Truck Driving...
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Canada
Truck Driving...
Hey...
I had a couple questions for you truck drivers (or even better company owners out there)
I will be done my diploma college in a year and a half, when I am done I am pretty sure I want to goto law school but I am not 100% sure...still that uncertainty. I was thinking of driving truck for a couple years between college and university.
Is it possible to get someone to hire a 21 year old or do I need to be 25? As long as I have my AZ it shouldn't matter but will they not hire someone under 25 for insurnace reasons?
When working long haul (which is what I'd prefer to do) and using the company trucks is it enough to make enough of a living to save $ and have a good savings and pay for life on the road? Or will I come back with little to show for my time out? Do you not start making anything more then min. wage till you own your own truck?
I'd be happy if anyone wants to take a shot at any of my questiosn or add some answers to questions I didn't think to ask.
Thanks!
Chado
I had a couple questions for you truck drivers (or even better company owners out there)
I will be done my diploma college in a year and a half, when I am done I am pretty sure I want to goto law school but I am not 100% sure...still that uncertainty. I was thinking of driving truck for a couple years between college and university.
Is it possible to get someone to hire a 21 year old or do I need to be 25? As long as I have my AZ it shouldn't matter but will they not hire someone under 25 for insurnace reasons?
When working long haul (which is what I'd prefer to do) and using the company trucks is it enough to make enough of a living to save $ and have a good savings and pay for life on the road? Or will I come back with little to show for my time out? Do you not start making anything more then min. wage till you own your own truck?
I'd be happy if anyone wants to take a shot at any of my questiosn or add some answers to questions I didn't think to ask.
Thanks!
Chado
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 422
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From: Heart Of Dixie
Truck Driving...
Chado,
It will probably be difficult to find a good paying driving job at 21.
Most of the larger carriers require 25 for insurance reasons. As far as saving money goes, it all depends on how hard you are willing to work, and how little you are willing to spend. I drove for 12 years and made a decent living. I had to quit due to health reasons or I would still be driving today. The majority of the companies out there will exaggerate your potential earnings and your time off to get you to come to work for them. I would stay away from companies that pay on a percentage. It will sound good at first but remember if you have to deadhead you are doing it for free. Try to find a job that pays by the mile. Also make sure that the company pays for things like loading and unloading. Find out their policy on breakdowns and layovers. Make sure that you will have an assigned tractor and that it is a newer conventional (preferrably a Peterbuilt or Kenworth).
Remember that there is more to driving than holding a steering wheel. Often you will have to work long hours and stay out for several weeks at a time. Say goodbye to being able to plan anything. As soon as you do, the company will make sure that you are not home when you want/need to be.
It will probably be difficult to find a good paying driving job at 21.
Most of the larger carriers require 25 for insurance reasons. As far as saving money goes, it all depends on how hard you are willing to work, and how little you are willing to spend. I drove for 12 years and made a decent living. I had to quit due to health reasons or I would still be driving today. The majority of the companies out there will exaggerate your potential earnings and your time off to get you to come to work for them. I would stay away from companies that pay on a percentage. It will sound good at first but remember if you have to deadhead you are doing it for free. Try to find a job that pays by the mile. Also make sure that the company pays for things like loading and unloading. Find out their policy on breakdowns and layovers. Make sure that you will have an assigned tractor and that it is a newer conventional (preferrably a Peterbuilt or Kenworth).
Remember that there is more to driving than holding a steering wheel. Often you will have to work long hours and stay out for several weeks at a time. Say goodbye to being able to plan anything. As soon as you do, the company will make sure that you are not home when you want/need to be.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,628
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From: Baileyton, TN
Truck Driving...
COE - not enough room, harder to get out of in a hurry, harder to get into. They do get into tighter bays though.
Mack - limited specs, limited engine size choices
Freightliner - freight shaker is their popular name - not very well built, rattle a lot, and are not as well spec'd as the others
Volvo - not much wrong with them other than a reputation for not working that they can't shake.
IH - getting better, but still not as good as the rest.
Western Star - the best truck on the road.
