The ideal company... does it exist?

I get along with trucking about as good as an alcoholic does a bar. Once I finally get get out of the seat it always finds a way to pull me back in. Even with all the crap I've put up with, an actual paycheck is better than what I've got going now. So... instead of looking through thread after thread about all the crap that I remember hating about the industry, I figure if I post what I'm looking for in a trucking company maybe someone could point me in the right direction.

I have over a year OTR experience in the last 2 years so I'm not exactly new to the industry. I know what I'm looking for and I know when it's time to run away as fast as I can. I may be picky but I have enough self respect to not be walked on by my employer. I've been through USA, SNI, and one dumb*** O/O with no plans to return in this lifetime, but other than that I'm open to ideas.


What I'm looking for:

- Solo OTR company position, Dry Van or Reefer. I don't fall for that lease purchase b.s.

- A company that appreciates safe and legal drivers that will never force me to run illegal or drive unsafe equipment.

- A smaller company would be nice. Still big enough where they know what they're doing but small enough where someone actually listens to what I have to say.

- A dispatcher with a brain and a map. Don't get me started...

- Lots of runs out West, not so much Northeast.

- I'm not picky with trucks, just give me a 13 speed that can pass a pumpkin.

- Reasonable idle policy. If it's too hot or cold in my truck, I'm going to idle the truck whether they like it or not.

- Decent paycheck, no short miles. Pay me for the miles I drive, I'm not doing this for free you know.

- Reasonable appointment times. There aint nothing in the box worth getting killed or losing my CDL over.

- Must be able to bring passenger, inverter, microwave, fridge, cb/ham radio. A pet would be nice as well.


Hopefully such a company exists. Haven't found it yet though, that's for sure.

 

I'll look into them. How often does W&S go east?

 

I understand that, but usually as a company driver you make the same driving through Jersey as Wyoming. While there are a few exceptions (bonuses and what not) I can do 700 mile days in 11 hours out west whereas in the Northeast traffic can cost you half your driving day.

On top of that, once you get caught up in the spider's web, good luck finding outbound freight.

I've had lots of experience in the Northeast but I'll take a west coast run over that nightmare any day.

 

I was looking at going that route for a while but they were not hiring north of I-94 in Michigan. They run all the boring states anyways...

I'm north of 94 but south of 69 in Flint.