Posted on 11/21/2017 9:23:12 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
I had occasion a couple of years ago to ask that question of someone at ATA. This was a very senior person, not someone directly involved with labor issues but broadly knowledgeable about the industry. This person immediately knew the answer, so it was something the association was watching. I was told that the highest earnings the previous year were by a husband-wife driving team that made $240,000. I didn't press for details, but I imagine they must have basically lived in the cab (which could very well imply very low housing expenses if they didn't maintain an empty house or apartment somewhere). I of course wonder how long that arrangement lasted and if they're still married. Naturally, I hope they made it work and that they were able to hit whatever financial target they were presumably chasing.
The story reminded me of those extreme supersavers who decide they want to retire at 40 and who live an extraordinarily Spartan life to make it happen. The stories that get into the press generally involve young couples who make this a lifestyle and seem to be happy. They usually seem to be pretty outdoorsy and athletic to begin with, and living on a pittance is not unattractive if your idea of fun is climbing mountains or riding a bike, and home is just a place to catch a shower before work.
The $240,000 couple was an outlier. The average pay for truckers that same year was about $40,000. This was three or four years ago.
P.S. I’m assuming that the $240,000 figure was employee pay for a couple working for one of the big companies, as opposed to gross earnings by an owner-operator.
Same here. It’s hard for companies to find people who can pass the drug test.
This business of Drivers earning north of 6 figures is troublesome to me. Most drivers are restricted by the DOT from working more than 60 hours in a 7 day period. Seventy hours running in an 8 day log. Drivers cannot work more than 15 hours in a 24 hour day and mandatory break times are required.
A lot of drivers are quite intelligent and can maximize income by manipulating their off duty time so that they can earn ‘time and a half’ for 2 days each week. That applies to ‘on the clock’ drivers and not Owner-Operators, in a Union shop, mostly.
For many years drivers ran 2 Logs in order to cheat the system but that is difficult to do these days with electronic logs being so prevalent.
Also, unloading is not ‘down time’ so it counts, which is why ‘Lumpers’ can do so well. Lumbers will unload trailers in a hurry for a healthy fee. Smart companies use ‘drop & pick’ methods but this requires a larger fleet and reduces mileage on equipment. Dropped trailers can it for extensive periods as little mini warehouses. That is money one how or another. .
I spent more than 20 years in the industry. Drivers can do well but $100K is likely still extraordinary. Owners can gross a lot more than that but the accounting and fees for Brokers are not negligible costs.
A job immigrants do because Americans won’t do it?
I'm calling bull on this one (especially since my Dad and Uncle drove and they never brought home anything close to it working for the companies.)
Drivers average 70-100k miles a year at 6-10 mpg. Fuel is 2.50 to 3.00 a gallon.
It’s not hard to see them burn 1500-2000 bucks a week.
My 18 year old son is planning on taking his CDL Class A class in January. His ultimate plan is for a trade career but having the CDL first is a good stepping stone.
“Why Are Millennials Passing Up High-Paying Trucking Jobs?”
Because it’s work?
Thanks for your success story, very enjoyable reading and your hard work is paying off.
Searched images of your 99 Pete Extended Hood. Beautiful tractor.
Lived in Washington, 4 years on Bainbridge Island riding the ferry to downtown, and loved it there. Didn’t drive much except to the ferry and back and out to the Olympic Peninsula for fun. But the daytime traffic is hell on that I 5 corridor. Nighttime is the way to go.
Happy Thanksgiving, FRiend.
Driving gives them....wait for it....anxiety.
I'm guessing independent truckers - the ones who own their own business/18-wheelers. Of course, you don't start out that way.
I had a friend whose husband was one. He had his own truck. He worked hard, just like any independent businessman. He did very well for himself and his family. I'd guess he was easily putting in six figures. On the downside he was away from home a lot.
I thought such trucks were already being used in certain areas of the states by certain companies.
I could be wrong.
Yes, that’s more in line with my impression. A H+W team, that’s two salaries. And yes, if they have no home base to maintain, that could be reasonably $40K-$50K they are not spending so that gets close to three salaries. Actually; FOUR salaries because money not spent is worth substantially more than a deductible expense. That does NOT mean that I believe in the Spartan approach.
It may not be for you & me, but I would not decry the lifestyle. If it works for them, great. If it works for them for 4 good years, fine.
The conversational trap, to me, is to cite the outlier, as you directly implied. There are truckers, I am sure, who make more in the $30K range and probably work their guts out.
Status issue. Not to be white collar is an embarrassment to that generation.
About 70% of the NAFTA Class 8 Market trucks are being built with automated transmissions now.
Yeah, automatic transmissions. Just one more reason Truck driving is the most boring of occupations. I did it for a couple years, local construction equipment. I just found it stressfull bordom and too many hours.
I was a mechanic for a long time. I like troubleshooting because it keeps me occupied so I don’t look at the clock.
I should probably get certified for auto transmissions for trucks.
I already am for automotive.
Want some fun? Watch a millennial attemp a manual transmission car for the first time. “Wow, not at all like a game controller! WTF!?!? Why can’t I do this?!?! WTH?!? OMG!! This is stupid!! Arghhhhh!!!!!” The car’s been lurching so much you’re concerned about the CVs. Car’s on the shoulder now and he’s about to cry. Get’s out and shouts “You drive it back! F*** this s***!” Yeah, been there.
You can in the oil patch.
Haulung dirty water for a %.
You have no life, you run everyday.
Sleep when you can.
It takes 15 minutes to losd, you start the pump, set your watch, lay down and sleep
Truth spoken right there.
Glad I’m close to done with it after 40+ years...
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