Just when I jump in the pool you say "what Rex said"!?!? So what you said "If I had to start over, I'd drive for Crete, or Roehl"...doesn't count? Hopefully, I'm not mixing you up with someone else!

Maybe you are mixing me up with somebody else. Maybe not, though.

Let me shine the light into the cave a little here....

Crete or Roehl would be good to go with, sure. But only if I couldn't get a job driving a union ride. There are pretty good companies out there to use if you need a back-up plan.

__________________
--Paved Dudley--

Yeah I drive a Swift truck
And that means one thing
It means she's slow
It's a typical company truck
It's just all show and no go

I'm gettin' passed by Yella
And even Overnite
I'm gettin' passed by ever' body in sight
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight

No, my hometown's nowhere in sight
And if you think I'm pissed off
You're right
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight


Love pissing off those trucking company insiders.

THAT'S RIGHT! I was reading a thread in the Union forum one day and saw your advice...my bad! I hope the trucking Union is different than it was at Kroger, because they didn't do sheet for me except take my money. That being said with all the positives I have read about Unions on here I'll look into it after I get a couple of years under my belt.

I'm just gonna stick my oar in here.

Tip has obviously had good experiences with unions. Plenty of people do.

I, on the other hand have not. Including the teamsters - twice.

Myself, I would suggest that you base your job search on what you want to DO. Narrow things down to just a few companies, if you can. Seek out and talk to current and past drivers for their input.

Base your decisions on that, rather than on whether or not the outfit is union.

My bad....you did say it!

Hey Jersey trucker, new guy. contact Maverick Transportation, apply online, they are hiring in there
specialized division. Im also from NJ, and just so you know they are a great company, I know, i just finished there training at Laurinburg NC. Specialized, and now im out on the road with road trainer. they check out a potential drivers back ground , if your all good then they might contact you. they are looking for good people who have a professional attitude. Good Luck.

Thanks or the tip BigStorm! I have recently been considering Crete but will look at Maverick too. What is their "Specialized Division"? Is it strictly over the road or do they have Regional assignments. I prefer to be home weekends as I have a little guy at home. How long do you ride with a trainer?

I have to be honest, Lurch. I don't personally have that experience. However, my uncle has 20 years' union experience. Of course, he's always been keen on telling me his war stories. But his stories didn't win me over to the union cause. It was working for the likes of SwiftQuit and hearing stories from those who used to work at places like England and Simon. That is what won me to the union fold. I'd try to land a union job if I were going back in today, but I know that realistically I'd not have a great chance of landing such a job. I'd need a backup company that is non-union, and, thankfully, I know of two companies that are worth going to work for. If those two fell through, I'd get out again and go get a master's degree or go to chef's school, heavy equipment school, or maybe underwater welding school.

__________________
--Paved Dudley--

Yeah I drive a Swift truck
And that means one thing
It means she's slow
It's a typical company truck
It's just all show and no go

I'm gettin' passed by Yella
And even Overnite
I'm gettin' passed by ever' body in sight
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight

No, my hometown's nowhere in sight
And if you think I'm pissed off
You're right
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight


Love pissing off those trucking company insiders.

TIp - LOL

One of my classmates at SAGE was a chef. Says, it's good money - IF you can find and keep a job. Does this sound familiar?

Me, I'd be keen on underwater welding. If there was any water around here.

Fortunately, I don't have my heart set on OTR. I've got a line on a "local" that pays enough and offers enough disparity day to day to be interesting )driving tank in the mountains, oh yeah!( Sure, the job opening I was aiming for got filled with somebody who has experience - but they may be opening up some new routes.. may not. we'll see.

In all honesty - I see OTR as a necessary evil. Kinda like boot camp.

I know there are definite advantages to working in a union shop. Not the least of which is that it's supposed to be harder to fire you. Not much, I'm sure, but harder. Pay may or may not be better.. and so on. And of course, lots of people love the union. They have their reasons, and they're probably great reasons. All I have to go on is my (and to some extent my parents) experiences. So, while there are advantages, there are known disadvantages too - and I'm not convinced the bad is worth the good.

As they say, this is just my opinion. Adopt it or die!

Jersey Truck, Do not waste your time with Maverick specialized. Big Storm just wants the referral reward. Big storm, you are in training. What could you know about the place? What a joke. Wait til you get out on your own and then come post here about the place. I used to work there, so I know. It is now a good place especially for a new driver. Not even an experienced one. Jersey Trucker, look up the posts on Maverick specialized and google maverick in the rear view, by ollie, it is an accurate portrayal of working there. Dont go there, good luck.