Best Company To Work For Starting Out?

I was recently discharged (Honorably) from the Army. I've been seeing a lot of trucking companies offering big bonuses to veterans for signing on with them and, being a pessimist; I never take anything on face value. I tried to go to school at first but I just can't concentrate well enough yet on writing papers and all that bull**** to make it happen and be successful at being a student. Even though I worked for years in the civilian workforce before I joined; you get so used to the military lifestyle that it is really hard to transition back into a "normal" work environment. I have been seriously considering driving trucks as a way to pay my bills and provide for my family and the money is a definite bonus. I was fortunate enough (or unfortunate, depending on opinion) to have never deployed during my enlistment. However, being Army, I am no stranger to being away from family and friends for long periods time due to field exercises and other training that is required for Soldiers. I was an engineer so I have limited experience driving large Military trucks but those things are far different than a commercial big rig. I don't really want to be OTR , I'm thinking more about regional but I'll go where the money is. I am considering JB hunt as they claim that I can use my GI bill benefits to pay for the training. Is this a good choice or are there other, better companies that offer the same? If I decide to go for it I don't want to be ****ed.

PS: I don't want to work for Swift as I have heard bad things about them, especially the camera in the cab bull****.

Jake hears things:

I don't want to work for Swift as I have heard bad things about them, especially the camera in the cab bull****.

First, Jake, welcome to Trucking Truth! You can't beat the resources for studying for your CDL and beyond. And this forum is about as well, truthful as they come.

I quoted you about Swift up there because it is so easy to find negative reviews on any company. Of course larger companies get more negative reviews.

A guy named Theron here has just asked for details about Swift, if you want to read about a decent large company.

I used Swift's Veterans deal myself. Don't need the GI bill for that. It works out you get free training then you drive for Swift for a year. I've driven for Swift for about 10 months now and have no complaints.

Here's what Trucking Truth's wiki says for vets: Trucking Companies: GI Bill and Military Veterans

Also, read the Truck Driver's Career Guide and the national best seller, Brett's Book.

And, of course, hang out in this forum!

Jake- I would love to work for Swift. Errol V who responded above works for Swift- his schedule- he's home every weekend for a 34 hr reset. That is what I want. Rhoel and Schneider are my top 2 companies. I am considering Swift and others.

Swift has over 18,300 drivers. Does a huge company like this have more options? You bet they do.

Cameras facing the driver? Everyone including you has an opinion on this. What are you going to do if in 10 years every major trucking company has this? It would not surprise me.

Keep reading on this forum. The camera issue has been debated endlessly here.

Whatever company you choose.. just clarify what they mean by regional. Sometimes even regional is like otr. My boy friend is regional but pretty much drives GA to canada and his western ends at the MS. He gets home every other weekend. He drives tanker hazmats. What you drive moght make a difference too.

Some people think regional is more local than that. Each company is different.

Welcome aboard Jake. Thank you for serving our country!

I think Errol and the others have provided you with some really good information. And like Rainy said, regional doesn't necessarily mean local, in fact usually it doesn't. My suggestion is to look at the links Errol sent to you and keep in mind that if you prefer something other than OTR , the bigger companies (including JBH) have the greater number of options available. Click here: Trucking Companies.

Just another point to add on to what Errol and Jetguy-Scott have already said about Swift. Swift is a huge company, hiring thousands of new drivers every year. Many of them fail before their 12th month of service for a variety of reasons. Usually they all blame Swift for their demise when in effect it was failure to perform that influences their spite. Like your post said, "never take anything at face value". Would negative information about Swift or any of the other huge carriers fall into that same category?

With that said, I have worked for Swift for almost 4 years, I trained with them and stayed with them. Driving for them fits my needs, financially and professionally. Since I have worked for Swift they have always treated me with respect, fairness, and effectively communicated expectations. I work really hard for them and in return they pay me a highly competitive wage for my performance. I have yet to find a better "deal" for me, and believe me I have looked.

Best of luck as you consider trucking as the next chapter in your life. Let us know how else we can assist you.

Safe travels.

If you don't mind getting dirty and you live in the right area, Jordan Carriers in Natchez MS is worth a look. I was a trainer there and part of the safety department. If I were to go back to flatbed, they would be my first call. They pay their students well, better than anyone else I've seen, and start them at .43/mile once they are first seat. They do get you home almost every weekend and 7 major holidays. They are a flatbed company so you will be hot, cold, dirty, wet, etc... The draw back for some is they, as of the time I left them, required you already have school done and have a CDL from your state of residence before coming on board. Before you ask, I didn't leave on bad terms. I left to finish my schooling in hopes of one day being able to hang the keys up for good. Not that this has been a bad career, it's been good to us. I'm just ready to get out of it.

DUDE! dude-dude-dude DUDE!

Welcome to TT and from one veteran to another, thank you for your service, Bro.

Check out Colorado Work Force!

COLORADO WORKFORCE

Last year I was awarded a "full ride" for CDL school through them. I paid for transportation to and from school in Denver. The budgets vary, quarter-to-quarter, so depending on which county has what, you may be able to use that option. I live in Douglas County but I got my full tuition paid for through Jefferson County, so look around, ask around.

Definitely take advantage of any program offered, by trucking companies and/or Colorado. You earned them and they are out there. Read the fine print.

-mountain girl

By the way.

Don't ever lose copies of that DD214.

You can obtain it from ARPERCEN but they're slow. I got a copy of mine through a private agency that just walks into ARPERCEN and gets it for you within 24 hours, but it cost about $80. ARPERCEN can take months without someone on the ground in St Louis retrieving it for you.

-mountain girl

Thanks for the info Guys (and Gals), I really do appreciate it. Oh, and hey Mountain Girl; trust me I have like 100 copies of that 214 in various locations. That the first thing I did when I got home after they handed it to me.