career advice-finding a good company

hello all I'm a semi (get it) new trucker. Been otr for almost a year now. I got my CDL while working at a local moving company to drive box trucks and get a pay raise. Then my boss asked me to go OTR for the summer doing household goods. Decent gig...paper logs, drive 1000-1500 miles away, unload, deadhead back home and grab another loaded trailer. All paid miles and hourly while unloading, motel if I wanted it. My boss was a good friend and treated me fairly.

Well the busy moving season ended mid august and with it our loads. Boss was trying to get a freight division rolling but was taking to long and I had bills pilling up and a baby on the way so I decided to get an OTR job. Applied at heartless express and was accepted. Now fast forward a few months and things aren't going so hot. Im in my FIFTH truck, as they keep breaking down (even though they have the "best fleet on the road") miles have suffered as a result. best week so far was around 2600. most are 1700-2000. this week because of truck issues ive only got 1000 or so miles. Dispatcher is a jerk and never wants to listen to any of my problems. Always rushing me off the phone. Says he cant give me more miles because there's no freight. Wont give me breakdown pay if I'm technically assigned to a working truck. Makes me feel like an inconvenience by saying he's got 50 other drivers not just me. The only good thing is they get me home every weekend if I want it

So now I'm looking to build a little experience with them and find a new job, probably when my tax return comes in. But I DO NOT want to get on with another company and have more bad experiences and end up hoping from company to company. I've been looking and looking and it's truly a mine field of companies out there. I would really like 2500+ miles a week and home weekends. Already know to stay away from the big megas but not sure where exactly to go. I live in Kansas city area and really like being home weekends (family) but don't mind staying out every now and then if need be. I've heard good things about LTL...there's a YRC and fedex hub in kc but going on an extra board for god knows how long makes me nervous. Thought about maybe a fedex contractor with a dedicated run? Also I hear poly trucking is good. Any advise would be much appreciated...I just want my family to have a good life

 

penguin would you recommend YRC or fedex? I have friends (sort of) that work at both. heard YRC is having all sorts of problems but the guy I know that drives for them does nothing but sing there praises...fedex I here has an odd organization to them

 

Good advice guys thanks. It amazes me that there is a "driver shortage" yet companies continue to treat drivers like ####. Really would be nice to find a company that actually cares your away from home and realises u need money even if "them wheels aren't turnin" every second away from the house is on duty IMO