Help please...looking for new job/company
 

Hi. I was hoping you fine people can provide me some direction/suggestions where to look. Here's my background info:

I graduated from SAGE at Isothermal Community College in July 2006. I worked at WH Transportation for almost 18 months (October 2006 until the end of March 2008). I logged almost 180,000 miles. I am looking to get back out on the road. I have no accidents, no criminal record, a clean MVR and no DUIs. Currently, I don't have hazmat endorsement (but have tanker and doubles/triples). I drove a Freightliner Columbia with an Eaton auto-shift (with clutch) because that was all they offered me. I hauled OTR 53' dry van the whole time. Basically, I left on good terms (as I gave more than two weeks notice and turned in the truck clean and in excellent condition). The company closed its van division.

I am looking for another dry van job. I live near O'Hare airport in Chicagoland. I'm single with no kids so being away from home isn't an issue...but I don't want to be away for an excessive amount of time. Typically, I was away 7-10 days and home for 2-3 days which was ok. I want no-touch freight and preferably a lot of drop-and-hook. I want a company that can keep the truck rolling with consistently good miles. I made .35 (all practical miles loaded and unloaded) there. I would prefer not to take a pay cut. I don't want to sit for an extended period in docks (and not get adequate detention pay). I don't want to sit in truckstops (and not get compensated with adequate layover pay for my time). WH never paid me detention pay for sitting over 2 hrs in a dock (even though they said they do). They also didn't do their job to book freight in a timely manner to keep the truck rolling. I don't want to sit in KC for 3 days for $140 again (or anywhere but home for that matter).

Thanks for your help!

I wanna win the lottery and marry a playmate too.

Sarcasm is as helpful...as say...no help at all. It's not like I asked for 3 days off every week...with 3000 miles a week...and .50/mile...with an ungoverned truck that does 90 mph! I have 18 months experience and a clean record (no accidents, no tickets, no DUIs, no felonies, etc).

I just want these basic things:
Company dry van driver (no lease/maintenance$)
No-touch freight (consistent freight to keep trucks moving)
Good weekly miles/good pay (35 cpm or around there)
NOT being out 2+ weeks at a time and then getting no home time
Actually pays you detention time after 2 hours in a dock
(doesn't just say yeah we will put you down for it then you never see a penny)

....Got it!What else would you like?To be friend with Hugh Hefner??..jk


But yeah,madaxeman, it's kind of hard right now on anything.I just heard yesterday on a report from the trucking channel that companies are flush with driver applications,as some of them have a hiring freeze.That means the end of the stick for drivers,since the economy and freight is pretty bad.BOL.

Thanks anyway...I just applied to these companies on here. I don't know if they are any good or not.

1. Crete Carrier . 1-800-998-2221
2. HEARTLAND EXPRESS . 1-800-441-4953
3. J & R Schugel Trucking . 1-800-359-0101
4. Millis Transfer . 1-800-937-0880
5. Southern Refrigerated Transport Inc. . 1-877-244-7293
6. FFE Transportation Services . 800-569-9232
7. WEST SIDE TRANSPORT . 1-877-524-2089
8. CRST Van Expedited . 1-800-929-2778
9. Melton Truck Lines . 877-462-3528
10. Celadon Trucking Services . 1-888-847-8364
11. deBoer Transportation Inc. . 800-825-8511
12. Prime inc . 800-626-1643
13. Landair Transport . 1-800-788-7357
14. Watkins and Shepard Trucking Inc . 800-548-8895
15. Safeway Moving / United Van Lines . 1-317-545-7533
16. C. Bean Transport . 800-581-4305
17. Transport America . 877-867-1212
18. McLeod Express LLC . 866-379-8377
19. Maverick Transportation LLC . 800-289-1100
20. Sharkey Transportation, Inc. . 1-800-354-8945
21. National Carriers . 1-866-232-8287 ext. 1411
22. Gordon Trucking Inc. . 888-832-6484
23. Barr-Nunn Transportation (Company Driver Recruiter). 1-888-999-7576
24. Texas Star Express . 888-299-8458
25. Core Carrier . 1-888-454-2673
26. Sisbro, Inc. . 1-800-571-0421
27. May Trucking Company . 1-800-547-9169 ext 3217
28. J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. (ALL). 1-877-791-9458
29. Freightmasters, Inc. (Local). 800-288-0161
30. Van Wyk, Inc. . 800-245-8775
31. Schneider National (Schneider Recruiting). 1-800-44-PRIDE
32. Schneider National (Schneider Recruiting). 1-800-44-PRIDE
33. Mid-American Driving Academy . 877-668-0688
34. Western Express . 877-759-3835
35. Paschall Truck Lines . 877 764 0101
36. Smith Transport, Inc. . 866-451-2867
37. Total Transportation of Mississippi . 1-800-942-2104
38. Interstate Distributor Co. . 800-Drive 4 Us

