A Masive Responce of Replies - Who to Choose

Being fresh out of TD School, and being out of the trucking industry for many years, I decided to try one of those 1-stop-shop truck driving application sites just to see what kind of responce I would get. Within about 10 hrs, I had recieved well over 100+ replies in my email, some, after looking at their websites, It was clear that there would be no way they would look at me mainly because I don't have a min of 3 years of recent experiance. Other's, all they did was either O&O's or Lease Purchase (of which I'm really terrifide with, mainly because of the numerous amount of them are either scams, or just down right suicidal finacially).

Then there were those that, well, let just say, not only do I not know anything much about them even though I have seen their trucks on the road, I'm just not to sure about their pay scales (etc, take Werner for instance, the guy told me that they start their new drivers out at .13/mile for 380 driving hrs, then once in their own truck, is bumped up to .26/mi, and then in about two years, maybe .30/mi) which to me seems a bit crazy mainly because, how in the world is one expected to make a living for both his family as well as being able to survive out there on the road?

Here is a list of what I've been able to narrow do to, but keep in mind that I'm open to suggestions as I REALLY WANT & Need to get to work ASAP, just don't want to end up going further in debt, much less me or my family having to go hungry either:

Crete Carrier Corporation
CRST Expedided
CRST Malone
Dot-Line Trans
Empire Express
Melton Truck Lines
New Line Trans
Shaffer Trucking
Star Transportation Thinking twice
Swift Transp - A Last resort
Taylor Truck Line - A-POSIBILITY
Transcarriers
Transport America
US Express - I've had my application in with them for about 2 weeks & have yet to get anyone to give me a straight answer, much less answer the phone
USA Truck
Wel
Werner Enter - Not if I Don't have too
WTI Transport
Bynum Transport
Wel
One of the bigest selling points for me would to be able to run virtually anywhere from the Southern Va's To Fla, To Texas, To Ar, Tnn, back to the Carolinas, & not having to deal with HHG (I hate that crap). I'm open to learn Flatbeds, I've had a bit of experiance in tankers (grain for chicken & cattle farmers), Van & Some Refer's.

While yes, spending time at home is important, I know that if you are home, you can't be making money, so 7 - 14 days out is fine with me, so long as I get 34 to 48 hrs of home time after that. A Dedicated run would be an almost god sent, as long as there was no D.C. NYC or Jersy.

So what is your thoughts? Go ahead, share them with me as I really would like to know.

 

What is this thing I've been seeing called "Per-Diem Allowance?"

 

I also got to looking at WeL and to be honest, it too has me a bit concerned. Theri SAFER report is 61.89, and just since the beginning of this year alone, they've had numerous vehical Safty Citations that had placed it out of service. (breaks, Lights, ABS, Air lines, etc) Just makes me wonder, you know?

 

Yeah, you are right, I have no desire to be a complete Road Dog. 2 weeks is the max that 'd wish to stay out at any given time. (The Mrs would have a COW) not to mention there are things like; the grass needs to be cut, and other various odd jobs around the house that is left up to the man, other wise the place falls apart.

 

Well, Just got off the phone with WEL & they told me that they don't hire out of NC, only out of Greenville SC, I wonder why that is, I mean, that is a bit further soth from them....Hmmmm