About to graduate CDL school…company question

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Lwebb79, Sep 26, 2025 at 9:37 PM.

  1. Lwebb79

    Lwebb79 Bobtail Member

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    I am set to take the final test next week and officially earn my class a CDL from Georgia driving academy. I live in Columbus, about an hour and a half south of Atlanta.

    I’ve been looking at different companies and have settled on Werner, Schneider, Roehl, Swift, or Averrit. However, I’m open to other suggestions. What can you all tell me about these companies, good and bad? If you were fresh out of school and looking for a company to start driving with, who would you go with?

    Also, I am a preacher and would prefer regional routes that get me home every weekend.
     
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  3. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Averitt is an excellent company, but unless something changed, I didn't think they hired newbies. If they do, and if their terminal (they call it a service center) is nearby I would apply with them. Averitt has all kinds of driving jobs. But Avrt is looking for Boy Scout type drivers. If your record is clean and you qualify you should be able to find something you like. They have great benefits. Pay is mediocre. I worked there for 18 years on 1 dedicated account. 20% of the employees have been with the company for 20 years or more. You will follow the rules, not just pretend to follow the rules, but most of the rules are reasonable. They don't allow you to take trucks home, they must be parked at the terminal for hometime. I'd request you speak to one of their drivers and listen to him describe the work before you decide. Averit will not change their rules or habits to fit you. You must fit the company and the rules. Averitt mostly has regional routes and works 5-6 days per week. Leave on Sun back on Fri or Sat is normal. They really try to take care of their employees. Company web site is both averitt.com and averittexpress.com. I really loved my time with the company.
     
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  4. Squancho

    Squancho Bobtail Member

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    Any interest in flatbedding?
     
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  5. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    McElroy out of Cuba, AL could probably fit your needs.
     
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  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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  7. Lonwolv54

    Lonwolv54 Light Load Member

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    Congratulations!! I started at Swift, at the time it was the joke of trucking as Swift wasn't so Swift back in the day but I've heard they turned their trucks up to 70... I drove there really because I liked their lanes and terminal locations.. Not a bad place to start or stay if OTR is your taste.. I drove by their Dallas terminal as a rookie and thought it was great..and it still is great.. not a bad company..

    But you mentioned home weekends preference.. as a new driver your options will be limited.. You might look at DOT Foods, depending on where you live you might get good time off..maybe not weekends though...they have a lot of flexible schedules for drivers.. I'd encourage you to check them out..
     
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  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Lwebb79 and Lonwolv54 Thank this.
  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Turdzthaword Thanks this.
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