Ray From Cleveland
Diamond Member
- Aug 16, 2015
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I've got four friends who are OTR drivers. All four of them are single and their kids are grown.
One of them used to work in a bacon factory (Daily's Premium Meats) in Missoula, Montana, one used to be the guitar player in a very popular rock band, one has been driving since being discharged from the Army, and the fourth has been a truck driver for as far back as anyone can remember.
My buddy from Missoula just turned 60, and has just started this new career. His two boys are grown with families of their own. He called me this morning from Miami, saying he was on his way to San Diego. He didn't mention any specifics, but he says he's making far more than he did at the bacon factory, and I know he was making $26 an hour there.
My Dad was a truck driver for over 30 years, but he was local, driving a tanker for Exxon. He drove over 1,000,000 incident-free miles. We weren't rich growing up, but Dad made enough for us to be pretty comfortable...
Drivers today have the world by the balls. Companies are willing to pay almost anything to get a good driver these days. Walmart is trying to get their warehouse people to get into the field. They are paying between 80K to over 100K, but of course the big bucks go to those with the most experience. But what the hell, free training, they will take you to your CDL test, and of course, guarantee you more than a livable wage job.
It's estimated the US is short over 80,000 drivers, and that number is predicted to go higher as we baby boomers retire, plus the lack of interest in young people to get into a hands-on field of work. If you don't want to be away from home, even good companies like FedEx and UPS are still looking for local drivers. The pay range is in the $28.00 an hour range plus overtime. As I understand it you can work as much OT as you like, and of course don't forget the benefits.