Selecting a Good Starter Company

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by CrossFox, Jul 18, 2012.

  1. CrossFox

    CrossFox Bobtail Member

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    Jul 18, 2012
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    Hello! I am a 23 year old female driver who just graduated from Roadmaster Driving School in Dunn, NC. In other words, no experience, and no hazmat/tanker endorsements. I'd only like to be a company driver, no O/O or anything. I have a pre-hire from Werner, but I've heard so much crap about them that I'm starting to get nervous. I'd like to see other people's opinions about which company I should drive for. Here are my preferences, in order of importance:
    Absolutely Required, Will Not Truck Without:
    Pet policy is a must. I have one cat who must come with me, and a dog I'd like to take, but who can stay with my parents. (After training; I understand no pets are allowed during training.)
    After training, I need to be a solo driver. No teams.
    Other Things that Would be Nice to Have:
    The type of trailer I pull doesn't matter, but being a weak female, I much prefer no-touch loads.
    I'd like to travel all 48 states, and Canada, if possible. The more places, the better!
    I'm rather heat sensitive, so I'd like to have an APU, or some way to keep cool when I sleep. This is also important for the cat's sake.
    No home time is required, as I do not have a home or anyone to come back to. I'd like to spend my time off in different places around the country.
    Money is nice, but seeing how I'm not supporting a house and family, I'll be happy as long as I'm not getting ripped off.
    Because my truck will be my home, I'd like a nice one. But I have no set requirements on what "nice" is.
    I have no preference with the logging system. Paper or electronic is fine.
    I'd prefer a place that does not require a hair follicle test. I do not do drugs, but I accidentally took one of Mom's Tylenol 3's back in the middle of May. I'm hoping to get driving around September, so while that should be long enough for my hair to be clean, I'd rather not take chances.
    Let me know if a company comes to mind. Thanks for your time! :)
     
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  3. Gulf Coast Trucker

    Gulf Coast Trucker Light Load Member

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    Jun 12, 2012
    Tampa, FL
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    Check out Arnold they seem to be a decent starter company and have nice equipment I was hoping Togo with them
    but there not hiring in my area.
    Good Luck
     
    CrossFox Thanks this.
  4. Hsauer87

    Hsauer87 Light Load Member

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    Jun 15, 2012
    Parkton , North Carolina
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    How was your training at Roadmasters in Dunn I am thinking about going to them once I get back to Nc
     
  5. CrossFox

    CrossFox Bobtail Member

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    Jul 18, 2012
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    Roadmaster was pretty good. If you can survive the first week of doing computer lessons for 10 hours straight, the rest of it's pretty good. Our class started with 12 people, but by the second week we were down to three. The instructors are really nice, too. The main complaint I have about them is they didn't focus on some pretty important stuff. For example, I watched coupling and uncoupling maybe twice, and never got to try it myself. We also seemed to spend a lot of the day wasting time on insanely long "smoke breaks" when we should have been driving or doing something helpful.
    Overall, though, I would recommend them to someone who was interested in driving.
     
  6. vinsanity

    vinsanity Road Train Member

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    South Florida
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    Scratch CRST and USX off your list. CRST is teams only and USX requires newbies to team for 8 weeks before going solo.
     
    CrossFox Thanks this.
  7. CenutryClass

    CenutryClass Road Train Member

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    Geez princess, are you sure you want to be a truck driver?

    What's going to happen when you cant pull a 5th wheel pin at 2am or stuck landing gear?

    And you're ok making crap wages? Really?
     
  8. CrossFox

    CrossFox Bobtail Member

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    Jul 18, 2012
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    Erm, random attack much?
    I didn't think my requests were outrageous. The only things I really need is to be a solo driver with a pet policy; the other things would be nice, but are not required. From what I understand, the more information you put out there, the better other people can help you.
    And I said that making the top dollar's not my top priority, not that I'd take "crap wages."
     
  9. Trucker79010

    Trucker79010 Light Load Member

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    Jun 16, 2012
    Valle De Oro, Texas
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    Thats kind of what I was thinking when I read it...lol
     
  10. CrossFox

    CrossFox Bobtail Member

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    I'm not sure what part of this makes me unfit for trucking... Am I supposed to like loading and unloading my truck for no pay and sleeping in a 120 degree truck cab? I understand it happens, but I'd like to avoid it if possible, heh.
    I'm sure I'll make a good trucker, don't you worry your pretty little heads over it. ;)
     
  11. payooper

    payooper Bobtail Member

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    Jul 18, 2012
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    Stick with it, just DO NOT JOIN CRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    CrossFox Thanks this.
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