Choosing A Company When Your Options Are Limited..

So far the folks at PTL have been wonderful. When u upgrade here the pay is 33 cpm. There's not a truck in the fleet older than a 2011. The one international prostar I've driven drove real sweet. Granted that was with no load though. One more thing is that PTL is 100% emphee owned. Now that's not gonna mean squat to anyone that doesn't stay for quite a long time but ESOP is about the closest thing you're gonna find to a pension in this industry.

Hi Scot, I think west of the Mississippi it's 30cpm, it that correct? Also, it's it true that a lot of trailers have problems? are old/broken/brake leaks/bad tires...thanks

The west pay program is now 33 cpm. So if you are brand new it's not an issue at all. It's the same as your base rate. Now if your base rate is 41 cpm I can see having a problem with the west pay program. A majority of the western runs here are Las Vegas or Los Angeles which are some dang nice runs. As far as the trailers, they are not too old but some do have some issues. Drivers are currently being routes to terminals a lot right now for trailer maintenance. Trailer condition is an issue here but it's been acknowledged and steps are being taken to correct it. Definitely don't worry about the international prostar with the Maxxforce motors who which is what youWILL be driving here. They are sweet as bear meat.

These were the companies I was trying to stay away from based on research, but since I have a couple of not so preferred things on my DL, I may have settle for one of these...Thanks in advance..

What research? Oh you mean you read how each and every company out there was out to screw the drivers and rookies? You mean the post in other forums from drivers that are apart of the 95% that are fired based completely on THAT drivers poor job preference? You mean the research where you read that said that those 4 companies you are asking about fired those drivers for doing ABSOLUTELY nothing and they are fired out of the clear blue? OH THAT RESEARCH!

And if that is the research you are talking about then you have not done any research. You have read post from drivers that are MAD that they failed to do their job properly and could not hack it in trucking.

A word of mouth review is subjective AT BEST. The review will change based on how the driver is feeling at the moment he is asked about a certain topic.

The companies you mentioned are there for one purpose. To get your foot in the door and give YOU a chance to prove you have what it takes to drive a truck.

So because you f*cked up in the past and your driving record is not the best you have to SETTLE for these 4 companies? Which I point out MAY allow you to go to work for them even with YOUR less the prefect background. Ever think that because you screwed up in the past that these companies are thinking that they are "settling" for YOU? Makes you think a little bit huh? Or at least should.

Your prospective or outlook on trucking is skewed for the start due to what you perceive as companies you have to settle for because of the so called "reviews" out there.

See here is the deal and the reason I am coming with the "attitude" in this post. I need you to see and perhaps change your thinking and attitude when looking to get into trucking.....Anytime you get it into your head that you are "settling" for something, and especially pertains to trucking, you will always feel that you have less than what other people in trucking have and you will be "Company Hopping" forever looking for the next best thing.

Those 4 companies that you listed might be the ones that give you a chance to get into trucking and if they do allow you to get your foot in the door then you have to be thankful for the chance you are being given because in trucking you get so few chances not to screw up that its not funny.

I need you to understand....You have came to the right place and feel free to ask as many questions as you need but just be sure you are ready for the responses you will get cause we try and give you the truth about trucking without throwing in all the unneeded sugar coating.

So first you need to change your outlook about the chance you maybe given then things will be a bit easier to move forward with.

So now that has been said. You will find out here on Trucking Truth we are straight forward and love to help rookies and non drivers learn about trucking. If that was not the case I would not be posting this while I am at home on my home time. I would be fishing or doing any other number of things including but not limited to giving my personal critiques on all the free porn on the internet.

These were the companies I was trying to stay away from based on research, but since I have a couple of not so preferred things on my DL, I may have settle for one of these...Thanks in advance..

What research? Oh you mean you read how each and every company out there was out to screw the drivers and rookies? You mean the post in other forums from drivers that are apart of the 95% that are fired based completely on THAT drivers poor job preference? You mean the research where you read that said that those 4 companies you are asking about fired those drivers for doing ABSOLUTELY nothing and they are fired out of the clear blue? OH THAT RESEARCH!

And if that is the research you are talking about then you have not done any research. You have read post from drivers that are MAD that they failed to do their job properly and could not hack it in trucking.

A word of mouth review is subjective AT BEST. The review will change based on how the driver is feeling at the moment he is asked about a certain topic.

