Options, options, so many options...

Hi all, I'm a single mom, just starting in trucking to do what I hafta do for my kids and myself. That being said, pay and home time are my TOP deciding factors with a company. I don't care too much about benefits, even pay doesn't have to be super as long as the miles are there and I get home time for my kids. I'm looking for something regional with hopes of a dedicated run as I gain experience. Any suggestions? I don't want to end up as a statistic for a terrible company. Don't mention companies like Swift and the like.... I've heard the stories, I've seen the pictures. What companies did you all start out with and what was your experience with them?

 

Epes isn't a bad company for training/newbies. Home weekly decent pay. Have a dedicated operation out of the lowes DC in minersville.

I did 3 years with them. They have many drivers with with 10-15-20 years + with them. They run Pa a lot especially central/eastern Pa. Wouldn't have any trouble getting home living there it's a major freight lane for them. Decent pay/benefits. 10 cent / mile bonus money to run north of DC and all of Pa.

I could have have stayed there and made a career of it but had a much more lucrative opportunity dropped into my lap.

 

Consider downgrading to a straight truck. There are down sides to doing this for example later on if you want to jump into an 18 wheeler straight trucks dont count as experience so you would have to take a refresher course or something similar. The pros are pay is much better than min. wage jobs(albeit not as good as semi-trucks) and they are for the most part regular local jobs home every night.

 

I'm looking into that option too. I want to drive water trucks for the gas sites, but they require a year experience. However, I was told that a regular tri axle dump truck qualifies as class b experience, so I'm looking into that too. I don't mind having to pay for a refresher course down the road. The pay isn't as great, but it's comparable because the hours are there and there's OT, plus the home time makes it worth it. I just got off the phone with a local company and the guy told me, get 6 months experience driving tri axles and then call him back. So I'm really looking into that. I don't need to make mega bucks, I just need to make a living.

 

Hi truckin, sorry to be a wet blanket, but there aren't many options for you. So much nowadays is OTR, and that doesn't sound like an option for you. Have you considered driving a fork lift for a freight outfit? I know lots of companies are looking for dock work, mostly 2nd shift and you might be able to do a little driving. Like you say, dump truck won't help you much, but it is a good job, and most of it is local. If you do, be careful, dump trucking ain't for the weak of heart, and it's incredibly boring.

 

I know I have to go OTR for at least a year. That's why I'm looking into local stuff (not 18 wheelers). However, for that first year, I'm just gonna hafta deal with it, go OTR and pay my dues. I'm talking to a recruiter for TA. Any opinions on them?

 

And what I meant by options is just that there's so many companies, how in the world do you choose one?

 

Don't have to pay any dues. Many people including myself have never gone a single day OTR. There are local opportunities straight out of school. If you are by a major city you have a good chance of getting local. If not it is still possible

 

for local you have a better shot at small companies in your area. Go in in person to apply, get a feel for the place the best you can. Try to talk to any drivers you see, some will talk to you, many won't have time. May not get the best company to start, but you can get local

 

I applied to a local company over the weekend. Haven't heard back yet. I haven't had the opportunity to call them yet because my phone has been ringing like crazy today. It's a fairly small company out of NY. It's not drop and hook though.... not at all.