New Driver looking for advice on what to ask the "new" company and what to look for..

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by GiddionKane, Dec 25, 2014.

  1. GiddionKane

    GiddionKane Bobtail Member

    14
    7
    Dec 25, 2014
    Carthage, New York
    0
    And of course what to run away from. My friend and I Graduated Trucking school in November, and are looking for a career as team drivers ( or at this point solo, I need a check) We originally looked at H.O.Wolding but after the initial orientation and difficulty getting a hold of trainers i got that bad feeling in my stomach that said bad deal. not to mention the one guy we know that started 3 weeks ago and has been broken down for 2 of those weeks. Is it like that with most company's? Our next choice is U.S.Xpress and I've looked into Roehl, and a few other companies. My questions are what do I need to look out for( I know not to believe anything at face value) what is an average pay rate for starters? what things do i look out for? small trucks, poor dispatches? short runs? my father used to drive and I've listened to many other truckers over the years, but any advise any stories anything at all will help me to drive on and make better choices...I hope.
     
    pattyj and Chinatown Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,039
    142,319
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Stay away from regional runs and look for coast to coast running for teams. Your first company probably won't be the one you retire from, so don't be too caught up in that. The most important question, in my opinion, is, do teams run coast to coast. Those long runs are money makers for teams because you get paid while driving or sleeping.

    US Express has a good reputation for teams and good paychecks.
    Pride Transport - offers dedicated coast-to-coast team freight to keep your driving team moving and earning. Start your team off right with a $3,000 sign-on bonus and up to 47¢ per mile.
    [​IMG]

    Covenant Transport teams with hazmat endorsement make good money.
    Decker Truck Line
    Abilene Motor Express-good coast to coast, but don't know if they hire in your area. Worth a phone call.

    Don't over think this too much. Right now just pick a company and get moving making money. In 6-12 months you can decide if you need to make a change or not.
     
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2014
    Wade68, Puppage, ethos and 2 others Thank this.
  4. GenericUserName

    GenericUserName Road Train Member

    1,543
    13,065
    May 17, 2014
    Santa Monica, CA
    0
    ^worse advice ever. Team driving is top 6-8000 miles a week (divided by 2) and solo 3-4000 miles. Its the same amount of money i did otr coast to coast team and solo. The only difference is there is someone else in the truck that you'll probably want to murder in a week or so.
     
  5. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

    4,564
    5,952
    Dec 10, 2014
    0
    In my earlier years, at one company I worked at, and me as a newbie then, I offered to rip out the arm of my co-driver, a guy younger than me, and club him to death, and I meant it. I was told not to touch him. When we got to "The Fort" in Fort Wayne, IN, he was transferred to a truck and trainer in St. Louis, and I got the truck and went onto my next load.

    Funny how you get what you want, the company to listen, when you offer to rip out someone's arm...
     
    GiddionKane and Chinatown Thank this.
  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,039
    142,319
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    I advised him based on his question; he wants to team with his friend.
    He didn't ask for opinions on solo driving.
     
    flood, slim shady, G.Anthony and 3 others Thank this.
  7. GiddionKane

    GiddionKane Bobtail Member

    14
    7
    Dec 25, 2014
    Carthage, New York
    0
    thanks i appreciate the advice, and my co-driver has been with me for 4 months now ...there are times when i think he will look good with one arm but for the most part he's ok.:biggrin_25520:
     
    G.Anthony, Chinatown and Lepton1 Thank this.
  8. GenericUserName

    GenericUserName Road Train Member

    1,543
    13,065
    May 17, 2014
    Santa Monica, CA
    0
    Yeah trucking companies have done a good job brainwashing students into thinking teaming is in their best interest.
     
    Wade68, bigdogpile and Moon_beam Thank this.
  9. PowderBlue

    PowderBlue Light Load Member

    236
    94
    Dec 18, 2012
    Clarksville TN
    0
    Not enough CPM in the world to breath someones elses trucker farts...
     
    G.Anthony and Dinomite Thank this.
  10. Getsinyourblood

    Getsinyourblood Road Train Member

    1,248
    1,707
    Jul 5, 2014
    Retired. North Texas
    0
    I think running team with a friend sounds like a pretty good plan right out of school. Tell the potential employer, you and your buddy want to skip the trainer thing and start running team together immediately. Just see what they say. Good luck.
     
  11. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    A few of the companies mentioned will not even look at you until you get 1 years experience , may as well just do a GOOGLE search on TEAM DRIVING JOBS in what ever area your in likely get the same vague info
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.