Listed below are the top trucking companies in Alabama based on total number of trucks. If you’re starting your job search it’s a good idea to put in an application with one of these companies..
#1 AAA Cooper Transportation
AAA Cooper is by far the largest Alabama based trucking company, with over 2,100 trucks. They are primarily an LTL carrier, pulling both van and flatbed loads. Like most LTL carriers, the commodities being transported are classified as general freight, nothing too specialized here. They’ve been in operation since 1965 and have ~$500 million in annual revenue, which gives you a reassuring feeling about their job stability.
The FMCSA gives AAA Cooper a Satisfactory safety rating.
At the time of this article they did not publish driver salary and job benefits on their website.
Truck Drivers Say…
AAA Cooper hauls freight that by itself does not make a full truck load (similiar to UPS). They gather up what they can going from one place to another and load it together, then ship it “Line Haul” to that location, separate it and deliver it. They pay pretty good and once you get on full time its great, however to begin with you hire on “Part Time On Call” and they call you when they need you (and expect you to come running when they do). That did not work well for me. Between that and a 2 year waiting list in Dothan AL for a full time position meant I did not stay long, however if you get on full time you have a set schedule and it is great. I have a relative that gets up and drives from Dothan to Moblie and back Sunday thru Friday. He is home every night, and off Fri night thru sunday at abt noon.
To apply I had to print up a resume and take it to the office and meet with the manager there, (It helped to have a relative working there)
The part time on call thing did not work well for me. I would call in when I got up and if they did not need me I would find something to do around town. Usually 16 hrs later right as I am exausted they would call and want me to go to Mobile, Birmingham, ect. By then when I would drive it I had a problem staying awake to come home. This was the main problem I was having with it.
Website: http://www.aaacooper.com/
Phone: (800) 633-7571
#2 P&S Transportation
P&S has over 800 trucks, with an emphasis on heavy haul, so expect flatbeds and plenty of load securement.
Pay
- 27% of loads (Averaging between .44 to .46/ mile loaded and empty)
- Paid Weekly
Benefits
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical and Dental
- Life Insurance / $10,000 policy at no charge to the driver
- Home weekly
- Rider program available for qualified drivers / riders
- Vacation pay
- Direct Deposit
Truck Drivers Say…
Been in a company truck a little over two years.
I run out west mostly. Don’t get around the main yard, so things are good.
Other than a slow truck, no major complaints. Pay is good, health benefits could be better, it’s BCBS, so that says it all.On P&S Pay, it is percentage of load. Sometimes it really good, sometimes not so good. I know what I make, and its good, really good. Making more than 75K a year.
I have not turned down a lot of loads, when I have, it may be a few hours for the next load.
They do use peoplenet for dispatch. They also have E-logs on the system if you want it. Your choice.
Out on the road, almost all service is done by Dealer for any warranty work. T/A-Petro or Speedco for PM work.
Some work can be done at some of the terminals. Just depends on what needs to be done.I have never had any problems getting any requested repair work done, no matter where I was at the time. Slow sometimes, yes, then you have to get in line at the shop.
Home time. True you can get home almost every weekend, and sometimes during the week. All depends on where your running and what you have on the truck.
Yep still have some of the LJK and Mitchell equipment out in the world. It is going away as it gets sold off. Any really good stuff has been traded in on new stuff.
True, no 401K. They do have an IRA plan you can get in. I think it’s 6 months to sign on to that. Also have a number of extra insurance plans if you want.
On Vacation, not sure what they are starting now, I get 2 weeks at this time.
Truck speed……Well they are a bit slow….set to 63 or 64 MPH. Some trucks have APUs. Not a lot. they have been trying different ones to see how they hold up. So far no decision…..
Dispatch…It is what you make of it. For the most part the dispatch people are pretty good. I have a really good one. Takes good care of me, then I try to take good care of here too. Works both ways. I have heard some rumblings that the NJ people are a bit hard to work with. Don’t know if it’s true or not, never deal with them directly. If they are causing difficulty, it wont last long. Scott and Robbie will not take that well. specially if it causing drivers to leave.
Website: http://www.pstransportinc.com/employment/company.php
Phone: (866) 705-0100
#3 Boyd Bros Transportation
A flatbed company with 750+ trucks. They also accept students, so it’s a good way for new drivers to get into the higher paying field of flatbed, instead of dry van.
Pay & Benefits
- 24 Hours hometime every weekend in 80% of our hiring area. Take tractor home for hometime
- Pay by experience. Paid weekly. Stop-off pay, detention pay, vacation pay, and per-diem pay
- Sign-On Bonus (up to $1,500)
- All-conventional, late-model fleet. All assigned tractors.
