Okay so heres my situation. Im 20 now, turn 21 next April which is when i plan on beginning my career as a trucker. Basically I'm looking for information on good companies hiring out of Colorado. As everyone else here, ive read the many horror stories on the big companies such as swift, c.r. england, etc, so im wondering whther or not to go with a company like that.

Originally i planned on saving up the $4k+ at my current job then after turning 21 next april going into Swifts training program, getting through the academy then getting some experience on the road. Is this something thats advised, or are there other (better) routes for a new trucker to go?

Thanks in advance for any replies/help

If you can pay for youre schooling do that. Because if you go through a company paid training you are stuck with them for a good period of time.

Prime hires out of Colorado, and only requires that you work a year to forgive the tuition. You might want to do that and put the $4k in the bank or a 401k.

BTW... run like hell from Swift, JB Hunt, Schnieder, CR England, et al.

any personal experience as to why you say that, or is it just because that seems to be the popular belief on these forums?

also anyone else have any other ideas on companies etc that would benefit me and would also keep me busy through these slow times, anyone have thoughts on con way? good/bad?

also how does paying for fuel generally go? Do drivers pay for it out of their pocket, or does the company cover it, or is it kinda like a 50/50 split between you and the company?

Opinions are like axxholes, everybody has one, and most of them stink. Every driver had to start somewhere, they didn't start out on top. The idea of starting with a company that has a training program, is to learn how to drive a truck, and gain experience. The more experience you have, the more desirable you are to those who hire drivers. A lot of good companies require two or three years of experience. Some companies do carry a bad reputation, but you will always find a loyal driver that has been with every company. Some people let a lot of things get to them, and other people just shrug it off and keep on rolling.

Most companies use a card. The otr company I drove with had a card that doubled as a fuel card, and a pay card. Your weekly pay went on the card, you could get your money at an atm, or put it on a comcheck and take it to the bank.

Good luck with your future.
I am not familiar with any Colorado companies, somebody may be able to give you a heads up.

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thats exactly what i was thinking, im mainly looking for a company to train me and give me a few years of experience so at least if it doesnt work out there i will have the experience needed to go to a better company.

thanks for the info and of course always looking for more opinions

My experience, talking to other drivers, what I've seen. For example, Swift was running a diploma mill in TN - got shut down. Hundreds if not a few thousand drivers are affected with revoked CDLs because of this. Any company that promises to put you on the road in a rig in ten weeks or less (including the CDL course) is taking advantage of you. Really look hard at the terms of the tuition repayment before you jump. Stevens Transport is a disaster area that recruits out of Colorado. That's not to say there aren't drivers who are happy working for these companies. A lot of it is what you make of it. My experience is that Prime has one of the better programs around, and doesn't put you into involuntary servitude because you went through their training. Quit after six months, you owe half the tuition - a little less than $1800 - that's a flat fee, no interest - as far as I know. Quit after a year, and the tuition is forgiven. If you can find a better deal take it. Also their apprenticeship period is longer, and you will get exposed to how a single truck business is run if you are trained by a lease-op or owner-op. Later in the summer is a good time to jump in, because you will get some winter driving experience with a trainer.

Definitely look into a company that runs reefer. Dry van is in the dumper along with flatbeds - although the flatbed business has been looking up of late, but their rates are still lower than reefer. People have to eat - you need a reefer for 90% of the loads, plus anything you can put into a dry van (outside of the heaviest of say paper loads) can go in a reefer. Get a hazmat endorsement, because it will open you up to more loads.

Conway and the union outfits will have you working "on-call," docks loading trailers, or yard-donkey work until you have put in your "dues." Not that this is bad, because when you do get OTR, the pay and benefits are good. Be aware that the first couple of years will be slim paychecks.

As a company driver - you NEVER pay for fuel out of your pocket, unless there is some really off-the-wall circumstance. Anyone who says otherwise is looking to take advantage of you. Best approach is your company sends you to pre-approved fuel stops, 100% on a COMDATA card. I've paid for fuel on a blind COMCHECK once, sent in a fuel PO request via qualcomm, and never had a question about it at Prime - didn't think I could make my next fuel stop without an extra 20 gallons in a vicious Kansas windstorm one night last winter.

Make sure the company you go with is good at covering on-road expenses such as weight tickets and tolls - those are out of pocket, just to keep the freight rolling. Toll booths don't take credit cards or checks. If you aren't seeing reimbursement on your next settlement, or have to fight for it, you're working for a #### company. JB Hunt and CR England come to mind here along with a host of others. Another thing is the condition of the equipment. Right now if you see a company pushing dirty equipment down the road, they are in financial trouble... because they don't have the cash to pay for equipment washes. That also means they will be going cheap on maintenance.

Best advice... go down to a local truckstop and talk to the drivers - be up front with them, and ask them how they are treated. The older heads are likely not to give you as much BS as the younger guys. Sapp Bros. off of Sand Creek Dr is a good place, or the Pilot on Steele St. Stay away from both TAs... they are dumps; more bums looking for lot lizards than serious drivers.

A plug... if you decide to go to a driving school, the SAGE Technial school over in Henderson off of I76 at the 96th Ave exit is a good place to go. One-on-one instruction in on-road driving. That US Trucking School (or whatever they call themselves) in Wheatridge/Arvada is a crock - 3 to 5 guys in a truck, worst driver gets all the time. The International trucking school place wayyy out on I76 is to be avoided at all costs... its a scam, and I really don't know why they haven't been shutdown yet.

awesome, thank you very much this is exactly the kind of info i was hoping to get

good to know some reasons behind why so many people say negative things about the big companies, i have looked into prime on their site and it looks like a good place for me to start, luckily i still have almost a year of researching before i do take the leap and get into the trucking business

also would you recommend going to just a driving school like sage, or would getting company sponsored training be better? Whats the pros/cons of driving school vs a company academy?

Again thanks a lot for all the info guys its much appreciated

Your plan is a sound. If you pay for your school then you are obligated to no one. I would go with a privet school such as U.S. Trucking school. Then hire on with some one. As far as which one there all pretty much the same. Swift, C.R. England, Prime, whatever. Companies that train are all driver mills and one driver is the same as another. You do 1-2 years with them and then move on.

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I have one last question, what is the drug testing like as far as getting hired and then once hired?

Im assuming they give randoms once hired, my main question is do they only do UA's or do they do hair tests as well?