New Driver In MI Looking For Good Company To Start

Hey all!

This is a great forum. I've read through the new Newbie FAQ and a few other threads already and I'll continue to go through pinned posts and use the search function.

I'm changing careers from audio visual technology installation to trucking. I start the 2 week course at West Michigan CDL on Monday. I have pervious experience with a manual transmission and that's why I chose the 2 week course, saved some money. I do have the option of making at a 3 week course if I find an employer that requires 120 hours to start. I will have a CDL-A and all the endorsements. I'm open to any style of driving and distance. I don't need to be home and frankly, I'd rather go and see a ton of places, work my ### off, and bank a lot of money.

I'd like some input on good companies to start with. My target starting salary is $70k. Relocation to another city is possible but not something that can happen right away.

Who are some good people to work for? What questions should I be asking? What are the things no one tells you?

 

The two week course will be a problem with some companies. Most want 160 or 120 hours course.
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Plenty of good companies that hire Michigan drivers and also to run the roads as you posted you want to.
Target of $70G to start out is reasonable and you can do that. Maybe $65G to $70G the first year.

 

Food service pays the most for new drivers. $80G to $100G is average and some drivers exceed that.
Which town/city are you in or near?

 

Grand Rapids, MI

 

Food service is driver unload. Are you in good physical condition for that or are you even interested in that?

 

I'm in good shape and exercise is important to me. I've been thinking about how to stay in shape while in this career. So I wouldn't mind doing this to start while gaining experience and logging hours. I don't think I want to do it long term though, so maybe a year or two.

 

That's a good plan!
I Googled Sygma Network and it shows 10 openings within 100 miles of Grand Rapids.
This company is either part of Sysco or just hauls for Sysco.
Foodservice/driver unload.

 

I think this one has a terminal in Kalamazoo.
Also has an address here:
4203 Roger B Chaffee Memorial Blvd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548
NTB Trucking | Professional Truck Drivers and Freight
Have been hiring drivers right out of cdl school. That may have changed since the recession started. Would be worth researching and making a phone call.

 

Midwest Dairy Transport LLC
www.mdtransport.us
411 64th Ave N, Coopersville, MI 49404
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411 CDL Training | Coopersville | Midwest Companies (mdtransport.us)
Opening page shows delivering to 48 states.
Tankers & reefers.
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Transway, Inc. - Holland, MI - Driver Qualifications (transwayinc.com)