So this coming Friday I'll graduate from Houston Community College Commercial Driving Accademy. I've put in maybe a dozen applications and have been contacted back by most. Here is my list of top ten with Pros and Cons - One of these companies I hope to working for in the next couple of weeks. I'm looking for more info or rebuttles to my comments. Any more infor, pro or con would be appreciated. 01) Crete (Pro: .33cpm after training, Practical miles paid, Load selection, Good Equipment, Good Miles, Drivers that I've spoken to seem happy, Not many negative comments on the trucking message boards, seem strict on logbook violations; Con: Training $350 for 4+ wks.) 02) CFI (Pro: .26cpm during training of 7500+ miles, Good equipment, Good miles, Drivers that I've spoken to seem happy, Not many negative comments on the trucking message boards, seem strict on logbook violations; Con: CPM seems low for the first year) 03) Arrow Trucking (Pro: .34cpm after training, Good equipment, Good miles, Drivers that I've spoken to seem happy, Not many negative comments on the trucking message boards, Additioanl training provided; Con: Additional training needed, tarping and chaining/straping, 4+ wks w/trainer @ $300/wk) 04) TMC (Pro: CPM or Load Percentage after training, Good equipment, Good miles, Drivers that I've spoken to seem happy, Not many negative comments on the trucking message boards, Additioanl training provided; Con: Additional training needed, tarping and chaining/straping, 4+ wks w/trainer @ $300-350/wk) 05) SRT (Did not find a lot of info on them, the one driver I spoke to had been with them 5 years, was trained by them and was happy.) 06) KLLM (Did not find much info on them, could not catch a driver at a TS but I did get e message from one that said it was a good company.) 07) PGT (Just seems like a low rent company, their recruiter was a jerk. Pays 23.5 Percent of load after training. Training is I think 4 wks at $7.00/hr) 08 )Mavrick (People speak good about them, but it's a pretty large company and I kinda want to shy away from some of the larger companies, tho I have other compaies of the same or larger right up at the top of my list.) 09) Tidewater Transit (Small regional company with a Terminal near the school, no recruiters, the school touts them as being a reputable company to hire with. HAZMAT.) 10) CTL Distribution (Small regional company with a Terminal near the school, no recruiters. HAZMAT.) 11) US Express (Pro: Good equipment, decent pay - mileage based sliding scale between .28cpm and .35cpm, good training, happy drivers; Con: HUGE company, Auto shift, some admistrative issues I've heard.) That's my top 10. Tho I don't know why I put SRT and KLLM to the top of the list above other maybe more well known companies, other than I felt good about them. THANX!
Personally, I wouldn't get too hung up on low training wages. Three-eight weeks is gone b-4 you know it. Look at the BIG picture. IMO, even the good 160-200 hour CDL programs do little more than prep you for your road test, and give one a clue. I'm not far behind you, and I want a GREAT trainer. I believe real learning comes from driving in the real world. I remember reading "Diary of a Trainer" created by a Crete driver. If my recollection is right, it was over a 5 year period. Get the best training you can get. It looks like you've researched well. Best wishes
Give Paschal Truck Lines(PTL) a look see. They have a $500 sign on bonus, .20 a mile total truck miles for training, and solo pay .29 cpm. Not the best pay, but I am getting good miles and don't have to worry about a whole lot. I have been with them since last Thanksgiving. Good luck on what ever you choose, and make a good choice, because you only hurt yourself when you jump companies.
