Honest answers

1) Which companies allow pets to travel with their owners? - There are folks out there who can answer that. Swift is out as they no longer allow pets. Most of the big companies don't allow them anymore, which is a shame.

During orientation I could get friends to watch her.

2) How much is pie in the sky when talking to recruiters? - About 90% of what comes out of the recruiters mouth is BS or half-true. Recruiters get paid a "commission" on each person that they get hired, so they'll tell you darn near anything to get you in the door. (Kinda like car salesmen)

3) Which companies are really good to work for? - That depends on you. Some companies work well for one driver and not so much for another. Bigger companies (Swift/Schneider/JB Hunt) take newer drivers, but may not allow pets. Do your homework on this. The best advice I can give is don't listen to some of the malcontents and "bashers" on here. Just because their expierience with "XYZ Carriers" was bad doesn't mean yours will be too. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude and you'll do well whereever you go.

and

4) In our current economic state, do you guys feel that the work is going to be there? - Yes. It definately will. People will always need "stuff". Stuff from toilet paper to food to clothes to dog food to steel and more. It's true that some of the carriers out there are going bust, but if you go to work for a decent sized carrier (As opposed to some of the "Mom-n-Pop" operators), do the work they ask (legally!), and keep your driving record clean, you'll never be without a job in trucking.


Good luck out here on the highways if you choose this lifestyle. It's a great expierience.
Russ

 

We get a lot of trashing on this forum, but take a look at Prime Inc. You can google that to get the particulars.

If you want your pet with you, you're just about going to have to do a lease, and work as contractor leased back to a company. What rswinnerton said is true, just about all large companies have stopped allowing pets to ride on company trucks. Prime has a true walk-away lease you might be interested in (unlike most companies.) Keep in mind if you go this route, you have to treat the entire deal like a small business, which it is. That includes cash reserves, CPA, business plan and profit/loss statement.

I found the recruiters at Prime were pretty much up front, and I didn't detect a lot of BS from their pitch. Can't say I was lied to about anything, and things have worked out about the way they said. I can say that my experience here has been good, and I am making money. The training period is longer than most, but is more thorough. I see a lot of newbs out there really struggling after getting a CDL and 5 weeks of training, and then being thrown in the deep end.

In terms of freight and loads, so far we've been doing pretty well. I haven't been sitting a lot, although it tends to be hit/miss. Being up in New England, empty on a Friday night, I'm not going to get upset if it takes them awhile to find a load for me... doesn't mean I'll like it at all.

Good Luck!

 

Hey THK, in the same boat here at 53. Job ended in Dec and I'm looking at the same options. I also have a dog, fairly big one too which is even worse, but have found a few interested.

My first choice was Watkins Shepard, and I was working through the app process, but then got the call they would not have a place for me for months .. they are getting hundreds of apps a week. I have a perfect job history, driving record, etc .. but so did many of those applying before me.

FFE, AE (American Eagle) and Lisa (sister companies) also accept dogs but I believe they charge you .01/mile .. so you'll make 28 cpm instead of 29 to start, or so. That bothers some folks but to me it's better than putting up $500-$1000 dep you may/may not get back.

I think Werner is also still accepting pets and supposedly hiring. From what I read -expect- to NOT get your deposit back, no matter how clean you keep the truck. That sucks I know, but if you're single and can't/won't get rid of you pet (I won't) it a price we have to pay. After a year there are some better companies that allow pets and treat you better .. just gotta pay the dues first.

Are you looking at a Company training school, or paying for school yourself? Paying youself will give you more options as you won't have to sign the 1 yr or so contract and can leave at 6 mo if something better comes up. I'm starting at Katlaw in Austell GA (only $2600) on the 12th and am looking at Werner or FFE (or AE or Lisa) as my likely options. Got to start somewhere.

Good Luck!

 

my own opinion after many years at this trucking....

No way no way no way would i do this in my fifties....no way you are crazy.....

they all suck and are getting worse by the day

 

At one time that was true . There are more and more experienced drivers losing jobs resulting in far less job openings for inexperienced drivers . Driver turnover is the lowest it has been in 10 years because even experienced drivers are finding nothing better available .

 

It has its good and bad side. Right now times are tough, I don't think any of us have ever seen it this bad out here. This is way beyond the usual expected cyclical ups and downs out here. It is getting difficult to try and keep a positive attitude these past few months, that is for sure.

But, 50's, why not. You see guys in their 70's out here. Sure it ain't for everyone, but I could think of worse jobs. And it's not like anyone is presently killing themselves out here moving freight like it was not long ago. Good time to learn the ins and outs, very little pressure out here, other than the lack of pay. A little bankroll would be a good thing to have.

Mike

 

Really ? How do you explain YRC laying off over 3,000 teamsters and Schneider closing their training schools ?
Wannabes better face the facts and pursue more promising careers .
http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2008/02/25/story7.html

 

Good article, and I hope the last paragraph holds water.

Mike