Company Evaluation Checklist--Input Requested

-- Jake Brake Policy --

As some may know, there's at least one company which does not allow new drivers to use the Jakes their first six months. Cruise control either.

Also, some companies don't have jakes on their trucks.

Might be something to note.

 

Which companies don't have jakes, or which company asks trainees to learn how to drive a truck without using them well before they are allowed their use?

Stevens requires new drivers be able to drive without.
As to which companies don't have jakes, I've heard about it in passing.


EDIT:
In retrospect, I'm glad I learned descending steep grades without the jakes. Sure everyone on the cb was squawking about 'Stevens you're this - and that ...' as I trudged down the mountain, but I can navigate a grade with or without Jakes now.

It was such a big thing: 'Gott'a do your six mountains ...' or however many were required. I had a knot in my guts as big as my head the first Mountain I did (Cabbage? I can't remember). Anyway, once I was on the descent, it seemed like nothing. Hills were something I had no fear of after that. Respect, sure. Fear to the point of barfing? No.

 

I'm not with Stevens, no. Here's my 'Welcome Wagon' poast:
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...hreads/driving-again-after-four-years.301076/

...basically I trained with them, and the long and the short of it is they're a good training company. And they're not. Depending. Which is to say, it's your training so get everything out of it you can. Stevens actually has a little corner here on this forum
--> http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/stevens-transport-aviary.97249/ <-- (clicky thing)

...it's called: Stevens Transport aviary, and worth lurking in when you have the time.

Stevens is Refer, as I recall, and they don't do flatbed.

 

As the list grows longer I keep wondering what will happen when you get about halfway through these questions with a recruiter from a mega.......

Will they continue on with your list or will they immediately bust into their "We're super awesome! We let you ride Unicorns and play with Leprechauns on your days off!" BS to hurry up and get you signed and off the phone?

 

Exactly (emphasis mine).

I'm currently planning my exit from trucking after almost a decade of doing it, but you bet your ### I would've loved to have a resource like that to pull from when I first started. It would've minimized the mistakes in the beginning. As much as it pains me to admit, there are people out there that would take a list like that and rather than piece together their own list, they would use the "main" one and go through it verbatim with a recruiter.

Most of the basic stuff is answered almost every single time. Things like pay, home time, equipment, etc. so the recruiters can recite it from memory, but for some of the more obscure stuff, I wouldn't be surprised if the recruiters redirect the conversation to something they can answer or they tell you "I'll find out." and then never do.

It's a good list and my last comment was in no way meant to disparage the effort. I just wanted to add a little humor into the mix.

 

• What's the policy with trainers? Can I switch?
• Can I get pay advances?