KLLM or Central Refrigerated?

I don't have a lot of room to talk seeins how im not a driver yet,but...my best friend went to work for kllm and absolutley loves it. I don't have personal experience with them, obviously, but they really seem to treat him good. He got a extremely nice cascadia and seems to get all the miles he wants and is making really good money. He's never got anything bad to say, and the only thing I can think of is he's not home very often, but I think that's voluntary. he lurks these forums every now and then, his screen name is gajeep on here, and if you can shoot him a pm, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind answering any questions you had. Hope this helps, and good luck wichever route you go.

 

I'd go KLLM,

they aren't bad...........

Good Luck !!!

 

Although not a driver yet I'm four weeks into an 8 week training, I have listened to the various intructors (the five of them have over 160 yrs combined experience), listened to others as well and read from this forum and another in regard to "this" company or "that" company.

What I've come to see is that many of the guys/gals that type with pissed-off fingers in regard to this company or that company is that there is quite often a single person to blame for the persons negativity, and OFTEN that person is the typist of the "this or that company sucks" posting!

Would anyone disagree that there are people who have had bad experiences, either company sponsored or driver caused, with every single company out there? Would some agree that quite often the flame throwing poster may have caused his own grief?

Every company has ups and downs, from what I've been told. Some companies have policies that actively support drivers and some maybe less so. Perhaps one day I will learn this first hand.

I guess what I'm passing on is that either company you choose, you will drive, do logs, wait for loads, get loads and loaded right away, get lost, have a dispatcher that may or may not need to be at that job, have great days as well. You will make money, even if working longer and more irregular hours than you ever have with the money being mediocre at best. You guys that drive out there, is that about right?

Good luck to you Romans612 !

PS, KLLM's website is way cooler.

 

Between KLLM and Central Like I said on your other thread KLLM is way better. Now between TMC and Maverick, Maverick would be the better choice.

Now to the Bigger Question: Reefer or Flatbed?

I would recommend you do Reefer first just so you don't have to worry about your freight as much, You can focus on your driving a little more. And with reefers you'll be pulling a 53' trailer vs. a 48' flatbed so better to learn to pull a big one first, then go pull a flatbed once your comfortable driving and got the driving/life down then add the flatbed into the mix.....


JMHO



American Trucker

 

LOL Getting jerked around at steel mills is better?

100% right on the money, Tut!

 

"I know Chompi would recommend Central"


That's funny man! Really I would recommend you make a list of your wants and needs and find a company that is going to best suit YOU. A company I may absolutely despise maybe the best company and long lasting career for someone else. With that being said don't make your career decision based on someone else's opinion. Suggestions maybe.

Some companies pay a little more like KLLM because they use older equipment. Central pays a little less because they have brand new equipment. So which is more important to you? Personally I think they are all good companies. They all have their goods and bads. I usually recommend Central ONLY because I have personally driven for them and had a good experience there. Like I said though you may end up totally hating Central. So take everything you hear with a grain of salt and decide who you think is going to best treat you.

Keep in mind that you don't have to do the same thing or follow the same path is every other driver. Think outside the box. You may find a unique gig that you absolutely would love to do. Drive for a NASCAR team or CBS sports or a company like Upstage where you haul concert sets for rock stars! I've hauled horses before in custom show truck! Go to Western and drive one of their armored semi's! There's all sorts of cool jobs out there. Nobody takes the time to look for them though. Sometimes the harder it is to get the job the more its worth!

Good luck man!

 

I have no idea if TMC or Maverick uses prehires but don't go to the others just because you got one there. I know some guys get scared if a place says come in for orientation but doesn't give them a letter. You're in the same boat with a letter or not. I'm not sure if that's what you mean by prehire or if you just want to hear for them at all but something to keep in mind.

One other thing, you must start at KLLM within 30 days of finishing school so make sure you go right away if you are going there.

If you want to do flatbed I'd say try as hard as you can to get in to it as you might as well do what interests you the most. I run reefer and love it but I do a dedicated from SLC to Mira Loma, CA and it's all drop and hook so I don't run into the whole wait around all day at grocery warehouses.