Is there a "Best" Company to drive for?

I'm curious; if you don't like these particular threads, why do you click on them?
Personally, I like these threads, maybe I can help a newbie or wannabe and prevent them from making some costly or time consuming mistakes. When I started driving, didn't have computers to get info from. Usually our info came from some disgruntled truck driver that thought he was the smartest driver in the known and unknown universe. If we do our best to help these guys & gals, they won't forget it and will probably do the same for others in a few years. Not everyone can afford tuition for a quality driving school and a company training program may be their only option. That doesn't mean they're stupid; it means it's their only option and they are willing to make the sacrifices necessary for that option. They're trying to make an informed decision as to which company is best for them and their particular needs and wants.

 

colorato.. you need to take a chill pill dude... Chill out man, it's the newbie forum, yeah, people dont search.. then the moderator should post a *Search First* before asking the question.. tell the moderator that if it bothers you like that.. dont be degrading, unless you want people to troll on you

 

I'm pretty much in the same boat... looking for a company... and I've been looking and doing research for over a year. I'm a student at TDDS now, with 4 weeks left before I can take the CDL test. Check out my profile / blog - you'll see what I know so far.

What I've found is that there is probably not a single company out there that will have everything you might be looking for - and even if they have most of what you are looking for - there are going to be other things that you are not going to like at all.

Something that 'should' be a major concern for any driver is the safety record of the company. CSA - "SMS" scores, are critical to your career... and the company if they care.
You can get information about any company and how they compare to their peers by looking them up here... http://www.safersys.org/CompanySnapshot.aspx

Google search the company name and DOT number - "Roehl DOT Number" - (not always easy to find, you can also use the MC/MX number if you find that instead). On the first page you come to after you enter the number, you will get an overall report... look in the upper right corner (under 'Other Information...) and click on the 'SMS Results'. After you get to that page, click on "Print Ready Measurement Profile" (the orange block on the right) to get more information.

You'll learn about CSA in training... just know it's something that is used to score both the drivers and the companies. Knowing which companies have the best scores is a good place to start.

My suggestion is to make a list of things that are important to you, and as you look at each company, check off / make a note as to whether or not they offer that? These are the things I compare about different companies:

Orientation Pay, Length of Orientation, Training Pay, Length of Training, Tuition Reimbursement, Practical Mileage or Movers Miles, Pay Scale (0-3m, 4-6m, 7-12m, 1y, 2y, 3y, max), Home time policy, Primary area covered (N,E,S,W, Midwest, Mountain, Canada / Mexico, or all 48 states), No-touch%, Drop/Hook%, Bonuses, Fingerprinting Pay, Lumper pay, Detention Pay, Layover Pay, Added Hazmat Pay, Types of trucks / freight (Van, Refrigerated, Tanker, Flatbed, Intermodal, Drayage, Dedicated, Regional), Type of Transmission (Auomatic, 10-speed), APU/EPU/Opti-idle, Inverters (built-in or allowed), Pet Policy, Rider Policy, Life Insurance, Health Insurance (cost per week), Closest terminal or drop yard to home.

Good luck in your search... I think this list has helped me weed out most companies, just by looking at their websites... but applying to a company will put you in touch with a recruiter, where you can get specific answers to the things not listed on their websites.

I have yet to find a company that 'has it all' but if you know what matters to you, these are a lot of the things I think you 'should' consider.

 

The best company is the one you like... companies are like women... what appeals to you another may not like.

Speaking as a driver for Stevens who is actually sitting in a Stevens truck fixing lunch... there is good and bad with all of them. I am returning to driving after a considerable gap sonhaving to start from scrath so to sah, but I am in the finalnstage of training at Stevens... grad fleet, where you are running solo and so far the miles have not been a problem... on a four day 2000 mile run from NJ to Laredo rigjt now that I picked up yesterday am... this follows a three day 1400 miler from AR to NY so while I am not making a fortune, I am certainly not starving on 3400 miles.in 7 days.


All weeks are not this easy, but I am averaging aroun 2700 per week, so I have no complaints at present. Does that change? Maybe... but for now its experience.

 

I'm not saying its not ok to come here looking for info. Hell almost everyone here did. And I applaud anyone who takes the time to research there future. But, when you ask the same questions over and over and over again it's ridiculous. The mods have way better things to do then to go around deleting "who should I drive for" and "I'm new what company doesn't suck balls" threads. Take a second, go to the newb thread and look at the 1 million posts like the one your about to start. BTW Searching is not "hard work" and if you think it is then do us all a favor and go do something else.

 

almost 3k per week.. you got to be kidding? I have to say bluff on that.. no way can a driver start out with that much money

 

colorato.. I think you are kind of on a soap box

but i understand what youre saying.. thats why I suggest the mods put in what some forums do.. *Read before posting* and in the thread it will say DO THE HOMEWORK, SEARCH, SEARCH SEARCH your question, if its not on here, post it.. I think that would be a good idea.. but what do I know, im just a guy who just got the cdl.. I am nothing

 

I'd never say someone's nothing just because there just starting. We all had to start somewhere.

IDK. bad night I guess. Is what it is. Just seemed like not that long ago you could come here and get real answers to real questions. Now it's a bunch of is the bottom feeder better than this one. Don't sell yourself short. Yes some people need those companies to get started due to there past and some I'm sure have decent runs but don't think you can't start out local or LTL or ? It's actually easier now to get hired by those companies when starting because they know they can train you to do things there way.

 

No I am very serious... however if you go back and read my post a little closer you will see I am discussing miles driven per week, and yes it is almost 3k per