need advice

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by madgobbler, Jan 4, 2014.

Page 1 of 2
  1. madgobbler

    madgobbler Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2014
    Messages:
    1
    Thanks Received:
    0
    0
    I'm Going to be going to school in march for my cdl. Afterwards I will probably go work for one of the "mega carriers". Any advice on who might be best for a "newbie". was considering werner but have been hearing lots of bad things about them. any suggestions?
     
    madgobbler, Jan 4, 2014
    #1
  2. yessir

    yessir Medium Load Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2013
    Messages:
    492
    Thanks Received:
    224
    Location:
    queens, ny
    0
    No matter who you choose to work for just don't work for Werner, Swift, Crengland lol
     
    yessir, Jan 4, 2014
    #2
  3. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2013
    Messages:
    15,470
    Thanks Received:
    25,061
    Location:
    sarasota, fl
    0
    Check to see if tmc or maverick hires student/New drivers. They are both large carriers but miles above the typical large carrier.
     
    spyder7723, Jan 4, 2014
    #3
  4. SHOJim

    SHOJim Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2011
    Messages:
    3,399
    Thanks Received:
    17,210
    Location:
    Columbus, Ohio
    0
    Might want to check in to Roehl. They have flatbed, refrigerated and dry van.
     
    SHOJim, Jan 4, 2014
    #4
  5. percussion

    percussion Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2013
    Messages:
    17
    Thanks Received:
    13
    0
    OH, don't work for swift, all swift drivers are idiots, rookies scum bottom feeders.(what, about 11,000 trucks on the road?) Well guess what, i drove for swift last year, delivered a hell of a lot of freight in my 2013 volvo truck and made a lot of money. No crashes no tickets, it is just a job and they paid me to drive stuff around. Yes there are better companies, but that doesn't make you automatically a better driver. OTR is not for complainers
     
    percussion, Jan 4, 2014
    #5
  6. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2011
    Messages:
    3,424
    Thanks Received:
    2,143
    Location:
    Broomfield, CO
    0
    What are you talking about? Road drivers spend more time complaining than they do driving! Every time I turn on channel 19, if it's not someone with no panties on, it's conspiracy theories and complaining. That's why I never sat in the areas reserved for drivers at truck stop restaurants, because it didn't take me long to realize that someone would strike up a conversation because there's a big sign on my forehead apparently which says, "Please, let me hear your gripes. I care. Really, I do".
    Seriously... I'm not trying to take the piss out of all drivers, but this industry sure does have a lot of prima donnas. It's sitework driving where we won't put up with that crap.
     
    WitchingHour, Jan 5, 2014
    #6
    truckon and sevenmph Thank this.
  7. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2009
    Messages:
    10,666
    Thanks Received:
    12,189
    Location:
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    A few things you need to realize: Just because you go to truck school and 3 weeks later, you get a CDL, doesn't make you a truck driver. You now have, what, all of 10-12 hours driving experience ? You still need seat time as well as experience dealing with shippers/consignees/police agencies/dispatchers/shop personnel/fuel stops and so much more. The first 60 days behind the wheel will make or break you in this biz. ALL truck companies do the same thing……..deliver freight, right ? I mean, Werner, C.R. England, Swift been around over 50 years. Yeah, they got 100% turnover, but EVERY truck company does. Does Swift churn 11000 drivers every year ? And still operate a transportation company ? I guess they do, but to me that churning detracts from their core business, which is trucking. So, should they call themselves "Swift churning co" ? Rather than Swift Transportation. I'd love to know how many drivers have been with Swift more than 2 years, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years. I'm sure there are plenty. (I'm just using Swift as an example here).

    New drivers don't know the future, so, all you can do is hire on and give it your best.
     
    Allow Me., Jan 5, 2014
    #7
    sevenmph and Lonesome Thank this.
  8. rodknocker

    rodknocker Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2008
    Messages:
    1,242
    Thanks Received:
    584
    Location:
    Southeast
    0
    I believe I've read somewhere that the average long haul turnover was %100 for 2012 and trucking companies are spending %5 more on hiring new drivers. I've also read where the average long haul pay was $38,500. I have no idea what long haul companies pay but I've heard swift is giving .06 cent a mile bonuses at years end to help keep drivers from quitting. Ltl companies have a low turnover. Something like %3. That includes dock workers. I'm assuming %100 means everyone quits and %3 means 97 out if 100 stays employed. Before I'd settle for a truckload outfit I would try for a ltl company even if I had to work the dock for 5 years until something opened. Our dock workers are at $22.65 with the annual increase.
     
    rodknocker, Jan 5, 2014
    #8
  9. Pogo219

    Pogo219 Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2013
    Messages:
    18
    Thanks Received:
    9
    0
    I would have to think that most any company is what ya make it. Might just have to work harder to be successful.
     
    Pogo219, Jan 5, 2014
    #9
  10. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    Messages:
    11,127
    Thanks Received:
    22,783
    Location:
    Northern Indiana
    0
    Roehl is probably your best bet for a starter company.
     
    Lonesome, Jan 5, 2014
    #10
Page 1 of 2