The companies you mentioned are there for one purpose. To get your foot in the door and give YOU a chance to prove you have what it takes to drive a truck.

So because you f*cked up in the past and your driving record is not the best you have to SETTLE for these 4 companies? Which I point out MAY allow you to go to work for them even with YOUR less the prefect background. Ever think that because you screwed up in the past that these companies are thinking that they are "settling" for YOU? Makes you think a little bit huh? Or at least should.

Your prospective or outlook on trucking is skewed for the start due to what you perceive as companies you have to settle for because of the so called "reviews" out there.

See here is the deal and the reason I am coming with the "attitude" in this post. I need you to see and perhaps change your thinking and attitude when looking to get into trucking.....Anytime you get it into your head that you are "settling" for something, and especially pertains to trucking, you will always feel that you have less than what other people in trucking have and you will be "Company Hopping" forever looking for the next best thing.

Those 4 companies that you listed might be the ones that give you a chance to get into trucking and if they do allow you to get your foot in the door then you have to be thankful for the chance you are being given because in trucking you get so few chances not to screw up that its not funny.

I need you to understand....You have came to the right place and feel free to ask as many questions as you need but just be sure you are ready for the responses you will get cause we try and give you the truth about trucking without throwing in all the unneeded sugar coating.

So first you need to change your outlook about the chance you maybe given then things will be a bit easier to move forward with.

So now that has been said. You will find out here on Trucking Truth we are straight forward and love to help rookies and non drivers learn about trucking. If that was not the case I would not be posting this while I am at home on my home time. I would be fishing or doing any other number of things including but not limited to giving my personal critiques on all the free porn on the internet.

What? Really? you think my post warranted this kind of response? You must be having a bad day, maybe it's from being home. Look I didn't "F*ck up" as you put it and yes I am talking about THAT RESEARCH, peopless reviews and opinions about companies have to be taken into account, of course with a grain of salt. Do you of a better way to find out about a company than from the people that have been there? That's why I posted here asking for sincere opinions, as part of MY RESEARCH. It seems you think you have everything and EVERYONE figured out, and am happy for, but let me just let you in on a little secret, all that you you know is far from the truth..have a nice day, maybe you should go fishing..

The west pay program is now 33 cpm. So if you are brand new it's not an issue at all. It's the same as your base rate. Now if your base rate is 41 cpm I can see having a problem with the west pay program. A majority of the western runs here are Las Vegas or Los Angeles which are some dang nice runs. As far as the trailers, they are not too old but some do have some issues. Drivers are currently being routes to terminals a lot right now for trailer maintenance. Trailer condition is an issue here but it's been acknowledged and steps are being taken to correct it. Definitely don't worry about the international prostar with the Maxxforce motors who which is what youWILL be driving here. They are sweet as bear meat.

Thanks Scott, just got a call from the recruiter and will getting a pre-hire from PTL..

What? Really? you think my post warranted this kind of response? You must be having a bad day, maybe it's from being home. Look I didn't "F*ck up" as you put it and yes I am talking about THAT RESEARCH, peopless reviews and opinions about companies have to be taken into account, of course with a grain of salt. Do you of a better way to find out about a company than from the people that have been there? That's why I posted here asking for sincere opinions, as part of MY RESEARCH. It seems you think you have everything and EVERYONE figured out, and am happy for, but let me just let you in on a little secret, all that you you know is far from the truth..have a nice day, maybe you should go fishing..

Lets take this step by step.....

Point 1) You f*cked up cause as you put it...." I have a couple of not so preferred things on my DL" Unless someone else magically made your driving recorded bad i.e. tickets that you had no involvement in, but they applied to YOUR licence then yes you are to blame. Not the companies you are so called "settling for"

Point 2) What other kind of research is there? Do you of a better way to find out about a company than from the people that have been there? Yes. Yes I Do. Talking to current drivers that actually work at the companies you are wanting to be given a chance by for starters. And no those negative reviews DO NOT have to be taken in account. Those are made by drivers that are mad at a company and decide to bad mouth the company all over the internet and all their comments should be discounted for what they are. Trash.

Ok now that I have went back and re read I think I did come off as having to strong of a response floydborga. For that I apologize. But the post I made "Point by Point" still stands.

I tend to get a bit touchy when it comes to people looking down on companies and the trucking industry as a whole. And "settling" for this company or that company is saying that those companies are not the best but its all I have to work with.

