what is the right company

So which companies are still visiting the schools these days to recruit?

I attended last november and there was still a visitor every day, but they said come late December early January that all stopped and they only got a couple.

 

During the two weeks that we have been in classroom doing book work, Werner has been the only company to send a recruiter to us, so far. It looks like that will be the only one, too. We begin driving the week after next.

 

One more thing PharmPhail, how was it for you getting your first job? I'm curious because it seems that the industry has changed alot in the last six months. Who did you go to work for and how was/is it?

 

I was off the bigroad for 7 years and had to start back over at a bottom feeder company (Swift). Starting pay was $.28 per mile. I had an advantage tho because I had been to the big dance before and knew what to expect.
I actually made okay money at Swift, but I know how to manage my time and I got into the Swift truck with the ability to drive 11 hours straight and work a logbook. 11-10-11-10-11-10. Time everything right, and run as hard as possible in a fleet truck and yes, you can make a decent wage at a bottom feeder company. Time management is key when you have to match a logbook to a Qualcomm.

I had a 65 mph truck with Swift. The safetyman told me that I couldnt average more than 59 mph and I proved him wrong when he looked at the qualcomm. In ideal conditions, I could still hit over 700 miles per day.

One more thing. The bottom feeders have more backstabbers and snitches than they do drivers. Keep your business to yourself (name, rank and serial number only). Do not discuss anything personal with another driver. And always make sure your 5th wheel is locked before pulling out of your terminal. The worst enemy to a Swift driver is another Swift driver.

 

Thanks for your post TripleSix. You hear many people tell of there being no place for newbies who only have ambition. You post lets us know that there are many skills to sharpen, but that success is possible.

 

Bad thing is, there arent alot of positions for company drivers. Or they require company drivers to run teams.

A few companies are still hiring, but the bigger ones are just putting on lease drivers. DO NOT let anyone talk you into doing a lease purchase!

 

You could pick almost any company that hires new drivers the main key is your attitude.there will be good weeks as well as bad weeks , Im talking about your pay or home time. These companies are not perfect but they are a place to grow and learn the job and to develop your skills.....Be safe

 

I couldn't find one, so I bought a truck. It wasn't my first choice but now I'm glad I did.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/ask-an-owner-operator/70022-load-boards.html

 

Fuel up either at the beginning of the day or the end of the day. Take your 3S (####,shave and a shower) during your 10 hour break. Buy your groceries during your time off. Do everything during your time off. When its time to drive, you drive.

During your drive time, STAY OUT OF THE TRUCKSTOPS! You will eat up 45 minutes every time you stop. If I need to go to the restroom, I will look on the GPS and find the rest areas on my current route. Then its "splash and dash" and back in the truck in under 5 minutes.

If you get paid mileage, you have to run the maximum number of miles you can in a day, every day. You do not slow down until you are unloaded. The faster you get your 11 done, the faster you can start your 10 off and the faster you can start another 11.
Sit for a day, work a 34 in.