New Student Seeking Recommendations of Good Companies

[candun]

Hello All,

I am a new student driver. I've been lurking here for a while but now its time for my first post. After careful consideration, and despite the tireless negativity that seems to be required for all posts, I have decided that driving is the right career move for me. But, I want to do it right! So, I'm soliciting the help of nice folks like you to give me some guidance.

Although I know that the first year is always tough and this economy means it will be even worse, I believe the economy is nearing a bottom right now. In a year, the economy will be on the rebound and I will have my requisite 1 year OTR experience and be marketable when hiring, mileage and pay rates start going higher. Besides, pretty much anything beats the last year+ of under/unemployment I've experienced.

So, the decision to drive has been made, I don't need or want discouragement. I'm already enrolled in a private driver school, not a company program. From what I can tell, Sage in Nashville, NC seems to be one of the best schools around: One-on-One instructors with no observation time, 100% graduation rate, 100% placement rate, fully certified, etc. (they even have a simulator to practice getting out of dangerous situations or practice in bad weather and non-local terrain).

Over the next two weeks I need to decide which companies I should start soliciting for pre-hires and which I should avoid like the plague. I've had my fill of gross negativity and already have a list of highly suspect carriers. I'd now like to hear POSITIVE recommendations for GOOD companies. Preferably from someone actively working at the company and knowlegable of their CURRENT hiring status and freight load.

My specific situation/plan is as as follows:

• 34yo single male, totally unattached and do not own a home
• Planning to put my stuff in storage and LIVE in my truck
• Will have my mothers house to call home but don't care if I only make it there once or twice a year
• Do NOT want flatbed or other highly physical work as I am not up for it
• Primary goal is max revenue which means I need miles
• Secondary goal is to be able to take 3-4 day "mini-vacations" in interesting cities say 5-6 times a year (as an alternative to hometime)
• I intend to have my hazmat and tanker endorsements
• After training I may try to find a team partner with a similar "homeless" strategy

My definition of a good company would be:

• Good miles!!! Acknowledging the slow economy, I still need $600/wk minimum just to tread water financially
• 48-state +C/M operating area, preferably specializing in cross-country loads
• Either they don't run a CDL-mill or they recognize that I put myself thru school and am not one of their indentured servants!
• Either an APU or Opti-Idle on entire fleet
• Reliable equipment (don't care how old or ugly it is, as long as it works!)
• Dispatchers that have a clue!
• Flexibility to take "mini-vacations" around the country in lieu of "home time"
• Preferably they haul predominantly non-cyclical freight, like food, as opposed to economically sensative freight like construction materials
• Rider policy for my mom to take a trip would be nice

On the one hand, it seems like I might be seeking a lot. On the other hand this all seems pretty basic. Surely I can find a company out there that can provide it.

Can anyone help out a NOOB with some guidance?

Thanks!
(and sorry to be so long-winded)

[grocery thrower]

Originally Posted by candun

Hello All,

I am a new student driver. I've been lurking here for a while but now its time for my first post. After careful consideration, and despite the tireless negativity that seems to be required for all posts, I have decided that driving is the right career move for me. But, I want to do it right! So, I'm soliciting the help of nice folks like you to give me some guidance.

Although I know that the first year is always tough and this economy means it will be even worse, I believe the economy is nearing a bottom right now. In a year, the economy will be on the rebound and I will have my requisite 1 year OTR experience and be marketable when hiring, mileage and pay rates start going higher. Besides, pretty much anything beats the last year+ of under/unemployment I've experienced.

So, the decision to drive has been made, I don't need or want discouragement. I'm already enrolled in a private driver school, not a company program. From what I can tell, Sage in Nashville, NC seems to be one of the best schools around: One-on-One instructors with no observation time, 100% graduation rate, 100% placement rate, fully certified, etc. (they even have a simulator to practice getting out of dangerous situations or practice in bad weather and non-local terrain).

Over the next two weeks I need to decide which companies I should start soliciting for pre-hires and which I should avoid like the plague. I've had my fill of gross negativity and already have a list of highly suspect carriers. I'd now like to hear POSITIVE recommendations for GOOD companies. Preferably from someone actively working at the company and knowlegable of their CURRENT hiring status and freight load.

