Conway Truckload, TMC, Maverick. Where to go?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by cowboy07, Apr 18, 2015.

  1. cowboy07

    cowboy07 Bobtail Member

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    Hello, I currently have a class b CDL but getting ready to go back to school to get my class A so I can go OTR for at least a couple years and hopefully come back and score a local job or ltl. I was pretty set on conway TL and pulling vans but I ran across TMC and maverick and seemed to be pretty good companies. Its hard to find anything bad said about maverick I've noticed. I like how at conway you can bank up your hometime and be able to get a few days off at once vs TMC is maybe every weekend between 24hrs and 34hrs then back on the road. I've tried doing the pros and cons between the 3 but just not sure where to go. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Also I haven't ever really been around flatbeds (dad always pulled vans) just been thinking about the headache it might would be dealing with traps and chains when its windy, pouring rain, or bitter cold and always making sure you have a well secure load. Just want to make a decent decision. Thanks
     
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  3. Shaggy

    Shaggy Road Train Member

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    Neither of the options except con-way, Can get a local job with any LTL service. Get all of your endorsements, Work the dock a few months at a decent wage and go do P&D. Foot already in the door, make the transition :yes2557:
     
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  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Where is your location? Lots more to choose from.
     
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  5. Midwesttrucker

    Midwesttrucker Light Load Member

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    Cowboy

    You don't have to work for a truck load carrier to get started in the profession anymore. I did flatbed when I first graduated and met some good people out there. With flatbed you had better make sure that load is secured. TMC and Maverick will teach you well thats for sure. They do have very good training schools. Im thinking both TMC and Maverick have electronic logs to keep you legal. One thing about doing flatbed is this.... You wait a while to get checked in, a while to get the load, and a while to secure the load, and a while to tarp the load. Those (a while's) are not in minutes they can be in hours. So figure that and your on electronic logs you can have a bad week every now and then. When securing loads you will do them in the factory when its raining and crappy out. When its nice outside the docks will ask you to throw on a chain or two and move outside so others can get their loads as well. You then need to retighten those chains after about 150 miles because that load will settle. If you don't your taking a terrible risk. Get out and retighten your chains and tarp!!!!!!. In LTL they are really having a hard time recruiting just like any trucking company and they pay very well. Take some time and get acquainted with the following LTL companies and you won't be living in a tin can 5 days a week doing 34 hr restarts at home.

    YRC
    ABF
    Old Dominion
    Fedex Freight
    SAIA
    New England Motor Freight
    Southeastern
    Conway Freight

    These places have driver finishing schools and pay better than any other the companies you listed above. The days of new guys doing OTR out of school are over. Make it a priority to have all your endorsements (doubles/triples, HAZMAT, TANKER) before starting school. LTL requires you to have those. The HAZMAT is not a difficult test but it takes a couple of weeks for the process to go through but its darn well worth it.
     
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  6. cowboy07

    cowboy07 Bobtail Member

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    I'm in Anderson SC about an hour from Greenville
     
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  7. cowboy07

    cowboy07 Bobtail Member

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    At first I didn't want to go OTR but the more I looked around its like everybody had to have experience. The more I think about it I don't think I would mind it too much just enough to get some experience in. If I could find decent home time. I always enjoyed riding with my dad to Indiana and Ohio, of course it was only a two day trip but I would like to see the other side of the country and things I haven't seen before. I know there is other companies to chose from but I've tried to narrow it down to these. One thing I like about Conway TL is you can transfer to freight after however long of being there. Thanks for y'alls input
     
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  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    I don't know how much West coast you'll see with Maverick or TMC. Better ask around about that. Several new drivers that wanted to see the country before settling down to local or regional hired on with companies that didn't run much West coast and they were disappointed.
    Freymiller and Navajo Express do lots of West coast turns. Make inquiries on specific trucking company threads and check websites for freight lanes.

    Abilene Motor Express
    Decker Truck Line
    Freymiller
    Navajo Express
    Pride Transport
    Cargo Transporters
    Howard Transportation
     
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  9. born&raisedintheusa

    born&raisedintheusa Road Train Member

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    You mentioned that CDL graduates can land into LTL jobs without having to go over the road, (OTR).

    Question: Are the days of going OTR really over for CDL graduates?

    God bless you and your family! God bless the U.S.A.!
     
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  10. draker

    draker Light Load Member

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    Getting into an LTL company with no experience is difficult. I work for Old Dominion and they only train guys with a year of experience. They have their own "school" but you have to work the dock first for a while then it's a selection process. We start at .56/mile and they new guys start as wild drivers meaning you are essentially OTR but they put you in hotels during the week. It's a decent gig, you make good money. Stay away from the union companies like NEMF. They rape you in union dues and it's all bs politics. OD pays union wages without paying union dues. Just words of advice. Oh and you will usually work nights and weekends.
     
  11. Shaggy

    Shaggy Road Train Member

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    It's between $50-$70 a month for dues, I would hardly call that rape. With ABF 100% Company paid benefits. I'm more then happy to pay a silly due and not get raped on something rarely ever use.

    OD has a retarded OT policy, Would hardly attempt to call that union wages. But i'm not going to self destruct this thread discussing which LTL is better. ABF will always win:biggrin_25523:
     
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