the 3 worst compny in the industry, im right or not???

I went through training with Werner in '04. They ran us as a team. Most of the time, my trainer was either in the bunk or tired and grouchy. I got minimal practice backing since most of our loads were 2000+ miles. I didn't like my trainer at all and I couldn't get away from him fast enough when I finally got my hours in. I learned most of my backing from trial and error, and from watching other drivers at trucks tops and shipping yards. That's not to say that you can't get quality training from Werner. My personal experience was negative.

Im a trainer now at USX. OTR students log 120 hours of driving and students for a dedicated account log 150. During the first half, the trainer is in the jump seat the whole time. After that, there is the option to team or run super solo (trainer spends first 3 hours of the day in the bunk). We have fender cameras but I only use mine for blind-siding. At night it adds to the glare in the cab.

Im not recruiting for USX. Like any company, they have a high turnover rate. Some do well and some don't. We have good trainers and bad trainers. Whatever company you look at, do your homework.

 

USX is decent for a starter company. If you run OTR there will be good and bad weeks. Getting your truck fixed at a terminal can be a long process. You may want to see what dedicated accounts they have in your area. That's where you'll find consistency. Some accounts require physical work but some are no-touch. I started OTR with them in '05. I was surviving but now that I'm pulling Dollar General loads for them my income and time at home have both doubled.

 

Just wanted to give everyone an update, Watkins no longer operates a school. I just applied online with them and the recruiter just called me. She stated that they don't provide a school anymore (training in house = yes) but they have lists of approved schools whereby they will reimburse up to $4800 (I think that is correct).

So I just wanted to let everyone know and thanks Warpdrvr for the heads up on Waktins!

 

go flatbed....TMC...very good training program for flatbed

 

wow SWIFT? CELADON? guess if u are lookin for the worst places to go u found them.. why would u even consider either oneof them. ? u need to do alot more research b4 u go toone of them there are much better companies out ther

 

So much of success or failure is strictly up to the driver. No company wants a high maintenance, unreliable, or whining driver. The companies have customers, customers have loads, loads have schedules. The best place to start is with yourself. Then, once you're working well, you know that part is good. I got a new CDL and went with Swift. They start you low and advance you rapidly if you don't mess up. Plus they pay $450/week during training and orientation. (3 days orientation) One thing about Swift, they pay every dollar they owe you right on time, every week. Any driver keeps records of his miles and reimburseable expenses, because there is no perfect system. All recruiters are liars.

 

i don't know what i can tell you. i get home on time for my home time. i never talk to my dispatcher, and i make decent money. the money might not be enough for you, but i only have a few bills. my truck was given to me brand new 2 years ago, they keep me running for the most part. their are few times where i might sit for a day on the weekend, but those are few and far between. i don't have a apu but since my mpg is above average they don't talk to me about idling. i choose to run at 57 so my mpg is higher. i don't know what more to say. i like it here a lot but you might be different.

 

I have been with Swift for 8 years and they have been good to me. After training you start out at .25/m empty and loaded for 300+ miles increases with lower miles, you have 3 increases during your first year to I believe .30/m. I must say that though Swift has been a good fit for me but they are not for everyone.

 

Maybe this sounds silly, but what would be a typical reason Swift might not fit the next guy?