The Semis I have owned: Ford, Volvo, Frieghtliner, Freighliner, Kenworth, IH, IH, Scania, Thornycroft, Autocar.
Theo
Mack - limited specs, limited engine size choices
Freightliner - freight shaker is their popular name - not very well built, rattle a lot, and are not as well spec'd as the others
Volvo - not much wrong with them other than a reputation for not working that they can't shake.
IH - getting better, but still not as good as the rest.
Western Star - the best truck on the road.
The Semis I have owned: Ford, Volvo, Frieghtliner, Freighliner, Kenworth, IH, IH, Scania, Thornycroft, Autocar.
Theo
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Canada
Truck Driving...
Thanks for the advise so far...keep it coming...
And as for the trucks Peterbilts are gorgeous...Not knowing much about them other then that they are def. my fav. trucks on the road.
Chado
And as for the trucks Peterbilts are gorgeous...Not knowing much about them other then that they are def. my fav. trucks on the road.
Chado
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 826
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From: New England
Truck Driving...
My uncle loved COE's (and still does, in fact)--he seemed to have room, & he's a big guy (6'3"). His all-time favorite was the day-cab Ford C-series (ideally, powered by the V8 Cat), or the old Peterbilts if he needed a sleeper. I rode in a C7000 a couple months back, & agree with him.
The first long-hauler he drove was a 1958 Freightliner COE with a Cummins (150HP?). Last he checked (about a year ago), it's still in service--still with 20" tube tires, & still with no power steering.
The first long-hauler he drove was a 1958 Freightliner COE with a Cummins (150HP?). Last he checked (about a year ago), it's still in service--still with 20" tube tires, & still with no power steering.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Independence, MO
Truck Driving...
chado : I've got most of 15+ yrs. been a co. driver and owned my own rigs, Its not a easy life but for a single man it can be very rewarding and very hard. as with every thing it comes with it a price as well. There are quite a few companys out there now who will send you through school and train you. as for income, most co will garenty 300-400 wk training, i know of some that will. its costly to live on the road, but what you end up with depends on how well you manage your money, after you get close to a year or so under your belt then you'll start to have a lot more flexability in who you work for, you can make $20,000- $55,000+ yr. depends on alot of things but you can make money. go look at my gallery. Think about things and if your still interested, email me and I'll give you some info on who to talk to. DW
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 24
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From: Birmingham/Dora, Alabama
Truck Driving...
Chado,
I got my CDL's a week after I turned 21, took a while to find a job, everyone I talked to about a job adv me to go to truck driving school, so i did, I alreay had my cdl but it counted the same a 6months experience for a new job, One week after completing truck driving I had a good paying job and that was 7years ago, after you get 1year of driving, you can just about pick any company you want to go to work for within reason.
I got my CDL's a week after I turned 21, took a while to find a job, everyone I talked to about a job adv me to go to truck driving school, so i did, I alreay had my cdl but it counted the same a 6months experience for a new job, One week after completing truck driving I had a good paying job and that was 7years ago, after you get 1year of driving, you can just about pick any company you want to go to work for within reason.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 334
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From: Brampton Canada
Truck Driving...
I've had my AZ license for 15 years now but I don't drive trucks for a living (I repair them instead hehe). All of the companies I work for won't hire you if you are under age 25 for insurance reasons.
I do know a few people under 25 who drive trucks for a living - they are mostly shunt men in yards, etc. Seems like a good way to get LOTS of experience driving backwards in tight spots, etc.
Just my 2 cents worth,
Glenn
I do know a few people under 25 who drive trucks for a living - they are mostly shunt men in yards, etc. Seems like a good way to get LOTS of experience driving backwards in tight spots, etc.
Just my 2 cents worth,
Glenn
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From: Canada
Truck Driving...
So it might be just another Canada has "yet another" really crappy policy...the insurance up here is kinda stupid.
How would it work if I wanted to work for an American company? Do I need to be a citizen or have a green card? I heard its impossible to get a green card these days, I have a couple relatives that are dual citizenship...I should see if I can get both ;/ Would still be hard because they are aunts and uncles not mother/father...
