Schneider Or Prime???

Hello:

Your sister spends 70+ hours per week! I have to tip my hat to your sister because she really works hard. So when she says she has a headache respect her because her job is really hard. As teachers we spend quite a lot of time with the kids. We have to make sure that all 35 students in our classes get the best education we can offer them. We also have to make sure that they get the necessary supplies (ie. books, materials, multi-media et.) that we can utilize to make learning fun. We also have to keep in touch with the school based support teams to make sure that some kids are getting the extra services that they can get if they have speech difficulties, or have problems that we can't help them solve. Such as personal problems and emotional issues. Life can be difficult and rewarding at the very same time.
However, there are those hours that are unpaid. The reason why I tell you that is due to the fact that when school hours are over, lets say for arguements sake "3:00 pm," you don't get paid for any work done after that unless you are working in an afterschool program, which for most schools could be from 2 -- 4 hours in length. That'll bring about $2K extra a year depending on the school, and state that you live in. So it's not much but still something.
Personally, when I was teaching I used to ask for all of the vacancies per day, which is when a teacher was absent, I would use up all of my free time to teach a class. Whether, it was Math, Social Studies, Science et. If it was Spanish or Chinese, I just gave the kids a activity to do. This way I was making extra money a week. I would even give up my lunch periods to make extra money. So as you can imagine it was difficult. I dealth with close to 150 to 200 students a day. By the time the day was over I was dead tired and had a huge headache. I used to say that I felt like I was balancing a bus on my head.
As far as after 3pm and if your not teaching after school, you usually do extra work, like marking papers, setting up your room, organizing activities for the week, setting up the school play et. You don't get paid for those hours. I tried to tutor but you are not allowed under NY state law to tutor your own students. You are not allowed to be alone with a kid let alone try to help him/her with their grades. I always had another teacher with me or a school employee, which was usually in the school cafeteria or library. I never sat alone with any students. That would mean your head on a plate!!! So imagine that is and for other reasons why I decided to leave teaching for a new career in trucking.
I know that trucking is difficult and that is why I do so much research on companies to see where I can find at least a decent outfit to work for. I have looked at KLLM, Millis Transfer, Scheider National, Crete, Maverick, TMC, McLeod, Interstate, and Prime to name a few. Some companies like CRST, Covenant and Swift have contacted me as well. I just want to find a decent job. I don't want to get lied to because I know that no company out there is perfect but they still will blow smoke up your #@$ to get you to join them. Then they can hold that school payment over your head to make sure that you stick with them. Its like choosing two doors..###### if you do and ###### if you don't!!!
Does someone here know of a good company to give a start with. I want to start strong, learn what I need to learn and move on if I have to. Personally, I want to stay with a company for a long period of time and if I need to move on I will, or buy a truck and start my own business. Who knows? I hope it is possible. I filled out an application from Central Refrigerated, and have been accepted. All I have to do is take my NY state CDL permit exam. Once that's done I can start work on September 5th. I applied with KLLM but I don't know if they hire up here. Does anyone know about CFI? Are they really bought by Conway? If so how does the move affect CFI? Will the pay and benefits be better? How about Interstate? Are they a good outfit?
I need the information soon because I need to make the decision this week. I also have the Prime recruiters after me too. Their system seems nice but their pay structure is difficult to understand? 6 months and you make so much? Makes no sense to me! Anyone have any advice to offer me, good advice that will help me make the final decision and my feet on the road to success. Thanks again for all of your help.

John

 

Hello:

I worked a 40 hour work week. Either way the pay still stinks. Let me ask you something? How much money as a starting driver lets say starting either with .28 cpm or .30 cpm make in his first year of driving? Also does the pay increase each year? How does the other bonuses average into it. For example, layover bonus, fuel bonus program, safety bonus plan, mileage incentive bonus, on time delivery bonus, to name a few. How do they increase your pay and it is different from company to company? Will I make more money working in trucking than in teaching? How many hours do you work in one day? Is there a 10 hour rule for all companies? How many mph can a truck legally drive on the highway? What are the differences from state to state? What do you think of Watkins and Shepard, Prime Trucking, Millis Transfer and Central Refrigerated? One more thing, I know this makes no sense, but what kind of truck is best to drive and why? Thanks again.

John

 

Hello:

I would have written you earlier but I had just witnessed a horrible motorcyle accident in front of my house this evening. Two boys were travelling very fast on a suzuki sport bike and they hit a bus head on. When I got there all I saw was so much blood and broken bones. One boy was unconscious while the other was screaming in pain. I thought the one that was unconscious was dead because the left side of his face was gone. Fortunately he is still alive but in critical condition. Thank God!
I was really scared for this guy and his family. I am not even related to him but I felt that way and it took me a long time to get over it. I guess I am just human. The police just finished investigating the incident, and were there for 5 hours. Now they are pulling out and taking the motorcycle with them. I have seen many motorcycle accidents in front of my house but none like this one. My corner is pretty tricky and unfortunately many accidents occur there. I am waiting for my local government to put either a four way stop sign or a light, which will deter speeding.
So as far as trucking I am trying to find information on PGT. They seem good but I would like to see some reports on them. I looked on this site but I have found nothing on them. Just google pgt and tell me what you think of their website. As far as I know they do flatbedding only and drive International conventionals 9400s. I don't know anything about trucks but their website seems promising. However, I don't know if they are actually speaking the truth about what they offer but it seems nice for someone new like me. In other words, I can be fooled like the next guy, especially since i have no experience whatsover.
I will take your advice and look for the wiseone and see where I can get these reports and links. I need to find something good before I actually join up with any company. The first year is always tough, and I am sure flatbedding is not going to be easy, but I am looking for a challenge and possibly higher pay. I have tried to apply to Maverick but they wanted W2 forms for my 1 year in real estate. They are tough on new people. I like their company because of their reputation in the industry and the quality of training they were offering. However, I could not make the cut. It is hard to obtain W2 forms in that job because it was 100% commission and I worked both part-time and full-time. It is a really tough job and you need to be a hustler/liar to work in that job. Some people say they bend the truth, trust me most of them (not all of them) are liars. My ex boss is a crook plain and simple!
I was a victim of identity theft while working there. I remember when I looked him straight in the eye and he denied it to the end that he did not steal my social security number to get a credit card. Well the police took care of that problem. He even stole several of my deals. I was always wondering why my clients would not take an apartment or buy a condo that they put an offer on? I found out later on from the main broker that he was fired because of stealing deals and money from the company. Surprisingly he still works for a real estate company. Apparently, the realtor who took him on told me that he needs sharks like him because he can get things done. Again thank you and have a nice evening.

John