Attention all company drivers!!!

I have worked for 4 major OTR companies:

CRST
Marten Transport
Werner Enterprises
Con-way Truckload

From my experience with all of these I find Con-way to be the WORST! I know...your thinking CRST could be worse, but no way. Conway by far is the worst Ive ever worked for. When speaking to recruiters, youll hear all is awesome working for any of them. Be forewarned, they lie just to get you in!
I was told by Conway that I would get 2500-2800 miles per week...after first month, I averaged 1680/week. I communicated to my FM that I needed more miles....I gave them 3 months an after 110 days my average weekly mileage was 2082/week. They have FMs that board 70-80 drivers each. Too many even for a large company. I am now driving local for a buddy. CRST was the 1st Company I worked for. They preety much only do teams. I was with them 10 months and left on good terms. Marten was so-so...alot of miles, but they never got me home when needed. Werner was also not so bad. They will make you live load/unload sometimes for HOURS. I actually sat at a dock for 9 hours waiting to be loaded. My 14 clock ran out AT THE DOCK! It was crazy! I had to move my truck from dock afterwards and got #####ed out, but w/e...
If your looking at signing on to any of these guys, I would suggest in this order:
Marten (good miles and $$)
Werner (ok miles and $$)
CRST (only if you like teaming- ok miles and poor $$)
but I would AVOID Conway all together! Drive Conway if you want to sit for 30+ hours between loads! lol
I hope Conway reads this...cause they are very unprofessional and unsupportive of their drivers! Shame on them!
Be safe out there~
Bludog!

 

Although I've never worked for USA Trucking, I wanted to take a moment and offer you thanks for protecting the privacy of the drivers who post here.

 

......good atleast they know why they don't have drivers to suck the life out of

 

I have a question for MACK E ^... why do you have and IP/OS/IB scanner patched into your posts? I dont really care (if I wanted to be invisible I would just turn ghost on) but am curious.

 

That's actually a pretty good testimony 'solobludog'... Just the kind of advice I was looking for. I think Con-way is one of those companies where you'd benefit more if you stayed with them for several years. Having said that, I have heard from someone in person that worked for 'Old Dominion' that they insisted 'Old Dominion" was a very good company to work for, and he cleared $100,000 one year, and about $80,000 the year before that.

Thanks for the advice, again. Also, going to say from experience to anyone thinking about driving for PAM... Go for it, I worked for them for a year and they're decent. Average pay starting out unless you have experience, but they are a pretty good company. They just need to improve on how they treat their drivers, and work on smoothing out some edges.

I'm about to try and sign on with a new company ASAP. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm interested in a company that treats their drivers equally.

 

It's generally accepted that it's preferable to remain with a Big truck truckin' company for a year before terminating employment there to seek greener pastures or a company with different color Big trucks. But that battle plan isn't chiseled in granite.

We hear a lot of complaining from wannaBees and newBees pertaining to the treatment they receive during their first year with their first Big truck truckin' company. Many times those dissatisfied have already planned on leaving upon reaching their one-year anniversary milestone, --- as probably most other newBees have the same plan. Quit and hire on with another Big truck truckin' company, --- start at the bottom again, and work their way up the ladder.

Speakin' from experience, a newBee with a year's seniority usually still lacks enough experience to even know what to appreciate in a company, or the know-how to work a Big truck truckin' company's system to their advantage. Those workin' in the front office behind a desk in a cubicle are aware that many, if not most, of the names they're dealin' with today will be gone after puttin' in a year, so there's no relationship formed with those who're just passin' through. The greater attention is realized by those who have a few years seniority and have gotten to know the folks in the front office. They've invested enough time to know how the system at that company works, --- and how to milk that system to their advantage while climbing the pay scale ladder, advancing, ..... while those who sought greener pastures with another company start back at the bottom and have to play catch-up to those who remained with the same company as they continue to learn all about what Big truck truckin' is all about, --- besides drivin'. The inner-workings and the politics behind the scenes are aspects of the industry that aren't covered at drivin' school, but that knowledge, along with a satisfactory, or higher, overall performance record, is what'll open doors to opportunities unknown to the drivers who 'just do their job' while tryin' to stay under the radar in stealth mode --- avoidin' contact with the office people and the drivers who regularly check in with those office people.

