Researching a company

The SMS/CSA report is only one tool.

It is only helpful IF the carrier has an extensive roadside history.

I just retired from a local carrier where 99% of operations was within 50 miles of New York and a large portion of that was within 40 miles of the seaport.

2/3 rds the size of the previous carrier and rarely stopped, the previous place gets stopped more in a month than we were thru the 24 month 'history'...

 

Good advice so far, Turnover rates above 50% are an automatic red flag, as well as inspection OOS rates higher than average. I would avoid google reviews, as those are too easily manipulated. Asking here may find a driver or two from the company who has good info. If they have a local facility, look at the equipment coming and going. Not just the trucks, eyeball the trailers, as this is where most maintenance gets put off until later.

Aside from that? Remember this equation: Chicago area + foreign owned + 1099 = You're gonna get screwed.