Con-Way Opportunity

don't let some of these nay-sayers stop you. most starting companies will start you at same pay. there companies that treat drivers better than others. con way sounds like a good place to start though i don't work there.everyone has o start somewhere.

 

and where would you suggest he start?

 

I have no knowledge of where he lives, but I am certain with a little legwork and research there is a smaller local company that would give him a shot. I was able to do that starting out. I was able to avoid the big starter companies. I did 5 days a week OTR and was home every weekend. Got 3k miles per week and was at 40cpm after my first 2 weeks. With the huge number of trucking companies out there, there are many hidden gems if people would stop only looking at the 10-12 largest. Most of these gems don't advertise for drivers. Instead they hire people who are ambitious enough to get off the couch and computer and seek them out. It takes some work but is definitely doable. Most don't offer tuition reimbursement, which by m way of thinking is an advantage. you are free to move on anytime you want and aren't locked in at any spot for a year or more.

 

Safety bonus is 1 cant per mile for 1st year, then ramps up with seniority to a 4 cent cap. Still, in the first year, my quarterly safety bonus totaled over $1200.

 

I paid $4K for school and was reimbursed the full amount by $37.50 a week, then a final payout at the end of the first year, with KLLM.

FYI

Mikeeee

 

See if your state has a grant that will pay for the schooling as well. I got a state grant here in Wyoming which paid for the entire program and I didn't pay a single cent from my own pocket. The program was over 5k. Its nice to complete the program without being out a large chunk of money and without any debt owed to one of the companies that will train you. Many states also have a labor service that will also pay for training like that. Its worth looking into IMO.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

While looking at their website, it appears that "their" schools sent students to work at their docks while in school...no one mentioned that while I did the quickie interview with the school. Any more info on that?

No no, that's for Conway LTL only (local), not Conway Freight - 2 different companies. I know it's a bit confusing on their website.

1- You shouldn't let tuition reimbursement be a deal breaker. You might make more money w/ a company that does not offer tuition reimbursement and pay for your own school.

2- Conway does not offer tuition reimbursement; Only if you go to their sponsored school in MO or in MI.

3- If you go that route, you are not under a contract w/ them and are free to change carriers if you wish, but will be responsible for the tuition bill.

4- Conway Freight does not pay per-diem, a major plus for me as I believe per-diem is a scam trucking companies came up with to save money and xxxx the drivers. Somehow, they manage to brainwash drivers into believing they make more money that way. NOT...

5- If you wish to go to a company sponsored school, also look into Millis Transfer and also Roehl. Although, you will be under a contract.

IMO, all 3 are an excellent choice. Conway's option to switch to local LTL after 1 year is a big +.

Yes, local jobs w/ small carriers are better than most big mega carriers, but they are difficult to find (in my area, at least). So far, all require 2 to 3 years experience.

OK, I'm no driver but have done a lot of research. You are making a good choice. Goodluck

 

Also, fyi, I decided to go to a community college that offers the Sage Truck driving school. Because it's a college, they accept loans through Sallie Mae and also Wells Fargo. The cost is over 5K, but the loan doesn't have to start getting paid back until 4 or 5 months after graduation, and by then, the carrier of my choice will either pay the tuition reimbursement OR I'll just pay for it myself in case I do go w/ a carrier that doesn't pay back tuition.

You might want to look into that and leave your options open. Also, check into the WIA grant at your local unemployment agency.