expectations too high?

[aawood]

Hey all. Hope you'll bear with me as I have numerous questions that I'm sure are pretty routine. I did post in the newbie forum but not getting many responses. I am 39 yrs old, married w/2 kids almost grown (1 in college, the other 1 yr of high school left). We have run a small trade/business for the last 15 yrs or so and it has provided a living for us. However, business is slowing and honestly, I am getting burned out at it too. Wife and I have talked before many times while on the road traveling that we'd like to one day be able to just travel together and see more of the country. Our favorite part of vacation was always the road trip and we tailored our vacations so there would be more driving. We have been married since we were 16/17. Anyway, with our nest beginning to empty and our business slowing considerably (also no ins or retirement), we have been considering trucking. I can attend a local accredited school and not have a company contract to contend with. We have just been trying to ask all the questions we could (there are several) and I'm glad we found this forum. I have been reading many of the posts and still have so many questions. Would love some advice and answers from anyone who would be willing to help, Thanks in advance.
Some questions: $38-40K 1st yr possible?
Can she go with me most/all trips? Do most co. pay loaded and unloaded? Can we run coast-coast for a while? Will I be a more desirable hire since home time is not really a concern? Are the big, name co's really that bad to work for (if so why?)Is the ins good and affordable? Please bear with me as we have so many questions and they keep coming up. I'm willing to listen and learn the right way. The biggest drawback (or "con" in our pro/con list) from most people seems to be home time. We don't need to be home every week. Bottom-line-is this a good 2d career? Sorry for the length of this post. Just really appreciate some help before we decide wrong.

[Apostolic]

Buy a large straight truck with a double bunk sleeper unit attached.
Some of these units are like small campers,with micro waves,toilets,and standing room.
You don't need a class A.
Then hire on with Fedex logistics,or theres other companies that only require straight trucks to service their accounts.

You could always go and check out the truck stops for more information.
Maybe you could google search this out?
I'm not sure I never tryed?

But I know you can google search a lot of things.
You can see the country with your special someone.
If I were to do what you want to do,this is the way I would go.

[Drivetolive]

Originally Posted by Apostolic

Buy a large straight truck with a double bunk sleeper unit attached.
Some of these units are like small campers,with micro waves,toilets,and standing room.
You don't need a class A.
Then hire on with Fedex logistics,or theres other companies that only require straight trucks to service their accounts.

You could always go and check out the truck stops for more information.
Maybe you could google search this out?
I'm not sure I never tryed?

But I know you can google search a lot of things.
You can see the country with your special someone.
If I were to do what you want to do,this is the way I would go.

What kind of money can you make doing that?

[patrick]

Not needing to be home is a good thing. Companies love to hear that. But you still need to pay close attention when you talk to a recruiter because most will tell you what you want to here to get you in the door. If you dont run ATLEAST 2200 miles a week then keep looking. You may want to see the country but in return you still need to make some money. And you should be able to make between 38 and 42 grand your first year. Maybe more with the right company. Another thing. I would not recommend being an owner operater at this time. You decide you dont like it and then you have a yard orinament sitten in your yard thats costing you about 1600 a month.

[JLKKLJ777]

The short answer is yes trucking does all those things depending upon the company you choose. 35 to 40 grand the first year is easy as long as you get the miles. Expect to drive 500 miles per day and layover on the weekends to reset your "clock." Many carriers allow riders such as US Express and Crete carrier group. Both companies have newer equipment and have a solid customer base. The important thing is to understand that fresh from truckdriving school your options will be limited and you will most likely have to go with 1 of the large carriers to get experience. All reputable carriers will offer benefits such as medical dental 401k vacation etc. Most companies will pay cents per mile and yes they do pay loaded and empty miles but the catch is you will not get paid for hub miles but rather a computer softwares accounting of the miles you drove. The 2 main programs are PC Miler and Household Movers Guide (aka Rand Mcnally miles). Essentially you will drive 5 to 10 % for free on every trip. Sorry but this is the nature of the industry. Beware of companies offering percentages rather than mileage pay it is too easy to be cheated and you will not be paid for the deadhead miles (empty miles between loads). My suggestion would be go with US Express train your wife to drive and team up together. Their equipment is very driver friendly such as automatic transmissions hi-rise double bunk sleepers with satelite communications.

[aawood]

Thanks for the replies. First, not at all interested in buying a truck. Just Looking to get out of what we're in now (seems to be alot of carpenters doing this, lol). She cannot drive as she is disabled. So far, things look good except that I get the feeling that to get a job you need some OTR experience. To get the experience, you have to drive with one of the biggies that seem to be begging for drivers. What is the problem with the large carriers (Swift, JB, Sch)? Must be something as they seem to need drivers. The turnaround scares me. Keep any advice coming, much appreciated. Be safe