Questions:

Don't mean to burst your bubble, but this attitude is exactly why the industry is the way it is, and why it will never change. Rather than take the advice from a couple of experienced drivers you opt to follow your brothers advice, who likely has no experience in this industry. We are our own worst enemy.

 

Whatever you decision don't go to Swift! Your chances of success are going to be substantially higher at a smaller carrier!

 

Don't mean to burst your bubble but your attitude is precisely why the industry is the way it is... driver's who are too afraid to stand up for themselves and always be looking to improve their levels of compensation.

jaiart, you've got it right... consider yourself at all times to be a free agent whose services are in demand for a price that you determine and that they need you more than you need them

 

Your chances of success are going to be substantially higher at a smaller company. Not that the mega-carriers are evil. They really try though to just keep their seats warm. Its called "cheap labor"! Why pay an experienced driver good money to haul the same product as they could with a cheap inexperienced driver. The more they keep recycling drivers the cheaper it is for them!

Also the biggest reason is going to be your dispatcher. At a smaller company its going to be much easier to develop a good personal working relationship then at a mega-carrier where the dispatchers are responsible for hundreds of drivers. Your dispatcher is going to be your key to your success!

 

Not that I am advising being a job hopper, but over the years I have made many, many, many moves when the situation has warranted it. I won't stay at a place that treats drivers like garbage, let's the equipment fall apart around me, or where I'm not making any money. Keeping your license clean and relatively blemish free is more important than the number of jobs you may have had. I personally have never had a problem finding something when the time came. There is always going to be someone that needs your service.