Confused and need some GOOD ADVICE

Greetings -

I am getting ready to obtain my CDL-A and begin driving. Obviously, it only made sense to visit the Trucker's Forums and get as much information as possible regarding the industry, the various companies, and anything else I could find. Sadly, although I am much more informed, I am terribly confused by all of the contradicting statements. So I am asking for some help here.

I am 45 years old, clean DMV, clean criminal, and a good work history. At this time, I am looking at Roadmasters in Dunn, NC (4 weeks starting in January) for my CDL training. They list US Xpress, Roehl, Star, Swift, Covenant, Transport America, and Stevens as recruiters that come onsite monthly. But from what I have seen, I am not going to HAVE TO choose from that list.

I need to know WHO you, with your experience and exposure, would recommend (if any of these or perhaps someone else). I already realize that I am going to be starting at the bottom of the food chain, I am most likely going to be taken advantage of, and that I am going to need to bust my ##### for the first year before anything highly satisfactory is going to be available to me. I am not too terribly worried about that because I realize one must pay their dues and take their "knocks". And depending on the rider/pet policy, if my lady and the pooch can go, hometime is not an issue. And actually, Linda and I have already resolved ourselves to the fact that there may need to be sacrifices made towards her and Scooter riding along.

SO I need some POSITIVE fatherly/motherly advice. What I don't need is to be called stupid or dumb in regards to the trucking industry... I already know that I am. I just want to make the right decision and be happy with that decision....

Although I know it is not a perfect world, there has got to be the lesser of two evils out there. Here is my wish list of what I would like to fall into:

1. Good Training
2. Decent Pay
3. Decent Miles
4. Legal Running

Optionally:

1. Linda plans on getting her CDL as well after I get enough time under my belt to train her, and then we plan on being a team.
2. Scooter (the dog) will have to go with us if this happens. Please refrain from telling me to have her put to sleep.... it ain't happening!
3. Eventually would like to purchase my own truck (when the time is right), but not through a company lease-purchase.

I realize that many of you are O/O's, but I have to start somewhere, and I would really appreciate some help here. I know (or at least assume from my research) that there is not A COMPANY that meets everything on my wish list, but you started somewhere too, and your experiences and knowledge might help me avoid having a miserable first year.

This is a real, and a heartfelt request. Thanks for your time and reply. Hopefully one day I might could repay the favor, or better yet, pay it forward to some future newbie.

Sorry about being so long winded!

ScooterDawg :smt102

 

Thanks for the info Faber..... I have read a lot about Maverick, and for the most part sounds like a good option. Of course the dog issue is most likely one that I am going to have to "do without", but at least she'll be standing in the door, tail wagging, when I pull up in the driveway. One other thing..... in regards to flatbedding, I hear horror stories about tarping and strapping..... is it as bad as they make it out, or is it moreso the occasional "bad moment"?

Thanks again!
ScooterDawg

 

Hey Leanna!

hehehehe yeah, I haven't heard more than a few good things about Swift and Hunt. And I can assure you I have never been classified as "one in a million".

Thanks for getting back with me!
ScooterDawg

 

Hey there Coonass -

Yeah, that seems to be very prevalent in this industry. Especially when dealing with dispatchers, receivers, shippers and fleet managers. I have always lived by the rule that "you get what you give". And some of the posts that I have read on the forums indicate that the poster of the message pretty much seems miserable and mad at the world. I reckon if I approach this with a good attitude and roll with the punches, it can't be all THAT bad. Thanks for the good advice !!!

 

Hey Shanto!

Hmm, hadn't even considered doing it that way. Is it relatively easy to get a dedicated route like that? I was under the understanding that you had to pay your dues before getting the "goodies".

And yes, Henderson is about 1 1/2 hours north of my house.

Thanks