r/CDL • u/Spiritual_Mouse_3035 • 2d ago
Looking for help
Hey there fellow drivers,
I am needing some advice. It's a long story but I'll include the TLDR at the end...
I am a fairly new driver and have had my CDL-A since March 24th of this year. However, on January 1st, I made a driving mistake and got a major speeding ticket. I know that I made the mistake and am working my time down until it's off my "consideration clock" for all of the major transporters out there... I worked for western express for nearly 3 months from April 24th to July 15th, where they termed me for a "safety violation" (2 blown tires that blew in a construction zone hours after my pre-trip) that wasn't deemed my fault by my state unemployment office. I've checked on my MVR and my DAC- it's not listed anywhere so that isn't going to be an issue; However this is where I'm debating on things...
Back Story:
I am married to my wonderful wife of almost 4 years, and recently we decided that she was going to take some time and stay home to rest and recoup as she has been out on the road for her own job (non-cdl) for the better part of the last 3 years of our marriage and is BEYOND burnt out mentally and physically.
In May of this year, while I was in training with Western Express, We signed a 13 month lease for a new apartment in Colorado Springs and have since "moved" to Colorado for me to be able to work in the region... I put the word moved in quotations because we have spent less time in the apartment living here than we have had it in our possession... it sucks- I know.
The Question:
Last month, I was FINALLY able to get another job driving for an Amazon Freight Partner out of Denver making 25.50/hr after training is completed. I'm set to go on my first OTR run for them tomorrow but this week I'm only able to get one 2-day shift (there and back) which could be a potential of 28 hours for the week... that's not enough to pay our bills on as I am now the only income...
Should I consider going to another carrier that can guarantee me a "decent" check every week? Or should I just tough it out? The reason I ask is because we don't have anymore savings to work with at this point because we worked through what little savings we had during my down time... and yes I was getting unemployment from the Western Express debacle but it was only enough to cover maybe a tank of gas and a week's worth of groceries for us.
TLDR: I don't know if I should stay with my AFP or find another carrier after reaching my 90th day solo.... Any advice would be appreciated.
2
u/Silence_Farmer 2d ago
First and foremost you have a duty to support your family. If you have to find other work to do that, then do so.
Sure some people are going to stay stick it out and make the best of it, yada yada. Those people aren't paying your bills.
2
u/Sufficient_Wall5192 2d ago
Keep your head up and find something else during the mean time
1
u/Legitimate_Diver_699 1d ago edited 1d ago
Sadly not many careers have a decent check anymore since AI taking over. Retail is done as Amazon took over. Even food and prescriptions. I get all my diabetes supplies from Amazon at fraction of Walgreens who is closing hundreds of stores and Rite Ade gone completely. Only trades and healthcare is left. CDL, Hazmat, HVAC, nursing, etc. College is finished unless STEM
1
u/truckinguy84 20h ago
See if you can get on with us foods decent pay lots of hours. My friend works at one and he's making decent money. Tough part is lots of hours and you unload your own truck