Advice for first driving job. Schneider, Averitt, Or TMC

Go with Schneider tankers. Tanker test is a simple multiple choice test; then do a heart rate test, which you shouldn't have any problem passing if you've been in the Army. That's all there is to the tanker tests.
Heart rate test is easy and if you practice the "stair step" exercise you won't have any problem at all passing it. Being fresh out of the Army, it will be a breeze.

 

First thing you have to decide is if you want flatbed or dry van as Schneider and Averitt have both of those too.

If you want tanker with Schneider than do that. But you need to pick the freight you wanna haul first and then go from there.

The hazmat test is not that hard. I passed it the first time. Just study your cdl manual and take the practice tests on this site and you will be fine.

@Chinatown is our resident expert on companies. I just beckoned for him. He should be here soon. Put your location in your profile as it will help figure out what companies hire in your area.

Thank you for your service and good luck.

 

EVERY tanker and HazMat test question is available online. This website has MOST of them. I use TruckerCountry.com
Go to the web site, select which version of any endorsement you want to practice. Read the first question and select nothing for an answer. Then click the "grade" or "score" my test. This will produce a list of the questions and the correct answers. Do that for each version of the tests and you will have all of the Q&As. Read each one, don't try to memorize them. Your goal is to recognize the right answer, not memorize it. Tanker test, especially, ask about 4 questions several times in 1 30 question exam. Do this for ever endorsement you will take (General, Combination, Air-Brakes, Tanker, HazMat) and you are guaranteed to pass. Take the Tanker endorsement tests even if you decide to pull a flatbed or dry van, like at Averitt. Tanker endorsement is often required for freight carried on flatbed and dry van. It's NOT just for pulling tanker truck trailers down the road.

I worked for Averitt for 18 years. They are a good match if you liked your military time. They like to hire clean cut "boy scouts". They have rules and require you wear uniforms. They pay for the uniforms every year. They have excellent benefits if you aren't using TriCare. Their benefits are pretty cheap compared to most. Avrt is divided into numerous accounts. To know what is best for you depends on the type of accounts based out of the terminal (Avrt calls them Service Centers) near you. Avrt has a big Dollar General account that I would wanr you away from. Like every dollar store type of account it requires lots of labor from the driver, delivers to insanely tight stores where accidents are almost certain, and the pay is pretty mediocre considering the risks. Mileage for OTR is VERY DEPENDENT on which Service Center you are based at. Only drivers at that SC will know. Avrt tells every driver they will average 2500 miles per week. I think that is what EVERY trucking company claims, regardless of the truth. Averitt, IMO, is a good honest company with clear procedures and reasonable demands. One thing you can't argue with, the company has over 1,000 employees with 20 or more years of service at Averitt. The whole company has about 5,000 drivers. If you fit with the clean-cut atmosphere you can be very happy. You cannot be a cowboy and be happy there. I left because I got terribly bored with the work at my one little account. I wanted new scenery and new challenges. I thought it was a great place to work. Your mileage may vary. I pull HazMat tankers for the biggest tanker outfit now. Averitt has very little HazMat although they want every new-hire to have tanker and HazMat, they don't actually require either for employment, just desire it.

 

From talking to Drivers over the years. I would pick Averitt.Theyre reputation being the reason.Always heard good things.

 

Many of us had a horrible experience working for the 3-headed snake; Averitt Express/First Fleet/First Express.

 

We have roots in Cookeville. My Father always said they were a good outfit.I deal with them a bit p/u loads at their in house warehouse operation in MS. Very good to deal with. Employees have good attitude. Unlike every Schneider operation I’ve ever seen.Dont know much about TMC except nice trucks with nice Chains on Headache Rack