On the right track?

[kylewingate]

So, I have been looking at all this, spent hours pouring over many posts, and been back at least a year in this section. It seems that there is money to be made, and the bigger the truck, the bigger the pay? I am getting ready to go to Rocky Mountain truck driving school in ABQ and get my class A. I live in Los Alamos, NM. I don't own a truck, and drove in my 1995 Jeep Wrangler as a courier years ago.

I think that I am not alone when I say that I like making money! It also seems that the best way is through a class A with hazmat and doubles and triples? I spoke with one company off the website here and he said that his drivers earned between 400 - 1000 per week. He was able to deal with me after I got at least a class B, and I think that the position would be through Panther, but he said that he could get me driving after school. I spoke a few weeks ago with Fed Ex, and she didn't seem very negative with me, but with out the cdl, plus no experience, I think she was hesitant. I didn't get pre-approval through either of them. Is pre-approval just for the big OTR companies?

I believe ultimately I want to end up hauling crude, or fuel, as that is where it seems the money is. Am I correct? Is expediting in a straight truck going to at least help me reach my goal? Is there a better starting place? I am only going to this school, as here in NM if you are on unimployment (which I am), the state helps pay for the school.

 

[kylewingate]

Well. I start my class A school the 15th. I am going to rocky mountain out of Abq. I don't want to get tied into a year with the big boys and hate life. I don't know if going with a non company sponsored school is the right call or not though.

Does anyone have any info on companies that take someone with a security clearance? I believe Fedex CC does, are their others?

Can anyone explain why S/T and not full class A truck? I still don't have a clear view of why people want to drive a S/T. Is there more money to be made in expediting?

 

[paullud]

If you are a solo then class A is the better route, a same household team can do well with either.

 

[jjoerger]

If you get a class A but decide to drive a straight truck now it may be hard to find a company that will sign you on later to drive a TT. Most companies want recent verifiable tractor trailer experience or they will start you out as a rookie trainee and your time driving a straight won't count for much. Most fuel and crude transporters use TT's or sometimes a straight truck plus a trailer. My wife and I both went to school and have class A's with all endorsements. All we have ever driven is a straight truck. If we wanted to move to a tractor trailer we would have to go through a training period.

 

[cheri1122]

I can tell you why I want to drive a S/T: because I drove a T/T first, lol. Seriously: it's much easier to drive, back up, and find parking, and every load is 'live' load/unload. Tolls are less, maintenance [esp tires!] is less, and the tractor is the same - what's not to like?
Of course, I'm female, and not terribly tall [ok, I'm short, lol] or strong, and I'm solo, all of which may make zero difference to you, but it's why I will not drive T/T again.
The Class A is a good idea, as is the non company training, but I don't think you'd get much use out of the doubles/triples endorsement in expediting [though it might be good to have in case you can't deal with the sitting involved], and as for security clearance, I know Baggett does a good bit of government loads.
Whether there's 'more money' to be made in expediting is entirely up to you - unlike the TL & LTL carriers, expediters are almost entirely independent contractors, leased to a carrier, rather than employees. Your business will succeed or not based on many factors, most of which you can control. Learning all you can ahead of time is a great way to start, so keep asking questions!

 

[BigCat]

I left expedite to go back to truck load because running a solo straight with FedEx wasnt working, unless you like working for $250 a week. Hell training companies doing t/t pay upwards of $450-$600 a week just in training alone.

If I come back in to expedite it will be in a t/t because I feel the money is much better in one.

 

[ATeam]

I sometimes think about the trucking career I would have had if I had entered the industry as a young man and was willing to leave all hopes of a normal family life behind to live and work on the road. It seems to me that the big money is found on big-rig oversize, heavy-haul loads. That's not something you jump into as a rookie, but it can be worked into over time.

I see advertised regularly on the Landstar boards ovesize loads, sometimes called project loads, that pay $20,000, maybe even $40,000 to complete. You would start with a flatbed company to learn the basics and work your way into the more challenging freight and more expensive equipment over time.

Notice as you survey the industry that most truckers are overweight (themselves). But most flatbed owner-operators are not. These people can make great money, but they earn every penny.

 

[kylewingate]

Well, finished up with school on the 15th. Now just looking for the right fit in the work department. I have already adjusted my expectations once here. I wanted to get right into the oilfield running crude, but as I have no experience that kinda fell apart. I looked for some local stuff, but they generally want the experience. So, I officially applied with Werner and Prime. Now I know what you might be saying about Werner, but they have some lanes out of Albuquerque, and I am only 2 hours from there. I also hear that they allow the truck to go home with me. I am considering Swift, but I don't think they will be a great fit. I really want to work for Prime because they seem to have a better starting wage. We shall see. I am single, so T/T seems to be the way to go.

 

[BigCat]

I started with prime. They had good and bad but get the exp and move on.

I drive for ozark and I love it but it is a company that expects drivers who don't need their hands held.

In your area also check out Gordon and if you want flatbed look at system transport. Both rated among top training companies.

 

[bigdogg]

I left expedite to go back to truck load because running a solo straight with FedEx wasnt working, unless you like working for $250 a week. Hell training companies doing t/t pay upwards of $450-$600 a week just in training alone.

If I come back in to expedite it will be in a t/t because I feel the money is much better in one.

