Profile For Scott G.

Clearing 7-8 hundred a week right off the bat probably aint gonna happen. Figure 1800- 2200 miles per week for the first couple months. Probably average 10,000 per month your first year. It is tough to have a predictable WEEKLY check in Trucking. Monthly or even Quarterly is a better barometer. From the time I started school till I finished with my Mentor, I spent about $2000 of my own money to get by. If I were in your position, I would want to have at least 15-20 K in the bank to cover your first year. The financial stress can test your family BIG TIME. Im not trying to discourage you. Just being realistic. Good Luck!

Thanks. Yes, I'm more interested in the Monthly pay rather than the weekly pay. I just through those numbers in for discussion purposes. We do have some money put aside that would help for at least the first few months. My wife and I have been talking and I have been expressing how hard that first year will be.

As far as opinions in the best place to begin, does anyone have any insights to any of the 3 I mentioned? For some reason I keep going back to CRE as my first choice. They were the first ones I've talked to, followed by PAM and then US Express. I have not spoken to anyone at Swift yet. It's just so discouraging to keep reading all these horror stories online and watching all these depressing videos. I've been reading up on posts here and this group seems so much more positive.

Did you check with local work force, unemployment office? I've heard of some that get CDL training paid for due to loss of job. If you can get training through a school then I think McElroy is hiring in your area and could possibly meet your income needs. Plus home every Friday, leaving back out on Sunday afternoon-evening

Thanks, no I did not do that. Heck, didn't know they'd do that. I'll check with them tomorrow as there is a Coastal Training Academy 8 minutes from my house.

Quick history...

I've been in the telecom industry for 20 years (14 with the same company) but was recently let go in early May. All my life I imagined myself as a trucker, but would have to quit my current job in order to so. Now that I'm without a job, I believe my opportunity has arrived. Being let go like that, I was able to access my 401K and pay off some of our debts, however I still have a nice financial obligation to meet every month...house note, insurance, etc., plus a wife and kids. I've been holding off for the past couple months to see if I would get a local job offer but so far nothing has come through. I'm now within my 2 week deadline for something to happen, and if nothing does, I will have no other choice but to get on the road. I would have already done it, but my main concern is making enough money to cover my financial obligations.

I've read so many horror stories out there with this industry, I don't know what to think any more. I'm telling myself that the majority of these "reviews" I'm reading on various sites are those drivers who are just simply unhappy, and never want to be happy with what they do. Personally, I take pride in everything I do, take the initiatives to move forward, and always excel in my projects so I do not have a doubt I would be one of those drivers that would be a "go to guy" down the road.

For now however, I have ZERO experience, and would need to go with one of the companies who offer training....CRE, PAM, and SWIFT are my top 3 right now but I just cannot find many good opinions on these. The majority of the reviews I read on these three talk about lies from the recruiters, making only $200/week, etc. Once I'm on my own (post-mentor), I would need to clear around $700 to $800/week. This being after taxes and insurance. Is this even possible during the first year?

Sorry for ranting, but I'm at a lost as what to do right now...which company to choose, etc. I live in a pretty busy travel area which is at the corner of I-55 and I-12 near Hammond, LA which has 3 large truck stops, truck wash, maintenance, etc. In the meantime, I have been studying my state's CDL manual and prepping myself accordingly in case I do go in this direction. Any pointers would be much appreciated....even any kind of "decent reviews" to the 3 companies I mentioned, or if there's a better option, please let me know. I'm just trying to set my mind at ease.