KEIM TS vs SMX flatbed job for student grad?

[MoovOver]

Smaller company vs bigger and more diversified yet still not a 'mega-fleet' or 'coolie-carrier'? WADDAHYAHTHINK?

[RottsATruckin]

There are some good training companies out there and neither of these look like one of them, if I had flatbed experience (I do) I might consider them, but not as a student grad.
FWIW Keim says their top drivers make 50K, what do their average drivers make, what about their students?
What kind of securement training do they offer?

[MonkeyNoodle]

I graduated from driving school last year and statrted for KEIM as a newbie without any previous traing approx a year ago. We haul alot of varied products, for example some of the things we haul: Drywall, baged plaster, dimensional lumber, plywood, coiled steel , rebar, flat steel, skid loaders, brick, john deere ag parts, new holland tractors, these account for approx. 90% of what a newbie would haul. You will more then likely haul these items more then once during your training. Securement for these products are basic and simple and once you've done it a few times you will feel pretty comfortable securing and driving you load safely to it's destination. KEIM will not let you haul something that they feel is unsafe. More complex and oversize loads are handled by the veteran drivers. but if you stick around and pay your dues you will find that better loads come your way. The training pay sucked, but my first week out on my own I made $750 gross (im on percentage pay). The second week $1100 and have never made under $1050 since then. I have only been stuck out two weekends since ive started.

The training pay sucked.

That's common.

have never made under $1050 since then. I have only been stuck out two weekends since ive started.

That's awesome.

BTW SMX was bought by western express... stay away, far away.

[aysocoach]

I'm going with SMX starting Monday. They look good for me SMX bought by Western Express but both companies still are run as separate companies.

[coalregion]

SMX bought by Western Express but both companies still are run as separate companies.

I just saw an SMX Blue Internatioal tractor yanking a Western Express Van this morning, coming up 309 S here in PA. :shock:

[Jumbo]

I just ran into two SMX flatbed driver is Arkansas on Wednesday morning. The way they talked it sounded like they were BOTH ready to quit. From what I could gather it seemed like to experienced drivers were sitting around not getting loads while the newer(and lower payed drivers were getting loads.