New Student needs advice

May is not a bad company, as the starter companies go. You're not going to get rich working there, but you'll at least be driving a well maintained, newer truck, and you can count on your paycheck to be deposited on time.

If you're going to work there I'll give you a couple of tips: understand their idle policy and use it to your advantage. Be proactive in notifying your DM of your ETA and projected availability. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Also, if you go to work for them, I have a May approved power inverter for sale. Hit me up if you think you might be interested.

 

I used to work for May..I had a better cpm compared to my classmates.plus they have 13speeds

 

Move to a state where you can take long trips while still running intrastate - like TX.

 

You won't have to be concerned with idle time if the trucks have APU's. APU is something to consider when looking for a company.

 

I would agree with staying away from Werner and Western Express. Have heard so many negative comments about both. I constantly hear about Werner keeping you out on the road forever. Also, beware of any company paying you on short (HHG - Household Movers Guide) miles vs. practical miles (hub miles). If they say, well we use Rand McNally, ask them what version. IF they say they don't know ask them to run this trip with it: Charlotte, NC to Abingdon, VA. Hub/practical is about 194 mi. and short (HHG) is about 153. That's how you'll know. You don't want to be driving for free if you can help it. You can bet those companies don't charge the customer short miles.

One time I saw two Western Express flatbed drivers loading at a shipper that I was going to load at. I began talking to them as I had to wait in line. They were both not properly trained in load securement and I gently offered to help them. I mentioned that this stuff can easily work itself loose and asked them if they were going to belly wrap it. They were pretty adamant that they knew what they were doing, so I just walked away.

Another time, I ran into a Western Express flatbed driver loading up at a job site where I would be loading up. I just started being cordial with him to see if he might need any help, but he was very stand-offish. I just walked away. Later, as I was getting ready to leave after loading I was driving by him and noticed some real problems with the way he was trying to secure his load. I parked the truck and walked over one more time. I began by asking him if he had hauled anything like this before. He seemed pretty frustrated and didn't know how to answer. I asked him if he wanted my help and he finally agreed.

The more I looked at his load, the more I saw that this guy would have had a disaster on his hands. He had only hauled plastic pipe and sheetrock. He didn't even know what edge protectors were, let alone how to tie stuff down. He had a significantly large piece just laying underneath a tall standup tank on four legs. He thought it would just stay there!!! Whatttt???? I spent about 2 hours with this guy since the loaders had left to go home and there was no way I was going to let the guy drive down the road with an accident waiting to happen. On one section of the load we had to get several pallets from the ground and build a box wall around a 4' high pallet of small loose pieces that was impossible to tie down the way it was loaded on the trailer.

Bottom line: I don't think they adequately train the drivers on how to do their job safely.
Another thing is ask what the pay is for short trips. If they ask you to run a trip of 100-200 miles, they should not be paying you .32 mi. and nothing for waiting at a dock for 2-4 hours at one or both ends. You ccan bet that they are charging the customer a flat rate and hopefully that's what you should get paid - something that reflects your actual hours. ASk if short haul pays by the hour. When do you go on the clock? These things may not be negotiable, but it never hurts to ask. I've had prospective employers in the past say, "man, you sure ask a lot of questions!" To which I say "Yeah, well, I want to make sure I'm making the right choice. It's better to know now then be upset later."

 

Curious why you list 13 years experience if you are under 21 years old?

 

I have been riding trucks for my whole childhood.

 

This doesn't mean you have experience....not at all. I've been around my oldest son all his life...He is a Dr. now...been around him the entire time...doesn't make me a physician , now does it.

 

I have been behind the wheel when I was a little kid.