Koch was looking for drivers. They sent me an e-mail but on their site it said you can only be out of work for a few months. I got a postcard from Knight. I've never had the chance to talk to any Knight drivers. If I relocate, will that help my job hunt?

I wanna win the lottery and **** a playmate too. If you marry her, she'll divorce you and take half of your lottery winnings.

You say you drove, and you don't know if these companies are good or not? Do some research. I'm not trying to be a smart***** but [if] you get offered any job you better take it and hold on tight. 2 years ago you would have had an excellent chance to find the job you were describing, but in this economic crisis you will be lucky to find any openings at all. If you live in the Chicago area there should be plenty of places to look, but they aren't gonna be handed to you on some message board.

i thought the response was good. right now is not the time to be demanding what you will or will not do. i would think that just shy of begging for a job is the best one can do right now. in response to the list you have applied to, i think the better question is who did you NOT apply to. 18 months is going to get you little to no respect with your attitude. reminds of a guy that told me once that he did his time otr and refused to do it anymore because of his experience....12 months and 4 jobs!!!!

That's hardly an accurate comparison! I worked one job (my first driving job) for 18 months...versus some idiot who quit 4 jobs in 12 months. He worked for four horrible companies in a row or the problem was him. I'll let you determine that. If you understood the full extent of what a crappy company it turned into (the last 6 months I worked there) you would not be so quick to judge me. The fact the company folded up its entire van division of 400+ drivers (and staff), and seasoned drivers were already quitting left and right, says all that needs to be said. I'm just stating the facts...call it "an attitude" if it suits you. I busted my ass and did my job in a safe, timely manner (despite all of the nonsense).

That list I posted is just the standard list from the application on this site. I was trying to get some suggestions as to good companies (that treat their drivers better than dirt) . People who beg for any jobs (no matter how terribly bad an employer will treat them) have no standards (or a horrible criminal record, accident record or MVR record)...and proceed to tolerate any sort of mistreatment a company dishes out. They are the reason, companies like that, treat drivers that poorly! They can just hire more new idiots to smash up their trucks and kill someone. I know there are decent companies out there! That is what I am looking for! I understand that the economy has been in a rut...but there are definitely decent jobs out there. I thought this was a good place that I could get some good, less-biased information...not be verbally attacked for asking for help!

wake up and get real. time are tough and you're a rookie, you should take any job that's offered to you.. P.S. change your attitude............

I don't think your attitude is bad at all, just ignore the BBR's.

I also don't think you're asking for the moon, but when you're(our industry) on a beer budget, you don't drink wine. With ONLY 18 months exp you will have no pull whatsoever in applying for a driving job as there are guys with 20 -30+ years of exp also applying. You're going to have to impress them with your attitude, how mature you seem and how polite and professional. I got my last job, which is by far the best, by showing up to an appointment very clean cut and with a very professional attitude with only 2.5 years of exp.. He was talking to someone(who had 15+years, but was a dirty pig) by his truck and I waited 15 minutes past my appointment time(in my car near his truck so he could see me) and when the other person left and he was prepared, I came up and introduced myself. 10 minutes later I got the job and was told he wished he got more applicants who as professional.

