What's the best company for a new driver?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Ashkeef, Aug 26, 2012.

  1. Ashkeef

    Ashkeef Bobtail Member

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    Jun 29, 2012
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    I have one month OTR with swift. I'm looking for a good company to work for with decent mentors (why I left swift) etc. And if anyone knows where to look to work local in washington DC, VA area please inform me, but OTR is fine too.

    Thanks in advance.
     
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  3. Creampie

    Creampie Light Load Member

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    Aug 26, 2012
    Kingsport, TN
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    Man you see alot of people complaining about TMC being to strict but I have a buddy that just graduated with me last month and he went to them. They are treating him great and was in a truck training over 2 weeks ago. I went with USA and I have yet to step into a truck or get paid anything. I am actually waiting in Detroit which is like 600 miles from where I live(like I have been for 2 days) to hear from my trainer
     
  4. CJ5 Susan

    CJ5 Susan Bobtail Member

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    Jul 24, 2012
    The Garden State
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    Just curious -what was wrong with the mentors at Swift?? I just graduated from driving school and am looking at all my choices for companies. Right now im not sure who to pick . How did you do on your first month with Swift? Were you driving solo or team? Thanks, Susan
     
  5. Ashkeef

    Ashkeef Bobtail Member

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    Jun 29, 2012
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    Will, the first one was alright but didn't teach anything beyond just driving, nothing about the qualcom or anything else. Wasting my time. The second one made told me he didn't like anyone sleeping in his bed and I had to sleep in the top bunk while the truck was moving, which is illegal. No need to say what else.

    I think I did very will driving at least 130 hours with the last 80 while the mentor was sleeping. Backing wasn't too bad either. But of course you got rest areas, truck stops, border checks and all these things that I'm not used to.
     
  6. Keyster

    Keyster Light Load Member

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    Jun 15, 2012
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    Your mentor/trainer is luck of the draw.
    If you had a bad one at Swift they have a process set up to request a new one, while you're out with the one you hate. They're so desperate for trainers that they take guys that have been out for a year of less to train. It's an industry problem.
     
  7. Sam Hell

    Sam Hell Light Load Member

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    Aug 12, 2012
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    You can get a bad trainer/mentor with ANY company. Like already said...it's luck of the draw.
    Good luck!
     
  8. freelabor

    freelabor Bobtail Member

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    Aug 26, 2012
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    Driver maybe i can help you,but you're not gonna like the answer. There is no "right company". If you are still insecure about your handeling skills a large outfit will tell you what to do pretty much 24/7. A small outfit will usualy hand you your dispatch and trust you to get the job done. Larger outfits will treat you like a trainee, and when you screw up,and you will,will proably terminate you.smaller outfits are usually morew forgiving( as long as its not a major screw up). But before you start this journey keep these thoughts in your head 1) you are only going to average sleeping in your bed at home with your faimly less than 60 nights a year , 2) every company will pretty much tell you the same things(some sell better than others) 3) if hes got a ticket book and a gun hes looking for you! And lastly i've been a driver for 25 years, someone told me there was big money in trucking and i'm still looking fo it
     
  9. THGhost

    THGhost Bobtail Member

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    Aug 13, 2012
    FT. Hood, TX
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    Ok, First did you get company paidtraining? If so you need to contact someone at swift and work thingsout! Years ago we truckers told a Joke! Where is the safest place tobe when a Swift driver is backing up? Any way the have worked forover twenty years to put together a training program that would stopthe industry from laughing every time they saw their trucks on theroad, In a ditch parked on top of a car, wrapped around a pole youget the Idea! If you signed a contract with them you must Quicklyfind a solution both you an swift can agree on or it will come backto haunt you! There is no Best company what you need to ask is whichis best for you and you are the only one that can answer that! Theyall have good and bad pros and cons. If, you want to be respected byyour fellow truckers you just have to pick on and pay your dues stickwith them until you have the experience and opportunity to try adifferent one If, their was only one best choice all the best driverswould work there! What you can do is ask yourself Do I want to behome every week every weekend once a month? Do you want to just driveor load and unload? Do you want to operate a tanker, Food Delivery,Paper goods, Drop and hook, Doubles, live stock, Brand new Cars andTrucks, Heavy Equipment! What you want to haul and how much work youwant to do outside the truck will help you decide witch company isBest for you! Best of luck THGHost
     
  10. massparanoia

    massparanoia Light Load Member

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    Aug 18, 2012
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    I talked to a recruiter at roehl on friday and they seem pretty good, i have added them to my short list. I want to talk to someone over at maverick next I think.
     
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