Newbies Need Help (What else is new?)

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by J.Neal, Jan 2, 2011.

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  1. Jan 2, 2011 #1
    J.Neal

    J.Neal Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Dec 13, 2010
    Franklin, VT
    0
    Hi,
    My husband and I start classes on Monday for our CDL and have been looking at trucking companies over the last month or two. We've heard the major ups and downs of going with a larger company like Schneider, Werner, etc. and have looked at Covenant briefly, but I ran across Henderson and couldn't find anything other than people briefly mentioning they worked for them and their pet policy.
    Any other information would be great, we're looking at being based out of Vermont if possible, so any tips, pointers, or what not would be great!
     
    J.Neal, Jan 2, 2011
    J.Neal, Jan 2, 2011
    #1
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  3. Jan 2, 2011 #2
    Swaps

    Swaps Heavy Load Member

    757
    361
    Jan 10, 2010
    Minnesota
    0
    you should look at smaller companies/fleets based in New England. The big national companies will keep you from home. A lot of them dont bring too much freight north east of NY state because of the limited back hauls available. A smaller company based there will have a lot more connections to local businesses and freight.

    Just a suggestion.
     
    Swaps, Jan 2, 2011
    Swaps, Jan 2, 2011
    #2
  4. Jan 2, 2011 #3
    chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

    5,653
    3,485
    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
    0
    You need a decent size company without going to the mega-carriers. If you are going to be a husband/wife team then you want to go to a company large enough to have drop yards all over the country. Husband wife teams do a lot of drop and hook and this is where you make your money. With that being said, then you need to find a company with a good number of trailers. Since you guys are together I don't think hometime will be an issue right? Off the top of my head I know Central Ref does stuff in New England and hires out of there. Here is a website that will help you with the search.

    http://www.newtruckdrivingjobs.com/student_%20driving_%20job.php

    Welcome to the forum and good luck to you!
     
    chompi, Jan 2, 2011
    chompi, Jan 2, 2011
    #3
  5. Jan 2, 2011 #4
    J.Neal

    J.Neal Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Dec 13, 2010
    Franklin, VT
    0
    Thanks for the help so far! We're currently located in Indiana, but we're wanting to move up to Vermont (family and stuff).

    I've been trying to find smaller northeastern based companies, but not having much luck and any time that I select VT as a hiring state, I don't come up with any results. Would it be better to talk to recruiters here in Indiana since that's where we currently are and get hired then move?
     
    J.Neal, Jan 2, 2011
    J.Neal, Jan 2, 2011
    #4
  7. Jan 2, 2011 #5
    notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

    10,311
    5,253
    Jan 1, 2007
    NASA HQ
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    Hello; by the way I am originally from anderson. If it was me and you are going to move out of state I would hold up on getting a school and CDL. For one when you move you have to transfer the CDL and you also have to factor in moving. As a newbie to a company that may not work out well in getting time off to do that and get things in order. Just a thought.
     
    notarps4me, Jan 2, 2011
    notarps4me, Jan 2, 2011
    #5
  8. Jan 2, 2011 #6
    chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

    5,653
    3,485
    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
    0
    Indiana would be ideal for an over the road truck driver. You would definitely get to see him more often. The normal time the expect you stay out is 4-6 weeks. If you are living in Vermont it maybe more around two months at a time. Indiana is pretty central and the freight lanes go right through there. The chances of him being able to stop by the house for little bits of time would be pretty good. You should think about getting your license along with your husband. You can make excellent money as a husband/wife team!
     
    chompi, Jan 2, 2011
    chompi, Jan 2, 2011
    #6
  9. Jan 2, 2011 #7
    Swaps

    Swaps Heavy Load Member

    757
    361
    Jan 10, 2010
    Minnesota
    0
    There is a website that lists every trucking company by state. Does anyone know it off hand? I can remember it.
     
    Swaps, Jan 2, 2011
    Swaps, Jan 2, 2011
    #7
  10. Jan 3, 2011 #8
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    10,555
    5,748
    Oct 22, 2010
    32179
    0
    Vermont ???????????????

    Good Luck in your New Career !!!!

    try looking in fleetdirectory dot com...............................
     
    123456, Jan 3, 2011
    123456, Jan 3, 2011
    #8
    J.Neal Thanks this.
  11. Jan 3, 2011 #9
    Swaps

    Swaps Heavy Load Member

    757
    361
    Jan 10, 2010
    Minnesota
    0

    that's the one!!
     
    Swaps, Jan 3, 2011
    Swaps, Jan 3, 2011
    #9
    123456 Thanks this.
  12. Jan 3, 2011 #10
    J.Neal

    J.Neal Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Dec 13, 2010
    Franklin, VT
    0
    So, home from first day of class. Definitely was a LOT more nervous than we needed to be! Only down side are all the videos! My poor husband was nodding off during a couple of them! Our first day in the truck is going to be Wednesday in the range just actually doing a truck walk around, watching the trainer back and do backing turns and such. So excited!

    For any who are interested, we're currently at Sage at Ivy Tech in Indiana, and it's good so far! We'll comment more on the schooling after we're done! The only reason that we're schooling here instead of Vermont is because my husband and I both got approved for full covered tuition (and not via loan or reimbursement, but by Federal and local grants) so we don't have any debt accrued here!

    We're also digging into more and more companies, and we found Watkins & Shephard Trucking that we're going to start getting into contact with!

    Thanks for the help so far and hopefully things go far! (No pun intended!)
     
    J.Neal, Jan 3, 2011
    J.Neal, Jan 3, 2011
    #10
    123456 Thanks this.
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