Hi everyone! There is a lot of info on the web about trucking companies going out of business lately. I know do not believe everything on the web, but what is your take. Going to decide by March if this is what I want to do, just want to make the right decision not knowing anything about the business. Thank you!
Hey Tony,
When you get started in trucking, you’ll almost certainly begin with one of the large, well-established carriers that have been around for decades. You will rarely have any reason to be concerned about their longevity.
Once you learn the ropes and gain a little experience, you may want to change carriers, and then you may have to dig a little deeper into their prospects to make sure the company is stable.
But here’s the key takeaway - do not let the headlines concern you or influence your decision to become a truck driver. This industry has a ton of ups and downs. Countless small companies are going into or out of business all the time. That’s just normal churn.
The industry itself is strong; autonomous driving will not affect employment for a very, very long time (possibly decades); driver demand is strong; and wages are strong.
Overall, the industry is healthy.
If you want a career in trucking, you will not have a problem finding good carriers to work for and earning a great living.
Hope this helps!
2 Likes
Hi Tony. Owner ops and 1099s are still struggling. Do NOT lease or buy a truck. Costs are still high. Do NOT expect to come out here making $100k. Is it possible? Sure… but not ur first year .
Tens of thousands of carriers and brokers have indeed gone out of business. However those numbers also include one man operations who did not really have the trucking knowledge nor business experience to compete. After covid, tons of people came into trucking creating overcapacity. We are still feeling the impact. Foreign drivers have made the news lately, but their influx also affects drivers.
Mega carriers are trying to shift to 1099s even harder than the past so they can pass the costs onto the driver. In order to be profitable they need high revenue, low miles which results in low miles for the driver.
In 2022 i made $145k while training students
2023 $100k
2024 $80k
2025 was so bad by May I left my company of 10 years. Seriously only did like $28k in 5 months at Prime. In 5 months at the new company, i did $48k. So yes companies make a difference.
Since that change, i will be at about $110 to $120k per year as a company driver for a 90 truck operation. But that is a decade experience. Many companies have low miles right now…. Im talking 2000 miles a week. The key is to find a company with its own freight
I now drive for a meat packing plant so plenty of miles. Tyson drivers do well.. but they have closed 15 plants over the last few years. Fuel hauling for Pilot or Loves would be great but 2 yrs experience required. Walmart is the same.
Can u make $$$… yes but be prepared to fight for it a bit and be more profitable in a year or so.
Millis, Titan, Prime, Heartland Express, Bay & Bay are all restructuring their pay scales.
Talk to drivers at truck stops to find decent company. Some will be BS… but ask several.
Good luck
4 Likes
Thank for the information!
Definitely to add, this can be a lucrative career. Most top teir drivers earn in the 100 to 120k range, but it takes time to learn how to become efficient and effective at this as well as build relationships and a reputation for safe reliable and on time delivery.
Yes, the market is tougher and will be for the foreseeable future but its still there and as was said, getting in with a solid large scale company has a lot of benefits to offer as well as the resources to build a great lifestyle and career.
I started with what many call a “mega” carrier and would highly recommend them, they were a great place to start. I ended up going back to work for them briefly as a company driver and then as a lease/owner op. Also as stated, I don’t recommend lease/owner op at this time, especially not if youre new and even more so if you don’t have business ownership experience.
2 Likes
Tony,
There is the scuttlebutt that trucking as an industry is slowing down, or that there aren’t as many jobs. Stuff like that, At the moment I am “between jobs”. I am registered on Tenstreet Driver Pulse and the recruiting emails and phone calls are like flies - they don’t stop! (Get the app at your local app store)
The advice above is real. Any company reviews you see online are probably by people who don’t understand how OTR driving works. Be patient, check in here and you’ll do well.
2 Likes
Hi Tony,
To echo what has been more or less said above, if you are focused on safety and success it’s still the most secure good paying job in America IMO.
As a regional driver in 2025 home every weekend for 48-60 hours I made $66,325 + $19,993 per diem, and with that much per diem my total income is 8% higher since approximately 23% of my income is non-taxable per diem. So in reality apples to apples compared to a standard W-2 job my actual earnings were about $93k being home every weekend. Please know, like many drivers in here, I run hard, have zero DOT accidents/citations/negative DOT inspections, and for the 3 years with the carrier have ranked #1 by the AI safety platform (Netradyne) in a fleet of 200 drivers. I also think of the company’s financial well being in every decision I make. I mention all this to reinforce the FACT that you create your own worth with your carrier. If you perform at a high level, your earnings will be at a high level. If you establish yourself as an elite top tier driver, you will never hurt for miles. Carriers take care of the drivers that take care of them. EXAMPLE: I had exactly one layover for freight on the road in 2025 I took a 34 hour reset and simply stayed on the road an extra week.
Another thing…..my carrier (like many mid-sized to major carriers) has had to resort to hiring CDL holders from South Africa and other foreign nations with documentable CDL histories (some are doing great). Why??? Because carriers can’t find people domestically that will work 12-14 hours a day AND pass a piss test without THC with the proliferation of cannabis in the last 5-8 years.
Long winded response, sorry! In a nutshell, stay clean, work hard (but take your time learning), bring a safe and positive attitude to each day and you will be gainfully employed with a good income as a truck driver for years to come. Best of success to you!
3 Likes
ZenJoker preaches:
If you perform at a high level, your earnings will be at a high level. If you establish yourself as an elite top tier driver, you will never hurt for miles.
