Narrowing my choices Please Put in your vote!! And Comments!
 

Well I have taken 35 companies and whittled it down to 7 in order of preference (so far).

Crete
Roehl
Gordon
Stevens
Schneider
deBoer
US Express


I am still a little confused on US Express and Stevens if they take new grads or have CDL courses or not.
My ranking is based on reading hundreds of posts, CPM starting pay. There is about 20 more factors that I will need to make the final decisions that I will get from interviewing the recruiters.

So select the company your most impressed with. A little background on my requirements. I am not concered with home time (a few days or a week every 3 months is good for me) but employee treatment, equipment, and milage are the biggest things. A great Dental plan would be nice too so I can afford to get my damn teeth fixed.

But I am biased!

Nothing wrong with being biased, but since you are please state your reasons why you (if you were in my shoes) whould choose Crete.

uh-Cuz he Works for Them :D :D

Stevens accepts recent graduates, plus they have their own training. If you don't have any reason to be home. Stevens is the way to go. I am looking into a few other companies. Might actually have a job with an O/O from this board. Plus app is going into Crete. Swift called me back. Shocker. anyway good luck on your search

Well, it boils down to what is right for "you" and your situation. What is right for me or someone else may not be what's right for you.

Personally, I think Crete is #1. But since they don't do training, and I can't afford the extra $$, or an extra student loan, I'm going with Stevens Transport for at least a year. Then I'm planning on going with Crete.

My brother has been with Crete a number of years, and he loves it there. He says Crete is the best trucking company he has ever worked for. He recent got raised up to either 42 or 45 cents per mile, don't remember which.

One of their benefits is they get a $1,000 referral bonus for everyone they get hired. My brother said that some drivers make an extra $4K-5K per year just in job referrals. So I'm gonna put my brothers name on my application after my year of experience (sorry Bluebeetle). :D

Here's my reasons for going with Stevens over other companies:
1. I'm single, not dating, and no family close by so home time isn't important to me.
2. Stevens you have to stay out at least 6 weeks...the less home time for me is all the better. More miles that way.
3. Driving a nice truck in good shape that's not going to keep falling apart on me will keep me on the road and getting the miles.
4. I've heard too many bad things about the other companies. I know no company is perfect. But I'm more comfortable with my decision going with Stevens than any other company.

727guy

Stability - Debt free, privately owned, less then 40% turnover rate, growth ability in base pay, profitability.

Reputation - Known for hiring quality professionals, on time delivery reputation, open door policy.

Equipment - Clean, newer model trucks, good looking trailers, several terminals nationwide to take care of equipment.

Negatives

Home time - Get drivers home every 14-18 days. These issues are being addressed currently to improve to get drivers home in more time manner.

Don't hold drivers hands - Some of our policies seem severe to drivers who have limited experience in making management type decisions.

Both the good and the bad!

bluebeetle, are you a recruiter for Crete? If so we should talk sometime

Thanks bluebeetle for the honest truth, I respect that, ALOT!

As far as training goes I can go either way, I can use my GI Bill money and goto Fox Valley Tech, only thing with that is that I might have to wait till May 2nd to get in, but it is a very good school I am told. (I am the type of person who takes great pride in anything I do and demand that I be the best I can be, so I want the best training I can get). At the same time I have no problem with going through a company training program on a 1 year contract either. I have enough money saved to cover whatever I would need.

Re: Narrowing my choices Please Put in your vote!! And Comme
 

Maveric,

The last time I was at Medway USX was shuting down the school. They do however take new Grads. and have a a good finishing program. They are a top notch company as far as I'm concerned. Not to say that the others are'nt. As a matter of fact your list looks about like mine did when I was at the same stage you are. Just keep narrowing it down.