I am still thinking bout it and btw that 65,000$ down the drain doesn't look too good...but it also doesn't look like you were hurt at all so thats good (if thats the case)
Chado
How would it work if I wanted to work for an American company? Do I need to be a citizen or have a green card? I heard its impossible to get a green card these days, I have a couple relatives that are dual citizenship...I should see if I can get both ;/ Would still be hard because they are aunts and uncles not mother/father...
I am still thinking bout it and btw that 65,000$ down the drain doesn't look too good...but it also doesn't look like you were hurt at all so thats good (if thats the case)
Chado
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,028
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From: San Antonio
Truck Driving...
I 've been thinking about doing it for a while. I have talked to so many drivers it ain't funny. Everyone tells me not to do it. you're never home your off time is out in some part of the country. Its a hard life and company that train you screw you over in the end. don't do vans ,flatbeds are the way to go if you're unloaded with a van a strong wind can't blow you over. the dot is the biggest pain in the rear.companys don't tell anybody this but they want meth users who can drive and not get caught. caring two log books and dirve 20 to 30 hours at a time with out any trouble. Its going to be really hard to be an owner operator after the new year. new laws and what not. I know of several people who left the keys in the truck and headed home hitch hiking or by bus after dealing with a crapy company(orange turds). overall good luck I'm going to join up with a local company of 10 trucks in witch I 'm good friends with the owner and I don't plan on coming home unless I quit.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Western Colorado USA
Truck Driving...
Originally posted by nogo73
I 've been thinking about doing it for a while. I have talked to so many drivers it ain't funny.
I 've been thinking about doing it for a while. I have talked to so many drivers it ain't funny.
Granted the part about the DOT boys has some merit, but for the most part, they don't really know the rules and regs all that well. If they write you for something that doesn't seem right, politely ask them to look it up and show you, key on the word polite. The one I like to trip them up with is the 12 hour driving rule during inclement weather, it really takes the wind out of their sails
If you get caught up in the trap of using 2 logs and driving for 20 or more hours, then it's shame on you.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
Truck Driving...
Aside from the stupid joke, truck driving is a good way to make some money right now since you aren't married and you don't have anything holding you back.
My dad has been driving for 7 years now, you do have to go to a driving school to get anyone to hire you. Werner will hire you right off the bat, so will Swift Transportation. Schneider has stricter rules. My cousin drove for swift for a while, he ran mostly into Canada and had a lot of fun, mostly because of the sparse population.
You said you are looking to get into long haul, but you can make a pretty good living driving straight trucks under 26,000 GVW.
If you can find a US Mail contractor you can usually get a job driving a dedicated run and be paid by the hour. Thats what my dad does, he is home every night.
Good Luck, the investment in Driving school is well worth it.
My dad has been driving for 7 years now, you do have to go to a driving school to get anyone to hire you. Werner will hire you right off the bat, so will Swift Transportation. Schneider has stricter rules. My cousin drove for swift for a while, he ran mostly into Canada and had a lot of fun, mostly because of the sparse population.
You said you are looking to get into long haul, but you can make a pretty good living driving straight trucks under 26,000 GVW.
If you can find a US Mail contractor you can usually get a job driving a dedicated run and be paid by the hour. Thats what my dad does, he is home every night.
Good Luck, the investment in Driving school is well worth it.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 788
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From: CHEESELAND, USA
Truck Driving...
Age and experience are the only things other than a bad driving record that should hold you back. Company schools ie, Swift,Werner and the like tend to make you commit to them for a predetermined time after you graduate. That is a job waiting for you. If I'm not mistaken that is how you pay off your loan from them. It's not a bad deal but it's not great either. You'll get a lot of haressment from other drivers for working for the before mention carriers. You need broad shoulders. Starting out I would figure you could make upper $20's to mid $30's. Good luck and get a map and know how to read it. Preferably one with all the low bridges and truck routes make in it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
Truck Driving...
Werner will make you work for them for 6 months, but its all codriver type stuff. The other driver will show you the ropes. The guy my dad drove with, he went to werner, couldn't read at all, the guy couldn't read signs, but he could tell where to go by a map.