I may not have enough experience to drive with a friend like I had planned. What are the best companies that have a driving school to start with? What companies would you stay away from? I would still like to team drive. What company is best with matching teams if needed? Thanks.

 

I've heard Schneider has one of the best training programs around and they are decent for a newbie to get started.

 

All of them...seems only difference is the color of the trucks!

I guess after reading about all the mega carriers I can consider myself lucky. When I started driving 18 years ago, I learned from an old-time local, ran for a local OTR company for a while then a local (sometimes regional) C-store supplier. Seems the world has changed to such a degree that nobody that's really worth driving for is willing (or allowed by their insurance company) to take a chance on a "newbie". That's a shame. As little as 18 years ago things were way different than they are now, and will only get worse.

 

I think thats in all areas of employment now! I guess the insurance compaines control everyone now. How is it some carriers have ins. that allows them to hire newbs and other carriers can't?

I'm not going to work for nothing but I do understand I can't walk in making what someone with experience makes either. I also don't want to be treated like crap because I'm new. When I work I go out of my way and really care about doing the job right. If a company just wants a warm body with a license I'm going to feel like I do with my current career. I don't mind working hard but I don't want to end up giving a year of my life to a bad company to pay back a few thousand dollars.

Thanks for the replies so far. Keep them coming. If you need to PM about a company so your company doesn't see what you have to say thats ok too.

 

Some of the large carriers self insure, at least up to a point.

 

You have a few bottom feeder training companies out there (Prime, Cr England come to mind) and then you pretty much have the rest. What you will find out real fast is that how "good" or "bad" your experience at any company is going to be is going to depend a lot on how good your dispatcher/fleet manager is and how good of a working relationship you develop with that person.