The million dollar question....which companies are best to apply?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by bangsistro, Jul 17, 2012.

  1. bangsistro

    bangsistro Light Load Member

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    May 24, 2012
    California City CA
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    Hello everyone...a few days ago I started a thread about what could be better..to be an O/O or a company driver.....
    Reasons here and there self analysis and asking to my pillow tells me that is better to find something as a company driver...
    I already apply for many of them as I mentioned in other post....USA trucking, CRST, central refrigerated, prime, JCT,marten, national carriers inc, etc. Some of them called me already to set up an orientation time.
    Also I got an offer from a little company paying 40 to 44 cpm driving team but just looked weird because they even never saw me in person and wanted to start tomorrow over the road..It just sounds..look a little weird for me.
    Other company work for fedex and other company that required hazmat endorsement offered me a job too.
    I did read the majority of the comments here about all you guys experienced and no experienced every time I am excited about what looks as a good decent company and then...reading all your comments just left me as a deflated tire!!! Like Prime, central refrigerated and marten; the only one I always read good comments is JCT but it happens that they are still processing my application.
    I know I had to have my own criteria and pay the price (which I did in other business and ouch!! it hurts sometimes). But there's somebody there with a sincere friendly opinion about which companies are better to apply? at this point I don't mind if they do not have a lease to own program I would like to be an O/O some time in my life but for now I just want to drive...bring some money at home and if is possible save some to by a truck someday until I fix my credit score.
    Again thank you for all your opinions and advice guys

    Ciao gente:mrolleyes:
     
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  3. OpenRoadDreamer

    OpenRoadDreamer Road Train Member

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    Apr 26, 2011
    Alabama
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    You gotta find a company that has what you want. Talk to guys who ACTUALLY DRIVE for a specific company. Youre going to find negative comments on every company out there. Starting out as a company driver is a good idea.
     
  4. sherlock510

    sherlock510 Road Train Member

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    Intercontinental.
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    Everybody will have a different opinion of what "best" means.
    Do your research and dont take everything read on a message as fact.
     
    Gizmo_Man Thanks this.
  5. bangsistro

    bangsistro Light Load Member

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    May 24, 2012
    California City CA
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    yeah Ill being doing my research actuall I found other post from Not Fastenuff the guy is at school still but hoping to frive with his wife...he's so articulate..better than me..here is what he posted:
    Hi everyone. My wife and I are in cdl school now. The school recommends certain companies, and suggests staying away from others. I have a feeling this might come down to greased palms a lot more than what is right for the students. (just my opinion, and we all know about those) Anyway. My wife and I are wanting fo run team. We're interested in SNI, USX, and a local company (MDS in Morristown, TN). I have reservations about USX. Can't say a specific reason, I just "do". SNI doesn't seem to be in any hurry to play ball. I'm still waiting to hear from the local place. I'm the kind of person that I want to keep the ball rolling, and not have a lot of gaps between steps here.

    Can I get some advice on the companies I've listed? I've searched and done my homework, but it seems to be all the same crap over and over. "Company X sucks because I say so!", and "Company Z is the most greatest ever!!!" I know every company has unhappy drivers and happy drivers, good and bad, but can I get some real info?

    What are good questions to be asking recruiters besides the normal pay, benefits, hometime kind of stuff?

    Thanks a ton.

    He really reflect what I would like to explain you guys with the difference that I will drive solo or team no wife with me....as I mentioned...I am doing my research reading...looking..applying... but just some light will be nice I do not want to fall on that type of place to build a horror history and still have faith will get some wise advice here
     
  6. midnyte

    midnyte Bobtail Member

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    Dec 24, 2010
    Abilene Tx
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    I'll tell ya fellas I feel bad for you new guys,it's a tough row to hoe out there right now.And if the FMCSA make these new changes it will be worse.I suggest you get your X endorsement ASAP then suck it up and look at West Texas or North Dakota to make some real money.You will need a camper because there is no houseing.You can do up to 100K with and X and maybe 70-80K with just a CDL.
    If I were a young man that is what I would do.But seeing as I am 62 I will make my 70K a yr and sleep in my own bed,and eat my wifes good cooking and haul some gas.Good Luck Guys
     
    CenutryClass Thanks this.
  7. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    Deland, FL
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    JCT only hires experienced and its owner operator only. If you can get on with FedEx I would jump on that one!

    As far as driver comments on companies, realize you are going to get more bad then good! Drivers are more apt to complain than boast about their current or past company. Don't base your career decision on what anyone has to say. Make a list of your wants and needs and find a company that is going to best suit your personal situation. A company that someone had a bad experience with maybe one that you could have a long lasting successful career with!
     
  8. bangsistro

    bangsistro Light Load Member

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    May 24, 2012
    California City CA
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    Thank you midnyte and chompi -guess you're not gonna like the answer I gave you on other thread- but what a heck some friends are made with a couple of good slaps on the face right?
    Today JCT told me NO REASON? my experience is just with a small carrier O/O but i think is for the best because after this blog experience and other outside here I learned I need at last a year as a company driver.
    The other thing is not so bad today I visited the DMV and got my HAZMAT-ENDORSEMENT horrayyy! well....almost passed the test but need to go for the biometrics to check my background it's a 9/11 thing.
    I being looking to find a place with the following companies already:
    1.- SNI
    2.- CON-WAY
    3.- COVENANT
    4.-CENTRAL REFRIGERATED
    5.- USX
    I made my homework chompi and that's right here there's full of complains and sometimes trough letters youc an tell that was the driver who messed up others not.
    anyways I am still hoping to find the right advice as the guy that hold the message that I just copied and paste on post #4.
    Thank you for all the sincere help and hope this thread help others too.
    By the way all those who want to apply for CON-WAY be advice a recruiter told me they do not count driver experience somebody who drove under fixed payment need more details ask me please.
    The web site to apply is not www.com-way.com is www.true2blue.com
    Good luck guys
     
  9. bread-n-butter

    bread-n-butter Bobtail Member

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    Jul 18, 2012
    mid atlantic
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    The oil fields are a great place to make real dollars. Not for "newbies". Very few will hire without 6 months or more experience. I just came home from N. D. for same reason. Worked in construction field. Weather and economy this season sucked. Lots of trucks sitting and / or for sale. The area is saturated with trucks. Spelled rate cuts just to get work.
     
  10. locustrunner

    locustrunner Bobtail Member

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    Jul 20, 2012
    Northwest Ohio
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    hey all. cdl student - graduating next month from ohio. Have a few pre-hires & 2 orientation dates. What do you all have to say about Swift, Werner & Stephens Trucking. I'm really looking for one that will pay my tuition back, since we took out a loan & is a good company to work for. Not one that will abuse you b/c you're new.
    Let me know what you all think - thx!
     
  11. jet460

    jet460 Heavy Load Member

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    Modesto, Ca
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    Watkins Shepard is the only company I know of that does not send you out with a trainer after orientation. They hire people fresh out of CDL school. 2 weeks in the classroom with a little bit of a drive test and out you go. I have been with them for 6 weeks and like it a lot so far. If you are confident that you can handle the job with minimal supervision, and a very fast, intense orientation, you might give them a try. They train in Missoula Mt and, I think, Conover NC.
    They also offer tuition reimbursement.
     
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