Plz help me decide

[bigrigjoe66]

I have only recieved two prehires out of hundreds of calls and apps. I need a job so it's time to pick. I know they are both low on the totem pole but it is all I have to pick from. Any advice of personal experiences would be great.

1. Arrow, Tulsa Ok: Physical tarping is a plus. Money per mile a little more. Equipment about the same. A long way from here, 26 hrs by bus, especially if it is so bad I don't last.

2. LCT, Okahumpka, FL: Reefer, no pre or easy pass, lots of toll roads. Equipment is about like Arrow. A lot closer to me only 150 miles.

Any first hand current info would be a big help.

[Orangetxguy]

How can anyone give you a decent job suggestion, when you don't state where you reside?

[Bigmon]

I think he lives close to FL since option 2 is 150 miles away. There was a thread that Arrow was on hard times. I'd hate to ride 26 hours and find the doors locked.

[Orangetxguy]

I think he lives close to FL since option 2 is 150 miles away. There was a thread that Arrow was on hard times. I'd hate to ride 26 hours and find the doors locked.

In GA and Alabama, he should be capable of finding jobs similar to each of those companies though.

Where he is determines which companies get suggested...yes?

[ratface]

While others are debating what state u live in or cant figure it out... I would run the reefer... better miles and ur closer to home.. Also have worked with drivers who ran for arrow.. I wouldnt pic em just by what ive heard.

[Orangetxguy]

While others are debating what state u live in or cant figure it out... I would run the reefer... better miles and ur closer to home.. Also have worked with drivers who ran for arrow.. I wouldnt pic em just by what ive heard.

Lot's of reefer operations in GA and AL, that are better to work with than is LTC. When it was Lester Coggins running the show, LTC might have been a decent outfit...but since Gainey bought them? I don't think so...but who am I!

Here is one such. R. E. Garrison Trucking, Inc.

Here is another, Wiley Sanders Truck Lines, Inc.

then there are these guys, Boyd Bros. Transportation, Inc.

or these guys, Southern Cal Transport

or... Southeastern Freight Lines


Lot's of things to consider.

[bigrigjoe66]

Sorry, I live off I75 ext 39 in Adel Ga. Just about in Fl. As for other companies I have been turned down by all. I went to 3 orientaions in the past 2 yrs. I worked at the same o/o job but he had no insurance or benefits. He new I was attending these orientations. I needed to get better benefits, I have a family. None of the 3 seemed better even with benefits. He paid very well. Anyway, my dac says quit during orientation and satasfactory work but I am considered a job hopper. I never knew attending orientation was a job or I would not have went. My bad.

[freebirdrfd]

did i read correctly, southern cal is paying 30 c.p.m. for 8 or more years experiance???????? why the hell does anybody stay working for them? are there drivers out there that are that stupid/desperate? i made more than that 22 years ago. **** hole companys like that need to shut there doors and stop screwing their drivers.

[Fredog]

it costs these guys a lot of money to get you to orientation, it leaves a bad impression when you quit during it, especially if you keep doing it, go with lct and stay at least a year, keep your nose clean and then you will have more options

[Orangetxguy]

Sorry, I live off I75 ext 39 in Adel Ga. Just about in Fl. As for other companies I have been turned down by all. I went to 3 orientaions in the past 2 yrs. I worked at the same o/o job but he had no insurance or benefits. He new I was attending these orientations. I needed to get better benefits, I have a family. None of the 3 seemed better even with benefits. He paid very well. Anyway, my dac says quit during orientation and satasfactory work but I am considered a job hopper. I never knew attending orientation was a job or I would not have went. My bad.

See there. You went and explained the situation a bit more. Now people know what YOU are up against.

Now...as has been mentioned on noumerous other threads, the first article for attention would be your DAC. (yes..I know it is a major PIA. I also know that DAC is an unfair tactic employeed by trucking companies.) Use the toolas available to you, to rid your DAC of those "Quit" postings.

I don't know all the in's and out's of DAC, but I do know how to jump up and down on the chests of those whom put the "bolts" to me. Start at DAC, then send letters to each company whom you "didn't" work for, asking their co-operation.

Copy everything you do. Save every copy. Send certified letter's, of which you keep receipts and copies.

I know several on this site don't like this suggestion, but if you cannot get some co-operation from those companies, you take their written responses, your letters seeking co-operation, DAC reports and replies, and contact an attorney. There are lawyers out there, willing to help. YOU just need to search them out.

Now...if there are things we don't know....then you do know them, and have to work through them.

You have been driving, obviously. Most likely, you have experience....but will the O/O verify it? If not...Why not?


