Exp. drivers if you were a new grad, who would you pick for a starter company?

Great advice,
Thank you.
:smt006

 

Great advice,
Thank you.
:smt006

 

Well in my opinion there is no such thing as a perfect company all have pro's and con's. As of the size of the company that really doesn't make a difference either with the exception of benefits possibly. A larger company may have better benefits (and cheaper) do to the larger percentage of participation of employees in their insurance plans.

START WITH THESE;
1. Company's Starting Pay For New Driver's & Benefits, Type Of Equipment They Run. Do They Hire Trainee's? You will need 6 months to a year of experience.
2. Decide if home time is a factor. Most companies that hire new drivers may keep you out for awhile before getting you home unless your trainer lives near you and you can get home when he/she goes home. You will be able to gage home time with that company by amount of time your trainer goes home and decide if its worth it to stay out that long.
3. Terminals distance from the house or will company let you take truck home with you for home time.
4. OTR, Regional, Dedicated or Local.
5. Alot of the big carriers have dedicated runs that will get you home every weekend. Werner, JB Hunt, Swift, Schneider. Some even have local driving positions available in certain areas once you complete their training period with a trainer. Call their recruiters and ask straight to the point questions about whats most important to you.

 

This seems like a good place for this question:
I am a catch 22 driver,LOL!
I have a CDL-A but have been out of a truck to long - Local companies wont hire me - most mega co. want me to go to a driving school but Western Exp is ofering me a refresher program. I read alot of bad stuff about Western Exp but know how truckers are also.
My big problem is my wife had a brain injury in 09 that left her disabled ( but functioning ) I can't be away from her months trying to get retrained ( I can drive a truck ) - and once I'm in a truck I need to be able to take her with me.
I have never driven for a mega company and am not looking forward to it - it's always been Mom and Pop or family trucking jobs for me I need to do this to be able to take care of my wife and get our life straightened out - everything went down the drain when she got injured ( she was a bailbondsman and was my sugar moma Lol! )
Any advice would be great.

 

All the smaller Trucking companies sa thier Ins.Co. wont let the hire drivers wit less than 2 yrs

 

Not my experience.

My company has about 100 trucks. Most are less than 2 year old Petes. My company has never asked for any favors. Im home every weekend for a 34 and have never been asked to leave early. As far as insurance and benefits, our medical is paid 100% by the company, in other words no premiums out of our pockets and its pretty good coverage. The only benefit that I would like to see more are paid holidays. Currently we get 4 paid holidays. Not worried about job security as we arent going anywhere. Pay is very good. I have been here 2 years and we have lost maybe 10 drivers so turn over rate is pretty low. Many drivers have been there 15+ years with several being there since the company started in 1983.

My point is, not all companies are the same. Many do suck, but there are good ones out there.

 

Most places want a refresher. If you you can get is Western Express. Deal with it until you can get enough experience other companies will take a look at you. I think they have a rider policy not sure, but not sure they would let her ride until you are in your own truck. The laws have changed, most companies are on e logs. Driving records tickets, accidents, over weight violations are no more slaps on the hand. Unless you are trying to get a gig from some o/o on this site. I would go with western express for now, and then with some better companies so that she could have decent insurance after you get 6 months to a year there. I'm sure some of that stuff is true about Western but you aren't going to find much better with your situation.

 

So what part of MOST don't you understand.