Where to go now?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Tovya, Feb 16, 2011.

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  1. Feb 16, 2011 #1
    Tovya

    Tovya Bobtail Member

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    Aug 3, 2010
    Marion, Indiana
    0
    Hello all!

    By all accounts, I fit in the 'newbie' category with 6 months regional/otr experience under my belt. Right now I'm running with Schneider National, and really have no complaints about the company, however I am looking for something better. Briefly what I've got and what I'm looking for.

    What I've got:

    60k + Miles across the northern states and South/South East regions
    Class A CDL - No endorsements
    .24 cpm (currently on a SE Regional dedicated account)
    Refer and Dry Van exp only

    What I want:

    A good solid company to run OTR for
    No endorsement requirements
    6-7mo exp required (March 1 = 7 months exp for me)
    Rider policy (from day 1 preferably)
    Refer or Dry Van, but will learn flatbed
    Mostly no-touch freight
    New equipment - I'm 6'2" and these mid-sized cabs are way too cramped for me... I need the leg space
    Good pay - I know off the top of my head of 1 company that is paying .36cpm for 3mo exp drivers OTR...

    I know it's a little specific, but that is ideal. If any of you know of any companies that come even close to those specifications, I would greatly appreciate their name/website. I really do not want to have to get any endorsements, which I know limits my possibilities, however for the right pay scale I would get what I needed. The only things listed above that I'm 100% on are the space in the cab (driving 10-11 hrs a day being cramped is not conductive to a happy driver), better pay (somewhere in the .32-.40 cpm range I would assume), and rider policy. My girlfriend and I have been together for 4 years, and she comes with me.

    Thanks to all who contribute here, it is greatly appreciated. I may not have time to reply right away because I'm only home on the weekends for a 34hr reset right now, however I will reply as able. Thanks again!
     
    Tovya, Feb 16, 2011
    Tovya, Feb 16, 2011
    #1
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  3. Feb 16, 2011 #2
    rocknroll nik

    rocknroll nik High Risk Load Member

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    can't read the sign
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    Well first off welcome to the forum.

    These days you'll find that alot of companies are starting folks off at a lower rate. There are some companies starting guys with lots of experience of at 32 cpm. Sounds to me like you will need to try and find a smaller company to run for. What you could do is look in your local phone book for trucking companies and give them a call. Smaller outfits sometimes want more experience than a year but there has to be somebody out there.

    Good luck be safe and have fun driver
     
    rocknroll nik, Feb 16, 2011
    rocknroll nik, Feb 16, 2011
    #2
    GuysLady Thanks this.
  4. Feb 16, 2011 #3
    Tovya

    Tovya Bobtail Member

    25
    37
    Aug 3, 2010
    Marion, Indiana
    0
    Thanks Rocknroll nik, I appreciate the info. I haven't tried calling the local ones yet, but that's a good idea. I'll give it a go and hope for the best. Thanks for the welcome too! :)
     
    Tovya, Feb 16, 2011
    Tovya, Feb 16, 2011
    #3
  5. Feb 16, 2011 #4
    Jonny1

    Jonny1 Medium Load Member

    642
    191
    Jan 14, 2007
    Nashville, TN
    0
    Why not check out Crete, you will make more then then what was mentioned above. Nice equipment......dont see them sitting much.

    One thing about the better companies like Crete, they pass on anyone who has even minor challenges.....even drivers with 10 plus years behind them. I have respect for company like that, as loosers make more work for everyone else, and I'm not talking about more miles. You know the guys, they drop a trailer with issues and dont write it up or write it up without enough information....just all that silly stuff that takes more time away from making money.
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2011
    Jonny1, Feb 16, 2011
    Jonny1, Feb 16, 2011
    #4
    123456 Thanks this.
  7. Feb 17, 2011 #5
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    You are in a Great area.

    With 6 months experience, and a diploma from a decent driving school,

    look into the better companies.

    Skip ALL the coolie carriers........
     
    123456, Feb 17, 2011
    123456, Feb 17, 2011
    #5
  8. Feb 17, 2011 #6
    rodknocker

    rodknocker Road Train Member

    1,242
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    Dec 18, 2008
    Southeast
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    Go Ltl and tripple your income.
     
    rodknocker, Feb 17, 2011
    rodknocker, Feb 17, 2011
    #6
  9. Feb 18, 2011 #7
    Tovya

    Tovya Bobtail Member

    25
    37
    Aug 3, 2010
    Marion, Indiana
    0
    LTL stands for less than truck load right? How can that triple income and what qualifications do I need? Also what carriers do ltl? Thanks to everyone for your input. Right now I'm still doing as much research on the road as I can, but Ozark is looking tops at the moment.
     
    Tovya, Feb 18, 2011
    Tovya, Feb 18, 2011
    #7
  10. Feb 18, 2011 #8
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Go to one of their websites !!!!!

    OD for example, would take you.









    Old Dominion--before ya ask.....
     
    123456, Feb 18, 2011
    123456, Feb 18, 2011
    #8
  11. Feb 18, 2011 #9
    rocknroll nik

    rocknroll nik High Risk Load Member

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    Oct 18, 2008
    can't read the sign
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    When you run LTL you are picking up at several places and dropping at several...therefore you get better rates from the brokers
     
    rocknroll nik, Feb 18, 2011
    rocknroll nik, Feb 18, 2011
    #9
    GuysLady Thanks this.
  12. Feb 18, 2011 #10
    Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

    17,996
    35,645
    Sep 8, 2007
    Utah's DIXIE!
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    Major qualifications for LTL. STRONG back, there is a lot of physical work in this end of the business. If you are going LTL, you don't need to go OTR to make decent money. Local pickup and delivery and line haul pays well. AND you get to sleep in your own bed more often.

    OTOH, doing P & D work, you are doing a lot more dealing with the customer and more loading/unloading than driving. In the linehaul side of it, you are usually dealing with doubles and triples. Hooking and breaking sets is a lot of work.

    But these are good jobs, if you don't mind doing a little "Manual Labor.":biggrin_25523:
     
    Big Don, Feb 18, 2011
    Big Don, Feb 18, 2011
    #10
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