I stand in testimony. Two things: First, as a Swift driver that “got things done”, my dispatcher often pre-planned me for a week out - no hanging at a truck stop waiting for a dispatch.
Second, one time I had a trailer hooked up ready to check out at the shipping office. My dispatcher called me and said “I have this hot load there, and the assigned driver isn’t there yet. Can you get it? Sho’nuff, I put the trailer back and hooked into the “hot load". My dispatcher’s day was saved.
I’m not posting this to boast. I’m posting this story to show you how easy it can be to be a dispatcher’s go-to driver.
Thank for the information!
So I’ve been driving for 4 months and hauling dry van. Doing team driving and while I have a good partner I went to school with, I’m not real fond of the team thing.
We have built a great relationship with our team manager and they keep us rolling and making what I consider to be good money. Over twice in 1 week what I was making at my previous job in 2 weeks at $20 an hour.
Flatbed is something I was interested in when I started this journey and I just put in an application with Melton Truck Lines, a flatbed company out of Tulsa. I’m aware of the 90 lb tarps and chains. Had some experience with a 20’ flatbed 20 years ago and securing loads. I’m trying to prepare my mind for the challenges that will come with flatbed vs dry van.
Also a little concerned about leaving with the Great rapport I have built with the managers here, but I’m sure I can build that trust and respect with another company also, just may have to start at the bottom and work my way to that point.
Guess I’m just airing out my thoughts here, but if anyone has any insight to this transition I appreciate all your wisdom and knowledge. This is my first transition in this industry and quite a few unknowns.
Thanks for reading.
1 Like
JayP,
I can understand what you are saying. I have been on both styles of trucking and preferred the dry van for less hard physical labor invoved.
With flatbed work there is handling dunnage, chains or straps and their proper securement, tarps which either are filthy, heavy or torn. The dry van is easier but you still need to watch the load pattern for proper weight distribution and secure mental.
Dry vans are more of a pain with customers for appointments and lumber as flatbed are usually more driver friendly in regards to the customers. There seems to be better pay at the flatbed companies too.
You will have to go with your heart on this one though but remember that flatbed work is OK when you are younger but it will take its toll on your body even though it will keep you in better shape.
Good luck and keep us informed on your decision. Wish you the best.
1 Like
Jay I don’t blame you on the team thing, that is not for me. I highly recommend you stay put and get some more experience under your belt before switching. Your at a stage your starting to feel comfortable. Don’t let that be dangereous.
I have pulled alot of various types and I get your interested in flatbed and Melton is a solid company. However if you go over there now and it doesn’t work out for whatever reason that will be 2 companies in less than a year with you looking for a third.
Companies are hiring more than they have been but they all will look at your job history and it will be looked at negatively. Why would any company hire a job hopper over many other canadates with a history better than that. Your already competing against alot of experienced drivers being available because of all the companies that have shutdown.
Just my thoughts.
3 Likes
Thank you guys for your responses.
I am most certainly aware of the physical part of flatbed and to be honest, that’s what kind of makes me want to give it a shot. I feel it would be a huge help to get out of the truck and have some physical labor to keep me in shape.
@PJerrold you do make a great point, I’m not a job hopper and have never been. I was in the termite industry for over a decade before we moved from AZ to OK. I’m okay with sticking it out somewhere and I do really like the company I work for now. They keep us with good miles and the pay ain’t bad. But I’m so over this team driving crap.
There’s another company I’ve talked to that I wouldnt be able to go with until the middle of July that I’ve already been in contact with, they’ve stated no more than 3 jobs in your first year. So if worse came to worse and this doesn’t work out for the long term I’m still within that time frame, just gotta give Melton 5 months. But I’m not counting on it failing. I’m a hard worker and an efficient one. I’ve had a track record of proving myself in companies that I’ve worked for, moving up, getting accelerated raises, being easy to work with and get along with. It’s gone a long way for me in my working life.
I got a message this morning from Melton so I guess I’m going to give them a call and have a conversation and see where it goes.
1 Like
PJ,
Excellent point on the job longevity. It never is a good thing to hop from job to job with less than 1 year experience with them. As you point out it surely would not look good on a resume to any perspective employer and it opens up a lot of questions as to why the job hopping is occurring. Thanks for pointing out my not emphasizing about the 1 year.
1 Like
Also got a message from a guy about training on a hopper making $330-$500 per day. Seems like opportunities are showing themselves.
I’m not trying to job hop.. just trying to get away from teaming. I want to go solo. Not sure what the best path is at this point.
I think based on the advice from you guys and with both my beautiful wife, I’m going to hang in here with this teaming for a few more months and see how it’s going at the 6 month mark.
1 Like
We do not try to persuade you one way or the other because that is your decision to make. I feel that is wise to stick it out for the 1 year if you can. Make the big money and get the experience and show the next perspective employer your commitment. I too have driven teams and did not like it one bit. You will be done with the first year before you know it and then you can go wherever you want. Good luck JayP
2 Likes
Thank you Sir! I appreciate your input.
1 Like
Like Navypoppop said we don’t try to presuade anyone, we only offer our opinion based on our experience in the industry.
I do think you made a wise choice. Teaming is very difficult. There are only 2 people I would even consider doing it with. The time will pass quickly and you can move on.
Flatbed is more difficult for sure. In my opinion tarping is the hardest. But alot of shippers have tarping machines that make it a little easier.
The securement rules can be a bit scary at first, but not that big a deal once you get a little experience. Attention to detail is the order of they day with securement.
Use this time to hone your driving skills and learning all you can.
3 Likes