What's A Good Company To Start Out With?

I'll stop there. Mr. Hotel, you are so consistent in taking the darkest, blackest point if view in any situation.

That glass that's half full of half empty? You'd say it's completely empty and the glass is filthy anyway!

Blue Hotel,

I’m not judging you, but I feel sad for the way you view the world. We all get to choose, and you have obviously made a lousy choice. But it’s your right to choose. And at this point….that’s OK.

If you read what Old School wrote and all you can say is you're wrong, then you plain refuse to believe the truth son. And actually, I consider you being down right disrespectful to someone who has earned your respect.

The folks I read in this forum are trying help people out by telling them the truth.

No matter what, you’ll never hear it. If you took that same determination and applied it positively to your life, the sky would be the limit. You are blinded and there ain’t anything any of us can do about that.

In my opinion, your not worth the risk of negatively affecting anyone else in here.

I don’t hate ya Dude, its worse…I don’t respect you.

I’m done with you, and it's your fault.

Blue Hotel,

I’m not judging you, but I feel sad for the way you view the world. We all get to choose, and you have obviously made a lousy choice. But it’s your right to choose. And at this point….that’s OK.

If you read what Old School wrote and all you can say is you're wrong, then you plain refuse to believe the truth son. And actually, I consider you being down right disrespectful to someone who has earned your respect.

The folks I read in this forum are trying help people out by telling them the truth.

No matter what, you’ll never hear it. If you took that same determination and applied it positively to your life, the sky would be the limit. You are blinded and there ain’t anything any of us can do about that.

In my opinion, your not worth the risk of negatively affecting anyone else in here.

I don’t hate ya Dude, its worse…I don’t respect you.

I’m done with you, and it's your fault.

I don't need your respect. I'm an internet person who you don't know, "respect" outside of common courtesy is irrelevant here. Expressing a disagreeing opinion, no matter how negative, isn't disrespect. It's just a differing opinion. I've been through hell and back in my life, so I feel I have the right to weigh in on the realities of work and life in America. Will I always be right? No. And neither will anyone else. The opinions I expressed were polite. You, on the other hand, are a bit rude (just a bit).

If blindly agreeing with whatever someone says is respect, then I want nothing to do with it. That isn't respect, that is thoughtlessness. I don't even want anyone to blindly agree with me.

A lot of times there will be things, places, people, jobs, situations, etc that are just bad. Is it like this all the time? No, but we'd be stupid to act like bad stuff never happens. It's tough kid, but it's life.

If you can't stand "negativity" then you won't make it in any job anywhere doing anything. Toughen up. Grow up. If other people on this board are going to be drastically impacted by anything anyone here has to say, then you have to wonder about their mental state. We're forum posters, not gods. Nobody even really knows us that well. I could be the unibomber and you could be some inmate somewhere using a smuggled smartphone to post. Take everything everyone online says with a grain of salt or ten. It's so impersonal, "respect" barely comes into play.

If you don't acknowledge the bad, you won't be prepared to handle it when it comes. And it does come, it's part of life.

But I apologize, let's get back on topic out of "respect" for the original poster.

Blue Hotel,

I’m not judging you, but I feel sad for the way you view the world. We all get to choose, and you have obviously made a lousy choice. But it’s your right to choose. And at this point….that’s OK.

If you read what Old School wrote and all you can say is you're wrong, then you plain refuse to believe the truth son. And actually, I consider you being down right disrespectful to someone who has earned your respect.

The folks I read in this forum are trying help people out by telling them the truth.

No matter what, you’ll never hear it. If you took that same determination and applied it positively to your life, the sky would be the limit. You are blinded and there ain’t anything any of us can do about that.

In my opinion, your not worth the risk of negatively affecting anyone else in here.

I don’t hate ya Dude, its worse…I don’t respect you.

I’m done with you, and it's your fault.

I don't need your respect. I'm an internet person who you don't know, "respect" outside of common courtesy is irrelevant here. Expressing a disagreeing opinion, no matter how negative, isn't disrespect. It's just a differing opinion. I've been through hell and back in my life, so I feel I have the right to weigh in on the realities of work and life in America. Will I always be right? No. And neither will anyone else. The opinions I expressed were polite. You, on the other hand, are a bit rude (just a bit).

If blindly agreeing with whatever someone says is respect, then I want nothing to do with it. That isn't respect, that is thoughtlessness. I don't even want anyone to blindly agree with me.

A lot of times there will be things, places, people, jobs, situations, etc that are just bad. Is it like this all the time? No, but we'd be stupid to act like bad stuff never happens. It's tough kid, but it's life.