Your list is a little too large to go over Company by company. I would scour as many trucking forums as you can and visit each companies website and make notes on each. You may have to settle for a lesser one for a few years while the economy gets better and you have more experience to put on the table. Knight is a good(not great) company that pays detention(if you have an appointment). But they do run mostly short runs with odd delivery times and the terminals compete with each other.

Heard good things about Crete
I drove for May for 8 months and really didn't like them, but I was a new driver
Never really heard anything bad about Schneider, alot of guys I know like them

And yes if you relocate that can help your job hunt as you can move near a company that is hiring(as some do have hiring radius's(SP?)) or you could be in an area with plenty more jobs.

Good luck

Interesting thread . .
 

. . you think you've got the world by the b . . gonads while your critics think you have your head up your sphincter.

Your experience and record are decent and they'll help anywhere you apply. But, because of your year off, I'll bet a large, national carrier will require you to spend some time with a trainer, especially if you pick a place that doesn't use autos. I would also bet that if you made the right phone call or showed up on the right doorstep at just the right time you could walk right in to a decent job. So, don't be discouraged.

As for your demands? Good luck! I have had very decent miles over the last few months . . until this week: Monday 150, Tuesday - Wednesday 250 and no load, yet, to look forward to. That won't help my 2450/week average so far this year. I also have no home time requirement which definitely helps (helped?) my miles. "Consistent" miles will be up to you to decide. The majority of my loads are D + H but I don't make that a condition when deciding whether to accept.

If you want to go OTR, try Swift. If you want dedicated, regional, back and forth, try Averett. If you're willing to expand your horizons, try tanks or grains.

I have no bills...and I bought a new truck which I paid cash for). I have time to weigh various options. I won't starve tomorrow, next week, next month etc. I took whatever job was offered to me the first time...and you can see where I am now. :D Making 35cpm (practical miles) wasn't all that horrible after a year though. I prefer moving forward...and only going backwards to get a trailer into a dock.

Yes. I did drive OTR for 18 months (37 states)...but I haven't driven for any of those other companies. I know exactly how the company I worked for was...so I know what to look for now. I don't expect anyone to hand me a job on a message board. Obviously, I wouldn't be taking all of this time if I was lazy or unwilling to work. I am doing research. I've been reading on here for weeks about different drivers' viewpoints on various companies. Drivers, who posted two years ago, about how great (or horrible) a company was, may have a very different outlook today. You can only learn so much from a company's website. That doesn't include a realistic view of what is really happening at that particular company. You can make a turd look good if you cover it in frosting. Are they getting freight? Are drivers getting any miles? Their website might say drivers averaging 2500 miles per week but that doesn't necessarily make it so right now. Was it better at that company last week, last month, last year? Did they just layoff 10s or 100s or 1000s of drivers? Are they going to be bankrupt in 6 months from now? I know over 3600 companies vanished in 2008. Is it better in certain regions of the country? Are there specific segments that are doing better than others? Etc. This is the kind of information I am trying to find out (so I am not back here in two or three months looking again). Basically, I've had 3 jobs over the last 14 years. The first and the last one closed down. The middle one, I was injured on the job (and then they proceeded to fire me illegally). I hate job hopping!

Thanks, scythe08!

Where was your last job at (that you liked)? Are you still working for them?
I know the kind of pigs you are talking about all too well!

Knight has a new terminal about 35 miles from here.

Crete has one about 60 miles from here. I've read a lot of positive comments about Crete.

Schneider...I have no clue about where they are near here...but I will look into it.
Doing intermodal around here and getting paid mileage doesn't seem like a good gig.
JB was looking for someone to do that, too.
Driving a rig around Chicagoland is like being at a circus!
If I do stay here, I definitely don't want to sit in traffic all day...which is why I picked OTR.

May...their map showed only reefer in this part of the country...11 western states were dry van.
I have never slept well next to a reefer. They have always woken me up. I can't imagine it being any better attached to one...or trying to drive 600-700 miles when you are falling asleep.

I can't park a bobtail here...so that is a factor.

