hiring

I believe they will hire you but they will still make you go through their school and make you sign a year contract.

 

From what I have read and one guy I have talked to, Baritone, they are a good company to work for. They definitely have higher starting mileage pay than most and they pay a higher training pay than most.

Cons would be having to pay back the schooling fee and signing a year contract but that is standard at most companies anyway.

 

hey rubberducky are you still looking at getting into trucking??

 

Yes. I start a technical college CDL training class January 3rd. Not sure what I will do after that. Maybe find something local. I am not sure yet. I have a job right now so I am fortunate that I can take my time and shop around.

I will take any advice you or anyone else has. I have been hanging around this site since September and trying to read up on this business as much as possible. I have read some good things and bad things. I have come to the conclusion it is what you make of it.

All that being said, I will probably look into Southeastern Freight, Saia, AAA Cooper, or FedEx. From what I have been reading it looks like LTL or linehaul would probably be a good fit for me. I will just wait to see what happens when I finish training.

I should mention that if you are looking to go OTR, my two top picks would be Millis or Watkins Shepherd. Both good companies from all I have read. If you like flat bedding, Boyd Brothers sounded pretty good too. Maverick sounds good but not sure what kind of miles they are getting.

 

oh ok thats cool. Yea im in the same boat, been hangin around reading anything i could find. I do have a job right now that pays alright but its banking and im tired of it.

I did look into Millis and was ready to jump ship but when i called they said i am out of their hiring area. so bummed because i really like that fact they would school me and train me.

I am now sorta leaning to KLLM, they seem ok, will hire right out of driving school and i seem plenty of their trucks in the area that looks really nice.

 

That stinks about Millis. I see a lot of KLLM trucks coming through my area all the time. I assume that means their busy. I don't know if you looked at Stevens but they have their own school. Nice equipment too.

I honestly believe it is all what you make of it. I would take what I read on here with a grain of salt. Lots of good info on here but it seems there is a fair share of complainers on here too.

I see that at the part time job I work at all the time. If you want to make money you can. If you want to stand around and gripe and be jealous of what the owners have then I guess you can't make much money at that! It's too bad because them guys would be millionaires! haha

 

Exactly, the same thing at my job now. I work with some that see it just as a job and nothing more. They come in work their 8 hours and go home. They take every sick day or vacation day as soon as they get it.

I know it does take dedication and hard work and you get out of a job what you put in it and I feel driving would be good for me.

I have looked at Stevens but also looked at doing the school myself so I wouldnt have to sign my life away and KLLM does start a little bit high in pay at 32cpm

 

After a lot of research and thought I came to the same conclusion. I figured I would get my training locally and not owe anyone anything. Then just try and ease my way into this trade. I would probably take a gig with Pepsi if the pay is good. I know they have good benefits.

I am hoping the wrecker service I work for (part time gig) will let me start driving some after I get my license (they have tractors/flatbeds). They have been kind of slow in the transport division here lately so not a lot of opportunity right now. At least I will be able to drive the medium duty wreckers soon. That will be some good experience for me.

I think you are playing it smart personally. But all of us are in different situations so we have to figure out what works better for each of us individually. Your situation sounds like mine.

 

Sorry to hear Millis couldnt help you. I did a lot of research and Stevens would have been my second choice. I hear a lot of bad (out on the road) about KLLM. From what I hear they will make you team once you are done training. If that's a good fit for you then great - but best advice is....go to a truck stop, find a few KLLM drivers and ask them what they think. I know sound crazy but it works and they'll talk to you. I did this before signing with Millis also. Dont take someones elses word - see if for yourself.

Just sayin......... Good Luck!