Aspiring Missouri truck driver needing help

Sorry, but how would that be a good thing? In this economy, the reason for going into trucking in the first place is to find work - hopefully with a stable company - where you hope to find some stability and job security. If they're in financial trouble, I'd stay clear of that company... regardless of the miles.

 

Look at it in terms of the company being a customer that you haul freight for and you want to get the company that pays the most for your services...to you.

Why would anybody want to haul freight for 30k a year when they can haul it for 50k? It sounds absurd, but many drivers do this. When I started out in trucking, I did a year with USA Truck and back in the day I was making 27 cents a mile. After a year at USA I found another carrier that would pay me 37 cents a mile and I politely informed USA Truck that I would be hauling the other company's freight instead of theirs. I gave them plenty of notice before I left and they ample time to match the rate, but they declined. I left on good terms with no hard feelings. It's just business.
You're in business for yourself, not them. Your stability and job security revolves around your ability to NOT have accidents and to have a clean MVR with no tickets on it. Those two things are the company driver's meal ticket in this industry. As long as you give each company at least a year and don't work for more than 3 companies in 5 years , you'll always be able to find work. As long as you don't curse people out and threaten them.
Also, don't fall into the trap of thinking that what is good for another driver is good for you because it is not. We all have different needs. Some people are willing to sacrifice money in exchange for a job that has a warm and cozy atmosphere. What I mean by this is that as a new trucker you can go to work for Schneider where people are very polite and respectful and you will make around 25k your first year or you can go to work for USA where it might be a little more of a macho environment but your paychecks will be much bigger. The choice is yours.
USA Truck brings in a lot of revenue. They're not going to cease to exist. The worst case scenario is that they get bought out by another company and if this happens it might mean that you end up with a pay increase.
Good luck, I'm just trying to relay some info to you so you can make your own decisions.

 

Also, I don't know if you are married or have kids or not, but if you are single there is no reason to be wasting money on rent because you will rarely be home. Most truckers sleep better in their trucks than they do in their own bed at home. This info is dated, but USA has rooms with beds at some of their terminals that drivers used to use on their time off in order to save money. Laundry rooms too. I didn't have a car or a place to live when I worked there and was able to save some serious cash. Most people that start out in trucking are desperate and the trucking companies know this and will work with you. Sure they're going to use you to make money, but I never heard of anyone with a work ethic going bankrupt from paying off their CDL training.

 

Good luck in your search. I know you said you don't want a contract but sometimes they aren't that bad. Just do what you need to get your foot in the door.

 

CLICK HERE for a list of trucking companies that hire new drivers.

Apply with all the companies that offer training, even if you must pay part or all of it back. That's the best way to get started for those that don't have the money for private CDL school. It doesn't matter which company you choose, there are those that will tell you it's a terrible company. Just pick one, and do what it takes to get started. Best wishes.

 

Pell can be used for CDL training provided the school is nationally accredited. Also you SHOULD be able to get a stafford loan, again if the school is accredited. You'll be better off in the long run to pay for it yourself. Many of the starter companies out there do offer some form of tuition reimbursement, with some going as high as 90% of the total tuition costs.

I wish you the best of luck in school and hope to see you on the road soon.