Could Anyone Recommend Me To Some Great Trucking Companies For A Rookie?

Hi all,

So I decided that I am going to definitely go for trucking because the very sustainable income and site seeing seems too great to pass up. (**I couldn't believe folks get paid to do this after talking with some other local folks who've been at it for a long time**)

My question is rather simple and I do need some answers asap because I'm dealing with the government to help pay for my schooling.

What trucking companies are similar to Schneider as far as pay, training, and more options to have preferable days off? I'd prefer ones that have pre-approval apps as Pima One Stop needs to see proof of me looking for work.

As side note: If any of you went through the government to pay for the schooling tuition as a full ride, what specifics did they ask of you to have before talking about paying for it all? Did you have to jump through a bunch of hoops like going back to school for certain classes that you've failed to meet as the "standard" for trucking? From what I've heard with talking to the guys who've given their experience..they found it odd that if someone actually had to jump through a bunch of hoops due to the relative simplism of the job having to just know basic math to track your load and great reading/writing skills as well as being able to speak professionally like any other job...

Your guys thoughts? Really appreciate it in advanced!

Warm Regards, Keenan Smith

As far as companies similar to Schneider - pretty much any of the major dry van carriers that hire new drivers will have similar features to Schneider. We have a small list of some of the Trucking Companies that hire inexperienced drivers and also our Company-Sponsored Training section lists companies to look into. Certainly not all of the companies on those pages are dry van, but a number of them are. I don't know which companies use a pre-approval process. Most of them should.

Let me say one other thing though - it will take you a very, very short amount of time out on the road to stop saying "I can't believe they pay me to do this." Trucking is one of the most difficult and challenging careers you'll ever find anywhere. If you're really cut out for it there's nothing in the world like it. But even if you are there are going to be a ton of really brutal times out there that are going to challenge you in almost every way imaginable. I loved my years on the road - they were priceless. But they were also very, very difficult - which is a big part of what I liked about it.

I just don't want you getting into trucking thinking it's a gravy job. The turnover in the trucking industry nationwide averages close to 100% for a variety of reasons, but part of it is the fact that a lot of people get into it thinking it's going to be great fun and soon get their *sses handed to em and they run screaming for the hills.

So expect it to be quite exciting, challenging, stressful, boring, interesting, and exhausting pretty much every single day of your life out there. It's a roller coaster ride - no question about it.

Brett is completely correct as always! Trucking is wonderful and great and awesome... but it is still a job, with weird hours, weird situations, and all sorts of things that will make you question whether you really want to do it or not. I drive for Schneider currently and I love it. I did a lot of research on companies before I decided on Schneider so I can give you some of my info if you'd like.

One company that I also strongly considered was Maverick. They have flatbed and reefer divisions, not sure about dry-van. I've spoken with a driver or two of their's and they seem happy. They pay very well and their training looks very structured and detailed.

Private Message me and I will email you my list of information on dozens of companies. But PLEASE do your own research as well. Companies change policies all the time and my information is 6+ months old.

I would say go with Schneider though! Why you ask? Well, because you know... who doesn't want to drive a big orange truck all over the country. Lol.

because you know... who doesn't want to drive a big orange truck all over the country. Lol.

That's right! If orange wasn't awesome it wouldn't be the preferred color of safety vests and plastic construction barrels from coast to coast!

I'm just joking also of course. I do in fact think Schneider is one of the best companies out there.

Btw...the orange barrels are Schneider eggs.....and the orange cones are Schneider pacifiers..

Lol Starcar.

As far as companies similar to Schneider - pretty much any of the major dry van carriers that hire new drivers will have similar features to Schneider. We have a small list of some of the Trucking Companies that hire inexperienced drivers and also our Company-Sponsored Training section lists companies to look into. Certainly not all of the companies on those pages are dry van, but a number of them are. I don't know which companies use a pre-approval process. Most of them should.

Let me say one other thing though - it will take you a very, very short amount of time out on the road to stop saying "I can't believe they pay me to do this." Trucking is one of the most difficult and challenging careers you'll ever find anywhere. If you're really cut out for it there's nothing in the world like it. But even if you are there are going to be a ton of really brutal times out there that are going to challenge you in almost every way imaginable. I loved my years on the road - they were priceless. But they were also very, very difficult - which is a big part of what I liked about it.

