if not swift, werner, cr england than WHERE SHOULD I START?

The Challenger · May 5, 2011

I would go with Swift or Watkins Shepard though I would take a strong look at JBS Carriers and GTI. With Swift you do have an advantage of getting home and more options to choose from since you live in Phoenix.

KH

jerezxp7 · May 6, 2011

Giorgio said: ↑

Then quite simply, Jerez, you were/are unrealistic. Nobody ever said you would be rich, though I know of several people who run two or three trucks that are leased to one big company and do very well for themselves. But not rich. $40,000 a year is a very reasonable middle class income.

I do not know what your education and work history is. But if you have less than 5 years experience anywhere and anything less than a 4-year degree in a useful field (Philosophy ain't exactly payin' well these days!), where else would you get that wage? The hours and lifestyle is a choice. I suspect you know it or you would be one of the many people who leave trucking.

For some it may be the wage. For others, the inability to be a professional. Funny how people, not necessarily you, want high wages but no oversight. You think doctors, lawyers, pilots, heck, even insurance people are not regulated big time? They are. Because some ##s Hat took advantage in times past. Same with truckers. If there were not thousands of fatal preventable stupid accidents per year involving CMV's then we would not likely have all the regs. That said, there are some people who cannot follow the rules, new or otherwise. But most who leave simply do not want the lifestyle. They ##### about being away from home...as if they thought trucking would involve driving in circles around their own block! Or the long hours.

Well, they all have a bad case of OCB (Other Careers Beckon). And there is not a ###### thing wrong with that. I could not be a Construction guy and yet I see them everywhere busting ### in the heat and cold to make $15 or $20 per hour...when they have work. I could not stand to be an Accountant, yet they do very nicely. I would shortly consider moving to a clock tower!

Look, I am no expert by any means, but one does not need to be a rocket scientist to figure most of this stuff out. The experience teaches you the little "tricks of the trade" that make life as a trucker easier and people like Redd or Blackwood have more than 99% of truckers. But a brand new graduate can drive safe and professionally and if they have a head on their shoulders can figure out how to make it with a company. If Orange or Blue or Yellow is not your thing, then so be it. Try Mom and Pop truck company. If you get on, you may very well get an extra 5 cents per mile or whatever.

Applebrown78, good luck. Ignore the whining and ask yourself one thing. Does what I hear make sense to me or does it somehow seem wrong? I hope you enjoy the learning curve as much as I have. I will still be learning when they put me in the grave I imagine, but it has been great so far. And I gotta get on the road now!
Click to expand...

I am quitting Im going to get certified to run heavy equipment and having a cdl will be an advantage in that field I have been at this almost 5 years Im not married no kids I hardly ever needed to go home Im one of few drivers who run Canada I have only worked for 2 companys in that time and I say trucking has taken a different course and how the industry is looking to me is pretty bleek.

applebrown78 · May 6, 2011

jerez thanks for sharing. but tell me more. why does it look bleak? less freight? Have you found your CDL under attack less miles.

To tell you the truth, you will find that any and every occuptations future is looking bleak

NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO BROTHER. IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO THE ECONOMY. Trucking is still considered a growning job sector. Meaning that people are finding themselves employed after 4 weeks of training. You prob don't believe it because you prob havent faced being unemployed for 2 years.

I appreciate your honesty and taking out the time to read and reply though. I wish you well on ur journey!

Giorgio · May 6, 2011

For whatever it is worth, check this industry article out. It indicates, and for a very realistic and understandable reason, why being a GOOD driver could potentially be a real benefit in coming years.

http://www.truckinginfo.com/drivers/news-detail.asp?news_id=73651&news_category_id=77

cheeseburger · May 7, 2011

I know quite a few people who work for Swift, and are quite happy with them.

Every company you look at has their issues.

jerezxp7 · May 7, 2011

applebrown78 said: ↑

jerez thanks for sharing. but tell me more. why does it look bleak? less freight? Have you found your CDL under attack less miles.

To tell you the truth, you will find that any and every occuptations future is looking bleak

NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO BROTHER. IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO THE ECONOMY. Trucking is still considered a growning job sector. Meaning that people are finding themselves employed after 4 weeks of training. You prob don't believe it because you prob havent faced being unemployed for 2 years.

I appreciate your honesty and taking out the time to read and reply though. I wish you well on ur journey!
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with anything you said and Im not here to run down trucking I love driving truck what I see is o/o going out of buisness everyday by the scores and what if not to becomme a o/o is any truck drivers goal, so thats gone. I see fewer and fewer small companys able to make it and what we will have left in a couple years Im almost certain is a few large companys that never for a minute stop training and turning out new drivers willing to work for any paycheck. If experience is going to count for nothing because there are masses of new drivers willing to fill your seat for .27 cents a mile then why is a company going to pay me .34

ogfuse · May 7, 2011

I WOULD SAY ...STARTING OUT ..GET IN WHERE U FIT IN...IT'S ALL ABOUT PAYING UR DUES AND FINDING THE RIGHT FIT!! I WORKED FOR SWIFT..IT WASN'T A BAD EXPERIENCE FOR ME PERSONALLY..BUT I HAD MY OWN TRUCK,I WAS A TRAINER AND WHEN I WENT COMPANY..THEY PAID ME 41 CPM...BUT I ALREADY HAD 7 YEARS EXPERIENCE...GUYS STRATING OUT WERE ONLY MAKING 26 CPM.(STRUGGLING)..BUT U COULD MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN IN A YEAR..(BLUE SHIRT,LEASE TRUCK,...ECT)..BUT I WOULD SAY JUST GET UR EXPERIENCE...UR THINKING TOO MUCH!! U COULD GET WITH THE BEST COMPANY IN THE COUNTRY!!!!! AND HAVE A ROLLOVER OR WRECK AND U WOULD BE DONE BEFORE U BEGAN!!! SO JUST BECOME A GOOD DRIVER FIRST!!!LOL....U CAN THINK ABOUT BEING SELECTIVE LATER...IT ALL COMES WITH TIME MY FRIEND!!!

applebrown78 · May 8, 2011

OGFUSE thanks for ur response. i know i need to get my feet wet and that's what i plan on doing. nothing but healthy discussion here. thanks for ur 2cents

LostOne9 · May 8, 2011

System has a terminal in Phoenix, they hire newbies, and if you get on the regional side you'll be home just about every weekend

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