Slowmover, I mentioned to my wife about going to truck driving school if the oilfield layoffs happen again. She said I don't think you'd like driving a big old truck and I replied what else is there around here? Very few factory jobs here anymore, I guess she thinks I enjoy standing in whatever mother nature has to offer for a 12hr tour, guess what? I don't enjoy it, especially when the temperature is in the negatives. I've noticed while driving halfway across the country to go to work about every big truck advertising CDL drivers needed. Over time I figure you're going to get tired of any job, been doing this oil field work for the last 11 yrs ,I'm tired of it.
Not terribly hard to hit $50k annually after a year or so. $70k is about where it tops out. (Exceptions to this, but it’s still CPM for the most part).
Rural areas pay less. Might be home more. Seasonal (Ag jobs).
Midwest can’t be touched for being best area.
Was having a discussion about this other day. Back of napkin figures where net is 75% after taxes (without figuring insurance, etc)
it’s the daily net that matters.
$55k/year x .75 = $41,250 divided by
365 = $113/daily.
One wants to get to $135/day as net for it to be
genuinely worthwhile. That’s $62k using our rough understanding.
One has to have a plan that economizes without killing spirit.
Meals are where most money gets wasted. And I don’t just mean at McDonalds. It’s a standing joke to take out a $20 bill and just hand it to the first person you encounter at the truckstop.
Because you won’t be leaving with it.
Pay for a shower, buy some munchies and
there goes $30.
$113 - $30 = $83 for the day.
That’s 24-CPM at 345-mile daily average.
But they’re paying you 45-CPM
Or, it’s $52k annually. That’s 2,200-miles/week (paid miles; you’ll drive 10% more) at 45-cpm. 345-miles/day at seven-days (you’ll do it in 5.5 to 6).
A month is 4.25-weeks. You’ll get home twice for (2) two-day breaks running OTR. (I stay out longer; 6-weeks this time).
The more-often-home jobs have a great deal more competition. Less pay. Greater rules & headaches.
“Local” means no logbook if under 150-miles radius. Hourly. Will work you 90-hours without cease. (Please don’t; these guys get killed or crippled). This is standard oilfield service jobs. Vacuum truck. Water truck. Avoid. (No hotshot).
You’re “on” the IH-35 & IH40 corridors. There’s plenty of work along them. Can get you home reasonably. Fremont Carriers, JM Bozeman, and other
legitimate employers.
If you think you’re up to
flatbed the pay is better (harder job). Tanker was where I did best, but can’t wear a PFT anymore (or full haz suit with contained air supply).
Being a door-slammer is what I always looked down on (worst drivers). There are good ones. But not JB Hunt, Schneider, Swift or Werner.
My requirements:
No touch freight
(Not negotiable; absolute)
High percentage of drop & hook
(Time = money & energy; live load & unload is expensive to driver)
New equipment
(They sell at four years or less)
Incidental pay
(Layover, breakdown, etc)
Weekly minimum guarantee
($1,000 week where available for dispatch 5 of 7 is a minimum).
Trucks with APU, inverter, microwave and refrigerator
(This is negotiable except APU & Inverter)
50-mph dispatch
(Can’t do it faster with a 65-mph truck SAFELY).
I can keep going but I think you see HOW to read the ads.
INDEED and MONSTER have most jobs. Craigslist has the sketchy ones.
For a CDL School, pay your own way. DO NOT take “free training”. It isn’t. It’s a slave contract.
If at all possible need to be able to park truck & trailer at home.
You can always PM me.
Now, or next year.
You’ve seen my Radio Rig list.
It’s all big truck.
Get rid of overhead. Sell your car, keep wifeys. Rent a bedroom to a librarian or theology student. Etc.
Plan meals and freeze them. A two week trip needs three weeks of supply. Buy nothing on road. Etc.
That difference from daily net of $113 to $135 is what you bank. If overhead is higher than the lower figure covers, then . . . ?
.