Truck Driving Jobs

Jason607 · #1 10-29-2006, 12:49 AM

...what should I look for in an employer? What companies should I look into, and what companies should I avoid. What kind of pay system would best benifit me? I am sure a little backround would help:

I am in trucking school at America's Driving Force in Forrest Park, GA. It's a three week program, (first week classroom, second range, third road). I have no wife/kids/dependents so I am looking to be a OTR driver. Money is the most importat part. I love to work. We have had eight companies come by so far. They are all different, and I know what might work best for one, might not another.

This is my second career. I am a Master Automotive Technician and made good money at it, but recently, automotive has taken a nose dive, no work. In automotive, I have learned a lot about different companies, and how they pay. I know the initial "pay" doesn't mean that much. So, what do I need to look for?

marcel27208 · #2 10-29-2006, 12:56 AM

FRESH MEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

Jason607 · #3 10-29-2006, 01:10 AM

but I'm tainted.... sorry to dissapoint.

marcel27208 · #4 10-29-2006, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason607

but I'm tainted.... sorry to dissapoint.

:lol:

The Killer Rabbit · #5 10-29-2006, 01:15 AM

Look for "yourself" skywalker...

Try your best in discerning which company is really "you" oriented".
Ask questions to the recruiters....study up on them and their answers as they are looking to fill seats and will not necessarily tell you all the facts about themselves. You know you best, and you have to let them know who you are....after all this is all about you.
Study study study them.

Drivers can say all they want on which company is better then the other...you have to go into this making your own decisions and living by them..you lay down your demands, your will, and you tell them what you want.
You are a professional driver who has staked his life on the road, you deserve respect for sacrificing most of your life out there and risking prison if you kill someone.

What doesnt kill you makes you stronger...go with a safe company and pay your dues....youll figure it out dude

Be safe
TKR

Uturn2001 · #6 10-29-2006, 02:25 AM

You need to ask about anything and everything that is important to you. Do not be afraid to look or sound stupid.

If a company sounds good to you based on info you get from the recruiters then go down to a truckstop and look for those trucks and make an effort to talk to the drivers. Many of them will be happy to talk to you for a time if they have the time.

Big John · #7 10-29-2006, 04:34 AM

If they have Red, Blue or White colored trucks, stay away from them. Run. :lol:

One · #8 10-30-2006, 07:29 PM

Talk to the companies a lot, go into detail, ask tough questions, preferably via email so you have a record. This way you can weed out those that get short or testy or rude with you and avoid going into detail. Compare apples to apples, some companies figure milage by ripoff programs like HHG...Some co.s make bonuses a part of your pay...beware of that, safety bonus should be easy to get, but idle/fuel bonus and punctuality bonuses are iffy. Choose a co that has a lot of freight in your area and ask where most of their freight moves. Ask what the average miles/wk is, hometime, detention pay, layover pay, health ins. Also ask what kind of freight is hauled a lot in your area, if any hand-unloading is required- if so what they pay and lumper policy. Look for dedicated runs and drop and hook.

Those that come to your school are evidently looking for drivers in your area and may be good for hometime and keeping you out of the winter weather zone, so give em a look-see.
If you see a guy named Wayne Powell recruiting for his company avoid like Plague, I know he used to recruit there....GL

rubberducky · #9 10-30-2006, 07:50 PM

research for the companies that don't advertise or send out recruiters but yet take new drivers. I know they can be a challenge to find but they are your best bet. Good luck.

GoldiesPlating · #10 10-30-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubberducky

research for the companies that don't advertise or send out recruiters but yet take new drivers. I know they can be a challenge to find but they are your best bet. Good luck.

Interesting advice. IMO totally off the wall and baseless, but none the less, interesting. How could you POSSIBLY give someone the advice to look for a ghost-type company? Yes SOME companies that don't advertise or send out recruiters are good. But some that don't send out recruiters or advertise don't do so because they are BROKE and can't afford it. Or are to disorganized to run a recruiting department. Or are running just under the DOT's radar in terms of legality. Or any number of other reasons. Advertising and recruiting cost money, and when done HONESTLY and correctly, are an EXCELLENT source of info on a company. Use these sources of info to form a list to be investigated further by talking to drivers or employees of each company, THEN choose one you hope works best for you.
To say these "ghost-companies" are the "best bet" to look for is not only NO advice, it's BAD advice.

The other posters here IMO thus far offered constructive and correct advice.