My specific situation/plan is as as follows:

• 34yo single male, totally unattached and do not own a home
• Planning to put my stuff in storage and LIVE in my truck
• Will have my mothers house to call home but don't care if I only make it there once or twice a year
• Do NOT want flatbed or other highly physical work as I am not up for it
• Primary goal is max revenue which means I need miles
• Secondary goal is to be able to take 3-4 day "mini-vacations" in interesting cities say 5-6 times a year (as an alternative to hometime)
• I intend to have my hazmat and tanker endorsements
• After training I may try to find a team partner with a similar "homeless" strategy

My definition of a good company would be:

• Good miles!!! Acknowledging the slow economy, I still need $600/wk minimum just to tread water financially
• 48-state +C/M operating area, preferably specializing in cross-country loads
• Either they don't run a CDL-mill or they recognize that I put myself thru school and am not one of their indentured servants!
• Either an APU or Opti-Idle on entire fleet
• Reliable equipment (don't care how old or ugly it is, as long as it works!)
• Dispatchers that have a clue!
• Flexibility to take "mini-vacations" around the country in lieu of "home time"
• Preferably they haul predominantly non-cyclical freight, like food, as opposed to economically sensative freight like construction materials
• Rider policy for my mom to take a trip would be nice

On the one hand, it seems like I might be seeking a lot. On the other hand this all seems pretty basic. Surely I can find a company out there that can provide it.

Can anyone help out a NOOB with some guidance?

Thanks!
(and sorry to be so long-winded)

WOW!! You have done your research!!! I have no doubt in this world that you will succeed, with an attitude like yours, my goodness you will do great!! I want to encourage you, you seem to have your head fixed to your shoulders, word of warning though.....pro1driver will undoubtedly be with you shortly, take him with a grain of salt, you will be, and do, GREAT!!!!

[RickyRicardo]

Couldn't have put it better myself GT.
And like he said candun, be prepared for some negativity on here as well.

[skinnytrucker]

Originally Posted by candun

Hello All,

I am a new student driver. I've been lurking here for a while but now its time for my first post. After careful consideration, and despite the tireless negativity that seems to be required for all posts, I have decided that driving is the right career move for me. But, I want to do it right! So, I'm soliciting the help of nice folks like you to give me some guidance.

Although I know that the first year is always tough and this economy means it will be even worse, I believe the economy is nearing a bottom right now. In a year, the economy will be on the rebound and I will have my requisite 1 year OTR experience and be marketable when hiring, mileage and pay rates start going higher. Besides, pretty much anything beats the last year+ of under/unemployment I've experienced.

So, the decision to drive has been made, I don't need or want discouragement. I'm already enrolled in a private driver school, not a company program. From what I can tell, Sage in Nashville, NC seems to be one of the best schools around: One-on-One instructors with no observation time, 100% graduation rate, 100% placement rate, fully certified, etc. (they even have a simulator to practice getting out of dangerous situations or practice in bad weather and non-local terrain).

Over the next two weeks I need to decide which companies I should start soliciting for pre-hires and which I should avoid like the plague. I've had my fill of gross negativity and already have a list of highly suspect carriers. I'd now like to hear POSITIVE recommendations for GOOD companies. Preferably from someone actively working at the company and knowlegable of their CURRENT hiring status and freight load.

