Question from a soon to graduate newb...

Mayo, most companies have a rider program but require that the person be a relative.

What I'd like to point out is that your 1st 6 months solo are going to be a struggle, learning how to work in trucking. You will get low pay as you struggle against the low cent per mile and learn how to make the most of your driving time to get the most miles per day. Living on the road is pretty expensive, and you want to add a second person to that expense. I would advise that if you take her along, it should be for short runs 1-6 days out.

 

Looks like you may need to lease a truck.

Check into that perhaps.

 

oh goodness IMO dont advise someone to do that until they have been trucking a while and ARE SURE THATS WHAT THEY WANNA DO...some people are attracted to it...UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY DO IT!!!! trucking is not for everyone...you either love it, or you hate it....they shouldnt jump into something like that til they are sure they are gonna stick around...just my opinion....

 

well i wish i knew someone good to point you to, i have been out here 20 yrs...and the good companies we used to drive for are out of business....i am sure there are some good ones...but i dont know of em...sorry...the company we drive for, has OLD equipment and a lot of rumors right now about being in trouble...and its not one of the ones u mentioned...so dont panic...lol..we used to drive for a fleet owner leased to Prime but that was back in the early 90's...dont know how they are now...things were diff. then...good luck...

 

OK, sorry sounded like you were gonna try to take her on 1st run. That out of the way, I can say that Swift does have a rider program which costs $10 a week for insurance. I think it is for family members only tho. The cat would be a no-go with Swift. Their pet policy has been stopped unless you are grandfathered in (2005?) or are a O/O or L/O.

Personally, I'd worry about getting the experience for the 1st 6 months, then worry about who will fit my longer term goals. Just my .04 cents.

 

ok well you have a halfway decent list of companies here....But you picked the worst two!

I'd say you should go with Roehl! This is why:

#1 They Allow Riders
#2 You can have a power inverter which means you can have a Fridge/microwave (to save money on food) and a TV to keep you lil Woman entertained while you work 14 hours a day...
#3 They go every where
#4 They have a bunch of differant devisions so you can find what kind of trucking fits you best without haveing to change companies.
#5 Lots of there trucks have APU's
#6 I beleive they start you at .32cpm WAY more then swift/werner
#7 I'm pretty sure they also allow pets...
#8 they dont suck as bad as all the other companies you have listed


Prime isnt horrible either but there Training period is VERY long.....





American Trucker