WIN SOME & LOSE SOME - almost $2,000 net this week, but zero miles the next… - Melton truck lines

[@ianelbert]

If you want to join Melton, and support my Lamborghini collection apply here 👉 intelliapp.driverapponline.com/c/meltontrucklines?r=IanElbert

[@jvhnhrndz]

Great vids dude! I’m 11 days into OTR training with Melton and so far I’m liking it! I haven’t done any tarpping yet but I’m hoping so I can get more experience with those darn tarps.

[@ianelbert]

Nice, I’m glad to hear you’re liking it! And don’t worry there will be a lot of tarping in your future 😅 you’ll get a system down tho and it’ll be an easy $100 every time

[@BTyler808]

Usually, I tarp a couple loads a week with Melton. But I haven't tarped in over a month. Now I miss it 😂

[@Letloosethehound]

They got you moving work that’s different with that step deck. Good experience glad you’re sharing it.

[@ianelbert]

Yeah I learned some new stuff with that trailer, it was a good experience for sure

[@elvintrusty88]

Hey brother....keep it coming! I enjoy the chill vibes you give.

[@jonfelty6063]

Nice format keeps story moving! Be safe out there!

[@zart3374]

How! Whopping 1310 miles this week. 2 loads one was tarped. Sitting empty near my pickup monday.

[@ianelbert]

Well that’s better than my 0 miles! Haha I’m sure things will pick up, stay safe out there!

[@zart3374]

@@ianelbertyup next week is gonna be my week!

[@BTyler808]

Mine broke. They tried to fix it in Birmingham. Didn't work. And then I had to wait a couple of days in Tulsa for it to be fixed. And absolutely request breakdown pay. It ranges from 75 or 100 a day. Worth it when you arent getting the miles.

[@ivovicini4165]

how's your sleep schedule working for Melton? are you able to sleep at a consistent timeframe even with your appointments?

[@mattdarwin6497]

Good stuff man. I’m at the end of orientation week with Melton. Supposed to get a trainer on Monday.

[@AdrianRomeroJr]

dope bro! nice week loving the content keep it coming!

[@susanhofer9451]

Uncle David loves hay!

[@PointsOnly]

A local guy near me was hauling hay, and someone threw a cigarette out the window, and it went up in flames quick. Lost his pickup truck and everything. I never see them tarped around here.

[@ianelbert]

Dang that’s scary! And yeah the shipper said they only tarp it if it’s going far because it can get ruined if it’s rained on

[@nickslifestyle]

Keep up the good videos bro

[@KINGVENAROMA]

Great content bro! I believe you can track your mpg on the tractor. What I do is reset my trip A to B and that way it will show you what was your average mpg for that trip.

[@ianelbert]

Yeah I do look at that to get a general idea, but it’s not super accurate unfortunately. The truck manufacturing companies have it set up to show higher mpg numbers to sell more trucks. At least that’s what I’ve heard, but it seems to be true

[@906EUP]

Cool channel Sir

[@ianelbert]

Thank you!

[@leagueofotters2774]

Are they nice enough to drop your tarps on top of the load?

[@ianelbert]

Yes thank goodness. Carrying 3 tarps up a 12 foot load isn’t fun lol

[@royalmac1011]

How are those driver facing cameras? I applied and that's my major concern with them

[@ianelbert]

I’ve never had an issue with it. They only capture and send video if an event triggers it, such as slamming on your brakes, or crashing into something

[@kinglewis9551]

I'm starting training at Melton any advice

[@ianelbert]

Take pictures and videos of the securement they teach you, and just focus and work hard. You’ll be just fine if you do that

[@stayanddrown]

Hey Ian. How's living out of the truck going? Are you burning out on it? I ask because I'm considering doing the same thing. Do you still plan on traveling? Was Melton cool with you leaving and coming back? I wanted to do something similar. Live out of the truck and work for extended periods of time, and then take extended home time to go backpacking for a month or so. I'm trying to find a career and lifestyle that will allow me to just work through fall to spring, and then take time off in the summer and live off my savings. Trucking seems like a decent option, but im not sure if companies are cool with that.

