.

Don't worry about the trucking talk show.  Some of those guys have never driven a truck!  Then they try to talk like they're "seasoned" drivers.  They might as well be giving cooking recipes!

Good luck in your new career and welcome!!

Bob Stephens