Which Companies to look at....

I took some valuable insights from @Chinatown and looked at companies below the "mega" companies and was very happy my outcome. Several smaller companies do train as well and you miss out on some of the mega drama too.

If you are interested in the quality tier below the Megas I would be happy to tell you about the company I opted to run with which is Abilene out of Richmond, VA. One of our main lines is I-95 which runs right by Savanna. Which means home time would be fairly easy to schedule for you and most of our teams, from what I hear, run coast to coast which means lots of miles.

They run awesome O/O specs on their equipment (inverters, fridges, microwaves) and are maintained well and rotated out every 3 years or so.

Stay Safe wherever you land,
MD

 

This is 100% true. If you come over to US Xpress then you definitely want to get on a dedicated account. Mostly drop & hook.

 

Can you get on them soon after getting done with training or are they hard to come by?

 

Highly recommend you get with your recruiter and find out what's available then getting on it. Stay away from Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Store.

 

I lived in Savannah for about 9 years, I also drove in the Army long ago...

Keep in mind, the Company you start with, with a few rare exceptions, will not be the company you end up with.

Most of those who answer these types of "who should I drive for" questions have never driven for the companies they either recommend or tell you to avoid, so you end up with a lot of "I heard, I was told, I have a friend, etc" but little first hand knowledge.

Go out to the TA or the Loves and talk to a few drivers in the fuel Islands about their company, get first hand and current opinions from those living it.

The important thing is to get started, to get hired and get a few miles behind you. Doors will open to you, as Wooly said, Teams are in demand.

 

I just can not believe how people invest there life savings then come out and ask where should they go. No offensive to you people because you're like all the rest. I blame the false advertisement those CDL schools are putting out.

You see their job is done when you get your CDL. The money you and others have invested has been fulfilled. Now it's up to you to find work. The schools can help by allowing recruiters to come in to spill their story on how you're going to make at least $50,000 the first year so good luck and I'll see ya.

The fact is now you hold a CDL in you hand and have no idea what to do. Does any one know what type of work, what type of truck, what kind of benefits, what kind of companies? No because the schools have a great deal setting students up to fail. The have these recruiters steer the new drivers towards the mega companies, which are perfect for their business. If they get a team hired on to one of those megas, and that megas get what they want, they will make a profit and could careless if that new team stayed there or not. With the size of their company it's a matter of moving those trucks and the drivers don't matter much. They are self insured so a little bang here and there is reason enough to get rid of the driver but cost them penny's to fix. They want the new driver that will take the lower pay up in the truck.

Anyway that's my believe on how you're all treated. Your truck driving training will start when you do get hired. Plus there are some good experience drivers that have been around these companies and they can tell you who's the better company. I would suggest that you take their advice and get at least a couple of their suggestions that are the same and look into it. That is of course you sit down and figure out what type of trucking business you would like to go for. As the school has taught you moving freight is what you'll be doing. Well that's true to some extent. What type of freight do you want to move. If it's just boxes then you'll be with a huge fleet of drivers and you'll be changing jobs some. However, you may get lucky and retire from your first job. There are some that do but very few. Trucking is a career choice and the more you put into it the more you'll get out. I suggest that you try to specialize your talents and move a specific type of product. Like radioactive waste or any product that requires some knowledge on the product. That way you become trained and then you also become in demand. How much demand depends on what you choose and if it's available. Good luck.

 

Not that I disagree with you about many points but how is this different than any others "school"???

When you graduate High School there is no job waiting for you that you was "fully trained" in... You might have a Guidance Councilor available to direct your path but not much more.

If you go off to college, it's basically the same thing. They might have a "Career Day" or "Job Fair" or companies might contact them directly for recruits.

In both contexts you are required to seek out that first job, be the best candidate, get the job, and more than likely move on, or up the ladder, which a year or so as you figure out your personal path in life.

Now trucking is a bit different due to lifestyle and the fact that labor is in need which means some companies will blow smoke up your backside to get you in the door and in the seat... But that's mainly due to the shortage of workers and the need for companies to fill the seat.

Drivers Schools do the same thing... Here is your License (diploma) now it's more or less up to you to make it work.

I am so very glad I came across TTR as it allows me to get help and guidance from experienced drivers which helped me to avoid the Mega Carriers.

But as I said, I don't disagree with your comments in general. Most all my true education has been hands on in the field. The school was just the introduction and starting point ... The rest is up to me and the company I choose and the help of more experienced drivers.

... but that's true of just about all things in life.


Stay Safe,
MD