You have decided you want to become a truck driver. You have found a school that is willing to train you. Now you are getting close to the end of the schooling period and companies are stopping by to pitch your class. Do you know what you should be asking? Lets dedicate this thread to all the guys and gals going through school and give them some good tips and questions to ask these recruiters. Feel free to add any you guys can think of. I will start the ball rolling with a few of my own;

1st. What is the training pay going to be?
2nd. How long is the training period supposed to be with a trainer?
3rd. How long before Direct Deposit kicks in or benefits such as medical, dental, Vision, Prescription plan, Holiday Pay, Sick Pay, Personal Days off, 401k, vacation pay (and how is it calculated)?
4th. What will the benefits package cost me each week?
5th. Who is the medical and dental insurance through, what kind of program is it (PPO/ HMO/ etc) what are the deductibles or co-pays?
6th. What is the operating area of this particular company? (48 states, regional, Canada)?
7th. What is the average LOH (length of haul)?
8th. What is the dispatch speed at which transit times are calculated?
9th. How much per mile can I expect to make after training?
10th. How often should I expect to receive a pay increase?
11th. How often can I expect to get home?
12th. Is there a rider policy for my wife or kids? A pet policy?
13th. Are the trucks assigned to me or are they slip seat?
14th. Can I take my truck home with me or do I have to park it at a company terminal?
15th. What type of truck will I drive for your company (engine, transmission, sleeper truck, does it have an engine brake, does it have a computer for communications)?
16th. What type of trailer will I be pulling for this company (dry van, reefer, flat, tank, doubles/triples)?
17th. Will I need Hazmat on my license?
18th. In the event I need an advance on my pay while on the road how is this handled?
19th. Will I have to unload the trailer or can I hire a lumper service to this and will the company pay for it, if so how?
20th. What is the trade in cycle on the trucks? Meaning how long will it be before I get a newer truck?

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Knowledge is Power

you need to know their detention pay policy!!!

Transport america where I started, was $16 per hour after 2 hours.

2 hours and 1 minute they paid $4.00,
2 hours and 16 minutes they paid $8.00,
ect...
upto $100.00 for layover.

Most important they actually paid !!!

Some companies say they pay but then you find out its only for certain customers or IF and when they get paid.

Transport america was great in this aspect. If you were down, you got paid period.

Also, alot of times, the shipper receivers would bump you up in the loading/unloading order to get you gone and avoid the charges.

That's not really fair to the guy that got there an hour ahead of you... but??? its no skin off your nose.

Transport America 80% drop and hook, 99% no-touch. The 1% touching is usually the paperwork or pointing what pallet is the customers. They don't stack on the floor and expect you to palletize the whole load or anything.
They also pay for lumpers if something like that does happen it ain't your problem.

Not that I'm lazy.... I just like driving. hehe

Get it in writing.

Should I get everything the recruiter says in writting? I've had my cdl for A year now. Just looking for the "right" starter co. I go to oreintation in june. From what I've heard here, don't trust just about anyone. So far, we've just talked on the phone a few times. It's my first, so I want to do it right.

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There's No Life Before Coffee

I have never heard of a recruiter giving anything in writing. The contract is when you get to orientation and you sign for the drivers manual that the company has published all their rules and regs in. It will be up to you to read it and follow it. After all you signed for it.

Good addition im6under!

Very true find out what other types of pay the carrier offers aka accessorial pay, or bonuses such as sign on, safety, performance, etc.

Keep 'em coming folks. With the experienced drivers hanging around here we should be able to get a great discussion going.

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Knowledge is Power

I would ask if their medical plan is optional. I ran into a local here the other day where it was not - the money is deducted automatically. No choice.

Sorry, that's not acceptable. Retired military insurance is (in general) better, and is flatly cheaper than civilian insurance. I see no reason to pay more than 10 times what I currently pay for a service that - at best - is no better than what I have.


Forced dispatch?
what mileage is pay based on? HGG? Practical? thumb-width-on-an-atlas?
APU?
Weapons policy (or, you can wait for the printed booklet from the company on this one)

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Keep the big doors at the back!

It's best if you can ask this one with each eye looking a different direction.

while foaming at the mouth and shaking uncontrollably.

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Keep the big doors at the back!