top companies

[stradus]

i've heard a lot of talk like go with werner until you get a year then go with one of the top companies or something similar

but no body has mentioned a "top" company

i just graduated my cdp school so i have no clue of what is a top company but i would like some enlightenment on what is one or some of them so i can set some long term goals

i can do it for food

mc donalds - entry level

applebees - mid grade

red lobster - high end


if some one can put trucking companies in a catergory like i would definitely find that really helpfull

[Biscuit Lips]

What is a "top company" is highly subjective and varies wildly form person to person. After driving for a while you will figure out what would be most beneficial for you. Every company has it's negatives and positives. If I say a company is a top notch there will be ten people chastising me, responding how much that company sucks. Don't take career advice from this forum.

[zipy46]

The closer to your home the terminal is...the better

[jonp]

I agree on the definition of a "top company". It is all based on what you want to get out of a company according to your needs. If you want to be over the road for 2 months at a time and your with a company that is home every night then you wont be happy regardless of what you are paid and vice-versa. Just be clear on what you want out of a job. My advice is to talk to drivers on the road and see what they say about their companies. I can give you the rundown on JBHunt from a SouthEast Regional perspective and only you can decide if thats what you want to do.

[thbogle]

A top company in my opinion is a company that will make you happy. A place where the checks don't bounce and the miles are consistent through out the year are always a good start. If a company can get me home on time 99% of the time and dosen't require me to be on the road for weeks even months at a time then that is a good thing too. I never had that perfect company, although I found a few that were good. No company will ever be perfect. I think all of them will have there problems you just have to decide if you want to put up with them or not. You will always find someone who will complain about any company you decide to go with. Although if you find 10 people complaining about 1 particular thing you may look into it more into it, there may be truth to it. Find one you like, that will meet your needs and go there. Just remember if a company has high pay it dosent mean you will make more money. Just my two cents.

P.s. for my high end dining I prefer Mike Shannons in St louis Mo down by cardinals stadium to Red Lobster

[jonp]

I agree with Boogle. Talk to drivers about the company they are with. Don't pay attention to the fluff but listen for things that are consistent from driver to driver. If 8 out of 10 say that they don't get home when promised then take that into account. If you don't care if and when you get home then you can bypass it. If only 1 of 10 says the miles suck and the loads suck then the problem is most likely with that driver.

I would start with writing down on a piece of paper what I wanted for a job with a trucking company and then go from there. Be specific in this. If you want to be home every night going OTR will be a disaster for you from day one. If you hate driving in the snow and sign onto Bay and Bay then you won't be happy. Don't like NYC? Ask the company if they go there. Most pay a premium of $50 to $150 to take loads into the metro. If your willing to do that for the money more power to you but if not, then don't ***** when you get sent there. You were warned. Want a long-nosed Pete? No mega-carrier is going to put you in one.

[zipy46]

All you need in this industry is an APU...

That way you become invisible....no more idle time issues...
less attention from bean counters.

Other than that...freight is freight....just dont be late