If you can't stand "negativity" then you won't make it in any job anywhere doing anything. Toughen up. Grow up. If other people on this board are going to be drastically impacted by anything anyone here has to say, then you have to wonder about their mental state. We're forum posters, not gods. Nobody even really knows us that well. I could be the unibomber and you could be some inmate somewhere using a smuggled smartphone to post. Take everything everyone online says with a grain of salt or ten. It's so impersonal, "respect" barely comes into play.

If you don't acknowledge the bad, you won't be prepared to handle it when it comes. And it does come, it's part of life.

But I apologize, let's get back on topic out of "respect" for the original poster.

Blue, I have no idea of why you are here.

Trucking like any business is about profit, the basis of free enterprise and capitalism. If you don't like that system, this is not the place for your soap box. Just isn't.

Regardless of anything you say, or believe or don't believe, in this business your success is based purely on your own ability, skill, desire and dedication, not a manager or an investor or a consultant. It's all on you, period. No excuses or someone or something to blame failure on. All you.

If you want us to help you succeed, great we are of like minds and happy to help. If not then find another place to preach your opinions cause there is no interest here. You are tearing down a business you know nothing about, arguing with people far more knowledgable than you, who can actually help you succeed in it. Up to you...

Blue, I have no idea of why you are here.

Trucking like any business is about profit, the basis of free enterprise and capitalism. If you don't like that system, this is not the place for your soap box. Just isn't.

Regardless of anything you say, or believe or don't believe, in this business your success is based purely on your own ability, skill, desire and dedication, not a manager or an investor or a consultant. It's all on you, period. No excuses or someone or something to blame failure on. All you.

If you want us to help you succeed, great we are of like minds and happy to help. If not then find another place to preach your opinions cause there is no interest here. You are tearing down a business you know nothing about, arguing with people far more knowledgable than you, who can actually help you succeed in it. Up to you...

The thing is, you guys are mostly preaching about how good things are if you just work for it. I never said putting in the effort won't get you far, just that there are more factors than that. The bad side needs to be addressed too, but it's taboo to talk about the bad side of anything these days. How can you prepare people, and tell them the truth, if you keep repeating the same old, one-sided Horatio Alger stories?

Tearing down a business? No, I'm just asking for both sides of the coin. This argument stopped being about trucking a long time ago, now it's about life and work in general. You guys think life is fair, people are fair, and everything boils down to one's own dedication. I think there are more factors at play than that, and life can often get ugly. And I know, deep down, you agree with that statement. Maybe not entirely, but enough to "get it." But you aren't going to admit it for whatever reason. Denial is just a river in Egypt to you "positive" Horatio Alger people.

I think you guys are only telling half of the truth. You're obviously trying to sell people the dream. You're the Shia Labeoufs of trucking. Go ahead, sell that dream. People will find out the bad side on their own, whether you like it or not.

Hello all. My name is Brandon. I'll be leaving the Army in the next 7 days and heading off to school through an army program to get my CDL in July. I was just curious as to what everyone here thought would be a good company to start out with. I know everyone says it's based on what you want but I want to see who people with experience would start out with and why so I can begin compiling a list of companies to look into. Any information is greatly appreciated.

To get back to Brandon's topic.....

When I began my research into switching careers last year, I had some "requirements" (even as a new driver) that I wanted from a company. Over a period of several months of research each company, weighing pros and cons (safety, benefits, turnover, etc.) I reduced my list down to 3, while in school several recruiters have come to do their "sales pitch". One big thing on my list is that I don't want to be a "driver number" so the mega-companies were off my list. A few local companies came in and one in particular peeked my interest which after several days and the son of the owner answering my questions throughly and honestly I've decided to go with them. They are family-oriented and they get their drivers home for their 34-hour restart (they prefer to hire drivers near the driver's lanes for this). Here are some other PROS Family Owned/Operated Family Oriented Full Medical/Dental/Life Insurance 401(k) New 2016 Tractors - with APUs , pre-pass, refers, Prepass Great CSA scores Safety, Fuel, Referral and other bonuses Tuition reimbursement Personal firearm allowed (driver must follow state laws for which driving in) Dog friendly (no restriction and no deposit) Great Mechanic/Service department (they even do work on competitor equip) Training 2 week local and 2 week (or more if needed) OTR

The only CON - unable to use my remaining Post 9/11 benefits for Apprenticeship/OJT program, but they are pursuing certification for future VETS.

So it up to you in making a sound decision for your perspective employer, make lists, talk to drivers at truckstops, etc. Everyone has opinions but ultimately it is your decision.

^scott

"Go Navy...Beat Army" (ha)

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

As a newbie myself starting in trucking after 14 years as a coach bus operator who operated OTR on tours and charters, I just wanted to say that I can understand both perspectives in the heated discussion above. Although, as a "rookie" who is about to get the Class A license (already have the Class B obviously), I've been told that as a "rookie", I should just keep my trap shut and look listen and learn.

