Need help making the right choice....

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Sparky1980, Apr 27, 2016.

  1. Sparky1980

    Sparky1980 Bobtail Member

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    I'm new to trucking, besides my military background. I live in Montana and just paid to got my CDL.

    So far Walkin Shepard and Swift are the only company's hiring out of the area...Jim Palmer hell no, they have major integrity issues.

    What company's are worth giving a shot?
     
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  3. ibcalm19

    ibcalm19 Road Train Member

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    I would base it off what you are trying to do for yourself. Everybody situation is different. You are new so basically you are building your experience. Swift is big so you might have more options. Where you live can be an issue being able to get you home find out that
     
  4. Mudguppy

    Mudguppy Degenerate Immoralist

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    @Chinatown will be along shortly to get you squared away.

    Thanks for your service!

    ETA- He's going to need your AO to get a better read on your options.
     
  5. Sparky1980

    Sparky1980 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 16, 2015
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    AO?
     
  6. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Are you wanting to go OTR or regional for a truckload carrier? I ask because you never know what local outfits might need drivers coming into the spring season. Some will even take new CDL holders if you can present yourself well ... sell yourself and if they need truck drivers, they need drivers and can't be picky as CDL holders with good driving records don't grow on trees in remote areas like Montana

    Consider local lumber yards, concrete/aggregate outfits, mining & lumber operations, etc

    If you live near Missoula or Butte or Billings, you probably have options with the larger truckload carriers in terms of getting home, but if you live in the sticks, 250 miles from anywhere, it can be tougher (more costly) for them to get you home and will likely lower your stock value with them.
     
    airforcetoo Thanks this.
  7. Sparky1980

    Sparky1980 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 16, 2015
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    I basically live right in the center of Butte, Helena and Bozeman. I don't mind going over the road. As long as I can find a company that is flexible in case I need to get home since my wife is not in the best condition it says she has her surgery then everything will be all good.
    I've had a lot of people tell me that Swift is very good with her training program. NFL others tell me that Walkin Shepard puts you in a two-week orientation class and then put you out solo. I have a perfect driving record never had a ticket or an accident and 35 years I tend to keep it that way......
     
  8. Mudguppy

    Mudguppy Degenerate Immoralist

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    Comeon Sparky, you were military right?? AO= Area of Operations= Where you located???:)
     
  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    I'd pick Watkins-Shepard mainly because of the short orientation and they don't listen to your phone calls or conversations inside the truck. That truck is your home away from home, so you shouldn't have people eavesdropping on your private conversations. It's not, by definition, eavesdropping because when you work for companies like that you also give you permission to be monitored.
     
  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    There's more to choose from:
    Decker Truck Line
    Jones Bros. Trucking
    Navajo Express
    InterWest Moving and Storage- Atlas Van Lines Agent
    Don Hummer Trucking - .52 cpm with fuel bonus
    Midnight Express Inc.
    Abilene Motor Express
    Halvor Lines
    Magnum Ltd.
    GardaWorld

    I'd put Abilene, Hummer, Magnum at the top of the list. The others are also good; that's just my take on it.

    Submit lots of applications. Ignore "experience required" because companies are bending their own hiring rules & websites may not be up to date.
     
  11. airforcetoo

    airforcetoo Heavy Load Member

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    don't go with swift ...

    & out of those that 'chinatown' mentioned; I'd go with 'Decker' - heard good things from them
     
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