I'm looking for a little advice. Please chime in if have some.
My wife and I just graduated CDL school yesterday. A few weeks ago, we were offered a team expediting position for a contractor hauling for FedEx CC in a straight truck with a sweet sleeper. Owner was offering a 60/40 split, with 40 to us (he pays fuel). For reasons I won't get into now, that fell apart. I then applied to a few other classifieds that are searching for teams, and we received a few calls back.
Wife and I had a long discussion over this just tonight. We are struggling with the decision of hiring on with tractor/trailer companies, or going with expediting.
Here are my one versus the other arguments, and where I need a little guidance:
Training:
If we go on with one of the 'big' outfits that are still hiring (Werner, Swift, Covenant, Roehl), we are going to be apart. Could be 1 month, maybe 3. Everyone except Covenant, and I have not been able to find one single positive thing said about them. Training in expedite truck consists of the orientation at FedEx, and then get our butts to work.
Future:
We have been told that if we start our career in expediting, then choose to move back over to OTR with 18 wheels later, we will have to pay for a refresher course. Not liking the sound of that.
Money:
I have talked with one other H/W team for this same o/o, and she says they could consistently make over $1k per month doing what they are now. She sometimes doesn't, but mostly due to laziness. If we go the 18 wheel route, I realize that we won't make squat the first year, but will probably move it up considerably the next, and really make some dough the third (after switching companies). However, I read a lot about people starving in 18 wheelers right now.
Self-employment:
As a subcontractor, we have to pay self-employment taxes. While this is good experience for the next item, it really lessens the amount of money we're making. I'm fairly good at avoiding taxes, but it's a delicate balance I have to live if I ever want to prove profitability when I go to finance anything (banker looks at p/l and determines that I work for free).
Buying a truck:
I have a burning desire to own my own truck. Whether it's a straight truck or a conventional tractor, I will own one in probably 2-3 years. I will lease on to somebody. I'm just wondering if I start my career driving a straight truck, will I limit myself in who will allow me to lease on if I buy an 18-wheeler, and have no experience in one other than school.
Dogs:
I have four. Yes, I said 4. Big sleeper, no problems. They all travel well, and have extensively. If I go to work for one of the big truck outfits, I get one or none, depending on company. That means I pay someone to sit my dogs a few times a day while they are at my home, alone. That costs money.
I realize there are naysayers here that will tell me that getting into trucking now is foolish. Tough turds. We're here.
I may have to add some things to this later on, but I welcome everyone's input. Thanks in advance.
My wife and I just graduated CDL school yesterday. A few weeks ago, we were offered a team expediting position for a contractor hauling for FedEx CC in a straight truck with a sweet sleeper. Owner was offering a 60/40 split, with 40 to us (he pays fuel). For reasons I won't get into now, that fell apart. I then applied to a few other classifieds that are searching for teams, and we received a few calls back.
Wife and I had a long discussion over this just tonight. We are struggling with the decision of hiring on with tractor/trailer companies, or going with expediting.
Here are my one versus the other arguments, and where I need a little guidance:
Training:
If we go on with one of the 'big' outfits that are still hiring (Werner, Swift, Covenant, Roehl), we are going to be apart. Could be 1 month, maybe 3. Everyone except Covenant, and I have not been able to find one single positive thing said about them. Training in expedite truck consists of the orientation at FedEx, and then get our butts to work.
Future:
We have been told that if we start our career in expediting, then choose to move back over to OTR with 18 wheels later, we will have to pay for a refresher course. Not liking the sound of that.
Money:
I have talked with one other H/W team for this same o/o, and she says they could consistently make over $1k per month doing what they are now. She sometimes doesn't, but mostly due to laziness. If we go the 18 wheel route, I realize that we won't make squat the first year, but will probably move it up considerably the next, and really make some dough the third (after switching companies). However, I read a lot about people starving in 18 wheelers right now.
Self-employment:
As a subcontractor, we have to pay self-employment taxes. While this is good experience for the next item, it really lessens the amount of money we're making. I'm fairly good at avoiding taxes, but it's a delicate balance I have to live if I ever want to prove profitability when I go to finance anything (banker looks at p/l and determines that I work for free).
Buying a truck:
I have a burning desire to own my own truck. Whether it's a straight truck or a conventional tractor, I will own one in probably 2-3 years. I will lease on to somebody. I'm just wondering if I start my career driving a straight truck, will I limit myself in who will allow me to lease on if I buy an 18-wheeler, and have no experience in one other than school.
Dogs:
I have four. Yes, I said 4. Big sleeper, no problems. They all travel well, and have extensively. If I go to work for one of the big truck outfits, I get one or none, depending on company. That means I pay someone to sit my dogs a few times a day while they are at my home, alone. That costs money.
I realize there are naysayers here that will tell me that getting into trucking now is foolish. Tough turds. We're here.
I may have to add some things to this later on, but I welcome everyone's input. Thanks in advance.
