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Need some advice - husband thinking about going to trucker school

With the way the economy is today with lay-offs & downsizing my husband discussed with me that he heard that OTR truckers are where the money is & before a company hires you locally you have to start out being an OTR trucker.

I told him he has my support & I trust him meaning I know he wouldn't get involved with a lot lizard - why go out for hamburger when you have filet mignon at home!

My concern is the pay - the girls I work with when we went to lunch I brought it up to them & they told me that they heard OTR only get paid pennies per mile, we would be eating peanut butter & jelly sandwiches the rest of our lives, be filing for bankruptcy, & he would be bringing home bed bugs!

Are these horror stories true? Any advice would greatly be appreciated!

Thank you & have a great day!
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Comments for Need some advice - husband thinking about going to trucker school

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Oct 27, 2013
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Trucker pay NEW
by: Anonymous

My husband and son both do household moves.
My husband grosses 6 figures. After expenses and tax write offs, taxable income is still in the 28% tax bracket.
Our son is young (24) unmarried, considers his work an adventure, comes home when it's time for family vacations or I'd he gets dispatched to the area. He earns more than my husband.
Bottom line, you can earn as much or as little as you want.

Jul 11, 2013
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Shop around NEW
by: Anonymous

My SO went to ruck driving school this past spring, and the best advice I cangive is shop around. He got a job that after his training he will be home at least 2 weekends a month, and makes almost twice what I make at a hospital. I know that after a year or so he'll be home more

Apr 24, 2013
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CDL Training options NEW
by: Hervy

By the way, how he enters will affect how much he starts of with.

If he goes to a company sponsored training program, that's how he enters at the lower pay bracket.

He he goes to a trucking school and then go to a trucking company, he will likely enter at the higher end of the pay range. (depending on record, history, etc. in other words the better the company, the better your record has to be)

Here is an explanation of the common types of training options available.
CDL Training Options

Apr 24, 2013
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The Truth About Trucking
by: Hervy

After 13 years of trucking here is what I can tell you that I have learned compared to what you heard from the girls who heard it from someone else...:-)

We do only get pennies a mile. That's how it works. However, a good driver at a good trucking company should get at least 2500 miles per week and hopefully more during some weeks. Let's say he makes 10,000 miles per month.

A new driver will likely get about .20 to .30 per mile (sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more) at 10,000 miles per month that would be $2,000 to $3,000 per month or $24,000 to $36,000 per year.

More info about how much truckers make here.

In year 2 as a trucker with a good record a driver can expect to make at $36,000 or more. Depending on where he is located he might be able to find a local job or one where he is able to get back home on weekends. He might even make over $40,000 per year. It varies.

Year 3 a good driver with a good record should be able to make at least $50,000 or more at a good company.

Point is though, clearly you don't have to live on peanut butter and jelly.

An important factor would be the drivers ability to handle his money well. Over the road can be costly. Reading the disadvantages of becoming a trucker will advise on how to deal with the cost of the road. Also I just so happen to make a video about saving money while trucking.

As far as bed bugs. In 13 years, I never experienced a problem with bed bugs and never talked to a driver who experienced a problem with bed bugs. I have heard a driver claim hearing of someone having a problem with bed bugs.

So to summarize, I suppose there has been a driver that has had bed bugs. In other words it's not a problem in the industry, probably no more than in people's homes.

I agree for the most part if you are a good wife and you have a good man and both of you are proactive in nurturing the relationship, it can withstand trucking separation. There are many happy trucking couples.

Unless truck stops have gone completely downhill in a year most of them don't have lot lizards or random people just roaming around anyway.

Apr 24, 2013
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Life as a truckers wife
by: Anonymous

My hubby started OTR in Oct. He is making $.35 a mile. He will get a raise in Oct to .$40 a mile. With 3000 miles a week that has been pretty good. And he doesn't get that many lot lizards knocking at his truck. And no there will not be bed bugs.

They sleep in their own beds! Now the bad stuff... Its lonely for both of you and he will miss a lot of the birthdays etc.

Apr 23, 2013
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truckers
by: Anonymous

Well I've been married to a trucker for years. Really there is not a lot of money in trucking. My husband after 10yrs only makes 42cents a mile.

He has tried both box truck and flatbed, flatbed pay is a little better but harder work. If I wasn't working at home we would be in big trouble. Then they can be gone for very long periods of time. From 2 to 3 weeks to 2 or 3 months at a time.

I hate his job but he loves it. I have been out with him its fun but there is so much going on in the truck stops its scary. Lot lizards knocking on the doors all times of the nite.

I would say this you have to have a strong marriage and trust beyond what anyone should have to. I wish you luck. I just hope he thinks twice before doing it.

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