The oh-so typical question you're asked: Who to start with

I'm a 23 year old courier, been doing this since I had a drivers license (Father's courier company). Mostly central florida and hot-shot deliveries around the state. I was looking at companies to do the Training school - Company Driver route with and got real excited when I came across CRE. For the past couple days something's been telling me its too good to be true, so I did a google search for a trucking forum. This one came up and I started reading the threads. I figured the leases were too good to be true. Its obvious that they're not the only company who does that though, so no problem.


I'll get to the long and short of it:
-23 year old driver who can easily pass the CDL exam and training course from any school
-Wants to make money, doesn't care about home time, doesn't care about living out of the truck
-Want to be a company driver for at least a year first, maybe two, then leasing a truck
-Have no problem taking care of my equipment & I'm a safe, responsible driver.

I'm looking for the best company to sign up with. I know that each company will have some stuff wrong with it, I know. I'm just looking for a place where I can do the stuff I described above and a company that actually wants a guy like that. Anyone have a good couple of companies for me to look at? I'd really appreciate it.

 

Whats wrong with working for your father??

 

I can make an extra $100 a week driving for a company, and not have to pay half of my paycheck each week for fuel.

I'm an IC with the company, my van, my gas, my insurance. I'm tired of it. I want to be a company driver. I'm still young enough & in a position to where with 2 years of being a company driver, I can have everything outstanding against me paid off and save a pretty big chunk of change. Get me on a path towards a solid future.

 

The best companies are union as far as pay and benefits. As an otr driver for over 16 years I highly suggest you try and get your foot in the door of one of the teamster organized companies.

 

Welcome to the forums PhilKen.
IMO Google sent you to the best site for researching and learning about what the trucking industry has to offer.

Two things in your post caught my attention. The first being your excitement with C.R. England and your comment that their lease program seems too good to be true. Let me assure you, it is. And has been the ruination of many who have fallen for their scam. I hope you're convinced that that company is one to be avoided all together as a company driver or a lease driver.

If you haven't already read the numerous horror stories about C.R. England in various threads here at The Truckers' Report, you should.

Other companies also offer lease options, and for the most part they're all to be avoided. Basically, lease programs put ALL the responsibilities on the lessor which relieves the company of the financial obligations involved. They offer such programs, and make them easy to get into, for that reason. However, those lease programs, all too often, spell disaster for those who sign up for them. That's why companies like C.R. England are so eager to sign up starry-eyed newBees with little experience and/or knowledge of the industry. More experienced folks realize the pitfalls and avoid the hype and don't believe their glamorized advertisements.

My best advice is to continue researching the wealth of information contained herein regarding what the various trucking companies have to offer, and continue asking questions.

 

And I understand that as a lease driver, you're also able to make significantly more money.

Now don't get me wrong, I know trucks will nickle-and-dime you to death. I thought they dealt in new trucks though? Its not like a new truck needs a rebuild after 100,000 miles at $10,000 a pop. Unless my thinking is totally off. I know the oil changes every 10-15k miles, tires are 300 a piece... etc. I know all that stuff happens. But its not like you're leasing a 1974 Mack from them. You're not buying new tires every month, right?

Like I said, unless I'm totally off. In which case PLEASE, enlighten me

 

With companies like CRE, you're likely to get a used, leased-several-times-before-you truck, which may be only a few years old. For the prices these companies charge you for the lease, you could have leased a much better truck (not your standard freightliner) from a bank. The one question to ask yourself is:
If owning the truck is more profitable, why doesn't CR England want to own the truck and have you as a company driver?

If you're going to lease, I'd recommend going as a company driver first and perhaps actually leasing the truck you drove at the company. Drive it for a year, make sure it's not breaking down every week, tell them you want it. I'd still rather go through a bank (it sounds like you have established credit history), but at least know what you're getting before you sign a very expensive contract.

 

Ok, I assumed that the leases were brand new trucks, which is why they ding you for 450 a week for the payment.

Yeah, i'm definately doing the company driver route first. Now the problem is whether or not I want to be a company driver for them. I'm going to need the training school to get my CDL (Since not having any experience and just getting a CDL, i'd have to do some sort of training program anyways with the company)

Thanks for the heads up, I appreciate all the info.

 

P..K..S.. - I would like to incourage you to read the string "Crete - A Year In Review". Read it from the begining to the end. It will take you a while but I think you will find it very informative and it might help you in your decision. What ever you do, please listen to those who have already responded to this post.

Good Luck!

 

No doubt. I'm young but i've already learned the all-important lesson: When you ask someone for advice, take it.

Thanks again for the feedback everyone.