Just wondering, I was reading about all the company's drivers say are bad too work for. Is there any that are good to work for? Doesn't seem like it after reading all the negativity.

There are many companies that are worth working for, but you may need some experience or a contact to land a job with 'em. I know in Salt Lake, there are two kinds of companies: Those that always advertise and those that never advertise. Those that advertise make it easy to find a job, and drivers may believe those jobs are the only ones available. Perceptions, perceptions. But we're smarter than that here, or at least I hope we are. Anything that is "easy" to get usually isn't something that is worth having. Am I wrong?

Today, if I MYSELF were looking for a company, I'd first look in the newspaper at the help-wanted ads. This would give me a base-line list of companies I wouldn't work for under any circumstances. After compiling my list, I'd put the paper down and pick up the phone book yellow pages and turn to the "trucking companies" section. I'd mark off all the bad apples I found in the newspaper and then would have a good selection to start my search. I'd then start searching and making phone calls.

I know in Salt Lake, only about 25% of the trucking companies in that locality advertise in papers. I also know the yellow pages have about two full pages of trucking companies listed. It may be 3. It's been a while, understand.

So....two (maybe three) full pages minus the bad apples from the newspaper in one locality. It's probably similar to this in other localities as well. Yeah, there are some good outfits out there if you look for 'em. Just don't believe the only driving jobs on earth that are available to you are those that are advertised. Again, going the "easy" route will get you something that isn't worth having, at least over the long run. Bypass the "easy" and head straight for the difficult when looking for trucking jobs. Never rely on the help-wanted ads for your jobs. Those are the jobs you DON'T want.

__________________
--Paved Dudley--

Yeah I drive a Swift truck
And that means one thing
It means she's slow
It's a typical company truck
It's just all show and no go

I'm gettin' passed by Yella
And even Overnite
I'm gettin' passed by ever' body in sight
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight

No, my hometown's nowhere in sight
And if you think I'm pissed off
You're right
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight


Love pissing off those trucking company insiders.

Anything I read on any internet forum is taken with a grain of salt.

I believe very little of what someone posts if their post is nothing but negativity and complaints about Company XYZ. Why? Because companies don't stay in business for decades, don't have revenues in the billions, and don't employ thousands of people by doing everything wrong.

You must read between the lines. Someone gets fired for any number of reasons and comes here to post only their slanted side of the story. You probably won't hear the real reason...like too many tickets, poor performance, they lied on their application, etc. No. It's always the company's fault. And those posts usually end with, "Don't work for this company!!"

There are many happy truckers driving for all of the companies that have been bashed on this forum.

This advise is always TRUE. Grain of salt.

Drug dealers take time to catch. Why? Because they don't always show their hand to law enforcement. Does this make them good? Or just smart business men. Apply the same to trucking companies.

Very good points there. But what about the guys like me. I promote my former company to "newbies" and "students". But advise experienced drivers to stay away from them. Both bits of advise are for good reason.

You'll note I get "nailed" by current employees of that company often. They complain that all I do is post negatively. Which just proves they only read the negative. They like to use their own forum to promote and receive recruitment bonuses. And they attack anyone who post a negative, as just being lazy, non-productive, or a liar.

This is very true of EVERY company out there. Choosing a job in trucking, is like choosing a spouse. If you can't get along, then the divorce is next. And we all know how ugly a divorce can get.

The differance... A driver may cost a company 5-10 new drivers. But a company may cost a driver his entire future and everything he owns.
Don't sell an angry driver short. And don't rush to judgement because he is angry at his former/current company.

To the original poster: There are many great companies out here. And you will hear horror stories about every one of them. Sort through the BS then choose wisely.

__________________
.
Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

Actually I do have a good driving job, run for a owner operator for Fed Ex Ground, yes pulling wiggle wagons. I could not ask for a better person to work for. I drove team with my husband for years been doing this for the last 5 years running solo. The reason I had asked the question was for 2 things. As my husband would say I was just being a smart ### because there is so much whining and crying of drivers out there, and two the real reason our daughter will be in college soon and just wanted opinions on the different company's as we plan on returning to the road, we plan on buying a truck and will lease it somewhere. I guess I posted that question was because of all the negativity it is hard to get a objective opinion because of disgruntled employees

almost every company is going to have there down falls, but some are worse

Theres lots of good jobs out there you just have to go out and look. And use all the resources available to you, internet, newspapers, publications, pounding the pavement

All true. However, if I see only a little negative feedback from drivers at any given company I don't already know about, I'll perk up my ears. This is because after a little while, I'll see more of the same. This is as sure a thing as the sun coming up.

As far as the companies I'm already familiar with, well....I'll just say "ignore the herd at your own risk". It is often said that only an idiot persists in his own error. The key to being smart, though, is to not persist in someone else's error. If you see a monkey stick his fingers in a fan and get 'em hacked off, are you gonna stick your finger in there?

It's all probability and personal preference, this 'going to work for such-and-such a company'. Some drivers today will go to any company you can name and be fine, no matter how many drivers quit those companies last week. But I prefer those outfits that can keep last week's drivers. I'll stick with those companies that offer me the greatest probability for future prospects. I like keeping my fingers.

__________________
--Paved Dudley--

Yeah I drive a Swift truck
And that means one thing
It means she's slow
It's a typical company truck
It's just all show and no go

I'm gettin' passed by Yella
And even Overnite
I'm gettin' passed by ever' body in sight
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight

No, my hometown's nowhere in sight
And if you think I'm pissed off
You're right
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight


Love pissing off those trucking company insiders.

I agree with Tip. My current job and my last job weren't advertised at all. I just stumbled upon them basically by accident. They both have been good jobs. Except for my being laid off from my last one. It's all been good. Keep in mind though that most companies (not all) with a low turnover rate do have higher standards when looking for employees, so a clean record is a must. And you may be subject to layoff at some of these jobs if things get slow.

__________________
I transmit, therefore I am.

since your in my neck of the woods, i have to say yes there is a few good companies out there that actually care. my company is small but it is the best one i have ever worked for. i am located just south of Pittsburgh.


GO STEELERS...........