That's because I nearly dropped off lol. I've learned a lot though.
1. This is a flatbed company. A friend of mine started in May, I started in July. Him in the flatbed specialized division, me in the midwest van division. His first 26 week average $1,700. Mine was barely $400. But he still had linehauls large enough that after 1 single lease he has saved enough money to buy 1 daycab and place a substantial amount as a down payment on another. And he still has a pretty sizable maintenance account. He's starting with a local company next week.
2. If you absolute;y do not want to do flatbed specialized, they have a padwrap division that will pay the bills. I transferred to padwrap after 26 weeks. My average so far after 21 weeks has been $900-1,100 per week. It would equal flatbed specialized but it's one fly in the ointment. Not enough padwrap freight, for us to run 100% padwrap so it's more than a little general van freight thrown in between loads. I rarely make less than $1,300 on a padwrap load. General freight (brokered loads) bring my average way down.
3. If you don't live in the major freight lanes, It's best to stay out at least 5 weeks. Once you learn the system, and you have to learn it to survive here, you will be able to position yourself in places and regions to receive better loads. It's easier in flatbed specialized because you get 1-7 load offers at a time. You at least have a modicum of control. Van division, whether regional or padwrap, only get one offer at a time. It gives you a sense of being rail roaded but It's doable. Word to the wise though, if you go to the east coast, make absolutely sure it pays astronomically well. because 8 out of 10 times that's all your gonna really make that week. Most load offers you get after that one east coast load will be, 'loads to get you off the east coast to a better area', but not necessarily to a better load.
4. Great company, and good equipment. For the most part everyone is easy to work with. But always remember it's still a trucking company and the CSA is making all of them more than a little hard to deal with these days lol.
