Comments By MrTechit

Welcome Julian the Cable Guy. Having your company pinned down is a good thing and with a great company from all that I hear.

As far as pay, it depends a great deal on the individual driver, even during the first year. My take home pay so far during my first 8 weeks is averaging a little north of $800 per week. That's $40,000 take home my first year if I work 50 weeks and I maintain that average. And keep in mind that is not GROSS pay, it's NET pay. So I'm thrilled that the reality is meeting the expectations I went into this with. And the company, Schneider has been faithful to everything they told me going in.

I keep in touch with a driver I graduated with and he drives a dedicated type route and stays mainly in the southeast and no further up than Pennsylvania. His take home has only averaged about $600 per week, so like I said it varies from driver to driver and many factors come into play.

What are your expectations at this point? Others here can tell you how realistic they are.

Well, its between Swift and Roehl. Also, as a cable guy my take home has been roughly 400 a week.... so, anything more is a great start. It is awesome to hear you are taking home 800 a week NET. That has been my bi-weekly pay for years... My expectations are simple. 1- to make enough money to save and get a house within a few years. (I plan on not needing to pay rent for a few years as I want to be driving mostly and a family member is letting me use their address as my own. 2 - To work. I am not lazy, and want to earn money. From what I hear, I can in this industry. and 3 - Meet new people.

A question though- Can one simply drive all year without taking home time?

Howdy everyone. After 6 years doing cable.... I am done. The pay is horrific, the customers are worse.

After much consideration I have chosen life on the road. DOT exam and CLP test Monday and then SWIFT driver school in Indianapolis the following Monday or the one after that.

I have been a lurker here for a few weeks now. And it seems the money can be decent, and the trade can be challenging at times.

Question for anyone: How is first year pay for new OTR drivers, and: Do most people stay with their first Trucking company or do they switch after the contract?