I live in Jacksonville, FL and don't yet have my CDL. USA Truck is advertising in my area, do you all think this would be a good company
to start with? I want to take my dog/son with me, but that's not
necessary, at least at first. Does anybody know if they allow this?

I have heard Swift does, but I have heard so much bad about that
company, that....well. It does not sound like I would want to work for them. Unless there has been some improvment at Swift.

I'm not going to be much help here, but it seems to me that when you start a new profession, you are going to have to suck it up and realize you are going to be at the bottom of the totem pole and that only time will move you up. So - if you start listening to everyone, in terms of which companies to avoid, you could conceivably hear negative stuff about EVERY SINGLE COMPANY out there. You would be left with NO choices at all! So, do as much research about the company you seem to like, read this site (I just got here yesterday and have been reading ever since - this place is FULL of GOOD information, ESPECIALLY for newbies) - and go for it. I just know from experience you aren't going to get the really good jobs until you have some experience - without accidents or tickets preferrably.
However, just a little note: I was reading one of the staff member's statements about Schneider a little while ago - he thinks they have a great CDL program and that their company is a very good place to start. Schneider USED to be one of the worst of the worst, but that was a long time ago, apparently they are making strides to make themselves a better company.
And just a little further note: My opinion - stay AWAY from Werner; Swift and JBHunt.

i work for USA right now, been there close to a year. i live in crestview Fl. (about 30 miles or so E of pensacola) i don't know about the I-95 corridor, but i know we run little freight through my area. i was to return to work yesterday AM, got in my truck sent in a return to work macro and waited 3 hours to get a load. well, it picks up in Mobile Al. tomorrow morning 108 miles away. so needless to say i got a couple extra days off. LOL it's OK though, more days in the deer woods!!
USA does NOT allow pets, they have a rider program for like 7 $ a week, but the bunk is a little small for 2. overall i am very happy here though.

__________________

tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
"if you don't HAVE the money to buy it, YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT"- DAVE RAMSEY

panhandle, are you getting the miles they advertise?

Thanx

An accurate gauge of how well a trucking company treats it drivers, the pay, and working conditions, is to look at the company's turnover rate. When people are happy & content with a company, they stay for at least 5 or more years. Most OTR companies have over 100% driver turnover rate. Although its hard to find data on each company's driver turnover rate, you can get a clue of this by looking at how much $$ they spend on advertising for drivers. A company that places ads daily, 7 days a week, 356 days a year, is a strong indication they're hiring drivers daily as fast as they can process them to replace those who quit. Most OTR companies can't stay in business without under-paying, lying, and cheating drivers. Generally, most, or all OTR companies have its shady sides.

As a newbie driver, you shouldn't focus on $$ earnings, your priority is to establish your 1+ year of verifiable SAFE driving experience, and concentrating on doing the job properly & safely. With some companies, on-time delivery is a no-win situation; just concentrate on getting to your destination safely. Its not unusual that they'll schedule unrealistic delivery deadlines that doesn't factor into consideration your need for sleep, meal breaks, and traffic/construction/weather delays. Dispatch will set a deadline with the assumption the truck has aerial flight capabilities (supports my theory that dispatchers do hallucinogenic drugs on their break time).

After you've driven at least 1 year, start focusing on hourly-paid driving positions. These are often local work, where you punch in on a time clock, do all your pickups and deliveries, return to the terminal, punch out, & go home. This is when you start making real $$; you're paid time and a half over 40 hours in a week (or after 8 hrs in a day), and in some states, their labor laws stipulate double time after 60 hours in a week (or 12 hrs in a day).

So hang in there, swallow your pride, & just concentrate on surviving your 1st year as a newbie driver.


On your question, here's a link that may help
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

during the "freight season" i get 3000+ right now it is 2400-2800

__________________

tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
"if you don't HAVE the money to buy it, YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT"- DAVE RAMSEY

I'm looking for a job as well and wondering if they are hiring in the south Georgia area.