Best Trucking Companies
Topic 16777 | Page 1
What are good trucking companies to work for after completing my first year experience at my starter company
Arthur, welcome to Trucking Truth! We'll get you tips for finding your best company, buy you may already be there! What's wrong with sticking with the company that trained you? No company is really some sort of "driver incubator". I'm sure they'd really like you to stick around.
Who are you driving for now? I went to Swift's school, and after almost two years driving for them I have no complaints.
We don't subscribe to the theory that companies who hire students are just 'starter companies' that you leave once you get some experience. Most of those companies are the largest, most successful carriers in the nation. They have the best equipment, the largest variety of opportunities, the most perks, and the most money behind them. I'm not sure what people expect the improvement to be when you go to a smaller company to be honest. I've worked at companies from 5 trucks up to 5,000 trucks and the larger carriers were the best ones to work for in my experience.
I'm not even sure why the expression 'starter company' even exists.
But what is it you're looking for? That's the question. More home time? Different type of freight? Better pay?
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
What are good trucking companies to work for after completing my first year experience at my starter company
Walmart is running radio ads saying that they are hiring experienced drivers and that their first year drivers make over 82K plus great benefits and home-time. So, that might be one to shoot for.
There are certain local driving positions that are highly sought after by some experienced drivers. For instance, some of the LTL companies offer outstanding pay and benefits. Also, local fuel hauling usually pays well with good benefits. Earnings greater than 90K/yr are attainable in each of these with a few years experience.
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
- FedEx Freight
- Con-way
- YRC Freight
- UPS
- Old Dominion
- Estes
- Yellow-Roadway
- ABF Freight
- R+L Carrier
What are good trucking companies to work for after completing my first year experience at my starter company
Walmart is running radio ads saying that they are hiring experienced drivers and that their first year drivers make over 82K plus great benefits and home-time. So, that might be one to shoot for.
There are certain local driving positions that are highly sought after by some experienced drivers. For instance, some of the LTL companies offer outstanding pay and benefits. Also, local fuel hauling usually pays well with good benefits. Earnings greater than 90K/yr are attainable in each of these with a few years experience.
Walmart Private Fleet requires minimum three years of OTR experience and a clean driving record.
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
- FedEx Freight
- Con-way
- YRC Freight
- UPS
- Old Dominion
- Estes
- Yellow-Roadway
- ABF Freight
- R+L Carrier
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.
Walmart Private Fleet requires minimum three years of OTR experience and a clean driving record.
Here's what their website says:
Minimum qualifications for Walmart drivers: Interstate (Class A) Commercial Drivers License with Hazmat endorsement (including cleared background check) OR will obtain Hazmat endorsement (with cleared background check) within 120 calendar days of date of hire. Minimum of 30 months experience working in a full-time Class A tractor/trailer driving position in the previous 3 years. No more than two (2) moving violations while operating a personal or commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No serious traffic violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No convictions for a DUI , DWI , OUI, or reckless driving involving alcohol/drugs within the last ten (10) years. No preventable accidents* while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No preventable* DOT recordable accidents (collisions resulting in disabling damage and/or immediate medical treatment away from the scene) while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last ten (10) years. No preventable accident* resulting in a fatality or catastrophic injury in driving history (commercial motor vehicle).
But I would guess that they are extremely choosy and that they usually hire well above the minimum requirements.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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.
Commercial Motor Vehicle:
A commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property with either:
- A gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
- A gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more which includes a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
DUI:
Driving Under the Influence
DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
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.
Mary replied:
Walmart Private Fleet requires minimum three years of OTR experience and a clean driving record.
Here's what their website says:
Minimum qualifications for Walmart drivers: Interstate (Class A) Commercial Drivers License with Hazmat endorsement (including cleared background check) OR will obtain Hazmat endorsement (with cleared background check) within 120 calendar days of date of hire. Minimum of 30 months experience working in a full-time Class A tractor/trailer driving position in the previous 3 years. No more than two (2) moving violations while operating a personal or commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No serious traffic violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No convictions for a DUI , DWI , OUI, or reckless driving involving alcohol/drugs within the last ten (10) years. No preventable accidents* while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No preventable* DOT recordable accidents (collisions resulting in disabling damage and/or immediate medical treatment away from the scene) while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last ten (10) years. No preventable accident* resulting in a fatality or catastrophic injury in driving history (commercial motor vehicle).
But I would guess that they are extremely choosy and that they usually hire well above the minimum requirements.
Thanks for including that Mary. They must have relaxed their minimums a bit. 30 months equate to 2.5 years, so it's still close to 3. Your last sentence though is highly relevant...
It's a highly coveted job, lots of applicants for WMPF to choose from.
