My situation

I am going to a private school I have looked around and even tho some companies give your money back I feel it is a smarter choice for.me to go.private. this way I will have a better choice of where I would like to work. I have a clean record, I also have my own business im from a family of truck drivers I have no problem being away from home and I do understand that I do need to work for at least a year some were. Im not much of a change person so im looking for a place I can stay with for a few years. I am looking for a few things in a company I know there are good and bad with all companies. I really want to be with a place that has a good safety score and also a company that keeps there equipment in good shape. I know there is a lot of talk about money on here, and of course id love to make money right now I have a business and I write pay checks for people that make 4 to 5 times what I do. So if someone complains about $4'00 heck id love to make that but I hope to make more lol

 

There's not much money in hauling general freight with reefer or dry van companies, unless you run teams with a company that just does East Coast/West Coast turns. A couple on the East Coast that do that are Martin Enterprises of the Carolinas and Benny Whitehead Trucking. You would have to ask if they would hire you as a team driver.

Dedicated accounts & logistics accounts pay better than general freight runs. Watkins & Shepard has several dedicated accounts such as furniture & carpet & some other stuff.

Greatwide has many dedicated & logistics accounts and many of them are food service which pay very well.

Schneider tanker division pay is really good, many taking home over a grand a week. They do hire new CDL grads for tanker work. Tanker work is easy money.

If you would be interested in flatbed, check trans-system website which is an umbrella company for 3 trucking companies.

Check Careerbuilder website also.

You're in a good area by I-80 for freight of all kinds. Don't limit yourself with the applications. You don't have to limit yourself to the so-called starter companies and also ignore the "experience required" on many companies websites; sometimes they bend their own rules.

Check the websites on those I mentioned & also start your own thread on "Questions From New Drivers." Many experienced drivers on here to assist you.

 

Thanks and just call it tough love lol.
She just has to do what needs to be done like I did or follow a different path is all.
If she's looking for easy this gig ain't it.

 

Kate,
I have a chilhood friend i grew up with since diapers.He is a very strong clean cut hard working man..He went against my call and went off to ''trucker school''...

He did get his CDL and all the endorsements.He was then tossed to the wolves on the ''front'' that the shool slave masters were going to give him a JOB...!!!!!...

So he went and lasted 3 days with Werner...He called me and i sent him some cash for a train back 2 weeks ago....ROLMFAO....Long story short it was a complete joke he told me and they did nothing but screw him around...

So i stepped up and helped him out...I made alot of calls in NY and it looks like we got him a job working hauling milk or gas for a Tanker Company....

Keep in mind Kate....THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT....And stay away from the bottom feeder crap outfits....You will be glad you did....

 

As far as some of the forum members.....

We should encourage kate,not discourage her from wanting NOT to go with the standard quo....bottom feeder crap outfits whom don't care....

We should help her find a position that is good for her and her situation AND WHATS COMFORTABLE FOR HER......IMO...

I myself never ever started trucking with a bottom feeded outfit and i turned out pretty much blessed..So it can be done...

 

I agree with you but there has to be a little bit of "want to" on the OP's part. IMO it sounds like there is very little "want". Now we find out she has two dogs that need to be accommodated which is going to make finding a driving job a little harder to find. Most carriers that allow pets have a probationary period before animals are allowed onboard.

I also agree that she doesn't have to start with a "bottom feeder". I came back to trucking in January after a 10 year hiatus. I started with Schneider (may or may not be a bottom feeder depending on who you ask) because they took me and I needed to support my family. On my TAH I spent it job hunting. Took less than 3 months to land a local gig pulling tanks. I make almost twice what I was making at Schneider and I have weekends off. So yes, it can be done but you have to want it!

 

Here, I fixed your post: