Advice! What's the best company out of...

Chinatown · Dec 26, 2019

Moose1958 said: ↑

I agree with your comment.

@picklerick I would also add this to it.

During that first year try to avoid your fellow company drivers while in a terminal when they spend all their time putting the company down. The largest part of their comments are hyperbole and they are peeved because they are stuck there.
Click to expand...

I've talked to dozens of drivers that stand around yakking about how they hate the company and I'll regret ever working there. I always ask,
"How long have you been working here?"
"Why are you still here if it's so bad?"
"It can't be that bad or you wouldn't still be here."

HillbillyDeluxeTruck · Dec 27, 2019

Chinatown said: ↑

I've talked to dozens of drivers that stand around yakking about how they hate the company and I'll regret ever working there. I always ask,
"How long have you been working here?"
"Why are you still here if it's so bad?"
"It can't be that bad or you wouldn't still be here."
Click to expand...

There's a motivational speaker named Mark Patey who talks about people like that. Pretty interesting guy to listen to

picklerick · Dec 27, 2019

HillbillyDeluxeTruck said: ↑

Before you get any farther, check out Maverick, Melton, and Western Express. All flatbed co's (WE also does van).

I'll tell you right now, flatbed is worlds better than van. You dont get treated like trash at shipper/recievers constantly. There's actually some thought needed when loading and going down the road. You'll make more $, and you wont gain 30+lbs your 1st 6mo of being in a truck.

Its hard to explain to someone who's not been in trucking, but when starting out with those large carriers, they dont want people who can think for themselves. Just do what you're told and go where you're told. My co doesnt hold your hand for anything. No micromanaging, no intrustive safety dept hassling you about "events", etc.

There's always gonna be those bad days, but there are ways to minimize those by not starting out with the wrong co.
Click to expand...

Will do. I was told Maverick was full up and not looking for drivers but i’ll check them out. Melton i’ve applied for but not WE.

picklerick · Dec 27, 2019

jammer910Z said: ↑

I like this OP, @picklerick.
Youngster does his homework... is VERY polite and respectful !

The only advice I'll add is realize that your first year carries some steep learning curves and for a lot has them questioning their decision.
Since you're doing your due diligence on pay, lanes, and freight.. you're covering most of what noobs never think of.
There likely still will be times you'll wonder. HOPEFULLY NOT!

My point is, Get through that First year with no accidents and a healthy on time record.
Then, if you wish, you are really marketable as an "experienced" driver.
I've got a feeling you're gonna be just fine.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I’m very excited to see what the future holds. I know I can persevere and make the best of any day good or bad.

picklerick · Dec 27, 2019

Moose1958 said: ↑

I agree with your comment.

@picklerick I would also add this to it. I would not wait until you have that year to start looking and seeking information. If you see a company truck next to you when fueling ask the driver about their feelings of the company. Do this while inside eating. Also no matter if you get positive or bad comments NEVER trust a single driver's opinion. While I don't always agree with @Chinatown I do agree with something he has said many times. no harm in putting in applications starting TODAY! You will get calls and can find out more about how you stand in relation to being hired. I counsel one thing, however, try to avoid job-hopping if you can.

During that first year try to avoid your fellow company drivers while in a terminal when they spend all their time putting the company down. The largest part of their comments are hyperbole and they are peeved because they are stuck there.
Click to expand...

I agree. That’s why i’ve really been trying to start with a decent company as my first. I was going to spend a year with whoever I joined on with regardless if I hated it or not just to avoid job hopping. Yeah I absolutely do my research regardless of what one person says. It’s usually the p’oed people who are the loudest anyways.
Thanks for your input.

picklerick · Dec 27, 2019

Overall update though. Spoke with Tony and he’s exactly what everyone said he would be. No bs, straight up guy and I like that. I’ll know early next week. Still going to inquire with more flatbed Co’s because i’d love to learn load securement right out the gate but if magnum offers that’s where i’ll likely go. Thanks again everyone for the support and advice. I will continue to update this thread until hired.

074344 · Dec 27, 2019

picklerick said: ↑

Overall update though. Spoke with Tony and he’s exactly what everyone said he would be. No bs, straight up guy and I like that. I’ll know early next week. Still going to inquire with more flatbed Co’s because i’d love to learn load securement right out the gate but if magnum offers that’s where i’ll likely go. Thanks again everyone for the support and advice. I will continue to update this thread until hired.
Click to expand...

picklerick, did you ever inquire about Superior Carriers? While I do not work for them, there are posts on this site about them. They actually seem like a decent company where you can make some good money.

picklerick · Dec 27, 2019

074344 said: ↑

picklerick, did you ever inquire about Superior Carriers? While I do not work for them, there are posts on this site about them. They actually seem like a decent company where you can make some good money.
Click to expand...

I did submit an app with them but received no type of response at all. Maybe I should follow up with them.

074344 · Dec 28, 2019

picklerick said: ↑

I did submit an app with them but received no type of response at all. Maybe I should follow up with them.
Click to expand...

I agree that you should, Pulling tankers is an easy way to make a living. I see all kinds of people on here who say that this is a lifestyle. I'm sorry but trucking isn't a lifestyle to me. I work for a company that pays me a decent wage. That pay allows me to have a lifestyle outside of work.

Myhighwayman · Dec 29, 2019

picklerick said: ↑

Hey everyone! This is my first post but I have been browsing this great informative site for the past 6 months while I contemplated a career in trucking. I have learned a bunch from many of you and had PLENTY of great laughs. Even though I may have not thanked you in a reply I appreciate the time many of you take to help future truckers.

What led me to trucking- I owned a detailing business for the past two and a half years but I found myself without work some days and I hate feeling unproductive. My market area just could not sustain the work flow I wanted so I sold the business. I am now currently in week 2 of a 4 week program at a private CDL school in my area.This morning 12/2/19 our school sent out our applications to their partner carriers and within 4hrs already had a pre-employment interview call with a pre-hire letter. (The recruiter was going to give me a start date but I explained I wanted to do my research). I am looking for decent money, willing to be out 3-4 weeks at a time, wanting to WORK. Also a tuition reimbursement plan preferred, paid 5600$ cash for school :l
Once I get my 1-2 yrs ill jump ship for a better company more than likely.

Out of these companies(school partnered) which would you recommend and why? If company is not on this list I would like to know others as well if possible! Thanks!
(In order from most favored to least)
TMC
Stevens -Pre-Hire @ 0.36cpm
Schneider/Werner/U.S Express
and Swift

(More info)
Location-Louisiana
Age-24
Squeaky clean MVR
No criminal record
8 yrs of constant work history
Click to expand...

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

Advice! What's the best company out of...

Chinatown Road Train Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

HillbillyDeluxeTruck Road Train Member

picklerick Bobtail Member

picklerick Bobtail Member

picklerick Bobtail Member

picklerick Bobtail Member

074344 Road Train Member

picklerick Bobtail Member

074344 Road Train Member

Myhighwayman Bobtail Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

Advice! What's the best company out of...

Chinatown Road Train Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

HillbillyDeluxeTruck Road Train Member

picklerick Bobtail Member

picklerick Bobtail Member

picklerick Bobtail Member

picklerick Bobtail Member

074344 Road Train Member

picklerick Bobtail Member

074344 Road Train Member

Myhighwayman Bobtail Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!