Have been reading here for about two weeks. I just finished up my schooling at the local community college (where I am currently employed) and go to the MVA a week from today for my test. I'm looking to go OTR for at least six months, and possibly a year. At that point, my current thinking is either O/O or coming back to the college to teach. But who knows how a year OTR will change my thinking, so I'm not married to it.
Between reading the forums and talking to a few recruiters who visited during my class (Swift and US Express, fwiw), I've come to a few conclusions (and please correct me if I'm wrong, that's why I'm posting
Assuming miles are equal, there's not a huge difference in pay with any of the big companies.
Your dispatcher can make/break your experience at a company.
Avoid CR England.
Your choice may as well be based on the color of the trucks.
Now, I hated log books in school, but would like to learn to do them (hopefully without a DOT fine to enforce the lesson). Similar thing with shifting. I do okay (and would probably do better if I haven't been driving a stick shift auto for 18 years). Given these, I'd probably avoid USX and Werner.
I'm divorced (almost, waiting for final paper sometime this month) and my son lives in NE Ohio, while I live in southern maryland (posted my location in profile after reading the sticky
Training and/or depots in these areas would be nice, but not mandatory. I've got friends from all four corners of the US, and would like to visit them all.
Between holidays and wrapping up committments, I won't be able to enter training until late Jan./early Feb. That would be right around 45 days from graduation from school. Is this likely to cause any problems? I'll be able to get one of the school trucks and do a little practice here and there most likely.
Pet policy from companies is moot; I'd like to take my cat, but I don't need the distraction. Rider policy is moot for similar reasons. Also, since my kid is only 7.5, he's way younger than anyone I've heard of would allow.
Right now, I'm leaning towards whoever responds to my bulk applications via this site and a few similar ones.
So, please tell me where my thinking is outta line (ha! from reading here, no invitation is necessary). Thanks in advance, and I'll answer any questions that might help clear things up.
(Also, should I post questions about specific cos. here or in the board for asking about companies? There's a bit of overlap between new driver and 'what about this company?')