Help w/ Company List for Midwest
 

Hi,
New to the forum, but just gonna jump in here! :shock:
I have read alot already, so just narrowing it down for my locale. 8)

I have a basic list of hopefuls that would hire a new graduate w/ 0 experience.
My wish would be to run thru the house or get home at least a few days every couple weeks ( like the 7/3 or 14/7 type deal). I live in SW IN.
I understand that new drivers will have to take what they can get and do their time for a year or so, but this is my List so far......

Roehl, Crete, KLLM, W/S, Schneider, Averitt, PAM, Prime, FFE, Covenant

Any ideas or opinions on my stater list?
Who trucks thru my area and will be my best bet:?:

Thanks! :D

Never been to Indiana
 

Scratch Prime off the list and some would say FFE as well. Crete ( Idianapolis terminal) and Roehl have the best rep from your list. Roehl seems to have the most versatile home programs such as you mentioned. But remember when you are out 7 and home 7 or what ever the combo, the pay check ain't as great as all you have heard. If you need to be home that much I will be honest trucking is not the best choice. get your CDL and drive a Cement Mixer honestly. Home nights and weekends, lots of overtime chances.

Thanks okie :)

I understand the more home=less $$ thing. (I am bringing home $380 net right now :cry: with 2 freakin' college degree's! :x never see my family, and not a window in my operations office :shock: , lol.) Job opportunities here are non-existent.

I will just have to get out there and see what kind of home time I need.

To me something like a 14/3 would be perfect...maybe more. I do have some experience living out on the road in my younger less married days.LOL. If I cant hack it being gone, i can try and dig something up local to do. I have a bud been driving for 20yrs who has some connections....plus I will have my cdl and some otr experience gained.

I have no qualms as a new driver putting my time in, then seeing what is in the offering for a driver with a year or more experience.

I like what I see at Roehl, and see their trucks coming thru on the state highways too, so they are high on the list.

Keep them ideas comin', makes for good reading on the night shift! 8) Knowledge is power!

There is nothing wrong with Prime as a company driver. You can get more miles than you want.

Marten has an Indy terminal and has a good rep.

Check out DOT foods in Richmond

Thanks!, those look interesting as well. Looks like they are reefer, is that correct?

I havent done much looking into reefers, what are the particulars of drving reefer (besides not making friends at the TS :? )?

I have no objection to reefer, I just dont think I want to try and tackle flatbed, but who knows....

I see that even though some companies websites list a driver needs X amount of experience, further reading will sometimes reveal a students sections. The list gets longer......
:)

Be warned DOT Foods drivers are required to break down the load at each stop. They don't use lumpers, the driver is also the lumper(and gets paid well for it :D ).

They also have linehaul drivers. Been there done that. Even if you break down the loads it is a alternative to living away from home. Solid company ,good benefits and a life. Oh did i mention $$
I have worked in the food ind for years and found better sucess driving for a co. that has product and a fleet rather than general frieght were coming back to the DC emty is out of the question.
That just my opinion. 8)

Read my sig. line. I know all about it also :wink:

Double R........I did see it, :wink: And I know you probably feel the same, just wanted to spell it out for someone on the outside looking in wondering why we do what we do.
Its not for everyone but its easier these days to get into it than in the past as far as years behind the wheel. Definatly not all roses either.
With companys like DOT, Mclanes etc. driver retention after the first year is usually higher than general frieght co's. One has to find what they want out of this proffession. There are options. B-safe-Racinfool

DOT is out of Cambridge City, IN. Yes, very close to Richmond.

Don't now if it is the same at all DOT Food locations but the recruiter from the Ardmore, OK location said their hiring radius is within 100 miles of the DC.

I would like to hear more about this type of driving. Are we talking about a dedicated route with a daycab/reefer type thing or :?: I am all ears, this has spurred my interest!

What does Marten and DOT do, (a day in the life)?

Does companies like these hire new school grads now?

(100 mile radius, I am 130 miles south of Indy.)

Thanks :!:

They all have 800 #'s. Never be afraid to ask the hard questions of these perspective companys. Good Luck!