I found this forum when I was in trucking school almost three years ago. Most people were really helpful in answering questions. It's really hard to even imagine how things are when you have never driven OTR before. I will take a gander and see what else I can dig up.

Thanks for your input!

Clearly, I don't have my head up my rear! People with their heads up their rear think they know it all already (and they don't ask questions)! Usually, they just criticize everyone. :D

I had considered that...since I have been driving an auto-shift, I may have to do a little bit of training unless I find another auto-shift. I did drive all manuals at school but that was quite a while ago. I wouldn't want to drive around Chicago (just locally) with a manual all day.

2450 miles/week average? That isn't really that bad (considering how things are)! It sucks that you aren't getting many miles this week though. That sounds about what I was getting for a long time...and I was fairly happy! In the end, I was lucky if I got 1200-1800 in a week! Many weeks were less than that, too. I started getting loads like PA to OH (300 miles for 3.5 days over the whole weekend). Coming out of the house fresh off a reset, they had me pick up one load from the local yard that another driver dropped from Baltimore. It went about 18 miles to the consignee. It took me about 14 hours to get there, get unloaded, and drive to Menards DC about 48 miles away. By that time, I was out of hours with a whopping 66 miles for the whole day.

Swift sounds really seedy, which is why I didn't chose them to begin with when I first started driving...but I have recently reconsidered them. They do have a lot of bad drivers! LOL I read they have an overflow of applications already...and some stupid quote making it sound like everyone is dying to work there. WH had a horrible safety record overall but I only got DOTed once in WI. It was January 2nd and they were pulling everyone in at the Sturtevant scale. I can only imagine how Swift's record is looking!

I will definitely check out Averett! I could be mistaken but...aren't they owned by someone else? Or maybe it is the other way around and they own other trucking firms.

Tanker or grains doesn't sound bad at all! I wouldn't want to haul gasoline though. I've seen a few too many engulfed in a giant fireball (because of other people's stupidity). I can't imagine that there are many worse ways to die!

Don't give up searching for the job you want.

Do your research, which also means asking about different companies on boards like this one. And your gonna run into people who think you have a attitude. This is because they think that with the economy being bad, you should settle for a crappy job. Problem, if things turn around, and the good jobs start opening up in a couple of months, then your a job hopper..... I know, that's BS, but what can you do?

Here a hint when your asking about companies. Just ask about the companies....

Don't tell anyone what you are looking for(pay, miles, hometime, etc..), and never give out your experience/qualifications. These people don't need to know that information, and you will always find a jack**s thinking that they are better than you, or you should work at McDonalds first before looking for a job.

Now the good news. If you can sweat if out for another 2-3 months, the good jobs will open up for the summer season. The real question is how much more they will open....

I wish you the best of luck. Don't quit on looking for the right job. Leave the loser jobs for those who will take them.

Your going to have to make a job out of looking for a job, don't give up looking, Contact the Co. your interested in and put in an app. DON"T count on the generic on line app that went to all 499 co listed! A lot of them ignore them cause they get them by the thousands. Try Crete, I know i like it here but I don't know if there hireing or not. Also try JB but even JB has a waiting list!!

You had 18 (almost) months of OTR (sort-of) driving. You have been doing "What?" the last (almost) 12 months? That is going to be the big question, where-ever you interview. "Why did you stop driving?"

You say you hate job hopping, yet you quit one job after almost 18 months...plus what ever job you had before getting your cdl....and what ever job you did the last few months....which puts you just two jobs behind "ME", in my "total jobs" sequence. Three if you count the ranch-hand job I had when I was a kid in high-school. I have 30 years driving experience.

You wrote this; I'm fairly aware of the numbers of tankers that have burned the last few years. The numbers of those drivers involved, whom died, is actually pretty low. Just 3 that I am aware of last year. I do haul tanker for a living...and most of the stuff I haul...as with most of the stuff Mike3 hauls, is worse than gasoline.

With your self-confidence on your driving ability, why would you raise your nose in the air, and act like one of the primadonnas, when it comes to hauling gasoline? It does not add up.

