Profile For John M.

Thanks a million for all of your responses, and especially the pay specifics and paystub shots. I really appreciate you taking the time and giving me the straight scoop. I have decided to take the local job for now and see how it goes. This way I can save up on my own for CDL school without getting locked into the big commitment to a paid CDL school and long contract for a job that may or may not be the right fit for my family situation.

I have a lot of respect for truckers - you are a hard-working lot doing a demanding job. Again, thank you for your help and sharing with me a bit of your time and wisdom.

Best regards, John

Thanks for the paystub pic. It looks like you might make closer to 50k your first year. How many hours are you usually home on weekends? What’s the over $3000 employee expense reimbursement all about?

Thank you!

I started in mid January, and was with a trainer until 3/22.

My check stub as of 9/6

I am hourly, northeast regional, home on weekends.

G-town, I totally meant no disrespect. I’m brand new to this forum/website. I’m just trying to comb through the mountain of BS that companies desperate for workers are piling on these days.

I appreciate all of everyone’s feedback, including yours. I’m sorry if I got the tone of question wrong - if so, it was unintentional.

Thank you all for your time and advice.

- John

Hey John... pardon me but WTF do you think I am here for?

Try writing another response..,more respectful.

Ha ha. Oh boy, you’re reeling me back in. No offense, but is there anyone else out there that can back up what G-town is saying (someone that isn’t a moderator, recruiter or looking for a referral bonus)? I’m specifically asking about regional trucking jobs that would have me home on the weekends. I live near Asheville, NC.

The more independent voices, the better. I really am on the fence and I need to make a decision soon. Thanks!

John

John replied...

Thanks for the reality check. I really appreciate all of your responses. That was very helpful. I’ve just got a local job offer (not a trucking job) with a salary just over $40,000. I think I’ll do it for a year and maybe come back to the trucking idea if I’m not diggin’ it.

If I went the trucking route right now, I would have to go the paid CDL route (such as with Roehl) since I don’t have the savings to cover paying for my own schooling right now. I’m afraid to make that kind of a commitment if it turns out to be too hard on my family. I do think the trucker lifestyle would fit my personality. I’m sure I would like it better than the job I’m about to take, but I just wish it paid enough more so that I could justify it with my wife who would be stuck wrangling our twin boys alone when she’s not at work herself.

Thanks again, John

John, 40k the first year is an average. Second year, any trucker worth their weight in salt is capable of topping 60k. Most of the experienced drivers on this forum make over 70k annually. Does the non-driving job you are contemplating, offer an upside of 50% second and third year.

I’ve seen people do the exact same thing you are doing, only to kick themselves a year later for prolonging their agony and limiting earning potential.

Thanks for the reality check. I really appreciate all of your responses. That was very helpful. I’ve just got a local job offer (not a trucking job) with a salary just over $40,000. I think I’ll do it for a year and maybe come back to the trucking idea if I’m not diggin’ it.

If I went the trucking route right now, I would have to go the paid CDL route (such as with Roehl) since I don’t have the savings to cover paying for my own schooling right now. I’m afraid to make that kind of a commitment if it turns out to be too hard on my family. I do think the trucker lifestyle would fit my personality. I’m sure I would like it better than the job I’m about to take, but I just wish it paid enough more so that I could justify it with my wife who would be stuck wrangling our twin boys alone when she’s not at work herself.

Thanks again, John

What is a realistic yearly gross income expectation for a beginner driver (first job after getting CDL) doing regional routes with time at home on weekends with the family? I live near Asheville, North Carolina. I see ads for trucking jobs promising over $60,000 or $70,000+.

Thanks, Waylon Mopshins