I've been reading all the information on this board for a while now and would first like to thank everyone for the great advice you have all shared. At this point, I am still doing some research, but am trying to start narrowing things down.

The companies that seem interesting so far are Roehl, Crete, Millis, and Transport America. The only thing is that all of these seem to do most of their business on the eastern half of the country.

My question is, are there any GOOD companies for a new guy to go to where I won't end up driving a majority of the time in the Northeast? I'm based in Minnesota, and would prefer to stay west of the Mississippi, or at least stay in the Southeast to avoid NYC, New Jersey, Philadelphia, etc. As stated, I am just getting into trucking, so I don't have any experience to offer. The good thing about my situation is that I'm single and don't have any kids, so if I only got home once every three weeks or so that would be ok. Another thing I feel is in my favor is that I have a positive attitude and am willing to work hard without whining every time a challenge arises. I would prefer to drive for a company who values safety and won't push me to drive illegally when it comes to the log book though. One last thing...for some reason, I have a little bit of interest in eventually going to tankers after I get some experience driving.

Any suggestions?

most any long haul company you go with will have you all over the country, not just the north east. also, the north east isn't that bad. I was a little nervous the first time I went north of Baltimore, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. not all of the "north" is tall buildings and flashing lights.

You might want to avoid the L.A. /Orange county area too. No just kidding. Just get in and drive. Take your time and don't worry about the opinion of the 4 wheelers while they drive (just watch them with a good deal of caution). Big Cities are are pain but if you're a driver, you'll have to learn to deal with different conditions anyways.

Drive safe and drive courteously. Plan the route and if you miss your off-ramp go to the next and turn around. Life is too short to worry about this s***.

Good luck to you as well.

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The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so
- Mark Twain

Are Obama, Reid, and Pelosi CARB Compliant?

Your best bet is to find a good company that treats you well and pays you well and then you go anywhere and everywhere they send you for the first year or two with gratitude and enthusiasm. This will get you very far - lots of miles, a good rapport with your dispatcher, etc.

After you've put in a good year or preferrably two, then look to find ways to avoid where you'd prefer not to go. Maybe find a dedicated route or a company who doesn't run the northeast.

The northeast isn't all bad and a lot of places pay higher if you run it.

Just "pay your dues" for the first year or so and go where you're sent and things will work out later on.

If you start out saying "I'm not running NE", you're not going to be well liked or treated well. Just an FYI

RULE #1:
Your dispatcher will always send you where you don't want to go.
RULE #2
Your dispatcher will never send you where you do want to go.
RULE #3
If there are any questions, see RULES #1 and #2.

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The large metropolitan areas along the I 95 corridor are the worst, in my opinion. The rest of the NE is not that bad. Unfortunatley most of the freight going to the NE ends up along the I 95 corridor. If you don't want to go there pick a company that has a midwest regional fleet.

This is just my experience somebody else may have been different. When I was running flatbed, which by the way will allow you to work hard and get out the truck, I only saw the NE once and that was south of Newark. Just something to think about.

Go with US Express they treet me great.Marvin Denver

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I am definitely not going to argue with anywhere my company sends me. I was just hoping to find one that would tends to do more business in other areas. The advice about just working hard and not complaining is well taken. That's my plan for sure.

I used to be a courier and we had guys on the CB who would call back and whine about runs the dispatcher sent them on. I could never figure that out. Do they really think being a pain to the guy is going to help their cause? Oh well, it takes all kinds I guess.

I would check out FFE and the companies they own too.

Hunter