good starter company for OTR

The devil is in the details; here's some OTR companies to research that are hiring in your area. Remember, some OTR companies run coast-to-coast and some just run Eastern half of USA; depends on what you want.

UPS Freight
NFI
Schneider Bulk
Halvor Lines - 4 divisions to choose from.
Melton Truck Lines - Tri-Pac APU
Navajo Express - APU & Inverter
Cardinal Logistics
Trimac Transportation - $60k-$80K
Superior Carriers
JBS Carriers
HO Wolding
Pride Transport

Tyson Foods

LAUNCH A CAREER WITH TYSON FOODSEnjoy the benefits of driving for a private fleet. Tyson Foods offers a great pay and benefits.


Start submitting applications right now to give you time to sort through the job offers before graduation. Ignore "experience required" on any trucking company website and apply anyway. Many trucking companies are bending their own hiring rules because of a shortage of "quality" applicants.

 

Smith Transport out of Roaring Springs, PA...im starting orientation with them next week. Everything has been very smooth with them as far as information. They have Freightliners and Peterbilts, all blacked out and chrome, all with APU's, almost all no touch frieight, good benefits....check out their website and even give them a call. Billie Jo Mentzer in recruiting has been a pleasure to deal with thus far....it cant hurt to try at least

 

When companies say no touch freight ask about live unloads. Schneider was supposed to be 95 percent drop and hooks it was a week of 3 hour live unloads only get paid after first 2 hours.

 

Another good reason to go tankers!

 

Maybe try Crete or Conway Truckload (they used to be CFI) Both pay rather well for graduates and I don't hear a lot of bad about either. (I'm pretty sure Smith Transport that was mentioned requires some kind of experience) I'm pretty sure Crete has a terminal right up 476 from you in Macungie,which may help with home time and/ or truck parking on home time. Good luck and keep it safe once you decide whom to go with once you graduate.

 

The truck drivers who drive tankers have less waiting time to get their tankers loaded or unloaded?

 

This thing about the first "2 hours are free". Is total BS. Ask your mechanic, electrician, plumber, Dr. you name it if their first 2 hours of service are free. Why should you offer first 2 hours of free services?

 

I don't mind a few live unloads over touching freight. im coming off open heart surgery 8 months ago and im 33 (born with aortic valve defect) so as long as im alive, im ok lol

 

Yes, on average it takes an hour to load or unload. Most tanker companies start detention after one hour. I got $25.00 to unload plus hourly pay after one hour. Unloading usually consists of hooking up a hose and turning a pump or air pressure on. You won't see tankers hanging around truck stops hoping their dispatcher finds a load, because they always have the wheels turning. Tanker is easy money and as far as I'm concerned, better that 100% drop & hook or 100% no-touch freight.

There was only one place that took awhile; that was in Freeport, TX. Took from 6-8 hours due to pushing the product into a small pipe which went across a field then up to top of a storage tank. I didn't mind; always took food and drink. Made $25.00 to unload then $14.00 an hour until finished. Detention stopped when I checked out with security at the gate.