What about Interstate Distributors?

Hello everyone; I am 57 and took an early retirement. After much research I have decided to pay for my own school at Commercial Drivers Services (CDS) in Lakewood, Washington. They were recommended by several trucking companies I talked to. I have already received a pre-hire letter from Gordon, Swift and Interstate Distributors. I have to say I was impressed by Interstate. Gordon is great with good starting pay (.31 per mile). But, my wife wants to go with and they only allow riders in the summer. This school I am going to says they deal with hundreds of companies. I spoke to a graduating student and he said he had 27 offers upon graduation. So I suppose I should wait until then and see what happens. How is Interstate? I know Swift. Any other recommendations in the northwest. We are willing to go coast to coast. Thanks in advance.

 

Hey Marine
I am in kinda the same boat. About 6yrs your junior, and going to school right now on my own dime. However wife is also going so we can team. We are looking at Interstate, and have a letter of intent from them. They are apparently better suited for teams. Alot of info on them on the forum, most of people that have had some problems were solo, mostly late pay. They do pay weekly. Overall sounds like a good company, better than most. They also have a tuition reimbursement plan. They pay you quarterly as long as your there until paid. No contract for the pay back.
Is your wife thinking of it also? Money is good, better than just doubling solo pay.
BOL!!
Cheers

 

Hello roadie363; Looks like a motorcycle in your picture? I just sold my Harley so I could do this. Couldn't see letting it sit around. My wife (right now) doesn't want to drive. We live in our motorhome since I retired and she has driven it (33'). But the TRUCKS scare the crap out of her. When they go by I move over to the right as much as possible, but they still suck me over a little. She can't get over it. Interstate looks as good as I have found, as you said. The school that I am attending told me to wait until the last week and see who tries to contact me. So we'll see. What bothers me the most is how flexable the pay can be. In the winter the freight seems to slow down as well as getting less miles because of weather. Anyway, stay in touch and good luck!

 

Like I said, in the same boat! We are also living in our Motorhome. 40' Deisel pusher at the local KOA for a couple months. I am still working full time, and we are going to school full time. (work 5:30 to 12:30 takin 1 hr sick time a day), then afternoon and evening classes. My last day of work here is end of Oct. We should also be done with school by then, then off to Tacoma probably.
We rented our house to our son for the first year, make sure this works out, then we'll sell it. Should be able to pay off the other bills fairly quickly then, and sock most of our pay away for retirement before I am 60.
School is Sage Tech here in SLC.
And yup, motorcycle crazy, we own a few, had a rental business we are closing now, GoldWings and Harleys. I have a Yamaha Roadstar as well. I am also a certified MSF Ridercoach as well, teach beginners and advanced classes. Going to miss my bikes while OTR!
BOL!

 

Hi; Let me know how it is driving team. All I know is that it's something like running 24 hours a day. Stop for fuel, drop and hook, and to change drivers. Sounds like something very hard to do and stressful. I don't know about you, but I don't think I could sleep while the truck is moving. I am a very light sleeper. But, let me know anyway. If it's different maybe my wife would like to drive. Sounds like you are being smart about the house. We sold our house two years ago and have been on the road every since. Stayed in Florida last winter and have been having a great time. I will be going to school in Lakewood, Wa. and Interstate is about 1/2 mile away. I looked into their condo cabs and wow. They are really set up nice compared to most others I have seen. They told me at corp. headquarters that they have cars available for their drivers to use when they are at a terminal. Thats great. Also I like the scan your documents to submit for pay, instead of mailing them. Much quicker. Did you know that the majority of their trucks are auto shift now? Let me know how it goes. Maybe we'll run into each other some day. As we say in the motorcycle world, keep the rubber side down.

 

I just graduated from CDS, watch out for those Lakewood drivers. A piece of advise do your homework now, and follow up with the companies. If you don't follow up with them they will put you in the hold pile (back burner).
On grad day they give you a list of about 120 local comapnies that you need to work yourself if that's what your looking for.
As to which is better I can't say. I'll just say don't wait to decide or you'll be delayed on the other end. You can have a job the week after you graduate, or be like me. Not follow up thinking they would call me back and be delayed two weeks until starting. My choice is Interstate, mostly due to location of terminal.
Good Luck....

 

Hi Bullkamm; Good advice. I called interstate yesterday and they inteviewed me on the phone. They said to call them back two weeks from graduation and they would send the pre-hire letter. Swift and Gordon told me the same. We'll see. But thanks to your tip I will stay on top of them until I graduate. Stay in touch and let me know how you like it.

 

I thought I was going with interstate and when I asked about hiring older people they said Oh no problem my dad is 70 some and still driving.

So I went ahead and submitted my application, sending everything they asked for. Took alot of my time to do that. Then I heard nothing from them for over a week. I called them and they said Oh we just lost the terminal in Kingman AZ so we can't hire you.

I said I am sorry to hear that but lucky for you I am a full time RV'er and I can start it up and move to a location you are hiring from.

He hung up on me.

Schneider and CRST did the same.

Age Descrimination? don't know but they can't say that to you.

Now I am on the button with Watkins and Shepard and unless something comes up they are going to hire this old fart and train me.

Arkie

 

Hey guys--I'm presently going to CDS in Lakewood, I'll be graduating Nov. 9th. I have also put in my application in with IDC. That is also my wife's choice for me to work for. Beeb driving past their terminal since they built it, nice looking facilites. I just heard from Gordon today saying my app. will be forwarded and that things look good.Got a prehire letter from Swift on monday. I'm going solo until my wife is ready to join. Good luck and keep us posted. Allen

 

Interstate has some of the best equipment there trailers are alot nicer than most co's. There trailers are mostly Great Dains.