Need some advice! again...................

OK so far I have filled out 3 applications with the top three companies on my list, and have prehires from #2 and #3 and should be getting one from #1 soon. I have talked to drivers from all of these companies face to face at truck stops, at the DC I work at, on the CB, and here on TTR, and read just about if not every thread on all three companies. I have spent the last 14 or so years of my life waiting to become an OTR trucker. And all of the information and research I have done is frying my brain! LOL

The Three companies IN the order I think I want to work for them:

#1 Watkins Shepard: .25cpm for 90 days then .27cpm, at .31cpm by end of first year. From what I've heard "2500-3500 miles per week". FreightLiners and Volvo's. Has a terminal 30-45min from my apt. Has APU's on allot of there trucks and does NOT have care if you have to Idle. Allows real hard wired inverters. Lots of drop and hook. Dry vans. No driver unloads only driver assists (Driver bring freight to Tailgate). $20 for stops. No hazmat. Runs 48 states and Western Canada. Tuition reimbursement. Bonus's Safety, fuel, ETC. NO Trainer just a 10 day orientation then straight to cpm pay NO training pay for 6 weeks.

To be safe:

.25cpm X 2300 miles = $575 GROSS

#2 KLLM Transportation: .32cpm, From what I've heard "2300-2800 miles per week". FreightLiners Cascadia's and Columbia's. Closest terminal Atlanta Georgia. NO APU's, Has Idle policy. 3-6 Weeks with a trainer. Refer freight. Runs 48 states. $25 for stops 1-2 and $40 for stops 3 and every one after. $25 to pick up a hazmat load, $25 to deliver hazmat load. $400 a week while in training.

To be safe:

.32cpm X 2300 miles = $736 GROSS

#3 Roehl Transport: .30cpm, Dry van devision. From what I've heard "2300-2600 miles per week". Freightliner Columbia's and Century Class and some Internationals. Closest terminal Carnesville GA or Darlington SC. Tuition reimbursement. 26 Days with trainer with 2-3 days of home time halfway through. $15-20 per stop. 48 States and Canada. Safety Bonus. Hazmat. Have APU's on most of there trucks and have an Idle policy. Allows up to 1000 watt hard wired inverters. $60 per day for first 13 days of training and $65 for the next 13 days of training.

To be safe:

.30cpm X 2300 miles = $690 GROSS


Who should I go with? Home time isn't an issue, I'm single with NO kids I don't wanna be home right now I just want to drive! lol Benefits isn't a huge issue, they all have benefits and 401k's so I'm good with all three on that part. I've followed the trainer vs. No trainer thread and I'm sure I could live without one but I'd be giving up the possibility of getting a Good trainer that might share some of his experience. I haven't heard NOT one bad thing about Watkins Shepard, but I can't say that about the other two. So Watkins Shepard seems like the best package deal, but should I let money be a factor in my decision????

I know 100000 people have started threads like this before, but choosing your first company is very important and I want to make sure that I make a educated decision. I only have a couple more weeks to decide.


Thanks for any advice!



American Trucker

 

Yea I know prehires don't really mean anything, but I'm hoping that because I have a perfectly clean Driving/Criminal Record that theres no reason not to hire me other then my age but I still meet the minimum requirement.

Yea I've gone threw that thread too lol I have also done the Good/Bad list as well and Watkins Shepard is still at the top. I guess what I'm looking for is someone too look at the info I have on the three companies and tell me that I'm making the right choice lol


Where did you say I could find that Naked girl?


Thanks again for your help Big Don!


American Trucker

 

The numbers above were all at 2300 miles just to be safe. From what I hear Watkins Shepard drivers are getting quite a bit more then the other two which would add up to more money. Plus They have allot of multi stop loads and that $20 adds up.

And KLLM does not allow inverters of any kind which means I'll have to spend more money on food and drinks which means less money in my pocket. But I see what your saying thats why I started this thread to see if I should take the money over a better company.

Thanks for your help Wild Bill123!




American Trucker

 

I probably should have posted about the home time too, at Watkins Shepard you can bank your home time and you get 1 day off for every 6 days out unlike most companies which are 1 day off for every 7 days out.

So if I stay out for 36 days with Watkins Shepard I can get 6 days off. Most companies from what I've seen have a MAX of 3 or 4 days off at a time.


Thanks for bringing that up Heavy Dude!




American Trucker

 

Thats the first I've heard about roehl slip seating , I sure hope they don't slip seat that wouldn't work for me lol.


Are you in school? Millis only hires new drivers if you go threw there school, other wise you need 1 year OTR.




American Trucker