Merry Christmas, everyone.
One option that I am considering to unretire would have me attend a truck driving school in my vicinity on a WIA grant during the late January - February time frame. One company that I am considering hiring on with following graduation offers the following as a starting package:
* 29 CPM with 2 CPM raises every six months to a maximum of 37 CPM.
* 10,000 - 12,000 miles per month.
* Average $200 monthly bonus for safety, log book accuracy, fuel conservation, etc.
* Medical, dental, vision, prescription, life insurance after 90 days of employment.
* 401(k) plan with company match after six months of employment.
* One week vacation after one year, two weeks after three years, three weeks after five years.
* Assigned a year 2005 - 2007 Volvo VN 670 or Freightliner Cascadia truck. All have stand-up sleepers and are equipped with Qualcom, AM/FM radio, CD player, CB radio, PrePass, standard 10-speed transmission, Cummins and Detroit 370 - 430 horsepower engine governed at 65 MPH.
* 60% - 90% drop-and-hook freight; pay for live unloads.
* Layover pay after 24 hours.
* Out three weeks, home for three or four days.
* This company does not allow drivers to take their trucks home for home time. Their nearest terminal to me is 70 miles away. Is this standard for the industry, or a bum deal?
All in all, should I consider this a good starting package for a new OTR driver?
The driving school that I would attend helps place their graduates with these companies, among others: Werner (I know to avoid Werner); Eagle Tuscon, Covenant, May Trucking, FFE. Anybody have any comments, positive or negative, about these companies?