AARRGGHH!! Getting Frustrated! How do I choose?

This forum is gonna drive me crazy. Just glancing through some of the posts. The companies listed in "The Best Companies to work for" are also listed in "The Worst Companies...".

What makes a company good or bad? I'm at Swift right now, and yeah, been frustrated with them, thinking about going to JB Hunt because they can get me a dedicated account close to my home town. It seems like
those are the two "favorites" for being the worst.

I know why I don't like Swift, but it's probably more of a personal problem than anything else.

I don't like the "big-company" attitude where no one seems to have time to address any problems or questions I might have--being a number, instead of a live human being. But at least JB has a dedicated account, where as, I always seems to get a non-commital, mono-syllable response when I ask Swift about getting a dedicated.

I believe a person makes due with what is available.

What I really want to know is what makes a company "Good/Best" or "Bad/Worst" to work for?

 

The thing to remember when reading the posts here is there are always to sides to the coin. A person is more likely to report something negative than to report something good. And from reading a lot of the posts here, I'm pretty sure there's a weeeeee bit of embellishment going on to make their story more heart wrenching.

My personal opinion is to keep an open mind, and keep a good attitude. I suspect a lot of these "sour" reports are from those that think they're owed something, and when they didn't get it they cry and whine all the way home. Your attitude is 90% of your job success, and it's going to be what you make of it.

 

Thanks Biker. I've really had a hard time trying to make a decision on this matter. I'll probably go back-and-forth till I actually do make the move. I've got about a year on the road (6 months with Swift) and if things go bad, I guess I'll chalk it up to experience.

 

Stay with Swift... J.B. has a much worse rep then the company you are working for...

 

One thing that I have taken away from this board and from talking to various people is that you have to do what is right for you, first and foremost. Everyone has an opinion about company xyz or this one..but if they can give you a dedicated account and you think thats what you want...then try it.....honestly what is there to lose? But if you do like it, you get the account you want and you can be happy, atleast for a little bit!! Good luck!!

 

I say get out and look for yourself. You can get a list of trucking companies just by downloading trucking companies in your area. Weed through them and GO OUT AND SEE THEM. Don't just call because I've turned down many callers because the way I look at it if they can not even come and see me then why sould I waste my time. Don't just go for the bottom feeders. You have to remember that the best companies do not advertise since the good drivers know who there are. Make yourself a list and if you come up empty then you can go to the easy companies. You never know, you might hit a company right at the best time and you might stay there for years. good luck.

 

Speaking from experience, just be careful not to move around too much. If you get a reputation as a job-hopper, it will hurt your chances of finding a place with a higher level company. Remember that the better companies can afford to be a little more picky. On the other hand, the more willing a company is to hire you, the more cautious you should be. Most of the better companies are looking for one solid year experience with one company. Maybe you should get that before looking around for something better.

Just something to think about.

 

I sure do appreciate all the comments. I'm certainly going to think this over a little more before I commit one way or the other.

 

Gashauler. I can see your point about networking. That's one area that will be difficult. I'm only getting two days at home every 2 weeks, and that barely seems like enough time to take care of all my "home" stuff. I'll see if I can figure out a way to do that--it makes sense.

 

the best advice is to have a good attitude and good work ethic and you should do fine with whatever company you choose. most companies are the same with a few different tweaks here and there. companies with nice new equipment tend to pay a little less. companies with old dependable equipment pay more. it just boils down to what suits you best. also remember you are never dealing with one person that represents that company. there are hundreds of individuals that are employed at these companies and if you deal with a few bad apples you might feel as though they represent the entire company. just remember to be patient and professional and you will persevere. make yourself the one they choose to want to deal with. when dealing with trucker forums and in the future cb conversing remember that the only form of exercise a trucker gets is through the mouth. so when you here a lot of ranting and raving dont take it as good or bad info, just take it as trucker stress relief.truckers also go for long periods of time in solitary confinement. good luck!