O/T Trucking Jobs

Looking at getting a Cls A CDL and driving for a living. Construction biz isn't getting better quick so it's time to make a move. Anybody that's been at for a while got any advice?

There are a lot of empty trucks out there right now.

I once drove for FedEx Home Delivery. I was a contractor for them-as all Ground, Home and Freight are. I did not like it, but know of several that love it. BTW, this truck cost me $36,000. Greg

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no matter what trucking company you are thinking about applying at, talk to some of their drivers. they will give you a feel of what it is like to work for them. also how long do you want to be gone from home will determin what company you choose. some trucking company recuiters have been know to tell you less than the whole truth about what they expect from their drivers. BTDT

It's brutal out their right now. Wages are down as low as $.27/mile for a driver. They'll tell you upwards of $.40 but it's near impossible to get their. As an owner operator freight pays me as low as $.80/ mile. I do see some $2.00 freight but then they will get you into some part of the country that you can't get any load out of let alone a cheep one. This is one of those industries that is too easy to get into. When the economy tanks people flock to this driving(no pun intended) wages down. Too much competition. It will be better for you that nothing but it's not good.

Not to be nosey, but will they buy back the truck, or help you sell it, if you decide to seek other employment ?

If you can get on with a current owner, construction work usually pay 25-30% of the trucks gross. Pretty easy to make 150-300 per day. I have my own truck and have been working construction for a bout 5 years. Haul grain in the winter.

NO! I had to drive the route for 5 months when trying to sell, the truck was worthless without a route to go along with it. Greg

The economy is bad,not even half of what it was 4 years ago.You would need to haul something that pays good.You cant run a truck for 80 cents a mile when diesel is 2.50 a gallon.It just wont work.You can maybe run for 1.80 a mile.To own a truck you need to make a lot of money.Like 2000 or more per week.You have tires to buy,insurance,and other repairs,taxes to pay.Some weeks will be good,some bad.To get out there in a truck you cant afford to keep up,eating bologna sandwiches,living in the truck,is not going to appeal to you as a good way to live.If you haul for somebody with a guarantee that you get fuel surcharge or pay thats good enough,run enough miles to make it worth it,and home enough to have a family is way better.
I think trying to get in trucking would be bad right now.Maybe at a union place but they want experience.There is a lot more than you think to owning a truck.Its possible to make it with a good truck,but not likely the way repairs are real high and with no experience you will be lost all the time.Also you will wreck more and you dont even know when you are having a problem until you get some experience.You could try it,but I would look for something else until the economy gets better.You need a good job,and good jobs dont last usually in trucking,so you need a place to go if you loose the good job.There is a lot of stress,long hard days of work,and lots of things to worry about.I think you would be better doing something different.

Been at it for over 30 years and I can tell you.

Forget about buying a truck. Work for a company.

If you can get some experience, drive for a company that manufactures and hauls their own product. I did this for twenty years. Financially it was the best move that I ever made. But sitting behind the wheel for twenty years took its toll on my body. I'm not in bad health, I just have arthritis in my back and legs. As long as I ride my Harley every couple of days, for a couple of hours, I do well though. Oh the things I go through, LOL Rick