what i dont understand-- and think is quite funny-- is the company's "moustache only" policy-
it is hilarious to me to think that a company would actually require people to SHAVE to be a TRUCK DRIVER-lol
"moustache only"-lol if you think about it-- who actually wears a 'moustache' anymore anyways? i cant think of anyone but porn stars. that's generally what anyone under 40 years old will joke about if you tell them you're going to grow a "moustache"-- they will ask you if you want to look like a porn star-LOL
even the word itself is funny-- "moustache"

just seems like something some kind of religious freak cult would require of its' members-- "moustaches only"--lol

Averitt is one of the companies I will be looking at as one of their terminals is right down the road from me here around Macon, GA. The no facial hair thing bothers me though since I will have spend the last 20 years being told I can not have facial hair by the Army and was looking forward to growing some just because I can!

LB

I am looking into changing my career. I have thought about trucking for many years. As I travel i notice many trucks on the road. I have been accepted to a Driver Soulutions and i am a little bet fearful. I havnt many any desions yet. I am alos looking at a driving School in Birmingham Alabama. Magic City Driving School. Anyone have any information on it would be appreciated. After reading many post... so much negativity,,, but i am sure there is truth to some all of it. I have strong work ethics and feel any job is what you put into it. Being new to the field I'm sure the a price to pay. Any advice on a companys in Alabama that is good to work for. I am about 90% sure i want to take this leap. Help!!!!!!!

Companies I am looking at:

Avrete
US EXpress
Pam
New England
Knight

__________________
Kevin

Averitt is not for me. I finished up orientation and was just left with a bad taste in my mouth about this company that for all the good people I met, just seems a wee bit too cultish. No individualism there at all - an army of 1. Physical appearance, uniform appearance, behavior modification, and misleading information have left me deciding to not call in for work and get my truck monday morning. I'll return my uniforms and take a $$$ hit for wasting a week with them.
- Orientation was underpaid; (5 days including Sunday test drive - $300)
- The DOT doctor with a suspicious conflict of interest can flag a driver for physical attributes (size 17 neck orlarger, BMI over 35, needing 2 or meds for hyper-tension) that make him have "potential" for sleep apnea even if there is no behavioral evidence of it. A driver must then pay out of pocket for a sleep disorder evaluation that involves high cost ($800 at the local hospital in Cookeville, up to $2500 if done elsewhere - you have 90 days to get assessment completed) and an overnight stay at a sleep center.
- Their doctor also mis-diagnosed my vision and when presented with an optometrists report (also paid for out of my pocket) did not change my DOT long form - it shows falsely that I have 20/50 vision and require glasses.
- A job description begining with "Chattanooga regional driver". I was told on the last day of orientation "regional" refers to a driver's domicile not his driving zone.
- I would never accept a lowly 37 cpm for running a full service area that requires me to drive in Chicago, Detroit, PA and NJ.

Tomorrow I will initiate contact with Watkins Shephard, Shaw Transportation (Dalton, GA), and Pemberton Truck Lines (Knoxville, TN).

__________________
"I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep" Robt. Frost

I am in the process of returning to trucking--my desk job was too damn boring, and I had been getting postcards from Averitt asking me to "return to red"...I worked for them before I got this desk job on good terms..anyway, I called a recruiter listed on this postcard, and she informed me that Averitt has this new policy that if you've had more than 3 jobs in three years, they won't hire you. Well to that I replied to her that one of the jobs I was laid off from after working there for 6 years, another I tranported farm equipment out west and I left after it turned winter and the miles went away, and lastly, I had obviously worked for Averitt during which time I had no accidents and left on good terms with a "rehirable" status. She said she understood and would talk to her team lead and call me back that afternoon--she never did. I've ended up going with a local carrier that has about 140 drivers, and the mileage average looks to be much better...and no uniforms, and I get to keep my facial hair...sorry Averitt---your loss, not mine..

thanks for the comment, that's exactly how I'm feeling.bb.

__________________
"I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep" Robt. Frost

Hey, I am stuck trying to decide between Averitt and U.S. Xpress? Can you give any info on pay, orientation, trucks...?

I've never worked there, but I've done the right research.
Here's what they have.
An LTL division that is quite profitable for very few drivers.
The Truckload division now pays less than Schneider, (.41 for 1yr exp) which is alarming, as Schneider only offered .33 cents for a long time. Averitt goes to .37 after 1 and a half years at Averitt. max out was 40.5
They pay HHG miles to truckload. LTL gets actual miles.
They have a seniority system.
Trainers are guaranteed 3100 mi + pay, unless more miles are driven.
Regional means half the country.
SEFL is where a large number of their older, but not 30 yrs at Averitt drivers went.
Averitt is now only buying Autoshifts, at least for the 2007 models.
I've heard no complaints about being home every weekend, if so desired.

Averitt is a great place for a new driver--pay is about the industry average, but miles are lacking. You will be home every weekend unless you ask to stay out for more miles. The only folks that I spoke to that had problems getting home on the weekend had mechanical failures that held them up at a terminal, or they generally lived in Texas. No forced New York City, but you will be run up into New Jersey, Philly, Baltimore, DC. And the usual you've already read- uniforms and no facial hair except for a moustache. The miles were my complaint--generally 1300-1800 miles a week, and sitting all day waiting for loads. Good luck on your decision. BTW--the benefits are good--Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the coverage for my family was around $40/week. Just a stupid rehire policy--see my previous post for those details..I worked there for around 7 months and left for a desk job--if you are a newbie--you will most likely get an older Volvo or Freightliner Columbia--with around 400-500k miles. These also still have a straight 10 tranny--now your trainer or the veteran guys are generally getting the autos--as they are replacing the older trucks each day with these.

LOLZ.........