5 months in, need a new company.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by travelsizegirl, Dec 28, 2017.

  1. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    You're based out of Houston. Gee... Really should open your thoughts to other. Houston has tons of tanker. All kinds of tanker. Even dry bulk tanker. Many companies and jobs out of Houston with tanker. Ton's of trucking anyway.
    I'm going to do dry bulk, food grade, pneumatic tanker. It's one week training on the lot. For operating the tanker. Then go on the road with a trainer. I decide when the training stops. .... I imagine with your team. Won't need training in driving this same. ???? I'm just starting out with zero experience in a tractor/trailer.
    Don't even consider Schneider. No Pets. I understand... We must have at least one intelligent life form in the truck. :)
    Another thought is Intermodal. Taking those shipping containers straight off ships. Then go.
     
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  3. RedRover

    RedRover Road Train Member

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    I’d switch terminals or go dedicated before switching companies. Houston is my worst experience at Swift. My dumb ### went to the Houston terminal and almost starved. Ideally you want a DM based out of a terminal that has planners. Planners take care of drivers based out of their own terminal first and if they don’t, it helps to have a DM that can walk 10 feet to their desk and slap the #### out of them. If you’re going to be stuck with Houston for a while, it’s best to contact people directly. Bob and Tyler seemed to do the best job on etc. cassi and Tom were both horrible to work with. I wouldn’t even deal with people during the day. Likewise, I always had better success contacting a terminal that planned the region I was in and asking for a planner by name. All else fails, call Phoenix.

    Dedicated team though... you can make a ton of money. If you’re moving companies, I believe Schneider gives teams like a 20k sign on bonus over 12 months. But seriously though, I’d try switching terminals first. Troutdale, Menasha, Phoenix or Memphis tend to be the best in my experience. Jarupa Valley also tends to keep drivers on the I10 corridor.
     
  4. RedRover

    RedRover Road Train Member

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    And I also second going tanker. If you haul dry bulk, you don’t need an endorsement. Easiest job I have ever had. Get out, hook up hose. Turn on blower. Build pressure, open 2 valves and stand there for 30-an hour. In your area Stevens hires new drivers to haul sand. Don’t know if they do team or not but solo is 3 weeks out(in your area though so you can probably get home) and pays about 75k a year by percentage of the load.

    A woman could definitely physically handle tanker work. No more physically demanding than a drop and hook, plus you get to stretch your legs at the end of the trip. Way more money.
     
  5. dweedle

    dweedle Light Load Member

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    Try crete. They hire teams and have a pet policy. They are hoing auto to.
     
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  6. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    The dog will stop them at most tanker gigs.

    You're in for a rude awakening. There are many office jocks who think drivers are lowbrows. If you want to step up to a better gig, that's one thing. If you looking to jump ship because you and the travel agent dont mesh, I'd recommend that you quit looking at the job as if it were a popularity contest. The odds of you finding a snooty tude on your next gig are pretty good.
     
  7. travelsizegirl

    travelsizegirl Light Load Member

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    The life advice based on faulty assumptions is neither welcome nor necessary. Have a nice day.
     
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  8. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    And a better tomorrow.
     
  9. SingingWolf

    SingingWolf Heavy Load Member

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    Schneider has a no pets policy.
     
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  10. silverspur

    silverspur Road Train Member

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  11. Banker

    Banker Road Train Member

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    Stay with your current job until you have the minimum experience needed to team with an LTL company. Old Dominion is the first that comes to mind, but many of them are hiring teams. I don’t know if they allow dogs, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Many start you in the 60-70 cpm range and it is nothing but drop and hook. I don’t know about Houston, but UPS parcel is hiring at many locations. Team drivers at UPS make approximately $3,000 a week per driver when they reach top pay which is 5 years. If you can get a higher paying job you may not want your own truck.
     
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