- Rider program, paid flatbed training, and APU
Truck Drivers Say…
I did alot of research before I went to work at Boyd and while they had some things I didn’t like or agree with they kept me running and I never had any “real” problems out of them. The equipment isn’t bad and they made sure I had everything on the truck that I would need before I left the terminal. I had to get my apu fixed out on the road but not much down time.
Anyway, I guess the bottom line is that I would recommend them over the other flatbed companies. It can be pretty tough work. Your out in the weather, the tarps are heavy/cumbersome, you can get very dirty, & get frustrated pretty easy over your load. My wife went with me and she could never figure out why anyone would want to work flatbeds. I miss it and enjoyed it when I was out there. I’m pulling vans now, working local here in Texas but if Betty calls me back and offers the Tx regional I’ll go.
You’ll learn in the yard to tarp, strap, chain coils. Then you will go with a trainer for a week to get more flatbed experience. You can get more time if you dont feel comfortable. Great place to get flatbed experience. Once out on the road, most any other Boyd driver will help you out. Never met a better collection of drivers anywhere!!
Website: http://www.driveforboyd.com/
Phone: (800) 543-8923
#4 Wiley Sanders Truck Lines
Nearly 600 trucks running bulk and dry van. HazMat endorsements are required for some driving positions at Wiley Sanders.
Benefits
- Group health insurance partially funded by WSTL. Vision, Dental, Disability and Term life Insurance coverage is available
- 401K plan administered by TransAmerica Retirement Services
- One week paid vacation after one year of service/ two weeks after two years of service
- Longevity Bonus
- Annual and Quarterly Safety Rewards
Truck Drivers Say…
I have been driving with them for two years. Been good to me, hardly ever have to sit more than an hour or two between loads. Older equipment but fairly well maintained. Coming into the yard is kind of a pain as you will spend the entire day there. Absolutely no hassles on idle time and in the summer, I may have the truck running the entire three weeks I stay out other than at fueling. As they have a large lead smelter recycling batteries and a fairly large plastic recycling (KW Plastics), they run quite a bit of their own freight. They have two divisions, bulk and dry van.
Website: http://www.wileysanders.com/
#5 McElroy Truck Lines
Around 500 trucks pulling flatbed trailers. Another good company for new drivers looking to start flatbed careers, but they also have options for experienced drivers and owner operators.
Benefits
- We guarantee that you will be home every weekend
- You will be permanently assigned to a late model conventional tractor
- We are a family owned business, with high Christian morals and ethics
- All management has an open door policy to drivers
- Regional, local and OTR positions available
Truck Drivers Say…
Several folks have asked about the avg. amount of miles one might expect with MTL. Obviously, I can only speak about my own experiences with MTL, & that’s been my whole intention with this thread. All that said, here are the numbers after my first 7 weeks out solo (this week is not included in these numbers as it’s not over yet!)…
Total Miles For The 7 Weeks: 13,327
Average Miles Per Week: 1,903.8
Average Gross Pay Per Week: $ 881.68
Average Net Pay Per Week: $ 647.96MTL starts new drivers at 40 cents per mile, but if you were to simply multiply .40 x the number of miles, the numbers wouldn’t work out. That’s b/c we get minimum pay rates on various loads. Once those get figured in, my cents-per-mile rate actually goes up. Even though my “Base Rate Including Tarp Pay” (as it’s called) is 40cpm, over these first 7 weeks I actually averaged 46.7cpm. In fact, I had only one week in which I was paid only the 40cpm rate. All others were anywhere from 43 to 53cpm. Not too shabby. Oh, & if I were to maintain that $881.68 avg. for a year, even if I took 2 weeks off without pay), I’d make $44,084 gross for the year.
Website: http://www.mcelroytrucklines.com/
Phone: 800-992-7863
I just had a TERRIBLE experience with MTL….. I would not recommend this company to anyone looking to start a career in the trucking industry….take it from me they are not all that they say!!!!
Fleet managers and other non-driving personnel are incredibly rude, condescending, and incompetent. A “family run business with high christian values” translates into personal politics and favoritism with the ridiculous requirement that drivers wear pants and collared shirts even while tarping in dirt, mud, and high summer temps.
McElroy pay is excellent, a recent across the board raise should put brand new drivers at .46/mi and maxing out benefits (and therefore deductions) take home pay was always above $600 each week.
McElroy is a definite a get experience and drop company.
McElroy IS a good company to work for if you are single and can afford to live off of $500 gross pay per week for 2 months of “training”. I’ve been with other trucking companies and you are in a truck driving safely and making $1,000.00+ gross pay per week in less than a month and still be a safe driver.