School Or Pick A Company? And How Do I Choose Between Company Driver Or Owner Operator?

My point was there are drivers who have likes and dislikes for many companies. I love CFI and there are people who hate CFI. I think Prime is an excellent company with awesome perks. But they are not a company for me. Just some things I don't like that others love. No biggie. Evryone at one time or another can ***** about their company. Maybe Bocephus has a bad attitude, but he is one out of many. In the long run I am thankful for Trucking Truth and all the help I get from here. I just wish more people could take the time to use what we have here to find out about this industry and lifestyle. I tell everyone I can about this site. We can all learn from many peoples opinions. I have many friends who always show me different ways of looking at the same issue. I fully believe attitude is 100%. Some people come into this industry and have many bad experiences and quit where others stick it out. Look at Gladhand, he's shared most of his bad experiences and his attitude got him through them to the point where he could make calm, reasoned decisions for his life and career. Some people get on the defensive and have problems getting the help they need.

My highest apologies if my colorful use of the English language falls sharply upon your soft ears. I'm old. And I'm a Marine Corps vet. I cuss often, and a lot when expressing myself in what I consider to be informal situations. Had I been aware of the sensitivities of this particular forum I would have adjusted my decorum accordingly so as to not offend those unacquainted with the harsh language associated with the working class citizen. Short story: I worked hard, was lied to, gave my 2 week notice on my one year anniversary, got lied to some more, left on good terms. And will never return to that particular company. Going flat bed from here on out.

Now it all makes sense, it's the Marine Corp's fault you are ignorant and indignant. Yup, makes perfect sense. They taught you to speak like that in a public forum that has many, many minors visiting out of interest and curiosity. Way to represent...well done.

I have many friends, former Marines I've yet to hear them use the f-bomb in any context.

You got issues, anger management is where it likely starts.

I just want to throw this out there. Regarding big Scotts statement about CRE having every driver he's talked to hating the company, there was a member here named Pheonix(?) That was a husband wife team. They seemed extremely happy with them and because they were establishing themselves as top tier their dispatcher worked with them when they had family issues at home. They had left their teenager at home with who they thought was a trusted adult but their kid wasn't having their needs satisfied. Even though they were under contract CRE worked with them and allowed one to go home while the other ran solo. They were also making pretty good money. Wish i could find the thread where they discussed it to back up claims that CRE isn't as bad as most are led to believe

I get Big Scotts point. A lower paying company with more home time is good for some people but not for me. Its not that CRE is bad, just not for everyone. people need to set their priorities.

But lets face a fact....they are one of the lowest paying starters out there that i know.of. the last i looked (and this was over a year ago) they started at 27cpm and the trainers made 34 cpm. I do not believe they get bonuses for fuel and safety and service etc. so in reality, i make almost double, and as a solo make even more than their trainers. i can see how someone would feel jilted. Even at 3000 miles a week that is $810 gross. Primes base starting pay is 41cpm so 3000 miles would be $1230 + bonuses. So that is a difference of $420 per week...or $1680 per month. Thats a mortgage payment. Big Scott loves CFI and he lives in NC, so CFI is great for him. Living in NJ i could not afford to live on his pay with CFI. that is reality. Someone from Alabama could be perfectly happy with CRE and feel they made a ton of money.

I do not know if CRE has more lenient requirements than other companies. Perhaps they accept felonies or DUIs etc. Someone with blemishes on their past must take the good of being accepted with the bad of lower pay until their record is cleaned up. in the meantime, they are gaining experience. combined the experience and clean record could lead to better possibilities.

However, someone who researched this and chose CRE for other reasons could be perfectly happy. maybe they liked the dedicated or got home more. I just read their website and it no longer states the cpm but does say something interesting...no driver is guaranteed a dedicated route or hometime regardless of past performance etc etc. theres two pages of disclaimers on that site.

Do the research, and understand what you are getting into. If you have problems you need to contact dispatch and give them a chance to fix things. If that doesnt work, go to their supervisor, then the operations manager and up the chain.

This is where the relationship building comes in. if you talk to people from various departments, you can usually get answers and help. if you just want to argue with the same person all the time, it goes nowhere. If things are that bad, ask to change DMs. there are always things to be done to fix things. If a company truly is not a good fit, then leave after the year. A year is a very short time in the larger picture.

there are so many different aspects on this thread of where a driver could.make improvements, im not sure where to start. Basically, to me, it sounds like instead of writing an email to the proper boss to straighten things out, he just kept arguing with dispatch. never works.

good luck

Brocephus states "I curse a lot because I'm a military veteran". Big deal, that cannot be used as any excuse. I served more than 30 years and have never typed the garbage you spewed forth on here. You are a cancer for the industry.

I've definitely learned a lot from this thread! Back to the High Road training series I go!