I am assigned to a Walmart Grocery DC, 7030 in Gordon PA. been there as a Swift Dedicated driver for over 3 years. Walmart regularly plucks the cream off the top of the Swift driver pool and hires them into their Private Fleet. The transition is smooth because the job is basically the same, except their drivers will float from DC to DC depending on where the demand is. At least for the folks I personally know who WMPF hired, they all had 3 or more years on the account (one guy had 5). Of the 5 I know of, 4 of them are still there (the 5th just retired), basically doing the same work/deliveries I am doing. Overall a really great job...definitely one of the best fleets to work for, lots of perks. Several of the WMPF drivers domiciled at 7030 have over 1 million accident free miles, one has over 3 million and another is the current National Truck Rodeo champ. Cool place to work.
As for me, I thoroughly enjoy running dedicated for Walmart as a Swift driver. At least for now, it meets all of my needs as a driver (personally and professionally), provides an opportunity for flexibility, variety of work assignments (that supplement the base CPM), I am not treated like a number, and a voice directly to the terminal manager.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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.
Commercial Motor Vehicle:
A commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property with either:
- A gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
- A gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more which includes a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
DUI:
Driving Under the Influence
DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
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.
Mary quotes a Walmart ad:
Walmart is running radio ads saying that they are hiring experienced drivers and that their first year drivers make over 82K plus great benefits and home-time. So, that might be one to shoot for.
You betcha! Maybe the minimum experience is 3 years (OK, 30 months), but that's the least of your worries in applying. #1: who wouldn't like to pull down $82k as a company driver, and #2: great home time to boot? So the real problem is competition for open driver slots.
If I was running for WM, you think I'm going to be looking for greener pastures? In short, those Walmart driver openings are few and far between. Once I looked at their listings. I live near Memphis, TN. The closest opening (one position) was over 100 miles away.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Mary replied:
Walmart Private Fleet requires minimum three years of OTR experience and a clean driving record.
Here's what their website says:
Minimum qualifications for Walmart drivers: Interstate (Class A) Commercial Drivers License with Hazmat endorsement (including cleared background check) OR will obtain Hazmat endorsement (with cleared background check) within 120 calendar days of date of hire. Minimum of 30 months experience working in a full-time Class A tractor/trailer driving position in the previous 3 years. No more than two (2) moving violations while operating a personal or commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No serious traffic violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No convictions for a DUI , DWI , OUI, or reckless driving involving alcohol/drugs within the last ten (10) years. No preventable accidents* while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last three (3) years. No preventable* DOT recordable accidents (collisions resulting in disabling damage and/or immediate medical treatment away from the scene) while operating a commercial motor vehicle in the last ten (10) years. No preventable accident* resulting in a fatality or catastrophic injury in driving history (commercial motor vehicle).
But I would guess that they are extremely choosy and that they usually hire well above the minimum requirements.
Thanks for including that Mary. They must have relaxed their minimums a bit. 30 months equate to 2.5 years, so it's still close to 3. Your last sentence though is highly relevant...
It's a highly coveted job, lots of applicants for WMPF to choose from.
I am assigned to a Walmart Grocery DC, 7030 in Gordon PA. been there as a Swift Dedicated driver for over 3 years. Walmart regularly plucks the cream off the top of the Swift driver pool and hires them into their Private Fleet. The transition is smooth because the job is basically the same, except their drivers will float from DC to DC depending on where the demand is. At least for the folks I personally know who WMPF hired, they all had 3 or more years on the account (one guy had 5). Of the 5 I know of, 4 of them are still there (the 5th just retired), basically doing the same work/deliveries I am doing. Overall a really great job...definitely one of the best fleets to work for, lots of perks. Several of the WMPF drivers domiciled at 7030 have over 1 million accident free miles, one has over 3 million and another is the current National Truck Rodeo champ. Cool place to work.
As for me, I thoroughly enjoy running dedicated for Walmart as a Swift driver. At least for now, it meets all of my needs as a driver (personally and professionally), provides an opportunity for flexibility, variety of work assignments (that supplement the base CPM), I am not treated like a number, and a voice directly to the terminal manager.
As coveted as those jobs are, it's a wonder that WalMart spends so much money running radio ads that they're hiring.
So, pardon my nosiness, but is that "the one" job that you'd leave Swift for???
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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.
Commercial Motor Vehicle:
A commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property with either:
- A gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
- A gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more which includes a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.DUI:
Driving Under the Influence
DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
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.
Miss Nosy 😆 asks:
So, pardon my nosiness, but is that "the one" job that you'd leave Swift for???
Naaah. I had simply heard this stuff, and wanted to see what's available. Doncha think doubling your pay is a concept you could with with?
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What are good trucking companies to work for after completing my first year experience at my starter company