Choosing the right Company..........

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by KM4FAE, Feb 26, 2015.

  1. KM4FAE

    KM4FAE Bobtail Member

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    First, every company is different. And choosing the right one depends largely on how you want to run. Heartland Express offers a high cpm but a very short average length of haul. They have to pay more on the mile because you aren't going to get high miles. This is not necessarily a bad thing, a lot of drivers like running this way and claim to make as much or more than low cpm / high mileage companies. I prefer long haul myself. I once worked for CX Roberson (no longer in business) and averaged 1200 miles per trip, their mileage pay was 2 cpm less than the industry standard at the time. But because I was getting all the miles I wanted, I brought home more money. I probably made more money with Walbert than with any other company. I mean, 36 cpm and all the miles you want, makes for a big paycheck. BUT they are far from perfect in other areas, which I won't get into here because that's not what this post is about.

    So what do you look for in a trucking company? How do you determine which is the best fit for you? Well, start out by doing your homework, researching online, reading driver reviews, etc. And take these reviews with a grain of salt. When I'm researching a company and read a bad review, I start looking at who posted the review, I read their other reviews to get an idea of what that person is all about before I take their opinion into consideration. Also, if you have a truckstop nearby, go there, question drivers about the company they work for. Just BEWARE that a lot of company drivers will tell you anything to get that "driver referral bonus" usually worth around $500. But do this the right way. Don't question drivers at the fuel island or out in the parking lot. If you want to have a good conversation with a driver about their company, go to the laundry room. Drivers doing laundry are not in a great big hurry and will usually be easy to engage in conversation. They are usually more than happy to tell you about their company's good and bad points.

    Recruiters: Ask the right questions and listen carefully to the answers. Recruiters will tell you just about anything to get you in the door. Ask them what their driver turnover rate is?, what about their average length of haul?, do they have forced dispatch?, do they go to NYC? Do they let you get PM's done OTR or do they make you come back to their company headquarters every time you need an oil change? Do they pay cpm or percentage? Do they have pre-pass, easy pass? How are you reimbursed for expenses and how long does it take to get reimbursed? What are the average miles for solo OTR drivers (unless you run team)? What about detention pay?, etc. Don't ask every question in the world, but do ask about things that are important to you. When a recruiter claims not to know the answer to a particular question, odds are they just don't want you to know the answer!

    When you compare the answers you get from the recruiter AND from company drivers of that particular company, a valid picture starts to form. Company reviews can be a great help here. Now, EVERY company has its good points and bad points. The question you have to ask yourself is, Can I live with the bad points of this company. If so, and the good points are what you're after, then go for it.

    The #1 reason drivers quit is lack of home time. The #2 reason is because they were mislead about something in the beginning and that starts to smolder and smolder until it ignites a moment of anger and they get mad and quit without really thinking things thru. If you know everything going in, the odds of being surprised are significantly less. I once worked for a company that sent me to Atlanta every time I went home. I live 7 hrs from Atlanta! I don't know if they just couldn't get me any closer or if they sent me to Atlanta simply to make it harder on me and thus, make me not want to go home as often. In any case, it was always an unpaid 7-8 hr drive home from Atlanta. After the 3rd time of doing this in order to get home, I protested. After the 4th time, I quit. Looking back now, I liked everything about that company except the unpaid 7-8 hr drive home after 3 weeks on the road. I loved the truck (a brand new Peterbilt 379 extended hood), I loved the pay, I loved the areas I ran (no northeast), it was a great job other than that 1 pain in the behind of getting home. If I had it to do over, I might have made my career with them. I didn't ask myself the all important question, Can I live with this one bad point in exchange for all the good things about this company? Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath, relax, de-stress, think about things, then make a decision.
     
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  3. Shaggy

    Shaggy Road Train Member

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    Long story short: Research and decide what works best for your family and yourself.


    Welcome to TTR KM4
     
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  4. slim shady

    slim shady Road Train Member

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    Long story even shorter. Tankers
     
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  5. Shaggy

    Shaggy Road Train Member

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    Shorter Story: LTL :biggrin_25519:
     
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  6. bubbagumpshrimp

    bubbagumpshrimp Medium Load Member

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    Determine what schedule you want to work, how much you want to be away from home, what type of company culture you appreciate, how much ($$$) you can get by with, etc.

    Once I decided that I had no desire to live in a big rig... I started beating the bushes (locally and online) to find an outfit that: operates day cabs, does not typically drive at night, does not work weekends, pays a wage that I can get by on, does work that interests me, etc. I lucked out and found something that met all of those needs. If you're not that lucky, I'd say that you should pick and choose which of those things are needs and which are just wants.
     
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