So, researching a "good" company is completely natural I believe. While I am in no way knocking companies like Swift, Werner, CRST, CR England, etc., I would be a bit concerned, as a new driver who is transitioning into the trucking industry, as to the on-line reviews about what is posted about the companies referred to as "bottom feeders". With that said, I do not believe that means that a driver has a "bad attitude" or what have you because of those concerns. So, I do think some companies do suck, yes. I wonder myself how far a positive attitude along with being a hard worker at a company such as Swift or C.R. will take you versus Earl Henderson, or Prime (some of the better reviewed companies).

If we're to say "you get what you put into it", I do agree with that and I don't. Let us take a look at one specific company in particular - Central Transport - now, no offense to any drivers that drive for them. The youtube video that someone posted awhile back of their equipment, and the write-up about management encouraging fights, as in physical fist fights, to "settle scores" (Detroit terminal), etc, etc - I'm just simply not so sure that a positive attitude would curb the low morale that seems to be the case at most of their terminals.

However, by all means, on the other hand, IF by some chance, you can work through all of that, not feed into the rumors, write-ups and reviews, and MYOB, do you job, I'm sure that Central Transport, only used as an example, would be a very rewarding truck driving career. Especially where it is LTL as well and can be home most nights as well. To each their own I suppose.

Just some food for thought. Please don't jump down my throat if I have offended you.

So you believe EVERYTHING You READ ON GOOGLE?

If this is illegal, then it doesn't happen.

Firstly, companies do illegal stuff all the time. You can just Google this, look up "employer labor law violations." Do you honestly believe companies are managed in the most squeaky clean way? Illegal stuff happens, even in trucking. I don't know how often trucking companies do try to pressure people into lease-purchase, but enough people are saying they try. Of course, they can't force you to do anything. All they can do is treat you differently for not accepting a lease-purchase offer, or fire you for a made up reason. This happens across the world in every industry and every field of work all the time.

This is corporate America we're talking about, the law doesn't matter to them. They have company lawyers and contracted law firms on retainer and politicians in their pockets.

As far as contradicting myself goes, I don't see the contradiction at all. There are bad workplaces in the world, plenty of them. But instead of blaming management, which often plays an active role in making workplaces bad, too many people blame the workers for being "bad workers." And, in your mind, the company and management are squeaky clean.

The UNIBOMBER??? REALLY??? That is the best you could come up with comparing yourself to a domestic terrorist. Sir I have SEEN Theodore and thankfully YOU ARE NOT HIM

Blue Hotel,

I’m not judging you, but I feel sad for the way you view the world. We all get to choose, and you have obviously made a lousy choice. But it’s your right to choose. And at this point….that’s OK.

If you read what Old School wrote and all you can say is you're wrong, then you plain refuse to believe the truth son. And actually, I consider you being down right disrespectful to someone who has earned your respect.

The folks I read in this forum are trying help people out by telling them the truth.

No matter what, you’ll never hear it. If you took that same determination and applied it positively to your life, the sky would be the limit. You are blinded and there ain’t anything any of us can do about that.

In my opinion, your not worth the risk of negatively affecting anyone else in here.

I don’t hate ya Dude, its worse…I don’t respect you.

I’m done with you, and it's your fault.

I don't need your respect. I'm an internet person who you don't know, "respect" outside of common courtesy is irrelevant here. Expressing a disagreeing opinion, no matter how negative, isn't disrespect. It's just a differing opinion. I've been through hell and back in my life, so I feel I have the right to weigh in on the realities of work and life in America. Will I always be right? No. And neither will anyone else. The opinions I expressed were polite. You, on the other hand, are a bit rude (just a bit).

If blindly agreeing with whatever someone says is respect, then I want nothing to do with it. That isn't respect, that is thoughtlessness. I don't even want anyone to blindly agree with me.

A lot of times there will be things, places, people, jobs, situations, etc that are just bad. Is it like this all the time? No, but we'd be stupid to act like bad stuff never happens. It's tough kid, but it's life.

If you can't stand "negativity" then you won't make it in any job anywhere doing anything. Toughen up. Grow up. If other people on this board are going to be drastically impacted by anything anyone here has to say, then you have to wonder about their mental state. We're forum posters, not gods. Nobody even really knows us that well. I could be the unibomber and you could be some inmate somewhere using a smuggled smartphone to post. Take everything everyone online says with a grain of salt or ten. It's so impersonal, "respect" barely comes into play.

If you don't acknowledge the bad, you won't be prepared to handle it when it comes. And it does come, it's part of life.

But I apologize, let's get back on topic out of "respect" for the original poster.

Brandon- Are you aware that since you are getting out of the military you may not have to take your skills test for your CDL?