Hello All
I am new to this forum as of yesterday. I hope to meet and BS with you all one day on the road.
I was working at American Standard driving a tow motor for the last 15 years and got laid off in October last year and decided to start my new career on the road since my kids are all grown up . I do have a handicapped daughter (16) in a wheel chair that I will miss deeply but I have to do what I have to do ,Where else can I go to replace the $35,000 a year job without a trade?
I graduated from T.D.D.S. truck driving school in Newton Falls, Ohio last Friday and take my test this Friday. I have been approved by TMC, Roehl,Trans Am and USA. After looking on this forum and checking out some of the blogs,it seems like Roehl is my better choice out of the 4 companies. The only problem with Roehl is that I do not start with them until May 4th, that is about 2 months out. TMC wants me there Monday March 16th,but I am not sure I want the Military action all over again and how dirty of a job is it?Any body have any input on what to do and who to go with??
Thanks to all and be careful out there !!

I would probably go with TMC.. I am suprised Roehl Would make you wait that long right out of school since a person tends to forget what they learned when it comes to shifting and things. I went to Roehls school and a couple of guys wanted to wait for one reason or another before they went out with there trainers and Roehl pretty much told them that would not be wise. Also with the way things are do not expect 35,000.00 your first year.

I do not expect to make that money my first year but its a step in the right direction . As for TMC I have heard that it is like a competition at training and they weed you out ,Do you know if it is true? I am a perfectionist when it comes to clean vehicles and that would be right up my alley, but how dirty of a job is flat bedding? and tarping in the freezing weather with the wind whippin 50 miles an hour? sounds like a job in itself. I am not complaining I just need to find things out before I jump into something...Thanks for the input

If you are unsure about the flatbedding then I would either wait or find another company that will hire you sooner. You have to WANT to flatbed because it is all of what you describe and much more. But the pay is better and a little exercise never hurt anyone..lol

Just got a call from CRST recruiter and wants me to fill out an app on their web sight. Do you know any thing about CRST? Team only 3 weeks out 1 week home

Go with TMC. Nice equipment, good freight base, and a choice of mileage or percentage plan. If you can, consider Con Way Truckload out of Joplin, MO. Also, check out Lisa Motor lines out of texas.

KH

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Kinghunter: Truck Photographer, Airline Guru and Boat Guru

whichever you decide to go with ... remember one thing.. its not a place you haev to stay at forever... do your time in and get your exp and then get out if you dont like it.. but always remember, they dont like job jumpers, and i know you may not want to hear this but you shuold go to one of them and stay put for at least a year to get that experience and then find one yuo like more.. it will be hard.. you will get lied to from companies and messed with, not seeing your family, but that is the bumps you have to take to get that experience... hope all goes well for you and when in doubt, there are people here who will help you out with any quesstions you may have... when in doubt, always ask a moderator or someone with a ton of repsect under their name ...

Thank you BubbaTrucker
But with times being tough, which company would give me the best loads? van or flat? I am leaning towards Roehl but 2 months out is awhile to wait don't ya think?

Try to avoid CRST. Check out some of the post's in the BAD section.

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Go, and beat your crazy head against the sky.....

TMC isn't very militaristic from the guys I have talked to, only the non military guys seem to think so.

I enjoyed flatbedding myself but wasn't making enough money doing it so I went local. CRST I would aviod at all costs. The only happy CRST driver I ever met was an ex CRST driver. They pay you about 1/2 what other companies do to team.

Conway is good, I hear Roehl is OK but never worked for them and although TMC does have a flare up now and then of complaints, for the most part they seem OK as well.

Good luck whichever way you go ace.

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Running the rock bucket 500.