Quote:
Originally Posted by vagabondsp
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAtrukn
May starts you off at .32cpm an puts you at .36cpm after 1 year
Gordon i believe starts you out at the same
Schnierder starts you out at 26cpm with less miles and i think swift is the same. I was getting 2500 miles a week doing the 11 western with May, my friend has been getting 3500 doing all 48, but he stays out 3 months at a time.
Thanks for the numbers! With such a difference in pay between companies like Gordon and May, and Schneider and Swift, why would anyone choose the latter two, if they had the option to go with Gordon, or someone like them?
You answered your own question. The options aren't there. Before you get all hyped up about a company you need to make sure they hire out of your zip code, not the state. I plan on relocating to Oregon and Schneider said they don't hire out my zip. CFI doesn't hire out that way, etc, etc. You will quickly narrow down your options once you find out who hires by zip code, who wants a PTDI school certificate, who wants 3, 6 or 12 months experience, yada yada yada. My list shrank to almost nothing once I started doing my homework.
You mentioned a big difference in pay. For starters the differences aren't that great. CPM is definitely not the way to approach it, not as a rookie anyway. You may be enticed by some pie in the sky CPM offer and then not get the miles. The lower paying company may keep you rolling more and in the long run you'll make more. Could go either way with no guarantee of miles.
Some companies will pay a little more, but you'll be doing alot more work too. Depends on what you're driving, reefer, flatbed, etc. If I'm chucking meat out of the back of the truck, or freezing my butt off rigging and tarping a load, I better be getting paid more. Twice the workload for just a few pennies might not be such a grat deal 6 months into it.
My point is that there's alot more to look at than CPM. As a rookie, just my opinion, someone should be focused on getting their CDL, learning their job, and surviving the first year without any mishaps. After the first year go out and chase the better companies. Have a year by year plan of progressing and set your own goals.
Some of these better CPM companies also seem to be less forgiving if you screw up, intentionally or not. Someone could easily find themself at one of the mega-companies after one simple mistake elsewhere.
I think too many rookies want it all at the begining and go into this with rose-colored glasses. Many don't make it through the first year. Just don't bite off more than you can chew. Slow down and make a plan for yourself starting with what you need to accomplish the first year. Then, where you want to be during your second year. Take it slow and make a plan.