I have also been on here reading and learning for the past year. I had my hopes on attending the Expo and meeting a lot of people in the business, not just the owners and people running the carriers, but the drivers and checking out their units in the parking lot. I really thought I could get a sprinter type of unit, such as the 2009 Ford High Top conversion and set it up to pretty much TO live in on the road for months at a time, and then after having the experience, sign on with Load One or Landstar, because it sounds like they are very good companies to run with, even though both sound differently run. I would do ST, but I don't want to depend on someone else's work ethics to match mine, and it does not seem that a single can make good money in a ST. After reading lately about the van side of this business, with owners putting out drivers that can't speak English and so on, it almost feels like it does not matter what type of work ethics you have, or how determined you are to stay out for long periods of time, there is just too many variables against you succeeding. I have already sold my car and am selling my bike to get the start up cash needed. My biggest dilemma now is which way to go. You guys and ladies have been so helpful on here and I really appreciate it, but I am feeling pretty confused right now. I'm not sure to use the money to buy the used sprinter type van and set it up right, or get my CDL B and try the solo in the ST until my wife comes out with me in a couple of years. My stepfather drove TT and I rode with him out to California when I was younger, and my brother has been driving Low Boys out of Monroe for years, but I don't think I am cut out for TT, mainly because of the fools you have to deal with in the cars around you. I already have my plane ticket for Ohio and still feel I would love to do this job, but just not sure if I really know which way to go right now. I can't get started until after the Expo anyways, so maybe I just go and talk to as many people as I can. Sorry about the rant, but after reading some of the latest posts, I am feeling pretty bummed about what I thought would be a great opportunity for me. You guys all stay safe out there and have a great day!!!

 

[21cExp]

I have also been on here reading and learning for the past year...

I really thought I could get a sprinter type of unit, such as the 2009 Ford High Top conversion and set it up to pretty much TO live in on the road for months at a time...

I'm not sure to use the money to buy the used sprinter type van and set it up right...

Sorry about the rant, but after reading some of the latest posts, I am feeling pretty bummed about what I thought would be a great opportunity for me. You guys all stay safe out there and have a great day!!!

There's a pretty good opportunity to buy an expertly maintained and well set up 06 Sprinter from Westmicher on here. Check the "What's She Worth?" thread for details. Might be a great way to get into expediting and try it out for a year without spending your entire fortune. Tell him 21cExp sent ya, so he knows where to send my sales commission

And I don't think that's a rant at all...it is a confusing industry, to be sure, with too many opinions on how best to do it. The way that's best for you will open, have faith.

 

[zorry]

Biggdog, Lowboys out of Monroe. If your brother was a truck hauler,pm me.
Thanks.

 

[bigdogg]

Thanks for the info C21exp, but I was concerned about the costs of maintaining a sprinter to a cargo van, that was the reason for the Ford. I found one listed for 14,995 and it looked in great shape. I did see that post on here, and also read the replies that went along with it. Zorry, I sent you that PM you asked for.

 

[BigCat]

Kyle also I forgot to mention check in to mesilla valley transportation out of las cruces nm. They run a lot of west coast but they do run all over. Plus they have awesome fuel bonus.

 

[Omaha]

I live in Omaha and worked for Werner for several years as a Logistics Manager on the non asset side (Werner Global Logistics) but I did see the driver turn over problem at Werner. From the drivers I talked to it seems like you have to team up with a trainer for a few weeks and they get the bulk of the pay during your training. You are not actually employed by Werner but a subsidary owned the Werner family. Its a good company but the turnover was so high and it always seemed to an issue with keeping them. Good Luck in your search

 

[Moot]

It seems to me that the big money is found on big-rig oversize, heavy-haul loads.

There's a reason why O-D and heavy haul loads pay the big money. Initial equipment costs are greater compared to a typical flatbed or dry van/reefer operation. Heavy haul/O-D requires specialized equipment. A heavy haul tractor often has 4 axles. An RGN trailer usually has at least 3 axles. Add to that a jeep dolly, booster axles, etc. and you've got a huge investment in equipment not to mention 40 plus tires, wheel bearings, brakes etc. to maintain.

Then there's the cost of permits, insurance and escort services. I don't know what liability/cargo insurance runs for O-D/heavy haul, but I'm guessing it's astronomical and probably purchased on a per load basis.

Let's not forget fuel economy. 2 to 3 mpg loaded? With heavy haul, even when you're empty, you're still loaded. You've got to tote around those jeeps and boosters. Probably lots of deadhead to the next load. Often times you are limited to daylight hours, certain roads and longer routes around major cities. Many O-D/heavy haul loads require the driver to park over night at weigh stations or other special places instead of truck stops or Wally World.

Yeah, there's big money in O-D/Heavy haul and these drivers certainly earn their pay. I just don't believe any owner/operators are getting steenkin' rich running these loads.

 

[zorry]

Landstar's recent earnings report said they took a hit on heavy haul last qtr.
Heard some guy's joking around because newbies were taking loads from brokers that paid little over cost of permits and escorts. ( Edit: there were not talking about Landstar Agents.)
I've done about a dozen oversize loads in my time. The first was a 10' wide empty dropdeck from Fl to Ca. Got caught with one bad permit and charmed my way out of a permit problem at Banning.
On Sat, almost out of Az a sandstorm caused major wrecks. I made it safely into a TS.
I left Sun am and made it into Ca. I wasn't allowed to travel in AZ on Sunday. A trooper followed me for a while and then cut me loose, probably thinking about the prior evening's closed highway.
Beside the dawn to dusk curfews, you get city and bridge curfews at both rush hours.
It takes much longer to get from pt A to pt B than you can imagine.
A flat can cost you a weekend.

Oversize is better left to the pro's.