Who should I start with?

Can tell you where NOT to go:

Werner, Swift, most of the reefer companies (england, stevens, srt), Covenant, and a quick search of this website. If they are getting a bad rap on this site, they probably deserve it!

You may want to consider the usual training companies -

Roehl, Schneider (varying reports as to whether they are still hiring inexperienced drivers). Roehl has a refrigerated division that is paying a bit more CPM. There isn't a lot of elasticity with respect to food demand so the reefer freight of say a Roehl should hold up. Not trying to pump up Roehl - it's just that they have a lot of options between van, reefer, flat, curtainside and a bunch of hometime options. Seems lack of hometime kills many a newbies trucking careers.

u may also want to see if any bulk companies in your area hire inexperienced drivers. You will make more money pulling bulk than swinging doors, hometime will be better, and generally you will be treated better by the company, shippers, and consignees.

Keep in mind that pulling a tanker is quite a bit different than van or flatbed. Frequently the surge will wake you up from your "road naps", turns and ramps require extreme caution, surge awareness when shifting and pulling short grades will keep you from making unintended dead stops.

Being from Michigan, you know that trucking companies "married" to the auto industry are in a precarious position.


Off Topic - I don't understand why there isn't a service for experienced free-lance drivers. Some of us like to work when we want to, and take time off when we want to. The idea of working a year to get a weeks vacation is so archaic. Give me a good chunk of what the load pays! The company can keep their crap benefits, and they don't need to pay FICA, UC, or workers comp. Seems like the industry is ripe for free lance drivers and USIS gives them all the data they need to "handle" the insurance companies.

 

Most of all starter companies like werner,swift stevens,etc get a bad rap about them.Personally I would stay away from werner.I read that they are still taking in newbies,but after training you sit at home for weeks until you get your first truck and load .Its slow right now,so where ever you go,the miles will be short and you may sit more than drive.

 

In a perfect world, a solo driver should be able to run 3000-3500 a week, depending on what the truck is governed at, weight of the loads, waiting at shippers/receivers, etc.
Just for a rough estimate, figure 60MPH average speed, multiplied by 60 hours driving ( you're gonna use some of your 70 hours fueling, pre-trips, etc)

 

Have you thought about local work???? Beer distributors,food distributors..ect...., Even residential garbage pickup may pay just as well as otr...maybe more!!!!!

 

I started a year ago with Werner and am still there. My expereince has not been all that bad. Part of this is because of where I live and that I have been on a dedicated account since being solo. From the drivers I have spoke with over the year that are from Michigan I would not choose Werner as your options will be limited as will be your miles. If you do go with Werner do not expect much and maybe you won't be let down. Do not however believe anything the recruiters tell you as most of it is far from true.

Best of luck.

 

my personal selection of your 5 would be Schneider dedicated on a Walmart account since the freight level is atrocious right now.

Roadway doesn't hire newbs.
Maverick is skateboard and isn't looking good right now.

Central Refrigerated since people need to eat.

Ruthers Glen TA was #### near empty at 3PM the other day. (1/10 full) Even the truck hand washers (my homies!) went home -That's how bad the economy is. No way you will be averaging 3k miles a week unless you are hauling boats or cars down from the NE. Well at least I don't need to be sharking out parking spots for the rest of the year.

 

The key to finding local, Is to dress nice and go see them...Customer service is what sells their services, so ya have to sell yourself to them..
If they think you are right for the customer service part of the job, Many will train you for the rest...