Almost 18 months of experience, with an almost 12 month break, means you don't have any experience at all...but who am I?
Just a shmuck on this messageboard.

I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HIRE YOU TO DRIVE A STRAIGHT TRUCK, LET ALONE A TRACTOR-TRAILER. SO YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE DRIVING ANYTHING BUT AN AUTOMATIC, WITH VERY LITTLE EXPERIENCE OVERALL AND YOU ONLY WANT TO PULL A DRY VAN?























Sorry about the caps!

i am not seeing the bad attitude thing.. i worked for wh for a lil over 2 years. i seen things were getting terrible so i jumped ship in may or so of last year. i am now working at kreilkamp, which is an alright company. it is mainly reefer though.. they have fully automatic trucks here. if ur not in ahurry to find employment, u can afford to be picky. but with the economy as screwed up right now and and no signs of improvement, i wouldnt be too picky...

Thanks! I will definitely keep searching. I was just informed the hiring freezes should thaw some in April for some of the companies (who currently have them in place).

I couldn't agree more! People, who come on message boards, just for the purpose of cutting others down, to try make themselves seem more worthy, truly lack anything worth bragging about...and have self-esteem issues.

Thanks! I did have a few contact me through that application. (Barr-Nunn and Sisbro) I've never heard of Sisbro before. I will definitely put in an application to Crete. Glad to hear things are working out there for you! It sounds like a great place to work. I will reconsider JB, too...but I don't want to do intermodal locally for mileage pay. Maybe they have something OTR, regional, etc. I will have to go through their availabilities.

I already stated why I quit WH. I already clearly stated the jobs I had, too. You somehow created extra jobs I had (which I didn't). LOL That's great if you have a job that you have liked for 30 years! A primadonna? Raise my nose in the air? I just stated I don't want to haul gasoline (or hazmat in a tanker)...and that there are a lot of four wheelers who drive like idiots. Don't get all defensive! If you like hauling hazmat in a tanker, more power to you! It's not my thing...and I have no desire to do that ever! I'd consider food grade or grains though. Somehow you equate 18 months OTR with no experience? OK! Your first statement was relevant and useful. I do understand that you have to explain any gaps in employment.

Thanks! You have a been a big help in my job search, too. I'll put you down as a reference on my applications.

Thanks, ex-WH! Yeah, I saw that ship going down like the Titantic, too. I will check out Kreilkamp. I do have some time to search. I am in IL so i don't know if that will work. Their trucks are fully automatic without clutch (as opposed to the auto-shifts with clutch that we drove)?

Where did you state those jobs clearly at?? I don't see anything...except the WH reference. And this statement;
After you left WH....What were you doing? Were you driving locally in Chicago...or were you selling "hotdogs" at sports events?

If you were not drivng since you left WH, you effectively eliminated your driving experience, as far as any INSURANCE company is concerned. There may be plenty of trucking companies that would cut you some slack on the driving experience. There are no INSURANCE companies whom are going to cut you even a liitle slack.


You want valid advise...tell the whole story.


As far as HazMat goes....exactly what is the difference between a truck hauling hazmat and a truck hauling grain? A grain hauler usually weighs in at 80,000 pounds, is running as fast as he or she can possably run, and fudging the book as much as that book can be fudged, to make a living.
My truck usually weighs in at 77,000 pounds, and I have set loading and unloading appointments. I don't have to stretch my hours, especially in the current economic climate, and even now I make enough money to pay the bills and live comfortably. I would like to be turning better revenue...but the economy doesn't support that.

A truck is a truck is a truck. If you are driving safely, the "Idiots" of the word don't matter. If you are safe, and you operate the truck safely, you are negating the actions of those whom are around you. So...HazMat or not...a truck is going to kill people in an accident. An 80,000 pound grain truck can kill just as many people in an accident as a 77,000 pound hazmat truck. They both travel at the same basic rate of speed. A Hazmat truck, in theory, is better maintained than the average dry van pulling tractor. I know plenty of van haulers, reefer haulers, flatbed haulers, bedbuggers, and heavyhaulers, whom are just a safe as any hazmat hauler...and I have known some hazmat haulers, whom had no business behind the wheel of any truck.