Often accused of bein' "brown-nosers", because they're known to "happen into" some pretty sweet gigs when, in actuality, it's simply a matter of bein' in the right place at the right time. It's not by coincidence that they "luck into" the better gigs within a company. By understandin' the system, they can figure out how to make it work for them. They reap what they sow.
Meanwhile, the transplanted newBee with a year under their belt, who has no intention of exertin' any extra energy to learn how to make the system work for them, will probably be thinkin' 'bout movin' on again, .... already, --- to yet another mega motor carrier, with high expectations, ---- only to discover that the newest gig is exactly the same as the other gigs,
only different.

So, ProStarBrakes ..... that bein' said, ---, I ask you, why not remain at PAM instead of followin' the herd of lemmings over the cliff? You've admitted that PAM is a "pretty good company" and they're "decent". You know what'cha got, but what'cha gonna get at another Big truck truckin' company?

There can be advantages to remainin' with a first company instead of bailing after one year. An application looks better if the applicant isn't a job-hopper. And it looks even better when the applicant has multiple years experience at the same company they first started with. While others list more companies they've driven for than the number of years total that they've been drivin' Big trucks, --- gaining experience at startin' new jobs and bailing out before they realize that they probably could have earned more by remaining with one company long enough to collect bonuses, perks, and pay per mile increases without the hassle of job hoppin'.

However, if you're not interested in remaining with PAM, and you're seeking recommendations of other Big truck truckin' companies that might be a good fit for you, I suggest Schneider if you like 'em large. But IMO, the smaller operations can be a more comfortable fit.

OH!
One more point to make, ------
You say you're "interested in a company that treats their drivers equally".
So, if a company treats their drivers badly, but "equally" bad, that would be acceptable?
:smt087 :smt075:smt021

​

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you'll keep us informed. :smt045
Good luck and Best of success.

:smt112
​

 

I can say first hand , I started my trucking career with .. U.S.A trucking .. I knew how to drive but not many company's would hire.. So I sad screw it , got in my car and went to them . Well they sent me to a cdl school that they said will pay !!!! If I worked for them for one year lol boy was that the biggest lie ever .. I drove for them a full year . And some how I still owed the school $2900 lol .. This was back in 1999 .. Mind you this is what I was told .. We have a contract with you not USA truck .. Lol so I asked where did half of my money go ?? The $150 a week I was getting taken out ? So after about 5 years of fighting them I have up . After 5 years I get a letter in the mail that I am being sued buy the school for funds .. I told them to come to Texas and sue me .. I got a lawyer and they changed there tune very fast .. Finding out a job contract like that is against the law .. And USA was by worst the sorriest company I worked for .. J.b hunt in my opinion is one of the best if you work to make money .. I am a owner op now .. Would not change it for the world .. But if you guys out there want a good job find something that suit you.. Remember fancy trucks won't pay and easy runs don't make money .. Longer hauls are not that bad .. Bad weather makes your a s s pucker but hey things happen .. So please stay away from USA truck let them sink

 

Well, with all due respect sir, I'm not your everyday 'newbee' as you may call it. I could tell you in detail of all the dissatisfying experiences I endured while working my full year with PAM, but I have come to the conclusion that not all drivers with get or feel like they're getting the same treatment. A lot of it does have to do with seniority, but not all of it does. Nor should it have to. I will say that most of, if not all of what you said is true, but since you seemed to have thrown me into a basket without even having the chance to get to know me... I'll have to say you're either just like a lot of those half-wits in this 'front office' you speak of, or you're one of them.

Also, for the record... I intended on staying with PAM for the long haul, but they ###### that up.

 

Actually, I type it "newBee", but it's pronounced the same as newbee and is interchangeable. Same story with "wannaBee" and wannabee, --- also interchangeable. Both words of description were already in use when I first started haunting Big truck truckin' related websites fourteen years ago, -- almost seven years ago here at TTR. The terminology isn't intended to be derogatory. As for you not bein' "your everyday newbee", I don't classify newBees into sub-groups, --- one size fits all.
Besides, if you have your magic year behind you, you're not a newBee (or newbee -- "everyday" or not) anymore.
NopE!
You'd be a rookie.
Congratulations.

