Ms. V

Welcome to the TTR Forum. I have no personal experience with any of them. Based on my research and what I have read here on TTR two would be on my run away list and one would be on my short list. Of the ones you mentioned I would go with Schneider. You could do much worse.

You should do some research on compnies here:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/trucking-company-dac-reports/

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/discuss-your-favorite-trucking-company-here/

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/report-a-bad-trucking-company-here/

Since you're starting out I'll give you my standard advice. Maybe there is something of value for you in it.

You need to research and find out what the important questions are. You can make an above average living but you will make sacrifices that other jobs don't require. Read the "good companies" and "bad companies" section on this forum and get an idea of what company you want to work for and what kind of trailer you want to pull. Don't just go to school and then try to figure out where to go.

I don't know your financial situation. Don't take training from a company if you can afford it or get it with financial aid. You will be their slave for up to year. If you leave they will trash you DAC and credit record. Check out your local community colleges and employment office.

Just know that most training and trucking company recruiters will do nothing but lie to you. They will let you talk about what you want and then tell you what you want to hear. Trucking is about moving freight to make money for the company. Your home time, family, paycheck and everything else comes second.

It is not like any other job. Local is usually backbreaking delivery work 10+ hours a day, 6 days a week. Often you unload dozens of times a day or you are a salesman. In my area most dump truck jobs pay less than a good factory job. Regional is lots of loading and unloading time, fewer miles than OTR and not as hard as local but will wear on you and push your HOS limits. OTR is out 3 - 5 weeks with 3 - 4 days home, less manual labor and more miles.

You'll probably have to pay your dues before you get the gravy job. Weekends off, if you are lucky enough to get something like that starting out, may be home Thursday afternoon and leave Saturday night or home Friday night and leave Sunday afternoon. Loads deliver on Monday early and you leave in time to get them there. Often your home time will be in the middle of the week.

Regardless of your driving choice, after school you will go through company training. For OTR this can be six weeks to three months with little or no home time. The first phase is usually $400 a week and the second phase is $500-550 a week. Some pay less. One company pays 12 CPM for training.

You don't want to wait around too long after training or you'll have trouble finding a job. If you get out before you have a year in, when you try to come back a few months later you will find they want you to start over.

One last thing, if you have anything that makes you less desirable than your competing job applicants, a phone or in-person interview will often bring the best results. Even if I am the best candidate I will choose face-to-face if at all possible and phone if not. Sure you may have to fill out that online application but that isn't the best way to get a good job. You have to do something or be someone who stands out from the crowd. Do regular follow-ups by phone on the jobs you really want.

 

Welcome to the forum Ms V.

Very helpful post Big John. It's members like you that help make this a great place!

 

Its members like bigjohn, gears and the other vets on here that make this forum great. Me and many rookies on hear are very greatful for them sharing there knowlege and experiences.

Ms V, welcome and good luck to you.

 

I've worked local for Pepsi and a full service vending route is a good gig if you can get it. Most are salary/comission positions so be prepared for lots of unpaid overtime. But if you bust your butt, you can make bank on your commission. Its basically a sales job without selling. Your machines do the dirty work. I did snack and soda and my best customers were hospitals. Captive audience you could say. I had 2 rows in the snack machine devoted to peanut m&m's and snickers and sold out all the time.

 

You are very welcome. Congratulations on finishing school.

You made to great choices in my opinion. You paid for school and got better training for less money.

 

Personally neither but gotta start somewhere.I think US Express would suite better but that's just me.