newbie starting school, only prehire letters aee from werner and covenant

I drove for Werner and saying it was a nightmare doesn't describe what I went through. I don't know about covenant but I wouldn't even recommend them even as a last resort but it you chose to go to them at the first sign of trouble RUN!

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Same from me. I started at Werner and the only way I could make decent money was on the Dollar General account putting heavy strain on my body day in and day out. It's not worth the wear and tare or abysmal pay if going into regular freight.

 

What part of the country do you live in & how many applications have you sent? You will have many options fresh out of school, but you must be aggressive.
CLICK HERE for a list of trucking companies that hire new drivers
There are 38 companies on this list, try them all but focus on refrigerated for the best annual pay. All have online applications. Navajo.com is a good refrigerated company, but try them all.

 

If you are getting your own CDL on your own, shop around. If those pre hire letters come from the school it doesn't mean you have to go with them. Besides a pre hire only gets you there not an actual job.

 

I just started school, the companies give you more consideration and take you seriously once you are in class.

 

What about Millis? I have heard halfway decent things about them

 

Check Roehl. Good company for both new and experienced drivers. Not too many complaints from drivers starting their careers there.

 

Well you should consider yourself lucky! You really want to try and avoid the top 5 mega-carriers if at all possible. Not bashing them or calling them evil, however your chances of success will be exponentially higher at the smaller companies. Keep in mind that your school is only going to recommend the mega-carriers, reason being is that they get paid to do so. So don't count on any great recommendations of smaller companies.

These mega-carriers are interested in one thing and that is to keep their seats warm. Doesn't matter who or for how long. The more they recycle drivers the less they have to pay them!

Its going to take a lot more effort and home work on your part to find a good smaller company though. This is one reason most newbies end up going to one of the mega-carriers. They make it very easy and simple to hire on with them. They also make it very easy and simple to get rid of you!

There are also many different avenues of trucking to choose from. You don't have to just haul dryvan or reefer or flatbed. A lot of specialty haulers pay very well, you just have to find them. Good driving jobs don't advertise. Make a list of the most common ads you see for hiring drivers and put them on your "stay away from" list! A good, small, mom and pop company will have a couple dispatchers at the most and each will be responsible for a handful of drivers, unlike the mega's in which each dispatcher has hundreds of drivers they are responsible for. A dispatcher that has a handful of drivers that they are responsible for will be more apt to help you out when you have a problem and deal with you on a more personal, one on one relationship. Your relationship with your DM is your key to your success! They are the ones that hold your money making potential in their hands! You scratch each others backs and you will have a successful career.

Not sure exactly where you live but here is a website that will help find some of the smaller companies:

http://www.truckdrivercentral.com/truckingcompanies.html

Good luck to you...