Questions for Recruiters/Companies as a upcoming CDL graduate

Blasphemy! That is unholy speech! Hahaha just kidding. I have not seen the automatics yet. Knight told me that's what they have so if I go there, I will get to see it. I will agree that the 13 was a PITA to get used to after I came from a 10 speed, but I did like it once I did get used to it.

 

what are you lazy?

You want a power glide type transmission - just two speeds and you can relax with your feet on the dash as you cruise down the road?

Come on ... get with it China, 13 speeds should be in all trucks except those where trucks have 18 speed transmissions.

Well heck, for that matter, all new pickups should have 13 speed trannys, those newly build Ford and GM junk pickups should have the driver sitting on a milk crate shifting that trans to get where they need to go so they stop acting like they own the road.

 

These are all things to ask, but many will be company dependent. There is no perfect company out there so you may need to prioritize the ones that are most important to you, with that said I will try to answer as many as I can.
1. As a company driver all your miles loaded and empty should be paid unless things changed since I got out and now to when I am coming back.
2.Home time will depend greatly on several factors, OTR, dedicated, regional, and local.
3. Again lots of variables for length of home time. Are you loaded or empty, do you live close to the terminal where you can park or are you taking the rig home, did you request the time off or is the load/pick up close to your house. Most Home time is between 34 and 48 hours. Some companies it is 1 day per 7 out with a max of (EX) 5days of home time.
4. Most large companies will have at least pre pass and easy pass. As a company driver if you have to pay a cash toll you keep the receipt and turn it in with your BOL, same with scale tickets, paid for parking will depend on the company you work for. If all the stops are going to 100% paid for parking most large companies will reimburse or be enrolled for a spot. The paid for reserved spots were special back when I was driving, with the exception of a few places that were all paid parking.
5. I ran freightliners and Petes. The truck will all be assigned and depends on who you run with. The top speeds will be up to the company and may be based upon your mpg. Most now are governed around 65 to 68 with a smart pass that adds a few mph to get around a similar truck. Elogs are mandatory on all OTR trucks with a company with more than so many trucks, and the grandfather clause may be up for O/O to where they need some sort of elog. Internet not likely unless your elog device emits wifi. Most truck stops have a wifi connection as well as your terminals. some may be free others paid. XM radio will again be up to the company. They may offer it in the truck but require you to pay the subscription, the subscription isn't too much, I paid for it. Accessorial pay types will vary by company. As a company driver you will have to document and stay on top of your paperwork to get it, documentation is everything. Are you on time? where you late and had to reschedule, etc. APU's, bunk heaters, inverters etc. will all be up to the company, they might have them they might not. Some companies if they do not have inverters and fridges if you buy them, they will install them for free you just have to ask.
6. Your rewards cards are yours, you keep points, showers, etc.
7. Sign on bonuses and tuition reimbursement generally range from 5k to 10k depending on both the company and what you qualify for. Most companies have safety bonuses and fuel bonuses, pay attention at orientation and to your trainers so you understand how to get them.
8. If you are not local and drive anything other than a day cab you will sleep in the sleeper berth for your 10-hour breaks and 34s that you take away from home, that's why they have them. If you choose to stay in a motel that's coming out of your pocket. The exception is for a breakdown. if the truck is going to be in the shop for more than a day your company will put you up in a room while the truck is fixed. Most breakdown pay will start after 34 to 48 hours, and the pay will vary by company.

I can only answer detention for flatbed. Most of the time there will not be detention on that side. This is not your company. Most shippers and receivers on the flatbed side are first come first served. That means no appointment, other than the day and the open hours of the business. (EX) your pickup is Monday between 7am and 3 pm. If you are going to a big distribution center (rare in most cases) you may get an appointment and in those cases after 2 to 3 hours (industry standard) you might get detention, it just depends on if your company offers it on flatbed side, most do not in my experience as most are fcfs so detention is not built into flatbeds. This is also part of the reason overall CPM for flatbeds is usually a bit higher than vans. The important thing to look at in flatbed is tarp pay. Look for the initial tarp fee, and retarp fee for multistop loads. The most I have spent loading unloading is about 5 hours if it was a busy location. Expect an hour for securement tarping while you are starting out. As you learn you might be able to get that down to 30 mins. Again, the tarp/multistop fees make up for the lack of detention. The type of securement also plays a part in how long the securement takes. Edge protectors on a tall load take longer than a low strap and go load for example.

What you are missing is something I was also missing, and this answer came from a CPA. Medical/denat/life insurance will all be similar so pick what you need from who you go with. The 401ks are something to ask about. Specifically, if the 401k has a roth option instead of a standard 401k. If there is NOT a roth option put the company match into it and get a 401k with a roth on your own. then work to max out the roth 401k first and switch back to the company 401k until that is maxed. The other advice he gave me was to put some into the 401ks but build your personal savings to 10k before maxing out your 401ks.

I know the money, savings, and 401ks are all based on each person's own financial and budget constraints. I am not a financial advisor, cpa, or tax consultant, the information I provided is only meant to be a reference only for others to be able to ask the questions of financial representatives both from employers and cpas' etc. The OP asked if (s)he was missing anything. While doing my own financial planning for my specific circumstances this is what I was missing, so I thought others may be missing it as well.
Appreciate any and or all feedback...Just trying to get all my 's in a row to make sure to cover my before
Am I missing anything? For flatbed I have a breakdown of all accessorial pay & other goodies (NYC Borough pay, stops, etc) - hope this covers it...