Ok now that I have went back and re read I think I did come off as having to strong of a response floydborga. For that I apologize. But the post I made "Point by Point" still stands.

I tend to get a bit touchy when it comes to people looking down on companies and the trucking industry as a whole. And "settling" for this company or that company is saying that those companies are not the best but its all I have to work with.

No Problem Guyjax, but you have to understand that the opinion that I have formed is based on what I've read from your peers, people in the industry. Of course I know that there are whiners that have nothing good to say, but when 90% of opinions are bad, you to take that into consideration and put that company into the "least desirable" pot and that all I have done.

When starting out I had certain companies(Roehl, Millis) in mind because I seriously though I credentials to be a good truck driver and be an asset to a good company. I didn't think that my driving history is "****ed up" all, but since companies are putting me in a "least desirable" driver pot with even getting to know who I am, I have to "settle" for what I can get..cheers get out there and enjoy the day, here in NE it's too cold to be outside..

What? Really? you think my post warranted this kind of response? You must be having a bad day, maybe it's from being home. Look I didn't "F*ck up" as you put it and yes I am talking about THAT RESEARCH, peopless reviews and opinions about companies have to be taken into account, of course with a grain of salt. Do you of a better way to find out about a company than from the people that have been there? That's why I posted here asking for sincere opinions, as part of MY RESEARCH. It seems you think you have everything and EVERYONE figured out, and am happy for, but let me just let you in on a little secret, all that you you know is far from the truth..have a nice day, maybe you should go fishing..

Lets take this step by step.....

Point 1) You f*cked up cause as you put it...." I have a couple of not so preferred things on my DL" Unless someone else magically made your driving recorded bad i.e. tickets that you had no involvement in, but they applied to YOUR licence then yes you are to blame. Not the companies you are so called "settling for"

Point 2) What other kind of research is there? Do you of a better way to find out about a company than from the people that have been there? Yes. Yes I Do. Talking to current drivers that actually work at the companies you are wanting to be given a chance by for starters. And no those negative reviews DO NOT have to be taken in account. Those are made by drivers that are mad at a company and decide to bad mouth the company all over the internet and all their comments should be discounted for what they are. Trash.

I see your point, but how come you don't that kind of stuff about Roehl, Millis or a bunch of other major carriers?? I guess they are doing something right.

Here is the deal....happy drivers that are out there don't have time to sit at home or on a cell phone and post stuff on the internet. They are to business running miles. Those that are not happy have all the time in the world cause they are not turning the miles.

There are bad company reviews on every single company out there made by drivers that were fired cause they could not do their job. Companies do not simple fire people on a whim. Its not in the companies best interest to let drivers sit either. If the truck is not moving then its not making money and the company still has to pay the truck expenses.

The way trucking works almost all companies have the same exact business model. But you ask what sets companies apart from each other and why do some companies seem better than others....the main answer The Drivers. Although most companies have a different driver package. More home time verses better pay verses new equipment verses different types of freight. So now for example you wanted better pay and better home time but the companies you have to choose from offers one but not the other. So you take better pay....later down the road you want better home time. It eats away at you once you have made that choice. Now you move to the better home time company and you are making less. Now I am not saying YOU will do this but its how it starts.....you start complaining you are not making enough money. You start with facebook and since your company will not pay more you get angrier and move on to trucking forums and start looking for what other drivers are saying. Then you add in your 2 cents and another driver agrees with what you say and then it turns into a company bashing free for all once other drivers chime in with their own perceived wrongs with no miles cause they refused to run certain loads and the company can not longer depend on them to do a good job and the good loads go to drivers that take every load.......see how such a simple thing can blow up on the internet even though the first driver made the choice to change companies in the first place over something simple as wanting better home time?

When picking and choosing a company that is a very personal decision only a driver can make. No one can make that choice for you. I literally can go to any company in the US and do really well there no matter how bad the "word of mouth reviews" are. I know what it takes to spot light myself and stand out among 8000 other drivers at my company. I drive for Werner and I can promise you will not find anything positive on them YET I am happy working for them. I get plenty of miles and get my promised home time on time every time.

The secret....I KNOW what I want. As I said before companies are all they same on their base level and you want to decide what you are looking for from a company. Want better pay then go with Company A. Want better home time then go with company C. Want better equipment then choose Company B.

Now if you just want to get into trucking so you can over come your driving record then any company you listed will do that as long as you keep a safe and clean driving record for at least one year then you can move on to any company you choose.