Needing Advice On Trucking Companies
Topic 15186 | Page 1
Well here is how I would break it down.
1) What type of freight do you want to haul?
Both companies have dry vans, but Swift has other options also - flatbed, refrigerated, heavy haul, etc. So the edge goes to Swift there.
2) Home time
Dry van companies can often get you home on the weekends, depending on where you live and what opportunities are in your area. So if home time is important to you then figure out which company can get you home more often.
3) Pay & Benefits
Take a look at what each company pays, but don't forget to look at the raises they'll give you. Most companies start you at a lower wage but give several raises throughout that first year. So look at the pay schedule for both companies and see if you can find any major differences with the benefits.
4) Training
Both companies have very good training programs but look at both to see if you find any major differences.
5) If you've gotten this far and you're still not sure then what the heck - flip a coin, right? If they're that close then pick one and go with it. You can do equally well at either company if you're serious about becoming a top notch driver. There's no such thing as a company that doesn't have the miles available for their better drivers. They all do. So if the companies are that equal it probably doesn't matter. You'll do well at either one.
Me personally I would be inclined toward Swift simply because of the vast array of opportunities available. It's really awesome if you can find a company that offers various types of freight and a long list of dedicated accounts to choose from. Once you get some time in you might decide you want to try refrigerated or flatbed. You might want an opportunity to be a shuttle driver or get on with a dedicated account. Swift is going to have a larger choice of opportunities down the line and if you can stay within the same company but switch divisions you're way ahead of someone who has to switch companies to try something new.
But really there are no bad choices here. You can do well at either one.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I have decided to get my cdl and need cdl training narrowed my choices down to 2 companies swift pam
Which one should I go with?
Brian C. If I were you I would do a little more research. There are soo many companies out there that are willing to send you through driving school or reimburse you for it. Also, the CDL school route might be the way to go. I am going through a school not associated with any trucking company, due to the fact I don't want there to be any contract that I am obligated to. Once I start to attend school I will be getting a lot of pre-hires that I can sift through and it allows me to at least have some control over my career and future. Like Brett said the type of freight and if you want to be diverse in learn to haul different freight. I was once an OTR but since it has been so long I have to start from the bottom up. Hope this helps.
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.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre-hires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Brian, Brett's advice is sound. If you did an ample amount of research it's pointless to redo all of that. I would go forward from where you are in the process and make a decision.
Did you look into XPO? They have some good strengths, like no payroll deductions to pay for school, just do your one year. Just throwing that out there, and I don't get a cent if you sign on, just think its a good compan. Good luck.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
I'm grateful for the responses I'll do more research on the companies and make a decision with a week or so
Thanks again
I'm grateful for the responses I'll do more research on the companies and make a decision with a week or so
Thanks again
Brett has other possibilities under company sponsored schools on here.
I'm grateful for the responses I'll do more research on the companies and make a decision with a week or so
Thanks again
If you must: Paid CDL Training Programs
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.
There are a few smaller companies that offer training such as online transport or RE West. I believe they both pay during training, Re West definitely does. Of course where you are located may be an issue w these two. I would go w Swift over PAM personal opinion!🤔
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I have decided to get my cdl and need cdl training narrowed my choices down to 2 companies swift pam
Which one should I go with?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: