Hi guys. I too am a newbie out of school in mid-Jan. I went with a local company [I won't mention the name of the company]that was the HAZMAT division for a larger company. They only had me hauling flatbed with steel coils as their HAZMAT work was few and far between. I was supposed to haul radioactive materials [did that once]. My first week of training, the trainer only let me drive for 2 hours on that Thursday. I drove only 80 miles that whole week yet he filled out a report saying I drove every day. [I am hoping my next training situation actually has me doing the driving instead of the trainer being ticked that he might not get as many loads in that week because a newbie is slowing him down.]
Even after getting a covered wagon, I decided that steel wasn't for me. I was home every night with only 4-5 hours before having to get back up and hit the road. I was forced to drive illegally, had no choice, even the supervisor had me doctor my logs. The loss of sleep and having the physically demanding job of securing steel coils for 2-3 runs a day, in the freezing winter, was too much. I told a boss it really wasn't for me and they let me go that very day, they weren't a big enough company to have a dry van or refer division. As it was, I was supposed to drive tankers too and found out that would be a long time coming.
After a month of employment, I found myself in a panic trying to get another job. I was told a truck driver should never have to find themselves without a job. Well, that may be true for those with a year or more experience, not what I found for a newbie. I researched this website before applying anywhere. I was prehired by Roehl initially but took the local job. I respectfully declined and was told by a recruiter to contact them again should I change my mind. Well, I did and the rep said Roehl was no longer interested in me because I declined their original offer [so much for hospitality, eh?]
I turned to Schneider. The recruiter wasn't the most friendly chap and they made me wait a few days to review my app which they insist you do online or they won't consider you [as a recruiter told me on the phone]. I have a squeeky clean MVR, good work history, no criminal record. Finally, they offered me a job. They then connected me over to their medical division which took away their offer when they found I had migraines once or twice a year that had tingling and made me see spots. I was told that was a neurological disorder and Schneider will not hire those who have them but another company might. So much for Schneider.
Werner was so nice, pre-hired me immediately on the phone, scheduled orientation for the next week, even rescheduled for me later. Well, after all the posts I read for the negative on this site and another about Werner, I decided Transport America was a wiser alternative. My recruiter there wasn't organized and I feel like info is missing. I am leaving this weekend for Indiana as well to begin my orientation. I have based a lot on them from what I read in the above posts. It is so very difficult trying to choose the right company as a newbie. There is so much we don't know and it feels like a crap-shoot.
My school had recruiters from 6 companies: Roehl [too snooty], Transport America [verdict still out], Falcon [haven't heard much on them], Werner [heard bad things but all recruiters seemed like they had it together and they were acommodating], TMC [was told by instructors that they don't hire women], and Stevens Transport [our recruiter was a typical car salesman and fed us bull every time we saw him].
I want to have stability, to stay with a company a year at least but more preferably. I don't want my DAC report showing I am a risky employee. If anyone else has any more to say about Transport America, I would appreciate it.
Take care all and be safe!
Transport Corp. Of America - Eagan, Mn.?
Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by RobHedrick, Apr 2, 2006.
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Sounds good so far. Definately keep us posted. TA is one of the two companies I am considering, when I start my trucking career next year... Millis Transfer is the other one. My wife and I are moving to upstate PA, and we will be right in their freight lanes
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transort america . com is the company website and it shows the company hiring area.
From this you can deduce the primary freight lanes though they do haul to all 48.
they also go to canada and mexico but these are generally dedicated.
Primary customers are fortune 500 companies.
I don't want to stick my foot in my mouth here and possibly give out wrong info so my best advice is you should check out the website (lots of info) and then call recruiting with specific questions relevant to you.
They don't bite and I haven't been lied to yet...
Matching drivers and with companies is like trying on gloves, when they fit you're very happy, too tight or loose and it doesn't work very well at all.
These guys seem very dedicated to the "good fit" ideology. 60% turnover versus the 135% industry norm.
Not saying the drivers or company are anything special either... its still work... just that when mutual expectations are met things go smoother for all involved.
the miles go down much easier with a smile on your face than when you are having to choke them down as an unhappy employee...
I'm off to virginia today... woohoooo!!
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week 4:
went to New Jersey... "the new jersey turn pike" OMG...!!!!
well that's what I was thinking... hehe actually... there was less traffic on it than baltimore or nashville has... and much less than chicago has... so... big deal... just another road.
drop and hooked an empty to a back haul to ohio...
dropped that and sat for about 2 hours with no load in sight. called in and was told the board is dead... just head home empty. (533 mile dead head)
I get paid loaded or empty... so okey day... off we go...
2 hours later get a cell call... to head for elkhart ind. trainer says we're past the turn off, you want us to back track? guy qualcoms us back nope freight is slow today just go on home...
rob (trainer) says don't get used to this... as a newbie I would have set and waited for a load before they deadheaded me.
would have been about four hours sitting time.
anyways... good week... for me... but rob was sick as a dog at both ends.
asked him what if that happens to me all alone??? he says tell them whats up and they'll either relay your load to another guy so you can wait it out, go to the doctor, or go home... just don't wait til the load is late to speak up...
sunday night I'm heading out to maryland... and rob says this is a good run cuz it will get us off early in the week so I can "test out"
I say... "so your kicking me out???"
rob says, "Yep, its just like your mamma toldya when you were a kid, you can go to school, go to the army, or go get a job... but you ain't staying here no more..."
(big laugh) now how did rob know my mamma told me that???
any ways testing out is a 100 question quiz and and then a 20-45 minute drive with a safety jockey...
then I'm back home to wait for a truck. some times it waiting for you and sometimes its a week??? will have to see how that pans out....
The worst part about this company:
the little hiccups that can happen anywhere... I'm sure they have the biggies also... but I just haven't seen them yet... and so far they deal with the hiccups spot on... so no complaints yet...
seeya next week.
btw... got my haz-mat security approval... not sure why they prefer it, less than 1 % is hazmat and likely I'll never haul a load... rob says its a bit of a waste... but never hurts to have it. he pulled 5-6 loads the first three years and none since. (last three years) go figure???melanie Thanks this.
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