My specific situation/plan is as as follows:

• 34yo single male, totally unattached and do not own a home
• Planning to put my stuff in storage and LIVE in my truck
• Will have my mothers house to call home but don't care if I only make it there once or twice a year
• Do NOT want flatbed or other highly physical work as I am not up for it
• Primary goal is max revenue which means I need miles
• Secondary goal is to be able to take 3-4 day "mini-vacations" in interesting cities say 5-6 times a year (as an alternative to hometime)
• I intend to have my hazmat and tanker endorsements
• After training I may try to find a team partner with a similar "homeless" strategy

My definition of a good company would be:

• Good miles!!! Acknowledging the slow economy, I still need $600/wk minimum just to tread water financially
• 48-state +C/M operating area, preferably specializing in cross-country loads
• Either they don't run a CDL-mill or they recognize that I put myself thru school and am not one of their indentured servants!
• Either an APU or Opti-Idle on entire fleet
• Reliable equipment (don't care how old or ugly it is, as long as it works!)
• Dispatchers that have a clue!
• Flexibility to take "mini-vacations" around the country in lieu of "home time"
• Preferably they haul predominantly non-cyclical freight, like food, as opposed to economically sensative freight like construction materials
• Rider policy for my mom to take a trip would be nice

On the one hand, it seems like I might be seeking a lot. On the other hand this all seems pretty basic. Surely I can find a company out there that can provide it.

Can anyone help out a NOOB with some guidance?

Thanks!
(and sorry to be so long-winded)

check into a co. called Superior Carriers. I have read on other boards they seem to pay very well and treat drivers o.k. Also what part of the country do you live in that would help us in your search for a good co. Please remember in this economy you might be stuck with a big co. like J.B. Hunt or Schneider to obtain a year of experiance and for the economy to pick up.

[Cerberus_Kelpie]

Has Schneider begun hiring trainees again?
In January, '09 they were only hiring with 6 months minimum experience.
STAY AWAY from bj hunt.
---
I'm sure whatever company you begin with will be most happy to know you don't care about getting home time and that you are WILLING to Team.
Many companies then are on a list.

My definition of a good company would be:

Good miles!!! Acknowledging the slow economy, I still need $600/wk minimum just to tread water financially

At 30cpm that is 2,000+ miles which some are and some are not getting.

• 48-state +C/M operating area, preferably specializing in cross-country loads

  You DO NOT want to go to Mexico!!
• Nogales AZ., Laredo, El Paso, Brownsville TX and East of San Diego CA., are bad enough without crossing over.
• Canada is great for those that want to go and companies that go there will be happy that you actually want to go.
• Heartland has FORCED DISPATCH to Canada.

• Either they don't run a CDL-mill or they recognize that I put myself thru school and am not one of their indentured servants!

  Some companies recognize private schools, some do not.

• Either an APU or Opti-Idle on entire fleet

  More often than not these options are becoming available.

• Reliable equipment (don't care how old or ugly it is, as long as it works!)

  Most reputable companies have not old worn out yet working equipment. Then there's UPS....'nuff said.

• Dispatchers that have a clue!

  FEW and far between as most dispatchers HAVE NEVER DRIVEN a truck.

• Flexibility to take "mini-vacations" around the country in lieu of "home time"

  Companies are very flexible with Drivers NOW because of reduced freight levels and Drivers are consistently having "mini vacations" waiting for loads, usually NOT where they would prefer to wait.

• Preferably they haul predominantly non-cyclical freight, like food, as opposed to economically sensitive freight like construction materials

  Unless you're in a specific hauling arena, General Cargo is General Cargo including Haz-Mat, wal-mart and construction materials.

• Rider policy for my mom to take a trip would be nice

  Most companies can easily offer such through the usual paperwork.

[candun]

Thank for for the nice words Grocery Thrower!

And Skinny, I will definitely add Superior to my research list.

As for my location, I intend for that to be the open road. I am currently living and schooling in NC, but I will be storing my belongings in Fort Worth, TX where my mother lives and then telling my employer to keep me out on the road as much as possible.

Family, schmamily! I don't need no stinking Home Time! (well, a family might be nice, but ain't got one, so why go home, if not going home, why pay rent or mortgage?)

It would be valuable for my company to have a major transit route thru DFW. That way I could have my mom meet me along the side of the road somewhere to restock groceries and fill a freezer with home cooked meals, but I really don't think I care where their terminals are.

Like I said, my primary goal is miles and secondarily, I'd like to have occasion to do resets in touristy places I've never been like Las Vegas, Orlando, Vancouver, Chicago, St. Louis, NY, Boston or anywhere else I haven't been too. That can be my "home time".