Almost through with school....

I read and reread your thread,so where's the dumb question?I know there's a lot of companies to choose from and they're all alike in one way or another so what negative thoughts are you having?What you should focus on more then anything else right now is getting the exp.The better companies will come along in due time,just be patient.

 

You can make the best out of any 'starter' company, it just depends on you.

Of all the negative posts on companies, you'll still have a ratio of new drivers who have a good experience with them.

If you apply yourself, learn all you can, and work hard, you'll do fine.

 

Kudos on doing your own CDL training, does your school not have employment placement assistance?

As far as I've found out, pretty much be prepared for your first year in the trucking industry to be pretty rough. It's gonna be with a starter company, and the pay is gonna be crummy, probably. After that year or so of experience though a world of other companies will open up to you. Hang in there.

 

Where ever you end up, the job will turn out however you want it too.Some folks just expect their lives to be full of roses. If you chose to drive a truck because you really like the life style and all it entails, you will make the best of a bad situation and see it thru. If you chose this as " just a job" because it looked easy enough that anybody can do it, your gonna have a short hard road to a terrible career. You hear more about the crappy companies than the good ones for this reason. Just a thought, look local. Fuel hauler, end dumps, lumber hauler, etc.

It is hard to do, but just sit and listen. The old guys have alot of knowledge to share, but so many super truckers are out there, the old guys get tired of the bs stories and just get up and leave.

Good luck in your decision and drive safe!

 

From what I have seen posted and what it sounds like you did is to apply to every Co. you want to even if they say you need time behind the wheel as the stars may line up right for you to get a job with them.

My story: When I was looking at co.’s When in school I would read every post good & bad to find out as much as I could. The co’s I liked I hit their web site for job postings to see what they had to offer.
I (wife) did not want me over the road away for weeks at a time but 2 or 3 nights each week we could do so I was looking at dedicated routes or line haul jobs. I had one picked out but when I had to get a medical waiver that would not let me cross state lines I had to give that up, almost gave up getting my class A.
I live in a smallish state so finding class A driving jobs that don't cross state lines is really hard. So for me at this point I am looking at any co. that has trailer trucks that will take me so I can get the experience and still stay in state. Even school is having a hard time finding Co’s that will take me because I can’t cross state lines. I hope in a few months when I move to a larger state finding a “local” gig will be easier.

So you have to break it down to what type of driving (OTR or ?), type of trailer (dry van/refer/tanker/flat bed/?) then look at the Co’s that do that and see what they have to offer.
Good luck
Dave ----

 

You have many, many options and all starter companies aren't bad.Some of the best jobs you may not hear about in CDL school.Don't over think this; just pick a company and go for it. In 12 months you can go about anywhere. Here's a few you may not hear about in school & they hire new CDL grads even if the websites show different. Some may have you must live within so many miles of a terminal, but that's not carved in stone either; apply anyway.

Halvor Lines
Magnum Companies
Decker Truck Line
Pride Transport
Tyson Foods
Freymiller
Wil-Trans
Navajo Express
Watkins-Shepard
WLA Inc.
Cooke Trucking Co.
Inman Trucking Co.
Cargo Transporters
Abilene Motor Express
Ard Trucking Co.

There's plenty more if you want flatbed or tankers. Let us know!
Keep in mind, right now you just need experience and your first company probably won't be the one you retire from so keep it in perspective.