Best Company To Start Off For In Southern California Area?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by MarquesJ78, Jul 23, 2014.

  1. MarquesJ78

    MarquesJ78 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 17, 2014
    High Desert, CA.
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    Hello again,

    Going to have my tanker, hazmat and doubles/triples endorsement and CDL in hand soon, just finishing up testing in the next week. I don't have a driving school certificate but I have about 4 years driving experience but only in an automatic transmission vehicle with air breaks. Have had my Class A with no endorsements for that same amount of time as well so I DO have driving experience however I'm still in the boat of a newbie getting into the business. My question to you all is what company would be the best to work for as an entry level trucker? I have heard a few suggestions on other posts ive made regarding other questions i had. Right now Swift seems to be the "better" option aside from CR England or CRST and living in Southern California, I'm not sure of the best available options really at this point and what I have to offer going into an interview or over the phone recruiting or however the hiring process is. I dont know much of anything about what I need to do or expect going in or what I have to offer other then my certifications, experience, job experience and no accidents. Ive heard Millis Transfer is great, Gordon and Roehl sound very good as well. If you guys could just post a list and maybe a short few words on why they are your choice would be appreciated. My apologies if this thread was started elsewhere and had probably been answered numerous times. I checked as much as I could and found a few but wanted a more current list if possible. Im looking for terminals close to the area I live in which is Barstow, CA. Of course im willing to travel to a terminal like the Swift terminal in Fontana, CA. but if you guys know of any other locations or facilities to look at, any input would be appreciated, thank you guys.
     
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  3. bigdogpile

    bigdogpile Road Train Member

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    May 16, 2010
    fontana ca
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    I think every major mega training company has a terminal in So Cal..
     
    DriverToBroker Thanks this.
  4. Plan-B Trucking

    Plan-B Trucking Light Load Member

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    Apr 20, 2014
    Huntington Beach, CA
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    Gordon Trucking (GTI) has a terminal in Rancho Cucamonga.
    Their trucks have TriPack APUs and invertors.
    They also have paid detention, stop pay, and a few other frills.
    Gordon also has a tuition reimbursement program.

    Knight Trucking has a Fontana terminal.
     
  5. GenericUserName

    GenericUserName Road Train Member

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    May 17, 2014
    Santa Monica, CA
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    Western express
    Swift
    Cr England
    Crst

    Get all endorsements and twic

    Guess who
     
  6. MarquesJ78

    MarquesJ78 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 17, 2014
    High Desert, CA.
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    CRST & CR England I am staying away from. Ive just heard way too many negatives to go with them. Gordon sounds interesting, I've heard good things on them as well.
     
  7. HotH2o

    HotH2o Road Train Member

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    Sep 23, 2012
    Bunyan Springs, Colorado
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    Schneider has a yard in Fontana. They're a pretty good starter company. $80/day for their 3 week orientation. 2 weeks in class, 1 week out with a trainer.
     
  8. MarquesJ78

    MarquesJ78 Bobtail Member

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    3
    Mar 17, 2014
    High Desert, CA.
    0
    Got my endorsements and Class A completed, got referred by the instructor to Old Dominion at their Bloomington/Rialto terminal. Put in a pre-app there so I'll get called for an interview next if so. The trainers friend works their and said they were hiring 5 line drivers and 5 other types. Im going to give Gardner, Gordon, Schneider, Swift and Knight calls next. Applying at Robertsons and Hi-Grade Materials in the high desert (concrete trucks). Forgive me for asking cause im still new, but what do I need to know going in before I sign anything? I would prefer to drive solo and be a company driver. This tuition reimbursement program, they basically hire you and put you through their own training right? Do a lot of places offer this and is it broken down out of your paychecks? How soon before you start to see a decent take home? I know I'm starting at the bottom so best bet is for me to do 6 months or a year like people have said and go from there. Terminals in Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino are fine for me, it's not too far of a drive. Can someone explain this drop and hook pay, detention pay, etc.? I have no idea what these things are much how to determine whats good or bad? I am completely clueless on it.
     
  9. Palazon

    Palazon Road Train Member

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    Feb 5, 2009
    Tacoma, WA
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    I'd say GTI (Gordon). Was a pretty good starter company.
     
  10. Florida Playboy

    Florida Playboy Road Train Member

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    Dec 19, 2012
    Florida
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    Try by all means to make the Old Dominion job hire you, they're by far the best company you listed. If not also consider KKW Trucking in Pomona. Best of luck to you.
     
  11. MarquesJ78

    MarquesJ78 Bobtail Member

    33
    3
    Mar 17, 2014
    High Desert, CA.
    0
    Thank You, I'm hoping they are desperate for drivers cause even though I have the license, endorsements and 3-4 years driving.... It was just on an automatic in which the restriction has since been removed. I just need some behind the wheel training and I feel that I can do it. Got a clean driving record too. I have a little bit of training in 10 speeds and 15 speeds. Been training with a friend so I know how difficult the learning curve is but I have improved. I just need an opportunity to show it.
     
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