You had 18 months and maybe 180,000 miles of driving experience, that you have identified to us. I know of over 100 drivers, each of whom has more than 5 years (many of those 100 have over 15 years), current driving experience, whom also have clean records all the way around, whom are out there in the market, looking for the same driving job YOU are seeking.

What makes you special?

You won't do hazmat...that is a limitation. Will you run in Canada? If not....that is a limitation. Your driving experience is dated. That is a limitation. Do you have your TWIC card? If not.....that is a limitation. Do you have a Passport? If not, there is a limitation. You said your seeking a dry van job. That is a limitation.

Your seeking employment in a job market that is saturated with experienced drivers, many of whom are exceptionally versitile. What makes you special??

I have enjoyed driving TRUCK for the last 30 years. In those 30 years, I have held 6 jobs(one of those was for 2 days, I left because they were and are, an unsafe company) ....7 if you count the ranch-hand job I held as a kid (That was where I learned to drive truck).

So...again...What have you been doing since you quit WH ???

I haven't worked since I quit WH. As I said, I have been living off of the cash I saved while working there. My aunt had terminal cancer...and passed away months after that. WH's safety manager (who took over the last six months I was there) wouldn't even give me time off (even though I had time off due to me). The guy didn't care about any driver. He was a huge part of why drivers quit in masses and WH's van division is no longer!

As far as previous jobs, I haven't had good luck with companies. I think 6 out of the last 7 places I worked closed down my job location or closed down completely (over the last 18 years). Only the last one was a driving job. And no...I wasn't the CEO and had nothing to do with that happening. LOL

I've seen plenty of drivers who shouldn't be driving a truck (hazmat or not). For the very large majority, serious truckers are very safe (a lot safer than four-wheelers). They are also very courteous to other people on the roads. Very true! I don't mess around or take short cuts when it comes to that. As far as the difference between hazmat haulers and non hazmat haulers...it depends what you are hauling, if, in the rare instance something does happen. I'm not saying, it will definitely happen, but it is always a possibility. You can only slow a truck so fast or 'swerve' to avoid so fast (no matter how safe you are). I saw a flatbed on I-285 (yeah it was not hazmat)...but anyway...a four-wheeler cuts across four lanes of traffic to exit the highway from the left lane. Obviously, the flatbed couldn't slow down and by no means was the cause of the accident. Long story short...the flatbed driver didn't make it. Half of the truck and cargo ended up on one side of the highway, half on the other. If it was a hazmat load, then the associated problems related to the wreck would've be far worse. If it was gasoline, or chlorine, etc...we are talking massive problems! That is all I am saying in regards to that. Nothing implied there!

I understand completely that there are drivers who have been driving longer than me. They are looking for jobs, too. True. There are also A LOT of drivers who either have less experience, had accidents, tickets, duis, misdemeanors, etc. As far as insurance goes, I don't really know that area except for my personal insurance. I have never been an owner-operator before (just company driver). I am over 25 (and then some), clean MVR and criminal record (no DUIs)...and I get a rock bottom rate on full coverage for my personal insurance because of it. I just leave that up to whoever I work for...along with plates, reg, permits, etc. I might consider becoming an O/O down the road, but I don't know what things will look like down the road (pun intended).

From what I remember, most tanker companies require 2-3+ years experience. I'd consider a tanker position. I do have the tanker endorsement (and doubles/triples). I am open to getting a hazmat endorsement. I got my license in NC and had to transfer it back to my home state. Money was tight before I started working (because I paid cash out of my pocket for a PTDI school). I didn't need hazmat for WH (because they didn't haul any hazmat). So...I never bothered to get my hazmat at the time. I have no background that will prevent me from getting it. The same is true with entering Canada. I don't know what a TWIC card is. I don't have a passport because I have never left the country.

