New Class A holder got a question for everyone.

Good. But you are at the stage of the process where you don't know what you don't know yet. All school did is get you a license. You are not prepared to do anything but drive around the school with an empty trailer. You haven't planned a real trip with a real appointment, axled-out a real load on a a real trailer, or paid to weigh the truck, etc. etc. etc. The longest training period is MAYBE 8 weeks unless you show some serious deficiencies in training. You need to focus on the best job you can get and not ignore that goal and look for the easiest/shortest path to a solo truck. I have often compared the process to focusing on the easiest wedding ceremony and little attention given to which spouse you marry. One of those is a thousand times more important than the other thing. 80-90% of newbies begin and leave the industry within 12 months. That happens by focusing on the short-term items and not the long-term goal.

Once you are solo you are going to expected to DO the things without help that you don't yet know need to be done. It is hard to share a truck with another person, but it's necessary and not getting that training just means you greatly increase your chances of the most likely actions that get new drivers fired and almost unemployable anywhere else in trucking.

You will be shocked at how little info you get to do your job if you have ever had any other job before. Trucking could be the most responsible position you will have and also the job with the least practical instruction to do those things as expected.

 

There's no way people are working for 0.38cpm...

 

Agreed.

 

Of the carriers/offers you've listed -- I would respectfully submit that Knight offers the best mix of training & future opportunities...going forward.

Knight is big enough to also have the freight volumes to keep you moving & making money, after your time out on a trainer's truck.

And yes...if you get a jerk or incompetent trainer -- you can ask for another one.

In hindsight -- I wish I could have gone out with a carrier like Knight (or its sister company, Swift) --.& spent more time on a trainer's truck.

-- L

 

Being able to leave the truck at May’s yard trumps everything else, IMO. When you’re home, you won’t have to worry about it being secure and the shop can take care of whatever needs the equipment might have. If there should be a separation, it’s easy for you to clean out the truck and go home. Proximity to the yard is the only reason I stay where I’m at.

May Trucking used to be a decent place, 25yrs ago. They seem to take a beating, these days. I’ve no idea what happened.

 

Will May let you drop the trailer at the drop yard, then bobtail home?
Is the drop yard a secure drop yard?
May is looking good so far.