3 Companies in 6 Months, over a Dozen Trucks Driven

I must have the worst luck in the world. I'm in quite a pickle and not sure what to do. My ultimate goal is to purchase a used truck and gain my own authority, possibly starting off with a mega carrier to understand the industry a little more before going out on my own. That goal was going to happen after I gain 1 year experience as a company driver.

So, here is the situation I'm in. I am currently in a motel room, and have spent more days in a motel than in a company truck. I started 5 days ago, assigned to a truck with engine issues. Then I was re-assigned to a another truck with an engine light on and no a/c (spent 18 hours+ in the truck 90+ degree weather, having to "sleep" in it 1 night). I drove the truck down to a new terminal, re-assigned to another that was sitting on the lot and drove it roughly 80 miles before it quit on me. It was towed back and I was re-assigned to yet another truck, with no a/c. So, let's recap. My first 4 days on the job, I was in 4 different trucks. I spent hours looking for one that worked, up to a dozen, and the only truck that worked was on the dry side (I'm refrigerated), and I was not allowed to use it. ------- I ultimately drove back in the original truck I left with and now am in a motel room wondering what went wrong in my life.

The last company I worked for, I experienced a similar issue. In the last 2 weeks, the beat up rental I was assigned to broke down on me twice, once towed in the middle of the night (got 2 hours of sleep). I was re-assigned to 3 other trucks, one of which was a day cab that had no jake break... ended up smoking the breaks 1,000 feet before a weigh station... almost quit but just took a week off hoping they would put me in a decent truck when I got back. Ended up with another rental truck with air leaks, nail in tire, etc. Ran with it, told them I'm done when and if I get back... luckily it barely held air pressure.

Please don't make this thread some sort of pissing contest. I have not quit this new company I'm with, because I've come to the conclusion there is nothing better out there and I just need to face these ridiculous hurdles in life if I want to make it.

With 6 months experience under my belt, will a broker take me? And am I able to finance a truck with $15,000 (savings) and no collateral?

OH, and my best friend is a heavy equipment diesel mechanic, and said he will help me make repairs to the truck.

 

I don't doubt you, the economy is on its last breath. My options are limited as I have already job hopped twice in 6 months. I'm afraid If I leave again, no other company will take me. I may just walk in tomorrow and demand a truck with less than 250,000 miles/2 years... willing to spend a month out of work until they find me one. Its funny I have to demand a truck with less than 250k/2years, because they advertise the average age of their fleet being 2 years or younger... all I'm experiencing are the 5 year, 400,000 mile trucks.

 

I believe this company has over 10,000 trucks. Its a pretty big company. If they advertise the average age of their trucks being 2 years, people are going to expect their oldest truck being 3 years old or 300,000 miles. First truck they assigned me to had almost 500,000 miles. They didn't have time for me to do a complete pre-trip, as it was the end of the day and everyone in the office wanted to go home. Later that night, I took the time to do a pre-trip and found a bunch of problems. Called them up telling them this and that and they said they'll talk to me tomorrow morning. The other issues on my first day: They assigned me an early delivery the next day with no empty trailers to hook up to in the yard (they forgot to check?)... and my e-log wasn't working... ended up being an hour late to my appointment. The shop suggested I just run with the truck, pick up the load and come back... later they told me to just drive to the next terminal on my way to the consignee. --- Me refusing to run with the truck would probably make a bad first impression, so I just did what they told me.

 

I'm in Idaho and I'm not sure if I want to go with Navajo Express. I really hate job hopping, the process of applying and going through orientation is a pain. I've been self-employed for quite some time and companies always have a problem with that. So, if they don't offer me what I want (<250,000 miles/2 years), then I'll just have to suck it up and start searching for yet another company to work for, and pray I don't go through the same experience.