Werner or Melton?

Neither, unless you enjoy Ramen Noodles.

 

We are going through something like that...We are new, 5 months solo, looking for enough money to eat. lol .38 cpm is not helping considering we are sitting a LOT. May have to leave after contract if things stay same...We actually like our company, but need more. We have 4 boys at home! Good luck to you!

 

Depends on what you want. One of the guys I worked with worked for Melton and said it was a decent company. But he said he had to bend the rules quite a lot to make such a living. Flatbed is also not for everybody. I did a bit, and the pre-loaded trailers were such a mess that it was better to just do a live load than to have to fight something for two hours because it was loaded wrong. Dry van doesnt have that issue, but it can have worse issues if you dont avoid bad division.

If you want solo experience, Werner will give you it. If you want to make money, teaming is the best division at Werner, from personal experience.

If you want to do flatbed, Melton might not be bad. But if you really need money, and dont want to suffer for it, teaming would be the best option.

Solo, Werner has a lot of dedicated runs, but they dont really pay nearly as much. $300-400 more a week is a lot of money. Plus monthly bonus checks your first 3-8 months. $750-1000.

Im honestly not sure what Melton is offering, and if you REALLY want to do flatbed, its not a bad option. If you want the best money, and least hassle, Werner teaming would pay significantly more than anything else.

Ive become a strong proponent for teaming after my last experience, and I recommend at least trying it. Not only will you be getting paid more, have a more stable shift, you will be helping solve the parking issue by removing two trucks from the truck stop at night. The solo drivers would appreciate that, I am sure.

 

This was a pay "stub" from June. Had already gotten to roughly $34,000 by mid way through the year. At the old pay rate.

The net would be more if I took per diem at the time. And you can see the cost of the medical as well. I basically got the best of everything. For $56.85 a week single. And not much more for family.

 

Melton is one of the better flatbed companies.
Do you have any endorsements, TWIC, passport?
Where is your location so we know the hiring area you live in.

 

I hear Werner have good insurance at a really good price too. Bluecross/Blue shield?

 

6 mos is good for many companies.
Do you have tanker/hazmat endorsements? These can put you with jobs where you can "take home" over a thousand a week.
Some companies will hire a little outside their hiring area if the application looks good. Some bend the hiring rules on "experience required."
Big G Express hires with 6 mos. experience. Some of their drivers post they make $60K.
Tyson Foods
Abilene Motor Express in Richmond.
Magnum Ltd.
TMC - drivers make good paychecks on percentage pay vs. milage pay.
Waggoners Trucking Co.
Old Dominion
A&R Logistics - this is a tanker outfit, but you don't need tanker or hazmat endorsements. They have an exemption because they haul plastic pellets. My former neighbor worked for them and made $72K even though the average is somewhere between $62K - $65K.

If you have tanker/hazmat and some require TWIC, look at these. They all hire new cdl grads, so you're in the ballpark for them. Some have "experience required" but bend the rules for a high quality applicant. some may pay for your TWIC ID Card. Google for nearest TWIC office:
Schneider Bulk
Superior Carriers
SVTN
Tidewater Transit
Trimac Transportation - no online app., must apply in person.
Groendyke Transport

If I were in your situation, would try A&R Logistics as a first choice. Keep a list of the others as a backup plan.

 

Cracks me up when I see posts asking which one of two awful companies to work for. You must be a glutton for punishment and/or allergic to $