Is there any company worth working for!!!!!!!!!! Seriously

There are a lot of cry babies on here. If you are just coming out of the Corps you won't have a problem. I drove for Swift flatbed and loved it. I am actually going back to them. Sometime's things happened. Instead of getting all bent out of shape and bad mouthing the company. Look at the situation, see if there is anything you can do to change it, look and see if there is anything that your dispatcher can do to change it, is it legal, is it safe. Swift never asked me to run illegal. They do not need to. I turned down loads all the time because I could not make them in time. They would usually change the delivery time or get me another load. I averaged over 3k miles per week. I had one dispatcher that was hell of lazy and would forget about me and not answer my problems, I went over his head and told his boss if they did not get their crap together I was going to toss the keys to the truck out the window and they can come and get the truck. I got assigned another dispatcher and the problem was solved. A lot of people on here complain about things like hometime. I requested it and they got me home late. This is truck driving. Not all these companies are as bad as they seem. You will do fine devil dog.

 

Most of the complaints are about the big companies that treat their drivers worse than I treat my dog. Try some smaller ones where you'll actually know somebody.

 

You should accept any load they have for you but also if there is an area for additional comments put only have X number of hours to run this load will need to get it someone else to grab the load from me.
Then follow up a message to your driver manager telling them you will be taking this load but you only have x number of hours to run it.

That is if you are getting close to your 70 hours.
If you can not make your delivery appointment because you were not loaded fast enough there is problems with equipment etc.
The company can usually reschedule the appointment.

 

A company is only as good as it fills your needs. IOW's a lousy company for some might be the best for you. The only way to find out is to do the research and job hunting yourself. I wouldn't believe a recruiter on anything they say. It's clear their interest is not the driver. I suggest you make a list of what your looking for then start looking at companies that fill your needs the best. If you've already sign a contract for school then you're stuck and you'll have to make the best of it.

The problem with the industry today is there are many people that go to CDL school and sign the first company that comes along and the companies know it. They can replace you in a minute at minimum cost and when they get someone that owes them for school that's even better for them. They'll push the limit because they just don't care about the driver. I'm sure that anyone with years of experience will agree that a company that uses a driver with only 6 months experience as a driver trainer is a company that does not put safety first. But there are drivers that do make it from these types and go on to better jobs. It all depends on you and I believe a little luck too.

Most drivers want top pay with great benefits. To get that you need to stand out more than the other driver. It's getting harder with all the drivers out there but it still can be done. No one person can tell you to go a certain way, that's all up to you and what you want out of driving. But I can tell you that you'll never get to a high paying job with a bad record or bad work habits.

I believe seeking out companies on your own is the best way to start with. You can download trucking companies in your area and weed through them. After you get a list of companies if it's possible go out and see them. It's much better to see them in person than by calling them or applying on-line. If the company only takes new hires by phone or computer then I would think twice about them or at least put them further down the list. I would also go to companies I like even if they require years experience. Sometimes they need a driver when you show up and sometimes they like to train you themselves. The point in all this is you'll be showing the company you want to work for them. If you find a company that is great for you and they don't hire ask what it will take to get on with them. Most drivers don't ask that and again it shows you want to be a good employee for them. If you go through your list and you've had no luck then you can go to the companies that will hire with minimum requirements. Then you'll have to the best you can to move up. Good luck on school and look for the best.

 

Some drivers have a bad experience no matter what company they drive for. Their expectations do not match up to the reality of the job.

Here are the cold hard facts;

Trucking is a LONELY job. You will be cooped up in a truck for 20 plus hours per day if you are an otr driver. This includes driving, sleeping, eating, and doing paperwork.

Trucking is a difficult job. Depending on the type of trailer you are hauling it may be simple or hard sweaty work. It is not just opening and closing trailer doors or dropping and hooking trailers. Sometimes you may have to secure freight, sweep out the trailer, wash out the trailer, or even UNLOAD a trailer. There is not always a lumper service available to do the job for you.

Trucking has CRAZY hours. Forget about set schedules and routines especially for the newbies. You will adapt as needed to get the job done. If that means taking a break in the middle of the day while waiting for a load and then driving all night to deliver it then that is your JOB.

Trucking will NOT be conducive to getting home. You WILL miss birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, family get togethers, parties, and picnics. You will learn to accept this and your family will too. They, and you, will learn to be spontaneous. When you do get home THEN you will have the fun times. The dinner dates, the picnics, the parties, etc. Celebrating a special occassion on a specific day is nonsense. Celebrate it before the actual day or a week later. Take the STRESS out of your life over this. You will be happier and live longer.

Trucking is a LIFESTYLE. It is not just a job. You will work, eat, sleep, dream, and even play, in your truck. Your truck is your home away from home. It should be outfitted with the necessities and creature comforts that YOU deem appropriate. Some companies may have issues with certain items such as large inverters so be sure to double check first before installing that big screen tv in the bunk!

Trucking will make you money. It is entirely up to YOU and your company as to how much money you will earn. The key to making money is work hard and do not squander your money. Manage your time wisely. I see too many drivers still playing cherry master games and video games in truck stops. SAVING MONEY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS MAKING IT. Be like me "CHEAP!" Buy your groceries at your local store not in the truckstop. It will cost much less and be fresher I assure you. Do your laundry at home rather than in the truckstop laundry room. If you have a bad habit such as smoking, stop. This alone will save you 5 to 10 dollars per day for cigarettes as well as thousands of dollars in health care expenditures down the road.

Life is what YOU make of it. This goes for trucking as well. If you have a positive mindset and a desire to succeed you WILL. This goes for ANY company out there. There will always be a core of drivers at each carrier that work hard and are rewarded for that hard work. The question is do you have what it takes to rise to the top?

 

50-300 trucks? You, your brother, your dad, and your cousin would be ideal. Hauling good freight for reliable companies is what it's about. Sitting around the country and hauling short headache loads is what it ain't about.

 

As the Boss I will throw in my .02
I am a small company 4 trucks and from my point of view there are a lot of companies that treat you like doo out there and I don't understand why anybody works for them
I have always tried to be aware of the needs of my drivers and I consider them my friends
On the other hand I have had more than one that is there own worst enemy as far as being happy and it doesn't matter how good you treat them they wake with the mindset that you are out to screw them over and so they look for every little thing they can complain about
My guys work 5 days a week and make in the 50k range a year most times home every night but you will find the guy that complains when it is his turn to work a weekend all though he has no family at all they guy set himself up to fail in more ways than that .
A lot of it boils down to additude