Choices choices choices!!!!

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by Rollin_18, Mar 26, 2013.

  1. Rollin_18

    Rollin_18 Light Load Member

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    Most of you may know I recently graduated from Roadmaster in Columbus Ohio and ran into to some problems due to my MVR (nobody to blame but myself). But I'm now taking this time to research companies to make my starting a company a company that I can possible be with for a long time. So far I have 4 companies that I'm sticking with and probably adding anymore to it due to the fax that I don't want to make this harder. The companies are Melton, Stevens, Prime, and Valley. With that being said does anybody know anything about these companies? (I know a lot of you are going to say to read on the threads and blah blah blah, I know that and I'm going to read but not all of the stuff, 10 pages is my max unless its real good). But to make it easier on myself I have picked two that I'm really set on now and that's Melton and Stevens (prime was but after reading I found that if you say you are going company they would POSSIBLY give you a date to come back). Any info would be nice. Thanks ahead of time
     
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  3. sharp.dressed.man

    sharp.dressed.man Heavy Load Member

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    All I can tell you is that all starter companies are going to take their due, it's nothing personal, just business. The best advice I can give you is to find the company that is going to compensate you the best financially and personally for the price you are going to pay to build experience.

    If regular home time is important to you then you either need to go flatbed or get on a dedicated/regional run. If home time is not a major consideration for you at this time then Prime or Stevens both have fairly extensive training programs and good equipment.
     
  4. Corporal_Clegg

    Corporal_Clegg Road Train Member

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    They are all OK choices. What matters most is which company fits your needs best. I may absolutely love company "A" and you may hate them, or vice versa.

    First hand I can say that Stevens is a very good training company. I am a trainer there myself. Went through the school, was a lease operator and now Im an Owner Op. I will say that MOST put in their 1 year (if they make it that far) and then leave for greener pastures, but some of us find a niche here and do very well.

    If you have any specific questions about Stevens Ill do my best to answer them for you.
     
  5. Rollin_18

    Rollin_18 Light Load Member

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    Thanks. I like them all too an from what I found so far they are all good. I know hometime at Stevens and Prime is pretty much the same. Valley home weekly (which is cool but I'm not looking for that right now, I want to see the country). My main thing that I don't like about Stevens is you can't park your truck at home, or can they work something out. However I do have a couple questions about Stevens since they are number one on my list now. Do they stress the lease thing with alliance? I don't mind leasing just want to get sometime under my belt before I do so and not have to hope to still get the job. How are they on moving voilations? Currently I have 4 which is why I'm waiting but in November ill have 3 and ill be 22, really hope they take me with 3 cause the trucks they have are the #### lol one last questions is do all trucks have APUs and I hope there is no autos. How has your time been at Stevens? (Probably a stupid question to ask since you said you was a company/lease/owner op lol). And do you get pretty long hauls? (School recruiter said average length of haul is 1500-1600 a trip). Last question cause I think I got carried away, does the training there offer a refresher cause ill probably have to get one since I graduated in feb of this year and won't have any drive time til then.
     
  6. critters

    critters <b>Late For Dinner</b>

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    Melton has nice equipment as does prime,but like stated above,it's what is the best fit for you
     
  7. The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    I would add HO Wolding to the list if they will accept you. Good luck in whichever company you choose.
     
  8. SHOJim

    SHOJim Road Train Member

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    Good luck Rollin whoever you go with!
     
    Rollin_18 Thanks this.
  9. Rollin_18

    Rollin_18 Light Load Member

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    Yea they all have nice equipment, just I don't like freight shakers. I'm not sure if Melton would have a class to take a refresher if I need one or if they would pay(paying for a refresher if I need one is really going to be my main selling point cause I already paid for school and don't plan on paying for a refresher)
     
  10. Rollin_18

    Rollin_18 Light Load Member

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    Thanks jmorgn lol I'm a switching man it seems, but these for a my top picks lol I'm going to look at HO wolding now. I think I'm just bored as hell and tired of waiting so I keep thinking and thinking about different companies, which could be good cause i won't limit myself like I was going to do at first and go with USX, I don't think I would liked it there.
     
  11. Corporal_Clegg

    Corporal_Clegg Road Train Member

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    They dont stress it, but they will call you like once a month and ask lol. Its no big deal, just say no if your not ready.
    I dont know about the moving violations, need to ask a recruiter that.
    Yes, entire fleet of KWs, Petes and Freightshakers have APUs
    No Autos, its all 8 speed manuals.
    My time has been great for sure.

    We do have some nice long hauls, but have short ones to. They range from 400 miles to 3300 miles. That number (1500-1600) is the avg for the entire fleet though, and the longest hauls go to the Trainer Teams. As a solo you can expect to get some 2000 mile runs, but you will also see plenty of 600 - 800 mile runs as well. But what matters is what you end up with at the end of the week. As a new driver fresh out onm your own you can expect to run 2200 - 2300 a week until you prove yourself that you can trip plan, run safe and legal, as well as deliver on time. Do all that and the miles will come. typically a good solo can avg 2800 - 2900 miles a week.
     
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