Need Help

I got my CDL when I was 20 at a local truck driving school(Werner, CCX, and Swift pushers), but nothing local panned out so I continued to work construction(not driving). I just recently turned 21, and was planning on going with Werner. Based on the information that I have been finding via the web, I'm not so sure that’s a good idea anymore. So I've also researched other companies that seem to have a decent training program, decent starting pay, and that I can meet the requirements of. (I graduated truck driving school about 1 year ago, and some companies will not consider me because of that) I came up with Schneider. Swift is out of the question because there is just too much crap out there about them. Even the driving school I went to said they were terrible, and Swift was one of their pre-hiring companies. Anyhow, my problem is this - For every company I find, I find a lot of negative feedback on them. Where do you think I should get started to get my experience in. Where did you guys/gals get started? I really do like the way Werner looks, but I am rather iffy on going with them because of what I hear. So, who out there drives for Werner or Schneider? What have your experiences been? What condition was your equipment in when it was assigned to you? (pictures would be great) How much money can you realistically expect to make driving solo your first year out? How many miles do you average a week? How well does your company respect your home time, and how much can you expect to get? I will appreciate any feedback, but I am trying to weed out the whiners that got themselves into a sticky situation and want to point fingers, as well as people who just like to complain. I know it isn’t easy to get started in this industry, but I want to make sure I make the right choices. What worries me most about these companies is the stories I hear about drug test scams, and falsified information on DACs. Is there any truth to this? Please post your comments and experiences. I am very opened minded, and eager to get started with a decent company. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

 

Well, I just got my pre-hire from Werner. I told the recruiter I will have to think about it. He was ready to send me packing and get me right into an orientation at the end of this week. You get put in a hotel supplied by Werner, and they also provide you with breakfast and lunch. The orientation is 2 days, then they send you right out with a trainer. Im really thinking about joining Werner because there is no contract to sign. Yes, I will only be making .26 CPM, but I also don't have to worry about trying to last 18 months so I don't get a bill for $5000(Schneider). I just want somewhere to get a year of experience under my belt. Then I can move up to a better company. I also do not like the policy Schneider has with their trucks. They basically reserve the right to slip seat you truck at any moment, and they also don't like inverters and other do-dads. I think I am going to take a chance with Werner. What have I got to loose? I'm laid off right now, so what the hell right? Ive seen good things about Werner on this sight, as well as the bad. So maybe I could have a good experience too. We shall see what I decide. Does anybody have any ideas on who else to look into? Am i signing my death warrant by working for Werner?

 

Ya, I know, but they tell me you get a raise every 3 months. Plus there is supposed bonuses you get added to your CPM, but I'm not going to get my hopes up. I think I might be able to deal with the low pay for a while just so I can get some experience in and go somewhere else. I would really love to work for Rumble Trucking (michigan based) or Service Transport (lots of Haz Mat stuff) but you need experience to work at both places. I did go to the sight you mentioned and filled out an app that was sent to various companies that meet my qualifications. The list included werner, Schneider, Prime inc, CRST, Frozen Foods Express, and Watkins Shepard. Does anyone have any info on these companies?

 

Ive been looking into Prime a lot lately, and it actually looks like a really good company to start at. I really like the way that they got training set up, and they seem to have great pay while training compared to others. But heres my problem. I was set on working for them, so I put in an application. I then call the recruiter to find out that they wont hire me without 4 months of OTR experience. Whats with that? I thought I was going to be able to get out of sucking it up with Werner. Does anybody know where I could possibly go? I could really use some help here. Not to mention, since when does Prime not hire students. I just went to the website after getting off the phone to double check that I wasn't reading things wrong in the qualifications section. And sure enough, I wasn't. It says noting about needing experience to get hired in as a C seat driver. Oh well, I'm not going to give up that easy. I will be calling Prime back later this afternoon.