They all suck!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't take offense, I merely stated that if a person is unhappy here, that person should leave. Maybe they would be happier somewhere else.
And I would believe that you're right about the tradeoffs.

 

Luvtheroad, so what do you plan on doing after your CDL?

Have you decided on any companies that you want to go on with?

 

Hmmm... What am I going to do with my CDL. At the rate the industry is moving, I'll frame it and hang it on the wall. LOL
Crete was my first pick of co's along with some of the mid to smaller ones. Do you have any suggestions? I am open to most anything.

Thanks for asking!

 

You could do a lot worse then Crete but being from Ohio I would stick with a carrier in your area or one that at least has a terminal close to where you live. Then you can go down and see what they pay and don't pay for and talk to the drivers. You can get better info from a company in person, then you can from a recruiter on the Internet in most cases.

 

Very, very good advice Blue... I won't use the recruiter unless I have to and will never again do the internet thing that does the blanket applications. If at all possible, I am a firm believer that in person is the best way to do business. Having worked in transportation for many years in this area, I'm familiar with most of the companies.
Crete was the first choice as I put in the previous post but I won't stop looking if they don't take me.
For start up in my "new" career in the industry I've been in forever, I wouldn't mind being a linehaul driver, regional, shag, or whatever. One thing about being any of those, except for linehaul, my backing and manouvering skills will become pretty good. That's one reason I wouldn't mind any of those. I do not want to be the one that takes thirty pullups while a dozen other drivers are waiting to get into their spots LOL. Now, this type of experience is good for anyone, but if I do those driving jobs, will I be able to get an OTR job when the economy picks up?
I won't work for "free" but I don't want to sit and let my CDL get "stale" as I have no intention of paying for the so called refresher course. I paid cold hard cash for school, I couldn't get free schooling since I wasn't a "displaced worker".
I know that I have to pay my dues for at least the first year no matter what I wind up doing and I'm really realistic about that. The more I do, the better I'll be.
I am open to any and all advice and I thank all of you who take the time to advise me of anything you think might help me.
Thanks Blue.

 

1pissedoffdriver is right and those of you who continue to defend the companies are the living in a bubble. So I suggest that you pull into the next truck stop and ask any mexican driver to pinch you and maybe you will wake up. There is a huge difference between making a profit and exploiting your work force.

 

Is stating fact "defending" a company? Because if it is there will always be many, including myself who will continue to do that.
Why just a Mexican driver? They arent the only drivers at the truck stops there are a lot of other nationalities driving too. Maybe we should ban the Irish drivers or how about banning drivers who are Swedish? Would that make you happy? How about telling us what your credentials are? It shows that you are a "wannabe". What have you done in this industry to make you such an expert?

 

Are you Mexican, or Mexican't... What a great Movie line !!

I got some great news... I'm employed !!

Good night !

 

Blue: good point except that there are drivers, and dispatchers, and not all the same experiences. My brother in law actually recommended I go thru SWIFT training..but he quit them in 3 months after beating the hell out of his mentor (he's an ex-cop and the guy was actually SMACKING his hand on the steering wheel!) and went to JB for a while, bought his own truck and quit JB due to their crapola, and now runs independent.
So, even guys with bad experiences can advise you to go with someone, because it's all they know. I'd say talk to more than ONE driver with a company if one can.

 

I am an American and no I am not Mexican LOL Who cares. I figured that would light some fires...

Yup you could probably sell that line