What is a good Truck Company to start out with ?

I am biased, but Gordon should be first choice; of the companies that will take anyone go with Stevens.

 

There are many good companies to go with,it's for new drivers to be picky about to many things. the big thing to know is there is a lot of negetivty out there,you get out of it what you are willing to put in. Keep an open mind take advice dont expect to much,as a new driver you will most likly get that the crappy loads,it's test to see what kinda driver you are going to be. good luck

 

Why dont you answer his question and mention one of the "many good companies to go with" instead of bashing the rookies that get shafted making 300 a week and never seeing home while spending 60% of the winter running i-70 in Colorado and crossing Wyoming on i80? LTL carriers have been known to hire new CDL's(from what i hear) and the season for LTL hiring is right around the corner here in the next couple of months. People generally say LTL treats drivers on average better then general OTR freight carriers. hope that helps

 

this has got to be the most accurate and honest answer I've read thus far. thanks!

 

I know people at both US Xpress and Prime that are newer and happy, I did a stint at US Xpress but I did not go there new, I had no complaints other than the ones that seem to come up at every OTR outfit

There is always local stuff too, beverage hauling companies hire a lot of new drivers, hard work but home everynight at least

 

If they still have no trainer time, Watkins Shepard...And ask for LTL runs so you can make the most and get the best backing experience you can get as you hit docks built for horse and buggies on a daily basis...I remember starting there and seeing some docks and say, "No ##### way!", after a short time doing it, "if someone else did it, bring it on!"...You will learn to "feel" what it takes to make truck do what you want in shortest time as you hit 10-15 docks a day(sometimes) compared to a few a week...You want the confidence to look at any dock and say, no problem, that comes fastest doing LTL, without a trainer, imo...

 

Local driving will get you all the city driving and backing experiance you can stomach that is for sure, but thats not a bad thing!

 

I'm about to start CDL training at TDI in Forsyth GA. I do not really want an OTR position so what you said here really peaked my interest. I have a flawless driving record and zero criminal history, also ex military. Can you offer some company names by chance? Thanks!

 

You have to realy search and knock on doors for those local jobs.
Get the hazmat/tanker endorsements before graduation.

Perdue Farms Inc.
Milan Express
Saddle Creek Corp.
US Express
Averitt Express
Merchants Food Service
Airgas
Ferrellgas
Amerigas

Other, not local but good hometime:
Tyson Foods
CTL Transportation
SVTN
Groendyke Transport
Trimac Transportation
Tidewater Transit
Superior Carriers

Plenty more out there also!

 

Thank you so much I will be looking into those for sure. I have a friend that works at Perdue near my house as a driver. I'll talk to him and see if I can get my foot in the door while i'm in Class.