Questions About Getting Into Trucking...

Hi all,

So I've decided to consider to on a career in trucking.

I do have some concerns that I could not find answers to so I'm hoping someone can chime in here...

Curious, what hours do newbies look at when they first start?

Do they ever get more than 2 days off per week?

What's the best option to have a balanced lifestyle between trucking and having days off yet making a fairly great income?

If you're out for a couple weeks, do you ever take pitstops that last about 1 hr before leaving again?

Is Schneider a really good company to look towards working for?

I ask because this because I wondering is it possible to including some sort of balance so I can workout while not driving/being a passenger/off duty.

Keenan, I just finished school a month ago and will be starting my first job this coming week, so my experience is limited but here is what I have found in talking to other drivers and from this sight. You are required to have a 34 hour reset each week. As I understand the hours of service rules you can be on duty for no more than 14 hours per day and many companies don't want you to drive more than 10 of those. Home time depends on the company. Coming straight out of school it will be hard to find a local job that pays well and lets you be home every night. When you get your first job you will spend anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks with a trainer don't expect much hometime during that time unless you are with a regional carrier or someone who does dedicated routes. You asked about a balance between home life and days off and making a good income. There are companies that will try to get you home every week and and some even pay well. A good example would be McElroy. They are a flatbed company that starts around .40cpm. On their website they even guarantee you will be home on the weekends. If you like to workout then consider a company that has their own facilities/terminals. Averitt Express is a regional carrier in the Southeast with over 100 terminals and many of them have shower and exercise facilties. Since you like to workout a flatbed carrier might be a good fit. I hope this helped.

Welcome aboard Keenan!

Curious, what hours do newbies look at when they first start?

Well, it feels like about 1000 a week. Trucking normally entails really, really long days. Most OTR drivers spend probably 75% of their life driving or sleeping. It really is a lifestyle far more than it is just a job for most people. So expect very, very long days.

Do they ever get more than 2 days off per week?

For the majority of companies, no. If you run over-the-road you'll get about 3 days off per month. If you run regional you're normally home every weekend for anywhere from 36-48 hours. Local gets you home every night but you'll normally need 6-12 months experience to qualify for local jobs. But remember, even local companies are "limited to" 70 hours on duty every 8 days. So there are a ton of local jobs that will be the equivalent of almost two full time jobs. There is very little time for any kind of a social life.

What's the best option to have a balanced lifestyle between trucking and having days off yet making a fairly great income?

My favorite was running regional where you're out for 5 days and then home on weekends. That way you get to enjoy just about the same money and lifestyle of running over-the-road and still have somewhat of a social life being home on weekends. I think that's the best balance overall.

If you're out for a couple weeks, do you ever take pitstops that last about 1 hr before leaving again?

Yap. If you're out there and you get a load that goes by your house you can stop in and hang out a bit if you have the time. The company isn't going to route you that way purposely. It's just the luck of the draw most of the time. But if you live near one of your company's major freight lines it will happen from time to time.

Is Schneider a really good company to look towards working for?

Yap. They sure are. Schneider has excellent equipment, competitive pay, and a ton of various opportunities with different types of freight, local, regional, dedicated, and over-the-road positions. They're also very good with new drivers. They've always been a company that hires inexperienced drivers so they have a lot of experience bringing new drivers along. Very good company to consider.

I ask because this because I wondering is it possible to including some sort of balance so I can workout while not driving/being a passenger/off duty.

Yap. When I was on the road I had 60 pound dumbbells with me and I used to go jogging several times a week. And if you put a little effort into it you can find healthy foods to stock your fridge and cabinets. So you can be healthy out there.