New driver needs advise....PLEASE!!

I worked for Crete for 18 years I could average about 2700 miles per week. Above average pay rate. They put you with a trainer for 2 months. As stated, they have a big terminal in Wilmer. In my opinion, communication was the weak point.
You can make good money with Crete and you will run everywhere. It would be a good place to gain experience and wouldn't be a bad choice. I think any of your 3 companies would most likely be good. But reefers do have their drawbacks. Grocery warehouse deliveries with all kinds of delivery appointments and then you may have to go get the trailer washed out. Dry van freight is generally less hassle. But dry vans go to grocery warehouses also.

 

What company you go with depends entirely on what's most important to you. Some companies pay better than others, but they may not have the liberal home time that you're looking for. Some companies allow riders, others don't. The list goes on. You can't rely on the advice of others to make a personal decision such as this.

For me, personally, my paycheck is the most important thing right now. As a new driver, I'd have chosen Prime out of the list of those three. When I was comparing companies three years ago, they had the best pay package of all of the 'starter' companies.

 

Personally, I would never drive for a company whose trucks are governed to 55mph. Way too slow for the highways your driving.

 

The good thing about reefers is you can haul dry van freight also. It's even better if you have hazmat endorsement. I emptied a reefer load in Ohio one time and next load was paint going to California, and you needed hazmat endorsement. I was the only driver at the terminal with hazmat endorsement, so I got the load. Same thing happened a couple more times and again, I got the load, car batteries.

I'd go with Tyson and also look at Pride Transport.

 

I have a buddy that just started at Crete. He's an experienced driver, however. He said there were 27 people in his orientation class. He just got his truck last week and says so far so good. That said, I imagine they're pretty similar to Roehl (where I used to work before my current gig). Those large companies are "OK", but not nearly as personable. I like to be able to call in and the person knows who I am by the sound of my voice, not by me giving a driver code. I drive for a private fleet of around 350 trucks now. And, I would still like to go even smaller. The only draw back is the smaller you go, the benefits typically get worse. I have great benefits now and the pay is real good so will likely stay. lol

 

Go with tyson better starting pay after you get off trainers truck start at .38/mile. Someone mentioned we are governed at 70 mph. Right now we are but are starting to cut us back to 64

 

While keebler points out that Tyson starts drivers at $0.38/mile, what he doesn't mention is how many miles you'll be getting. Nor does he mention anything about accessorial pay (detention, layover, etc.) or bonuses (fuel economy bonus, safety bonus) that can really make a big difference when you pick up your check. While companies love to use the 'per mile' rate to lure new drivers in, that rate is only a very small part of the story when considering your total compensation.

 

IMHO, I would NOT try and drive a smooth bore tanker or doubles/triples until I had some time pulling one trailer around. Just because you have the endorsement doesnt mean they all pull the same. Hazmat is ok though.