Which companies are the best

Well to be honest with you man everyone has to start somewhere I recommend schneider there training program is the best I can vouch for that personally...lets just say before I came to schneider I couldn't back for crap. But now I can back in any hole I want and get this It doesn't take me no more than 2 pull ups ever!!!!. As for what to look for stay away from JB Hunt. They are terrible people and they lie. All I can say is go with schneider get your 2 years experiance and look for a small mom and pop company. I'm going to work for Q Carriers on Monday.

 

you are asking the million dollar question my friend, that so many of us have asked in our heads a thousand times. all i can say is do your research, try to talk to a driver of the company your interested in. go to a truck stop close to home to do that. use this forum, but use caution as well. patience and tolerance are key traits to have in this industry.
good luck

 

i never went to a truck driving school, learned from my old man. ex-marine at that, might have been treated better at the hanoi hilton. so, i can't help you out with the school issue but,knowing what i know now. work for a company that is only running about 100 or so trucks. companies like that are usually big enough to offer pretty good benefits but small enough to know your name. also, try to work for one that has a terminal within 2 hours of your home. now, the best piece of advice i can give you is get yourself into a tanker job. you won't be able to do it at first, you'll probably have to spend a couple years with a dry box or something first, but i'd work my way in to it. i don't know it for fact, but i've heard schnieder has a pretty good training program and they have a tanker division. good luck

 

Click on the good trucking companies link at the home page of this web site. Those are a few good options. But every company has a different experince for each driver, and it also depends on what type of person you are. I work for USA truck and I here guys complain all of the time about not getting miles and not getting paid for this and that. I have had my issues, but never have I not got paid right or sat somewhere too long without being properly paid. Basically as I tell everyone, read my signature. so true. so true. companies don't give a #### about you sitting up. They will let you become a department store manicin if you keep being patient with them. Good luck on your search bro!

 

Two of the best companies I've driven for were Maverick and ATS. I've had no bad experiences with either and they both are pretty straight up.

 

Some tips for determining what is a good company.

1. Pays Actual miles as in hub miles (usually union pays this). Next best is PC MILER practical miles.
2. Decent late model equipment preferably 1 to 3 years old. Some companies will keep trucks longer but know the older the truck is the more breakdowns it will have.
3. Benefits. Should include Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life, Direct deposit, 401k or profit sharing,
4. Accessorial pay. Such as multi stop pay (pay for EVERY stop is best), congestion pay, detention pay, loading, unloading, (authorized lumpers best).
5. Additional perks. Assigned truck, paid sick days, personal days, holidays, vacation, safety bonuses.
6. Payscale should be above .40 cpm.

If you find companies offering the above you will most likely be looking at Union jobs, or private carriers such as Frito Lay, Sherwin Williams, Walmart, Or Precision motor Group.

Each driver will have to decide for himself what he is willing to work for. The large companies are fine for cutting your teeth but there are MUCH better outfits out there available once you have some experience under your belt.

 

Good advice right there. I work for a company with about 200 trucks give or take also live less than an hour from the main terminal. Big enough to have a good mix of drop and hook with the live loads plus pretty good benefits. Small enough to answer the phone when it rings, not put you on hold, know who you are when you first open your mouth, and will work with you when you need time off as long as you know how to communicate effectively (and professionally). Plus, you would be surprised, some of these smaller companies will train newbs and reimburse for schooling..

 

thank you

 

I think newbies can scratch Wal Mart and probably Frito Lay off the list. Most experienced drivers need not apply either they are picky.