guys, facts of the matter are that the best jobs--no matter if they are in trucking or otherwise DONT advertise--they dont have to--they know that their drivers will spread the word. The first place that I drove at NEVER bought advertisement, although they did recruit at a few select schools, but they never advertised--they had an excellent training program and they were essentially a mom-and-pop outfit with about 300 trucks and about 50 O/Os.

The places that advertise everywhere like Swift, Werner, Schneider, CRST, ect. do so because they have to. They have more drivers leaving them, than they can hire to replace them and because of this they dont really care how they treat you because they dont expect you to stay around long. They publish employee newsletters that tell you all about the hundreds of drivers that have been there 20,30 or more years but your chances of ever meeting any of them are very slim. You ever wonder why?

Bingo! You get it. With a site like this that has so many members, Why can't others see it? I mean, the companies basically come out and tell you that we are a bad company. It's all right there for you to read. They even print it in english with simple words, big titles and pictures. In fact, you can read the 1000's of posts on here regarding bad companies. Hello?????

Is the american trucker that dumb, dense or just a little thick? Maybe what we need to do is roll up one of these truck stop magazines and whack them along there head a few times. Do you think that would help make it sink in? You're right, it won't. We can only try though. Right?

bduke,

Thanks for trying to revive this thread. Please stop wasting your time. I hate to tell you this but it appears that it is all in vain. Just look at all of the posts for bad companies. Look at some of the new companies posted on there. Look at all of the repeat customers. They just keep coming and coming. I don't think this industry is going to change. Those "bad" companies are right there for all to see yet people keep going there. They have no one to blame but themselves.

I am happy that you found a good employer. Stay with them. They are obviously doing the right thing. I wish I could say the same for the rest of them.

Drive safe

New drivers need to start somewhere, thats why the big carriers can pay so little... I used Swift as my training ground then moved on, there is nothing wrong with that. Swift got what they wanted and I got what I wanted... And to defend the big companies, they all seem to be succesfull, and they all have drivers for them that have been with them for years...

I can understand the urge to jump on a bad co as a life preserver when you HAVE to get to work, but understand that you're in denial when you do so. I know I'll be faced with the same temptation as I progress. I only have 3.5 months of employment this year and no, I have not been picky where I applied.
I drove down the highway yesterday in the San Bernadino area writing down company names on warehouses and phone numbers from drivers wanted signs.
I really want to make a good decision when I hire on, not fueled by desperation.

With little experience, its hard to pick and choose. Once you get the experience, then write down what you need/want from a trucking outfit and find the company that fits that. Some drivers want to be home weekly and others monthly, or likes running refers or dry van. Living in CA there are to many companies, and not enough freight for everybody.

I would like to personally thank you guys for posting your opinions on this topic, I'm a recent grad/student and will do a helluva alot more research before committing just do to this thread...Thanks Again....its not all in vain, really its not!! Some people may not get it but rest assured, there are a ton that do..

Thanks 074344 & bduke and other experienced guys who actually care about other drivers!

New drivers need to start somewhere, thats why the big carriers can pay so little... I used Swift as my training ground then moved on, there is nothing wrong with that. Swift got what they wanted and I got what I wanted... And to defend the big companies, they all seem to be succesfull, and they all have drivers for them that have been with them for years...

Many drivers have gone the easy way out and signed on with the likes of Swift and Werner and ended up owing money and having their DAC trashed for their efforts. These company's should be viewed as a last resort not a easy out to get in a truck. You just might be in worse shape then a newbie when they get done with you.

And these big outfits are successful because they exploit new drivers and get kickbacks for clearing out the unemployment and welfare lines.

My cousin is a Manic Depressive with Diabetes and a cutter to boot and Swift hired her even though she has never held a job for more then a few months in her life because of her Mental Illness. The motoring public would of truly been in danger if she had one of her episodes while behind the wheel of a big rig. Luckily her trainer at Swift was a pervert and she got out of his truck in NJ and the family paid for a plane ride home.

The other anternative is good luck trying to find a good paying OTR job then. Alot of newbies (I was one) expect top pay and coast to coast trips right from the start... I supose you can try a union outfit, but then your on the bottom of the grease pole trying to make a living for 1 or 2 years working on call or when somebody go's on vacation working the worst shifts. Good Luck

You mention diabetes and manic as a trucker, now imagine how many 4 wheelers are surounding us with that and other brain disorders that shouldnt be on our highways..?? As far as Swift go's, they will hire anybody they can, they have ALOT of trucks to fill, they even throw in illegals who cant read english. Sorry your relative went through that situation, now she probably thinks all truckers are like that.