New driver reefer questions.

Ues you can hear the reefer turn on and off in the sleeper you get used to it. Check put Tyson Foods if you haven't already.

 

Consider this....

If you later try reefer duty, as a new driver -- & decide/realize you don't like the world of reefer -- then what?

You will then be looking for another carrier/job.

Instead -- why not start out with a carrier that hires/trains rookies -- but also offers different types of freight? If you try reefer with them -- you can simply pivot to another type of freight -- without all the incredible hassles of changing/finding another driving carrier.

Have you looked at Swift Transportation?

Swift Transportation

Swift offers:

• dry van
• reefer
• intermodal
• flatbed

With them -- you could much better/easier duck the "job hopper" bullet.

Think about it.....

-- L

 

If you simply try reefer work....at one of the reefer fleets....& later decide you don't like it....& then get out of trucking altogether -- how sad is that?

One of the advantages that a CDL offers is the many varied opportunities that are then made available to you.

If....later on....you decide "reefer sux"...don't be shy about trying out dry van (mostly drop-n-hook)...or intermodal (very steady work, very little waiting -- if any -- for loads; mostly drop-n-hook)...or even flatbed.

If you later leave your first trucking carrier with experience pulling multiple types of trailers -- & your competition has only done (say) reefer -- who do you think your next employer is more likely to hire (all else being equal)?



-- L

 

I could be wrong, but I think May has terminals in Florida and Georgia so that means there's a presence in the east. I don't think you can go wrong either way because if they're willing to hire you, that means they can get you home. They have freight un the area. You could look at Dot Transportation or KLLM if you're wanting something where the headquarters are on the eastern half of the country. I'm a reefer driver and I very much enjoy it. Sometimes when the reefer is on cycle, I hear it come on. I love when it's on continuous. I get tremendous sleep when it stays running. Now if the load is supposed to be on continuous and it suddenly cuts off, youll see me hop out of bed like someone broke in my house lol. For your first, year, you'll most likely have to take what you can get. The first year is mostly dedicated to getting your feet wet, and then you will have more options after you get a year in. Also, it's a big time freight recession so that explains the trouble you have in finding work right out of the gate. The companies taking students have greatly diminished over the last few years. You could look at the aforementioned Swift Refrigerated, Prime Inc, or Werner Temp Control if you're dead set on reefer.

 

I pulled reefers for 18 years OTR and no complaints. I liked it and made good money or wouldn't have stayed so long.
I'd go with May or Freymiller.
One thing about reefers is, you'll always have work. Food and medicine have to keep moving even during a recession.
Also, if for some reason, you unload somewhere and your dispatcher doesn't have a reefer load available for a few hours, he can give you a dry van load to haul. I've done that many times and kept the wheels turning.

 

As @bryan21384 posted, May has terminals and drop yards all over the country.

 

Once you get longhaul runs coast to coast in your blood. You will never be able to work regional. Just my experience.

 

You are so right about that.

 

Here's a map of May Trucking facilities. Doesn't include drop yards all over the country.
Don't worry, when it's time for home time, you'll be routed home.
Found this map on the May website: Recruitment Campaign – Truck Drivers | May Trucking Company