I just don't want you getting into trucking thinking it's a gravy job. The turnover in the trucking industry nationwide averages close to 100% for a variety of reasons, but part of it is the fact that a lot of people get into it thinking it's going to be great fun and soon get their *sses handed to em and they run screaming for the hills.

So expect it to be quite exciting, challenging, stressful, boring, interesting, and exhausting pretty much every single day of your life out there. It's a roller coaster ride - no question about it.

I understand that there is a HUGE turnover rate however I do accept the challenge of it all. It didn't even phase me once. You could say I'm bit of an overachiever and once I set my mind to something..its pretty hard to turn me around. I drive myself no matter how long it takes until the goal is reached. (At least that's my friends and fam have told me lol) I don't mind weird sleeping patterns, the repetitive boring-ness of the job (I do that anyway with what I do day to day at my present job.)

I totally do not expect it to be all like that initially..at least until a few years go by and local jobs are available to me so I have more home time.

Quite frankly...it cannot be boring if its stressful, exciting, challenging, interesting, and exhausting. All those elements don't make it so as you're also having to keep on your toes to avoid having "a bad time". Something has got to give. ;p

Also, I am considering the option after a few years to lease and contract to make more money plus be home more. Some of the folks I know have worked their way to that point and make more money than they did out there OTR or similar. My friend Jimmy recommended me to really pursue something like that so I can get to where I'm wanting to go in my career path sooner. Yes you are taking on a contract meaning all the responsibilities lie upon me, but from he told me, it's well worth it if you take uber care of your vehicle in all aspects.

In the end..if it means permanent job security with virtually no layoffs except when its on you from your record...I'd dive head first to have it.

From what I have heard from drivers, Shienders turnover rate is not as large as others and they have some long time happy drivers. My situation with them was they will hire me out of SW FL, but fly me to trucks somewhere it is needed and then I would do 3 to 4 weeks out ,and then fly home for home time at their expense. It would actually be a better starting pay than the job I ma taking, but the job I am taking has a sign on bonus and theirs did not. In the long run, the sign on will be the same as the pay.

One thing i have learned is that the big companies are mostly alike, and your choices are between team and solo. I seriously want solo. I want my life back a bit, which I cannot do running teams, which is where I started through CRST. Any of these companies will work you if you want to work, I told my FM when I started at CRST that I was out here to work hard, and they believed me, and I never suffered from lack of miles. It will be what you make it.

So many companies are so much Like and so different at the same time. You simply must do your own research and Brett has an excellent site to compare companies, what the offer how long the program last how much is pad time vs actual road time. It truly is a matter of which one fits you best. For me it was Prime and the hands on training and get you on the road training that fit my personality and style

As far as cant be boring a d exciting. Well, yea it can lol. Driving for hours in the dark or across the flatlands is some of the boring stuff I ever done. Sure it was scenic at first but after a few weeks or several times down the same road it becomes old. I must add being plugged into a seat for 11 hours a day in the same position has your body screaming for some stretching room not to mention my sore backside from this uncomfortable seat Not to be negative but so many people fall in love with the romantic notion of trucking. The sunsets and sunrises seeing the country the mountains and desert but overlook the thin cushion that passes as my bed or the longing for some real food and human contact.....

Ok so to get off that yea trucking is exciting too and I for one enjoy the he k out of it but read in between the lines and take the save Dvice form these moderators that have millions of miles under there belts. It is so hard to imagine life in the road sitting at home in front of your computer. It truly is a lifestyle and it i squire exhausting I promise you. Do I sit in a chair all day? Sure I do. Is it physically strenuous? Yes and no. I don't lift heavy objects but I am wore out after driving 11 hours straight day I. And day out oh and comforts how I miss simple comforts. My own toilet. A clean shower with actual water pressure and a wide spray

I don't want to be negative but rather encourage yo to see the bigger picture and listen close to the words of save advice from these moderators. There is a reason The turnover rate is so high in trucking and it takes a special type of person to live this lifestyle and only you know if that is you I hope you are just do t come In blind

Peace and best of luck

Sorry all my fingers do t type well on my cell phone. Lolol