Comments By Lusion

I'm so rusty with HTML but hopefully this comes out right.

Rui, one of the things you have got to keep in mind is that this whole career is performance based. The movers and shakers are at the top of the food chain. To do well, you have got to perform well. That means bringing your "A" game into play everyday, and that is a tough proposition in this business. It requires commitment, dedication, good sound judgement, and being able to make quick decisions on the fly. The target is constantly moving in this business, and for some that is overwhelming. I have always been a top producer out here, but it isn't always easy. I recently got this message from my dispatcher...

I am more than prepared to get in there and work my butt off and prove myself. An always moving target is what I desire. I currently sit in my office glazed over for 8 hours and then leave.

The point of sharing that with you is to point out that he is amazed that I consistently get it done. He is accustomed to drivers who let him down quite often. I'm not even saying they are bad drivers, I'm just trying to help you realize that this is a tough gig at times. If you want to do well, and make good money at it, then the onus is on you. Don't get hoodwinked into this current trend of thinking among drivers that if they could just find the right company they could be making a fortune! I've met drivers out here who have been chasing that elusive dream for twenty years now, and the only place they need to look to understand why they aren't doing well at this is in the mirror.

You can make a decent salary out here, I know that is true, because I have been doing it consistently since I first started. Top pay is going to level out somewhere in the 65,000 - 75,000 dollar range at this point in time, but I'm being honest with you when I say that relatively few ever manage to make those kinds of dollars. It is possible, and it is doable, but you must work for it.

I understand the stay with a company and work your tail off but in some instances the company really isn't the best fit. I feel like Prime would be a good place to go for training but potentially not to stay with long term. I could be all the way wrong about Prime but I don't have a calling to be a L/O in the near future and it seems like the only way you can make money with them is to become a L/O and also be a trainer.

I am fearful of making the wrong decision. Specifically the type of freight I'd be pulling in the first year. I believe I would like to do flatbed but what are some of the pros and cons if each type?

Hello All,

I have been lurking for some time now doing a bit of research and enjoying the rookie and veteran stories. I finally decided to make a post because every time I walk into my office it feels like a little bit of me is being torn away and that I'll never get it back. I have always been interested in trucking and my wife's uncle and cousins are all truckers. I turned to them for advice and although they have been trucking for years they all proclaimed that their method was better than the others. So here I am.

I have no delusions of what I would have to sacrifice to become a truck driver. Not just on earnings but also with the loss of face time with my wife and kids. However for my own mental well being this is something that needs to be done. Where I have conflicting information, for which I now turn to you fine ladies and gentleman, is what would be the earning potential for a truck driver. I've gathered that your first year is especially low because I would be learning to drive and proving myself. However, I also see some people be very content with making 40 thousand a year after their first year which would not work for me and my plans for retirement. I have already resigned to selling my home which is fine since the value has nearly doubled since I bought it. I am considering moving to a more remote area of North Texas where I could purchase a home cash and lower my cost of living. So here are my questions:

(I have read most of this forum but information and opinions change every day so I apologize if you feel a certain section of this forum already covers my questions.)

What is the ballpark earnings potential for a company operator?

What type of freight would pay more or method of transporting (ie. Flatbed, Reefer, Dryvan)? I have been leaning heavily towards flatbed because of the challenge of securing loads and because I feel is the one where I could get the most physical exercise.

I have read on this forum that a new driver should take advantage of company sponsored training and the family said I should just get my CDL and go work hauling glass. I'm not sure I feel confident in being able to learn all that I need to myself and be an effective driver that doesn't have bad habits. I worry about picking up bad habits however the idea of being with a trainer for X amount of weeks also worries me.

I had more questions but at 12:15am I seem to have forgotten them. I apologize for the ramble and the order of my writing. Thanks!