I don't know if I could drive is a reefer. They always wake me up...EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY KICK ON...the noise, the vibration, etc. At least for me, that would be like a suicide mission (always driving tired). I would need serious ear plugs and a semi-motionless waterbed or something to get any sleep. I know some truckers sleep like they are in a coma. I wake up fairly easily with a lot of excess noise.

On another note:
The Sisbro recruiter called and seemed anxious to talk to me. Anyone familiar with them?

From reading all your post, I believe you would make an excellent taxi cab driver.

Dude,

As you've no doubt figured out, MOST (but not all) of the guys on here are *****s that get their rocks off on the difficulties of others.

There ARE, however, a very few on here who will steer you in the right direction. It's easy to differentiate between the two. Listen to the latter and completely discount the former.

Good luck.

Unfortunately, that 12 month gap in your employment might as well be a 12 year gap, given the current lack of driving jobs available in this market. I'm sure things will eventually turn around, but you need to remember that there is a long line of drivers ahead of you who have a more current work history. The fact that your record is clean will help, but probably not right now. But your lack of current work history pretty much eliminates a huge chunk of carriers right off the bat, which also eliminates your ability to demand certain working conditions.

I'd suggest looking into a refresher course, but prior to taking one, asking some of the carriers on your list whether that will improve your chances of getting hired.

Well hazmat tanker can include hauling stuff that goes BOOOOOOOOOM!!! if you get into the wrong situation. I know a guy who burned to death in a tanker hauling fuel. Not to mention corrosives and other nasty gunk you wouldn't want to inhale or get on your skin.

Your paying the bills hualing a hazmat tanker? I can do that pulling dry van freight with no risk of ending up on the fricking moon if some moron rear-ends me. Yes there should be a premium for hauling that stuff...a BIG ONE...because it's more dangerous due to the inherent risks involved.

Yeah you can pay the bills hauling dry van freight. Can you only work 5 1/2 moths of the year, and still pay all your bills, hauling dry van freight??

As far as the safety aspect. If I drive my truck safely as I possibly can, then I do not have anything to worry about, because I have already compensated for the unsafe acts of those around me.

Is that to hard to figure out?

I've been doing this 30 years now. I personally, have never had anything go "BOOM" on me. And yes...I haul some pretty nasty stuff.

I knew someone whom drowned in his load.

He worked when he should have stayed home. He took a long load, when he should have limited himself to short loads. He drove his truck into a ravine, turned the truck upside down, in a depression, split the cargo compartments open on both truck and trailer, and drowned in 9700 gallons of diesel. He was trapped in the cab, because the roof of the (day)cab, crushed down across the seats and the dash when he rolled.
They know he was conscious, because he had rolled his trip book into a cone, in an effort to get breathable air.

The OP of this thread, is still a "Rookie" whom effectively negated his limited driving experience, by working 18 months as a driver, then taking 12 months off. It is commendable that he went home to care for his sick parent. However...Corporations do not give credit for that. They could careless that he did that.
He wants specific things in this economy, when, given his "limited" experience, there are 2 "experienced" drivers out there, for every postion he wants for himself.

Am I to hard on the man? What can I say. I seldom "sugar-coat" anything.

There are many things in life, which I know how to do. For the last 30 years, I have driven a truck. I am better suited to comment on "truck driving" than I am on "Animal Health" or crop planting and effective fertilization of said crop, or "Fracing" an oil well.

Well the problem is you can never compensate for someone elses stupididty or negligence no matter how safe you drive. Mabye some 4 wheeler under the influence of drugs or alchohol or a fellow trucker asleep at the wheel or bending down to reach for his cellphone while your stopped ahead in traffic with your flashers on.

All it takes is the right idiot at the wrong time. Hopefully you go quick and don't burn to death.

Well my buddy who burned to death had 32 years behind the wheel.

Say what you will about hauling dry van but that stuff won't blow sky-high in the event of an impact. The risks for hauling hazmat tanker are way higher than van freight no matter what you think or say or do.

No I don't make the money you do...but I don't want to for the risks you assume. And it's not just bodily injury it can be a leak that goes into a river or stream....you could be lookinga at untold millions in potential claims and cleanup costs. NO THANKS!!!!