Time will tell if you're not your everyday rookie.

Considerin' the subject that influenced MACK E6 to start this thread, it may be wise to spare the details. Not to mention the readers' endurance.
I am, however, confused, --- which isn't at all unusual.
In your post #1,216, you wrote; "Also, going to say from experience to anyone thinking about driving for PAM ... Go for it, I worked for them a year and they're decent."
And: "Average pay starting out unless you have experience, but they are a pretty good company."
I gotta say, for a dissatisfied former employee that's a rather glowing report, and quite unusual. We usually read about all the bad with no mention of any good. But I wonder if those readin' unbalanced reports might be misled by not balancing the good with the not so good which could create a false impression that might influence a decision. You'd be amazed at the number of folks who research by readin the various threads here at TTR, --- especially this thread. How long ago was it that MACK E6 begat this thread? With over twelve hundred posts to this date, I'd say it's still goin' strong.

Overall your posts are informative and well written, I appreciate that.
My comments aren't intended to critisize your posts.

Your conclusion is absolutely correct. Some, in fact, aren't gettin' the same treatment, --- for myriad reasons. Some will receive better treatment and some will not. Big truck truckin' companies aren't unique in that respect. It is what it is.
That isn't necessarily a bad thang.
The object is to determine what differentiates the groups and incorporate into your routine that which will gitçha where y'all would prefer to be. Performance and attitude speak louder than words.

Correct again.
Although I'm not convinced I totally agree with whether or not it "should have to" (have anything to do with it).
It takes time for a Big truck truck driver to prove themselves worthy of any available better treatment. Some sooner and longer for others. It depends on their motivation. It also depends heavily on the caliber of dispatcher one is dealin' with. A dispatcher can make or break a driver. Speakin' from personal experience, it's a good idea to be more than a voice over the phone or an electronic macro message. A face-to-face meetin' is a good way to develop a better workin' relationship. Strive to understand what a dispatcher's routine is and try to work with them. Dispatchers usually have company rules to abide by, like first in -- first out dispatching. Dispatchers are also human, --- subject to emotion. When they like a driver, it's harder to not treat 'em a tad better than drivers who tend to whine and complain a lot, --- who rarely, if ever, complement or thank for favors received.
Granted, there are dispatchers who aren't the brightest bulb on the billboard, a few sandwiches shy of a picnic. Gettin' through to those types could well be Mission - - Impossible.

Drivin' a Big truck requires more than just drivin'. The drivin' part is probably the easiest. For some, all their efforts begin and end at the door on the left. Nothin' wrong with that, --- unless they want the same treatment as those who learn and apply what it takes to receive the treatment they prefer. Call it people pleasin' skills, another aspect of Big truck truck drivin' not taught in drivin' schools. It's live-N-learn as you go.

I'll readily admit to bein' a "half-wit", --- in a front office, back office, or home office typin' hieroglyphics on a contrasting background while seated comfortably in my reclinin', rollin' high-back (with arm rests), multi-taskin', executive office chair, lookin' at a wide-screen monitor perched upon a roll-top desk while sippin' an adult beverage, (in moderation). I refrain from typin' while intoxicated, mostly to avoid makin' mistakes or providin' misinformation. If/When I make mistakes, or provide inaccurate information, I encourage folks to correct me. I trust that they will and appreciate it when they do.
Rest assured though, I'm not "one of them".

If it seems to you that I threw you "into a basket", --- I assure you that wasn't my intention. That you think I did so because I haven't gotten to know you is at least partially correct. Being that you're a newBee here at TTR, we've just met. Knowin' someone well takes time. I hope that you'll invest a lot of time here, learning and contributing.

For the record, I'll make note of that.
Sorry that your original plan didn't work out for you.

For the record, as pertaining to me and the way I write, ---- I write not only to you when replying, but to those who will read these threads, now and in the future. I use posts to set the stage, so to speak, --- a script, if you will, that I loosely follow to get points across. Some of the points I try to make don't always pertain to the original poster, --- more like a by-the-way, in case y'all didn't know, --- aimed at those who may not yet realize that they don't know, but should be made aware. So far, your posts have brought up some good points to elaborate on.
ThanX.