[BERT57NC]

A little about me to start this thread.
I lost my job in Feb of this year due to changing technology.
Counselor at the employment office talked me into truck driving school.
Went to driving school in June and July, got my CDL with X and T endorsements.
Started looking for a driving job.
I read this and other forums, researching different companies.
I went to a local truck stop and spent time talking to drivers from various companies.
I have a clean MVR, no criminal history and a good work record: 11 years at my last employer, 9 years at the one before that.

Not a job hopper.
I looked for jobs on Craigslist, Simply hired, etc.
I even posted ads on Craigslist in Charlotte NC seeking a driving job.
I really did not want to go to one of the large starter companies because of all the horror stories I've read about them here and on other forums but to a new driver, choices are limited.
I've gotten nothing but rejections from the smaller companies, "not enough experience", "the insurance company dictates who we can hire", "come back and see us when you have 3 months OTR" or "6 months OTR".

I understand that I am starting at the bottom and need to work my way up, to "earn my stripes" so to speak.
I have no problem with that.
I go to Covenant this coming weekend for orientation.
I don't know, all I have is what I read about them.
I also have a per hire from USXpress.
Are these large companies as bad as some say?
Why are some people able to thrive and others suffer miserably at these companies?
Sorry for the long post, not really sure if I'm asking a question or just venting.
I know the choice I make will affect my future for quite some time and want to be sure it's the right one.

[Malaki86]

The large companies have their downsides (too many trucks/drivers and not enough loads, mainly), but they also have their upsides, such as typically newer equipment, benefits and dedicated contracts. I've ran for both large and small companies and the good/bad between them pretty much evens out in the end. You can either work for a smaller company with older equipment, but keeps you moving and then suffer from not having benefits you can actually afford, or vice-versa.

Your best bet is to go to a larger company and "suffer it out" until you have enough experience to go somewhere else.

[repete]

A lot of what you hear is attitude, Driver X feels he got shortchanged by company Y so he quits in a huff leaving his truck 200mi from the nearest teminal and then whines cause the co slams his DAC. Sometimes it's the other way around. But a lot of it is up to you, can you mantain a positive attitude? It can and will be a challenge!

[BERT57NC]

Thanks for the replies.
I appreciate your input.
I try to keep a positive attitude most of the time.

[LogBook]

go to work for a compny for a yr and learn how to work with in the compny and you will make it and learn what it is to be a truckdrive anywere, go to work for a company and after two month think you know better then them and start job jumping and you will learn how to be a broke steering wheel holder.

[BERT57NC]

Thanks again everyone for the comments.
Part of what was making my decision so difficult is the fact that I tend to stay loyal when given a chance.
I know wherever I go, I will most likely be there for quite some time.
I can keep smiling while I put up with BS, politics, petty little a#*holes on power trips, etc. as long as my pay is correct and on time.

[GMAN]

Much of the negative comments you hear come from drivers who fail to communicate with their dispatchers or get mad because they didn't get their way about something. Most problems can be solved with good communication skills. Some things to keep in mind as you look for carriers. Most try to get drivers home as needed, but it is not guaranteed. Some drivers get upset because their dispatcher failed to get them home when they wanted. The don't realize that there are not always loads going to where they want to go. Most do a good job of getting drivers home, but some don't. One failing of this industry is that there are too many carriers who will hire college graduates right out of school who have never had any driving experience. It creates a problem for them and their drivers in that they don't really understand the difficulties or challenges of being an otr driver.


There isn't much difference between most carriers. As long as you keep the communications lines open you should do well with most carriers. Sometimes, you can have a personality conflict with your dispatcher. If that happens to you then you can always request a different dispatcher or driver manager. It is much preferable to do that than quit. The longer you can stay with a carrier the better for your career. I would try to stay for at least a year or two before moving to another carrier.

[mrmule1981]

Well said GMAN.

Great advice, and oh so true.

[geeshock]

I agree with g-man. I have been with celadon for two years at the end of this month. I literaly go overkill with information to my dispatch. the only thing they dont know it what i had for breakfast, lunch, or dinner lol. If i even think I'll be late I'm on the phone with them. I've worked for 2 large companies, including the one I'm with at present. the good thing with the large companies is, if your running late on the load, they might be able to plan a relay, not as much with the smaller companies. Just like with any relation, communication is the key. I'd rather have the company upset becuse i tell them i couldn't make a load on time then to keep quiet and have them mad becuse the deadline comes, i'm 200 miles out, and i never told them. Do that a few times and it's the fast track out of trucking.

[Cluggy619]

Ok. So you learned how to drive a truck. But being a truck driver is a totally different thing.

This way of life is NOT for all people. Many have found out the hard way, and quit. Nothing to be ashamed of.

It takes a certain kind of insanity to live this life. And we all will wish you the best of luck, and hope that you can.

But know this. Anyone can learn to drive a truck. Few become truck drivers.

Good luck.