Going To School So Starting To Figure Out The Best Company
Topic 2384 | Page 1
Hi Ryan, I think most of the bigger companies have regional operations, your willingness to relocate could be an advantage finding a good fit so I would think you're headed the right direction, Good luck to you.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
I am in the same situation. I have three little girls under 12. They might want to see daddy once in a while. I plan on using Skype a lot. My family can relocate as well. Maybe, we will both get lucky. Good luck!
Welcome aboard Ryan!
First of all, I highly recommend you read through our Trucker's Career Guide. I consider it essential reading for anyone considering a career in trucking. It will help you understand the industry, your choices for schooling and jobs, and a million other topics. Go through it really well. You'll learn a ton.
As far as companies that get you home more often - look at dry van and flatbed. They tend to have the best options for regional and dedicated routes that get you home more often. Companies like Roehl, Swift, and Schneider National have awesome home time options just to name a few. TMC Transport is a flatbed company that can get you home on weekends also.
Now on the subject of relocating - if you plan on relocating then I would try to do that before getting into trucking. CDL licenses are regulated by the states and it's easier to know what state you'll be living in before doing the training so you don't have to move your license from state to state. Also, trucking companies hire based upon where you live. So you won't really know where to look for work if you don't know where you'll be living.
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.
Dedicated Route:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.New Reply:
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Roehl Transport Schneider National Swift Transport Choosing A Trucking Company
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I am going to be starting CDL classes in a week and have been looking at companies with my wife but there are so many I have no clue what is good and bad. We are in Illinois but would love to relocate to anywhere else. Are there any really good companies that you would recommend for recent grads? Ideal a regional route would be great as I have young kids and would like to be home more than the one or two days a month.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.