Ok, so looking at this from a prospective new OTR drivers pov, there seems to be two levels in the OTR trucking industry. Those who have a year OTR can get on with a good company like Heartland, making .47 cents per mile and up. Those who don't get to work for lesser companies (you know who they are) and earn about .35 cpm or less. Unfortunately, I only have 1.5 years local hauls, so I fall in with the latter.

It seems to me that one has to earn their lumps before getting in with a good company and enjoying the gravy. Some of these companies I am hearing about like Swift (and this may be inexperience speaking here) seem to be getting a bad rap because of their driver's safety record. However, it is the driver who is responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle. It is not a companies fault if the driver is such a moron that he won't watch what he's doing and takes the front end off of someone's tractor. I have read over half so far of that long thread about which company is worst, and I must say that while I would not want to really go with Swift, much of what is said is (imho) subjective at best.

I want to work for Heartland. Everything I have read or heard from other drivers says they are a GOOD company. The pay seems great, they won't stick me with some a-hole I don't even know for three weeks at a time and the equipment looks to be first rate. They haven't even been appeared so far in the above-mentioned thread and I'm 25 pages into it. But I do not meet their requirements for that company, so it looks like I'm going to have to do my time in the trenches first.

On the other hand, I could run for President. The standards for that look to be pretty low right now...

Kevin

Go with somebody like Watkins Shepherd. If you don't meet their requirements they will put you in school and then send you on your way. No trainer required. I imagine you would fit in their 10 day school. If I recall right that one doesn't have any training pay, that might be a draw back for you.

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