Profile For GaGator

Hi folks,

Thanks for the great responses, both are very helpful. G-Town probably has a good point, after about 4 months of research, I am still undecided. I have narrowed down my choices to threat this time, but I am in no way comfortable with my conclusions. These are my thoughts at this time

Epes - They have a local terminal and do a ton of work for the Lowes distribution center just across the street. The Lowes lot is full of Epes trailers. I have made 2 trips to the terminal, and can never catch a driver. I have spoken to the dispatchers and have seen/felt no red flags. Possible downsides are low 401k match and pay is not the best. The local terminal is however a major plus. I found a small number of employee ratings for the company, but most are good.

Roehl - A smaller carrier, but I have been impressed with their online presence and discussions with recruiters. I get the impression they are very process driven and tend to micromanage, but hey, I am so used to that environment! As a new trucker, well established rules and sticking to them appeal to me. Also, I consider their home time to be the best in the business for a new driver. They speak and write of safety first. Lots of online feedback, most is good. Possible downsides terminal 200 miles away, and I hardly ever see their trucks on the road here, and believe me I look and pay attention to this aspect.

Companies I like but scare me a little

Schneider - Huge company! Good recruiters, but 2 things I do not like. They pay household goods mileage, this alone tells me they choose to live in the past and use this to their advantage, not the drivers. I also read that they charge the driver to administer per-diem, I cannot get an answer when I ask this question and this concerns me. Mega companies in general make me suspicious.

US Express - Bad recruiter here, terrible attitude, no passion, and he could not tell me how they pay miles. I got the feeling he cared less whether I came to work there. I actually wrote to their HR about the experience. The fact that they have not responded tells me a lot about the company, I will give them a couple more days and hope to get another recruiter to speak to.

Mysteries ??

Cypress Trucking - Told me I was "out of area" I am 100 miles from a terminal and they are now recruiting locally. I even spoke to HR and I felt they were blowing me off. Could this be age discrimination? I don't know, but I have a perfect work history and a clean driving record. Something turned them off, and I would love to know what it is?

TMC - Turned me down, like Cypress, a flatbed company, is there something common here? do flatbed companies want younger drivers? I am OK with the rejections, but not knowing why drives me nuts!

Conclusion: I could research for the next 10 years and not be sure I am going with the right company. This is incompatible with my way of doing business, and I must adjust, but I am not there yet. I don't 100% trust anything I read, or that a recruiter says. Every company has haters, and also truckers that love them, so what can you really believe. The idea of finding drivers in truck stops to speak to is easier said than done. Almost none of them wear anything that will allow you to identify them. Ii will not knock on doors in the parking lot since I would not appreciate it myself.

Sorry for the "book" here folks, but this is a very frustrating and stressful decision that I find almost impossible. Any choice will be a leap of faith because I can find nothing solid that i' really believe in. A strange new world for a newbie like me!

Hi all, I begin this topic in hopes that I can help someone along the way. A little background first. I am 60 years old, worked for one of the 2nd largest computer company in the world for 33 years before being sent out to pasture. I worked my way up from the very bottom to a corporate position and was making A LOT OF MONEY before being shown the door. I searched for positions for 6 months and learned first hand that age discrimination is alive in well in the computer industry. I am a researcher, so I spent countless hours looking for a job that would allow me to work until my planned retirement age of 65, possibly beyond. I come from a hard working "lower middle class" family and consider myself to have a strong work ethic. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty, work long hours, or pay my dues to get ahead. I have done this before, and my success at my last company is proof that what Brett and others say here is true, you have to pay dues! Any other train of thought, in my opinion, will be counter productive in this industry, as it is in most other large companies.

I chose to go to a technical college instead of training with a company. I did this to allow myself greater control of where I will work. I am about half way through my training with a graduation date of 8-10-16. I plan to get my license and immediately get my hazmat, tanker, and double/triple endorsements. (why not set tough goals?) I consider myself very lucky, I landed in a small class with only 7 students during the summer semester, and we are getting twice the backing/driving practice of a typical class. I stay after for extra practice, and come in on days off to practice even more. To get this opportunity, I drive 75 miles to a school in another city.

My #1 problem right now is choosing the right company! Believe me folks, I spend hours researching the differences and no two are the same. I plan on working for my first company a year, so the choice is my greatest concern, and what keeps me up a night. I am located in South Georgia and home time is one of my top priorities, I want to see my wife, and have a life outside the truck. While in it, I will work my butt off. Any advice, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.