Which Company To Go With For Not As Experienced Driver

Your company didn’t run you illegal, you did. Get out of that mindset because it’ll get you nowhere. They aren’t driving the truck, you are and nobody can make you drive the truck anywhere or at any point in time. The worst they could do is fire you and you move on. I’ve done more than my fair share of outlaw trucking in the oil fields and heavy haul and trust me, it was always on me if I got caught. As far as negative reviews on companies, I dare you to find a company that doesn’t have them. Not every company is going to meet every drivers particular needs so you have to be careful when you hear those types of reviews. The company I work for has negative reviews from guys who came here knowing everything about the industry yada yada yada. Yet over half the drivers here have been here 15 years or more. At our last company safety meeting, I can’t tell you how many 15-20 year Safe driving awards they handed out but it was significant with 2 drivers over 30 years with the company.

Your company didn’t run you illegal, you did.

This. OP, I am sorry, but having three different companies in only a year and a half makes me think that the companies aren't the problem. Personal responsibility, communication, and reliability are hallmarks of success in this industry. None of which I am seeing in your post.

I have been gently nudged a few times, to push a little harder, or go a little further in conditions that I deemed unsafe. Every time, my solid "I am not driving in unsafe conditions" was met with "10/4, keep us posted." Their job is to keep freight and trucks moving. Our job is to keep the truck and trailer out of the ditch, and get from point A to point B. I won't work for a company that wouldn't "allow" me to run in a safe and legal manner.

The issue here isn't the company. It's the driver.

One issue most new drivers face is time management. Smaller companies have problems dealing with this because they do not have the spare trailers or additional drivers to relay a load of you are running behind or have mechanical issues. Smaller companies often want more experienced drivers who can deal with time management and weather conditions better

Thank you Anna A! GLS seems like a legit company, but I just have a hardtime trusting ya know? And also dont wanna be making low wages and not be home but only once a month. i just got an email from the recruiter at GLS also now saying I will be starting at .55cpm because I asked them about Giltner and how they were affiliated with them and that I hadn't heard any good things about them or seen any good reviews. This seems a little concerning, almost like they are trying to get me to come on now because they know I haven't heard good things. They've also offered a $2,000 sign on bonus.

Hey, Patriot;

You're welcome; I'm glad Ms. Laura was of knowledge and assistance to ya; She's a great gal !! That's still 'all up to you!' however. My other half worked for many large companies, megas, whatever you choose to call them..and a few smaller ones later in life; recently.

Regarding all the above stellar comments, from the pro's and the mods . . . I concur.

My guy has been driving 19 years, and he's still a "people pleaser." When he started with his 6 year/current company, I almost had to ink the digits with Ss 309.6 on his top of hand, facing him. (Well, I was just going to do it in Sharpie Marker.)

The 4.1.4 / FMCSA was obvious, of course.

Here's a great link; in 'almost' layman's terms: FMCSA Safety Planner ~

Further explanation can be found here, too: FMCSA's Definition of Coercion.

Wish you well, ID/Patriot;

Let us know what becomes of things for you~

~ Anne & Tom ~

ps: Remember, YOU are El Capitan. A CDL isn't so easy to obtain (as you know,) but SURE easy to lose.

Did you move the truck while over your hours? Did you PC to the shipper? Did you run without being logged in? Did you accept the ELD edits? Well I'd say you allowed that behavior. I refuse to run over my hours especially if my company was telling me to do it. Why have you chosen to go with smaller companies? Mega carriers get alot of unnecessary flak online but I guarantee whoever was telling you to break the law wouldn't be employed anymore at a mega carrier.

That's the best comment of the thread. Anything that we do as drivers, is at least one choice, but often a series of choices. The truck doesn't move without the driver deciding to make it move.

One issue most new drivers face is time management. Smaller companies have problems dealing with this because they do not have the spare trailers or additional drivers to relay a load of you are running behind or have mechanical issues. Smaller companies often want more experienced drivers who can deal with time management and weather conditions better

Wish there was a 'LIKE' button on here. The above is so, so true. And then some more, true. Whether local or OTR , smaller companies sure do have that challenge.

Did you move the truck while over your hours? Did you PC to the shipper? Did you run without being logged in? Did you accept the ELD edits? Well I'd say you allowed that behavior. I refuse to run over my hours especially if my company was telling me to do it. Why have you chosen to go with smaller companies? Mega carriers get alot of unnecessary flak online but I guarantee whoever was telling you to break the law wouldn't be employed anymore at a mega carrier.

That's the best comment of the thread. Anything that we do as drivers, is at least one choice, but often a series of choices. The truck doesn't move without the driver deciding to make it move.

That, Sir Ryan, is the 2nd best comment on this thread!!! Been there, done that . . . for the last 11 years, as the 'wife of.'

~ Anne ~