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Need Advice on Selecting a Company

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by bulletfinger, Apr 24, 2011.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Apr 24, 2011 #1
    bulletfinger

    bulletfinger Bobtail Member

    15
    2
    Mar 7, 2011
    Murfreesboro, TN
    0
    dear drivers,
    i'll keep this short and to the point. i'm research saturated. need driver input.
    just got cdl. been in and around big trucks and drivers of/on my whole life. construction my previous career. time for change. got several pre-hires (flats, reefer, van).
    leaning towards flat but worried about back injuries. i'm pushing 50 and in #### good shape for 50, but $#!* happens. reefer would be next choice.


    here's what i'm looking for:
    • all the freight and miles a company can dish me
    • good driver support
    • reliable/safe equipment
    • hoping for starting cpm around .30
    here's what i'm offering:
    • willing to move freight anywhere, anytime (except mexico). if there's a road to it that'll carry the load, i'll give it a go
    • willing to stay out for 6 weeks +/-
    • i'm a self-starter and no stranger to the road. #$$ wiper not required. i know when i've got a job to do. just let me know what you need; ill take care of the rest
    • multitude of life experience, clean driving record, no dui/dwi (EVER)
    • my mantra "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right"
    all input greatly appreciated, BULLET
     
    bulletfinger, Apr 24, 2011
    bulletfinger, Apr 24, 2011
    #1
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  3. Apr 24, 2011 #2
    ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Well... at the risk of starting another thread war, all of your requirements would be satisfied on the company side at Prime. Solo starting after training is 33cpm - and we have a number of shippers and receivers in the Murfreesboro area.
     
    ironpony, Apr 24, 2011
    ironpony, Apr 24, 2011
    #2
    bulletfinger Thanks this.
  4. Apr 24, 2011 #3
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    Arlington Heights, IL
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    are all prime trucks limited to about 60mph speed?

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Apr 24, 2011
    Pmracing, Apr 24, 2011
    #3
  5. Apr 24, 2011 #4
    Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    Mapleton Depot,PA
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    being a real worker you would probably be happier with a flatbed than reefer, due to the BS often encountered loading/unloading, lumpers, excessive waiting time etc. that is often associated with grocery type operations.
     
    Hardlyevr, Apr 24, 2011
    Hardlyevr, Apr 24, 2011
    #4
  7. Apr 24, 2011 #5
    ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    65. But you can't run at 65 and 79,000 lbs and expect to get decent fuel economy.
     
    ironpony, Apr 24, 2011
    ironpony, Apr 24, 2011
    #5
  8. Apr 24, 2011 #6
    REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    Dueling Banjoville
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    Here is something that most people look over....

    How about apply with companies & go to work with the one that hires you?
     
    REDD, Apr 24, 2011
    REDD, Apr 24, 2011
    #6
  9. Apr 24, 2011 #7
    WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    How many RPMs are you turning at 65? I run 68 normally, and the difference between running that vs. running 62 for me is negligible.
     
    WitchingHour, Apr 24, 2011
    WitchingHour, Apr 24, 2011
    #7
  10. Apr 25, 2011 #8
    bulletfinger

    bulletfinger Bobtail Member

    15
    2
    Mar 7, 2011
    Murfreesboro, TN
    0
    lumpers seems to be a definite issue. don't want to have to spend my money to have THEIR product off-loaded.
     
    bulletfinger, Apr 25, 2011
    bulletfinger, Apr 25, 2011
    #8
  11. Apr 25, 2011 #9
    bulletfinger

    bulletfinger Bobtail Member

    15
    2
    Mar 7, 2011
    Murfreesboro, TN
    0
    tks redd. have applied to 14. now it's just a matter of making the best first move for me so that i can gain some experience
     
    bulletfinger, Apr 25, 2011
    bulletfinger, Apr 25, 2011
    #9
  12. Apr 25, 2011 #10
    ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Depends... that's one of the questions you should ask BEFORE you hire on.

    If I'm required to hire a lumper, do you reimburse me for the cost?
    If I unload the trailer myself, how am I paid for it?

    Some carriers will pay you what a lumper would charge...

    My carrier got tired of drivers hurting themselves - and covering workman's comp claims, so they make sure its not worth your time to do it - 10 cents per case if you do it. However, if you hire a lumper they pay 100% of the cost - its no cost to you. Its better to take a nap so you can run hard and make some money driving.

    Don't kid yourself - a lot of folks get seriously hurt unloading freight for what boils down to chump change. Most docks will require you show a training certificate before they'll allow you to use any power equipment, and they may not allow you to use their pallet jacks. That means you're going to pull the freight off manually, and then restack it yourself.
     
    ironpony, Apr 25, 2011
    ironpony, Apr 25, 2011
    #10
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