When considering first company...what is important?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by negativecold13, Feb 25, 2014.

  1. negativecold13

    negativecold13 Medium Load Member

    363
    415
    Jan 25, 2014
    Gilmer, Texas
    0
    My wife and I will be starting school in a little over a month. I know it is early for calling companies. What is the number one thing to look at? Whats really important, and what is all fluff? We plan to do long haul and are considering flatbed, maybe tanker. How important is an APU? I am not that familiar with one. Without it does the sleeper get really hot? We are currently living in Boise, Idaho and will most likely start with a company in the PNW, however, we are also looking at jumping down to Texas due to their no income tax and retired military benefits being better than current. What I think are good things to compare between companies is:
    Pay, miles, military program, equipment, APU, medical/dental. Medical and Dental is low due to having medical through tricare. I am sure there are other things. I am learning fast that what I think I know and the reality of the situation are quite different. Thanks.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. DRVNDRVR

    DRVNDRVR Light Load Member

    85
    68
    Aug 16, 2013
    Central Oregon
    0
    My $.02

    Training. Companies that team train are to be avoided. Companies that side by side train will give you a better chance at success.
     
    negativecold13 Thanks this.
  4. negativecold13

    negativecold13 Medium Load Member

    363
    415
    Jan 25, 2014
    Gilmer, Texas
    0
    Most of the companies we have talked to say we will have to go with seperate trainers for a period before getting our own truck. Probably better off that way anyhow's. During my Army career I instructed drivers training for several hundred Soldiers. I tried to teach her to fly fish, never worked out. Five minutes with our fishing guide and she was casting better than me.
     
  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,473
    143,555
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    System Transport based in WA runs teams and trucks have APU's. They also have a Texas terminal. Maybe give them a call with your plans.
     
    negativecold13 Thanks this.
  6. negativecold13

    negativecold13 Medium Load Member

    363
    415
    Jan 25, 2014
    Gilmer, Texas
    0
    Thanks for the info, guys. Chinatown, I have looked into the other companies you have mentioned also, wanting to stay physically fit we are thinking flatbedding for a while.
     
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  7. indspirit

    indspirit Light Load Member

    147
    131
    Aug 17, 2013
    0
    That all depends on you. What is important to me may not be important to you. You will probably hear from a lot of people that pay and/or miles are the most important. However think about it. You are just starting out. Even doctors have to work as interns at lower pay before they make doctors pay. Pay and miles will come so ask what will make you happy on the road and what is an absolute deal breaker.

     
    negativecold13 Thanks this.
  8. Oi!

    Oi! Road Train Member

    1,233
    935
    Jun 20, 2011
    Florida
    0
    A coworker worked there. He had good things to say.
     
    negativecold13 Thanks this.
  9. Aireal

    Aireal Medium Load Member

    602
    326
    Aug 20, 2012
    Garden City, TX
    0
    As has been said, it depends on what is most important to you.

    These are some thing's:
    Inverter, APU, Equipment on truck ( for fladbeds) , which toll's the company pays, pet policy ( only important if you have or want one). Maintenance policy ( who does it, when and what are you doing at that time) reimbursement policy, for anything you spend on their truck. Terminals ( what amenities if any they have and where).

    What is important to you might not be important to someone else. My husband always said the nice terminals two of the companies he worked for weren't important.... til he worked for one and we sat in their "drivers lounge" for 6 hr's while they did maintenance on our truck, just a smelly room with 6 chairs and table, 3 vending machines and microwave. That of course wouldn't bother a lot of people. I wouldn't of cared in the least if their wi-fi had been any good...lol
     
    negativecold13 Thanks this.
  10. x#1

    x#1 Road Train Member

    1,773
    1,102
    Dec 24, 2009
    Cherokee County, Alabama
    0
    [h=2]When considering first company...what is important?[/h]
    seriously look at the companies that do not monitor every single little thing that you do.avoid qualcomms,elogs,vorad,super singles(you blow one and you are kaput plus that is first indicator of a slow truck),mega fleets,and that is all i can think of.

    If you are unable to get on with an outfit that does not have the above,at least drive for a company that allows their trucks to operate at the minimally accepted speed limit of 70 mph.that way you can stay out of and away from that endless cluster of non speed limit running trucks which will automatically(not to be confused with an automatic) create a less stressful work environment. being forced to run in that pack just has to be stressful not to mention having to look at the same truck for hundreds of miles.
     
    negativecold13 Thanks this.
  11. tkpinsc

    tkpinsc Light Load Member

    52
    58
    Nov 2, 2013
    0
    The obvious is a company that will allow two new drivers straight out of training to team. Get it writing if you can.

    It doesn't matter how much you make per mile if you're always sitting. It also takes miles. The best paychecks are the result of both.
     
    negativecold13 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.