I think this dry van/tanker fighting is BS. You have just as much chance going boom with a dry van as you do with a tanker. One of our drivers was driving in Chicago early on morning. A van run a red light and hit his drivers side fuel tank and the truck went up in a ball of flames. Thankfully, he got out o.k. but everything he had in the truck except what he had on. Now, if he has a tanker of explosive, it would have been a bigger fire, but he would have had the same chance of getting out. Or, if he had a dry van full of explosives, same thing. Luckily he had an empty trailer so no cargo damage (or a bigger explosion) but by the time the fire would have spread to the trailer, he would have been out. Empty, tanker, or dry.

I agree with Orange TX. You had 18 months experience, then you took 12 months off. Now you basically have zero experience. You might find a 1/2 way decent company that has a refresher course, but I don't know. Heartland has a free refresher, but I wouldn't recommend them right now. They might be o.k. to work for in better times, but dry van freight is slow, slow right now. Most companies say "one year experience within the last 18 months" or something like that. With your experience, its going to be tough.

Here's the key also to sleeping with a reefer. Can you sleep with the truck idling? Before you go to bed, go to the control panel on the reefer unit and set it for "continuous" operation. That way the motor will constantly run, but it will just kick the compressor on and off when it needs it. Sounds basically like the truck idling when its like that. Sure, it uses more fuel, but if you are a company driver, they are paying for the fuel. Besides, you get so used to that unit kicking on and off you don't even notice it after a while. Its easier to sleep with the continuous set, but you would adjust really fast to a reefer.

Good luck finding a job man, but I think you are going to have a tough time. First, your experience is pretty slim as far as insurance and companies goes. Sorry to tell you, but its true. Second, the economy is totally in the crapper. I read an article (I think in Landline) about the drop in freight. Out of the "big 3" types of freight, flatbed has been hit the hardest, dry van is number 2 and reefer freight is down, but has been steadier than the other two.

Hope you find something. Let us know how its going. I'd start calling recruiters as soon as you got up and don't stop till you either find something or they go home. Call as many companies as you can. First thing, ask if they will take you with your experience. If not, mark them off the list. Then weed out from that shortened list. Keep going down through all the things you want. You may find something, but more likely you are going to have to take a hit on one of your "requirements" for a while.

Yeah? I think hauling napalm around would be a safer gig...than picking up random nutjobs from random places in a taxicab! No thanks!

Hi, Rev. Thanks for your input! I understand what you are saying but...11 months off isn't quite the same as 12 years off. I have had a bunch of companies contact me. They have my driving and job information. They know I have been out of work and there is a gap for the past 11 months. I may (or may not) have to go through a short refresher course with a company. It's all good! I just want to get back out there and make a lot of $.

One problem I am having is...I can't park a truck here (at home) due to local laws. I need a company with a dropyard or terminal reasonably close to here. This is something I am currently researching with each company. Most I have to contact directly and ask that specifically. Usually, they don't have that information on their website.

Try Hogan, check out their website.

pronghornracer

The argument is not dry-van vs tanker it's dry-van vs HAZMAT tanker.

You have your opinion and I respect that. But call up an insurer like say Progressive and tell em' you want an insurance quote (comprehensive/liability) for hauling general commodities. Now tell them you want to also haul hazmat ans see what happens to the rates they quote you.

You will see a rather big difference in the rates. Now if a big insurance company knows there is more risk in hauling hazmat than non, than that might tell you something about the risks involved.

Hey you! How have you been? :D I miss talking to you! Are you working for Hogan? What have you been up to? Drop me a line anytime. My Yahoo IM is always on. I don't have your # because my last cell got destroyed and I lost all of the numbers. I guess it's much cheaper and better to break a cell phone (than breaking your ass on a sheet of ice though).

I actually just applied to them online! I have the release forms printed out and I just need to fax those. I also applied to a bunch of other companies, too.

For some reason, some companies want a written application and written authorization forms. Others, you can apply online but you have to print and fax just the authorization forms. The rest, you can just do it all electronically online.