Arrow is on shakey ground, financially. LCT is part of Gainey Transportation, whom filed bankruptcy, and is still allowed to operate. There are better companies out there to work for.

[bigrigjoe66]

yea he will give me a good report, he had 4 trucks but is down to 2. I am his cousin but he has a driver who has worked for him many years and he drives the other. Me and another guy had to go. I understand that and he gives me a great recomendation when asked. Most companies tell me on the phone they wont even ask with the 3 orientaions on my record. The o/o verified that as well. Said he has only had 3 calls, Arrow, LCT and Celedon. I think Celedon will get me to orientation but I don't know. I called and talked with a guy. He said sounds good and called my former boss. Said he would get back with me the next day. That was 2 weeks ago monday. I waited a few days but no call so I figure I was turned down again. I then went out of town. He called on friday saying I could come to orientatin. I didn't get the message until 5 days later when I got home. I called him several times last week and left messages but no call backs. I don't know....

[INKTOXICATED]

150 miles sounds good. if the job sucks its only 2.5 hours and ur home sweet home. i rather haul flatbed then reefer tho.

[zipy46]

Check out that small reefer company in Starke Fla. (Davis or something like that(?)


They pay well to start ..they have APU's..and they dont run the snow states

[Skywalker]

Check out that small reefer company in Starke Fla. (Davis or something like that(?)


They pay well to start ..they have APU's..and they dont run the snow states

Davis is on US 301 in Starke....actually on the south side of town. I drive past there now and then.

If you are going to look at reefer companies.. you might want to call these people as well:
ABCO Transportation, Inc.

These guys are in Plymouth, FL.....just to the NW of Orlando..... Welcome

Can't really tell you jack about either of them..... but they are there.

Also....if you want to go "skateboarding"....these guys have a terminal in Savannah.... Gypsum Express Ltd.

But as Orangetexguy said....you need to resolve the issues at hand so you can get on with your life..... and not just settle for working for a grunge company.

[jonp]

Does Arrow still run vans? If so I would think that if you ran flatbed for them and the freight slowed down you could pull a box and keep moving. I remember years ago when I worked for Swift I pulled a flat and if there wasnt a load I hitched to a box or doubles or a reefer. Anything to keep moving. Just a thought.

[dewercs2]

Does Arrow still run vans? If so I would think that if you ran flatbed for them and the freight slowed down you could pull a box and keep moving. I remember years ago when I worked for Swift I pulled a flat and if there wasnt a load I hitched to a box or doubles or a reefer. Anything to keep moving. Just a thought.

No vans... just flat beds... heavy steel trailers with no winches. you have to pull those out of your side box and put on. If your lucky to get a aluminum it will be a spread axle with 6 winches on eachside. BUT.... you must look at the tires, brakes, lites anything that will get you pulled in. Arrow's safety rating is getting better but they still have to get all the trailers/tractors fixed.

Only place you can get a PM is at Tulsa, OK and Laredo, TX. Before I left 2 weeks ago, the downtime for you to be in those locations to get in and fixed was about 2 weeks. Good luck if you go with them. Watch your CDL because your job hopping won't matter if you DL is chewed up.

[jonp]

2 weeks? Are you kidding? I can't imagine a company keeping a driver on ice that long without giving him/her another truck to get the heck out of there. I would last about a day or so and get a bus home.

[dewercs2]

2 weeks? Are you kidding? I can't imagine a company keeping a driver on ice that long without giving him/her another truck to get the heck out of there. I would last about a day or so and get a bus home.

Yep 2 weeks avg. But from what I have heard from another driver if you breakdown they are getting you back up and running quicker.

I've been in shop for 7 days as of today with JB Hunt. I'm starting to call around today and look for other spots.

[freebirdrfd]

you would think with all the trucks j.b. has, they would just give you a different truck. like they say " there is an ass for every seat"

[Matcron33]

Check out that small reefer company in Starke Fla. (Davis or something like that(?)


They pay well to start ..they have APU's..and they dont run the snow states

don't bother with davis, they are toodon't bother with davis, they are too hard to get on with. i tried for 5 years. they are really picky. so if you are getting turned down every where else. then you will get turned down by davis too.. with lct and a refeer van. you will get the work. I have heard alot of bad things about them. like they short change the drivers on pay all the time. and you better have a deep love for unloading plants all the time... I lived an hour and a half from you in high springs or exit 414 in florida. it sure is pretty in the country there. but there is no work there at all. unless you like crap jobs that don't pay anything.. I lived there for 10 years. no one knows how i made in a bad economical area for 10 years. so I know how you feel... your living in a poor area and you can't hardly get anyone to hire you. because they will have to dead head you home out of major city a couple hundred miles away.. hard to get on with. i tried for 5 years. they are really picky.