[@ianelbert]

I felt a little burn out in the winter because fright was really slow, but I’ve been getting consistent miles for a couple months now so I’m fully motivated to stay out working. I do plan on traveling more but I’m gonna wait a couple years till I have a really good amount saved and invested. And Melton was happy to take me back, I think as long as the freight market is good or normal they’ll take you back as many times as you want.

[@stayanddrown]

@@ianelbert Cool. Thanks for the reply Ian! I really appreciate it! Is it that bad when things slow down? I figured having some down time between loads would allow you to focus on other things like groceries, cooking, reading, working out etc. Apologies for the questions, but as someone who is debating this lifestyle myself, it helps to hear from someone within the industry who is doing the same thing I am considering. I was hoping to save up for enough to eventually buy a house outright. Largest bill eliminated for life, aside from maintenance, ins & prop taxes. That could leave a guy with a lot of wiggle room down the road to take sabbaticals and have more freedom. I imagine living out of a truck would get old eventually. I don't wanna be doing that when I'm 60. I also don't want to be paying rent or a mortgage when I'm 60 either. Seems like a decent way to accomplish that. Anyway, keep up the great work! I hope you're able to accomplish all your goals. You seem like a solid dude.

[@ianelbert]

@@stayanddrown thank you! And yeah extra down time is nice from time to time, but multiple weekends spent at truck stops with gloomy weather can be tough. And trucking seems like a good option for you to live the lifestyle you’re talking about. It might be a little tougher than normal if you only want to work in the cold months though

[@stayanddrown]

@@ianelbert Gotcha. I may have to adjust. But it seems better suited than my current situation. Thanks again for taking the time to reply, Ian! I really appreciate it.

[@maryshane8023]

Hi Ian, Can you help me with this question? I need to give you the context, though. I have a BA degree and currently earn 6k a month in my fully remote marketing job. I'm considering trucking b/c I'm growing tired of marketing, and the only way to move up in this field is to manage people, which I don't want to do. Around how much is a full-time Melton truck driver making a month? Sometimes, I don't know what I should do, if I should stay in my current job or make a change> I don't think I can motivate myself enough to make a career change if I'll only earn around 2k more a month. What would you do?

[@ianelbert]

Going into an OTR position is more than just a career change, it’s a lifestyle change. Especially if you want to maximize your earnings. So you’ll have to decide if being away for long periods will be worth it for you. And the pay won’t be more than $6k/ month starting out, at least not consistently. You’ll likely make about $60k your first year, and maybe about $70k your second. At least in my experience so far that’s how it’s tracking. You can definitely get to a point where you’re making well over $100k as a company driver but it’ll take a few years in most cases. If you really dislike your current career path then this could be a good option, but just be aware it’s gonna take some time and a lot of effort, especially if you still need to get your CDL.

[@maryshane8023]

@@ianelbert Thank you! I suppose it's not the best ROI for me at this stage with my current income. I'm 26 right now, so the money I'm making makes me feel so behind. I guess I just need to find what will propel me forward.

[@ianelbert]

@@maryshane8023 $6k a month at 26 is pretty good, I’d say! You might be able to save more as a driver, but it’ll take a little while to be making more than that consistently

[@bienvenido1872]

👍🏽

[@matthewborders4623]

Ever get tired of Melton brother, come to TMC. We don’t chase those miles unless you want to. Some guys hate on them but they’re pretty decent.

[@bluemamba4239]

Because I want to do flatbed it’s interesting and I do understand it’s hard

[@bluemamba4239]

Also do they teach you load securement good during orientation?

[@ianelbert]

@@bluemamba4239 yes, between orientation and going out with a road trainer you’ll learn everything you need to know to get the job done

[@bluemamba4239]

@@ianelbert thank you I put my application in and used ur name

[@ianelbert]

@@bluemamba4239 I appreciate it! Best of luck 👍 feel free to reach out on here or instagram if you have questions along the way

[@bluemamba4239]

Do melton take new drivers ? Or do you need experience?

[@DankGawdTV]

They take new drivers, I got hired there fresh out of school

[@bluemamba4239]

@@DankGawdTV bet

[@bluemamba4239]

@@DankGawdTV thank you

[@412hwc]

alot of work for 55cpm

[@bryanvalenzuela524]

Yep that’s what swift paying for no experience