Hi everyone! I have been lurking around this board for a few years . I ran local for 3 yrs pushing a hand truck and recently completed a year otr with Werner. Based upon what was learned here and TReport site; I applied and was pre approved with three carriers. Here is what i am hoping to achieve: (1)East coast to west coast runs some times. I live on the east coast but love driving to the west . The scenery from the mid west too the west is absolutely wonderful : Colorado I-70.
(2)Annual earnings above $45,000 (3) 401k with company match 3% or above. (4)The company should have been in business for twenty or more years and hopefully i can be with them for the next twenty.
HENDERSON ,IL - small company. a lot of west coast runs and ISS#47 CONS- average pay and 401k.
CRETE -great pay and some west coat.
CONS -big company , no company match on 401k and ISS#98
MOM & POPS outfit , MN - small company, good pay, exceptional 401k, and ISS#31
CONS- no west coast runs.
I am ebbing on the side of the smaller carriers. However, last week I met a driver that ran with a small outfit for 18 yrs but they went bankrupt and now he is at Crete . So now i am really perplexed.
Any info or advice that you care to share would be much appreciated.

 

Well, first of all the 401K IS NOT the best thing since sliced bread. A roth, i feel, would be better, but that's the scope of another thread.

The point being, i don't nessesarily feel that you should base your decision so heavily on wether the 401K is hot or not at a particular company. (incidentally, have you checked out new century? exit 4 i believe. They have an ok to good 401K program).


As far as the coast to coast runs, i agree with the scenery and all that. I'm looking for a little of the same thing. Although my reasons are primarily mileage reasons.

Out of the three, i'd probably pick crete due to size, stability, abundance of freight etc. 2nd choice henderson, and 3rd choice MOM and pop.

 

I am going to check into that roth ira thing. new century has automatic trucks and they don't go that far west. Please feel free to correct me if i am wrong. Also , i have a gut feeling that you might be right about Crete. I like going thru the mountains, cabbage in Oregon, the canyons on i-15 in Arizona, US -50 Colorado, Wyoming ,US -93 between Las Vegas and Arizona . The view is just heavenly. Please forgive me for rambling on, but up until I went with Werner, I only saw those sights in books and TV. I am due for orientation on Monday in MN but my heart is heavy as I don't want to give up that side of the country.

 

Yeah, see with roth you pay taxes on whatever you contribute to it NOW. With 401, you'll pay the taxes when you touch it. I don't know how old you are but do you want to pay taxes then---when taxes will probably be higher? Or would you rather pay taxes now and be done with it?

If, however the company does offer a match, then a 401K is good---up to the match, but i feel the rest should go to a roth ira. The match is basically "free" money.

I thought New Century does go out west?


Oh well, if you're scheduled for orientation for monday then maybe you should just do that gig for a while; You can always quit and find a company that runs west later.

I understand completely about wanting to run west; I live on the east coast too, and, as you know, we really don't have anything to compare as far as landscape and atmosphere. Before about a yr ago, i had never seen washington, idaho, montana, wyoming, n dakota, utah etc. It blew my mind. I did not even know that the Columbia river existed! I had a "mental orgasm" if you will.

 

Maybe give Zimmermans a call. They do a lot of coast to coast. My buddy drives for them ( He also was Team Werner) and seems pretty content with them since he hired on about 8 months ago. Here's the link for you:
http://www.ztlinc.com

 

Hey man.....what gives?

Not to hi-jack this thread, but why couldn't you tell me about this company?

It looks as though they have KW's and 5200(teams?) miles per wk? This is right up my alley.

 

Chech out the other thread for more info. :wink: What happened with auto truck transport,if you don't mind my asking? The miles dry up on you or what?

 

Louisfriend is the roth separate or is it a part of the 401k package. Is it something that a company would offer or is something i would have to speak to a financial planner about. The name of the company is Trail wood transport. They are a refrigerated company . they have been honest ,very prompt and have paid for my flight out. I feel guilty for not wanting the job. It was the travel thru the west that allowed to bear the low wages at Werner. Funny thing is i thought Zimmerman was a flatbed outfit. I just did 9 months of flatbed at Werner and I have no intention of repeating that experience. However i might check into them since they have a van division . I am really trying to find a long term fit. Anyway thanks for the suggestions.

 

The ROTH IRA is something that you would set up at a bank or other financial institution on your own. Another advantage of having an IRA is that you can keep all of your money in one account. With 401K's you could end up with thousands of dollars spread out all over the place. With each job change will come a new 401K plan. Also most companies require that you work for them between 3 to 12 months before you can join their 401K plan. During this time your not saving for your retirement :sad:. With a IRA plan you can add money anytime you want.

 

I drove for Henderson out of Salem IL and LOVED them in fact if my brain had not decided in 2K to malfunction and give me Epilepsy I would still be there driving for them. It was nothing to get 3500-3800 miles a week SOLO or when running team to be near 6K or better. I went from starving my butt off at Millis Transfer to being able to pay cash for anything I wanted including my Mercury Cougar yes it was used but still 12K in under 8 months in the bank is nothing to laugh at. Yes only offering a 401K for retirement is not the best but that is pretty much standard fare anymore.