STRUGGLEING..

Hey Guys, and Gals,,I am going to school in January or early February..and I'm trying to figure out which company best fits my needs..I have a 2yr old and a 11 yr old..both girls..and wife...I need to make the most money but at the same time have home time as well..I don't know if I'm just reaching for the stars or what..my family is fully aware of the otr time and is prepared as much as they can be..with that said I'm torn between Prime and Melton..flatbed division of course..they both offer great training and basically same hometime..14/21--3/4 days off..I don't know..It's like I just want somebody to choose for me..but I know thats not logical..any input would be greatly appreciated..

p.s. the reason I'm waiting so long to start school is because I'm the only one working. My wife is in school and will be done in december..and will be working in January...so I have to wait till she can cover the bills for a month or so while I'm in school..it sucks so bad because I'm bringing home less than $400 a wk with my current job..and it takes everything I am to keep everything on..lights, phones..etc...it just sucks having to wait until I can really provide for my family..like a man suppose to..it's so disheartening not to be able to right now..I know it is all in the Lords timing..

Phil Williams

Hey Guys, and Gals,,I am going to school in January or early February..and I'm trying to figure out which company best fits my needs..I have a 2yr old and a 11 yr old..both girls..and wife...I need to make the most money but at the same time have home time as well..I don't know if I'm just reaching for the stars or what..my family is fully aware of the otr time and is prepared as much as they can be..with that said I'm torn between Prime and Melton..flatbed division of course..they both offer great training and basically same hometime..14/21--3/4 days off..I don't know..It's like I just want somebody to choose for me..but I know thats not logical..any input would be greatly appreciated..

p.s. the reason I'm waiting so long to start school is because I'm the only one working. My wife is in school and will be done in december..and will be working in January...so I have to wait till she can cover the bills for a month or so while I'm in school..it sucks so bad because I'm bringing home less than $400 a wk with my current job..and it takes everything I am to keep everything on..lights, phones..etc...it just sucks having to wait until I can really provide for my family..like a man suppose to..it's so disheartening not to be able to right now..I know it is all in the Lords timing..

Phil Williams

I wish you the best of Luck Phil, starting a Career in Trucking is difficult at first because you have to start from the bottom but in due time it all works out. I myself was in a similar situation and had get into trucking to support my Family. I don't know much of either of those companies and what they will be paying you while you're on the training truck and how much you will get once you go solo.

I personally would choose the company that could fast track me as fast as possible while giving me the most pay. Once you've gained enough experience to be hired by another company willing to pay more I would then probably jump ship. I'll give you my timeline as an example.

CR England CDL Training = 17 days and CDL Obtained and then I quit immediately and went to Knight Transportation. Knight Transportation = 6 Months, I went with them immediately because of higher starting pay and better training. I then went to Marten Transport. Marten Transportation = 12 Months, I went there after my 6 months of OTR from Knight and got a good pay raise and left Marten after I gained 1 years of experience.

I went to Lessors Inc. and received a very good pay raise. So as you can see I went through 3 different employers within a year. I hope that doesn't confuse you but I had to do what was best for me and my family. Most of these companies could care less about your families well being as long as those wheels are turning.

I forgot to mention I've been trucking for 3 years now. My 1st year of trucking was crazy because I changed employers often to maximize my pay when I was eligible with the amount of experience I had gained. Not sure if this will help you but I wish I could just easily tell you which company to go with but you really have to weigh out the pro's and cons based on your needs.

Welcome Phill! I know how you feel about struggling financially. I was in your shoes minus the children.

First of all, do not job-hop three times for your first year. I'm sorry Driver, but that just kills your work porfolio. These companies invest a ton of money to train you and staying there for a full year is the best thing for yourself. Do a year of safe driving and you'll have companies knocking on your doorstep! Going to multiple companies just shows your future employers that you aren't loyal and don't have any sense of commitment.

Secondly, trucking is extremely tough on the family! It's tougher for your wife than it is for you because only thing you have to worry about is your job. But when you leave for weeks you give all of your duties and responsibilities to your wife. You change the lightbulbs, you fix the leaky sink, you change the oil in the car, now all of these things will fall on her shoulder. She is already a very busy person and she will be adding even more of a workload on herself. Make sure both of you understand this.

You definitely want to be home as much as possible, but finding that kind of job is not always possible. You will probably have to stick with it until either your 6th months or 1 year experience. You could possibly get lucky and land a job that would take you home more often with 6months experience but don't bet on it.

As far as Melton vs Prime. I personally think Melton runs a better flatbed operation. I'm saying this and I work at Prime currently. Prime charges you for all of the flatbed equipment which adds up to at least 3 grand, they take it out of each weeks paycheck slowly. But that's still money spent that shouldn't be.

Meltons Hometime policy is also more lenient than Primes. Prime is a strict minimum of three weeks on the road before you can go home. There's no going home every two weeks at Prime.

And this is just my opinion, and we dislike telling people that X is better than Y but for your situation I can honestly say in my personal opinion that Melton would fit your life better. I can easily say Prime is better because I work here but I care more about your well-being than recruiting for my company.

Welcome Phill! I know how you feel about struggling financially. I was in your shoes minus the children.

First of all, do not job-hop three times for your first year. I'm sorry Driver, but that just kills your work porfolio. These companies invest a ton of money to train you and staying there for a full year is the best thing for yourself. Do a year of safe driving and you'll have companies knocking on your doorstep! Going to multiple companies just shows your future employers that you aren't loyal and don't have any sense of commitment.

Secondly, trucking is extremely tough on the family! It's tougher for your wife than it is for you because only thing you have to worry about is your job. But when you leave for weeks you give all of your duties and responsibilities to your wife. You change the lightbulbs, you fix the leaky sink, you change the oil in the car, now all of these things will fall on her shoulder. She is already a very busy person and she will be adding even more of a workload on herself. Make sure both of you understand this.

You definitely want to be home as much as possible, but finding that kind of job is not always possible. You will probably have to stick with it until either your 6th months or 1 year experience. You could possibly get lucky and land a job that would take you home more often with 6months experience but don't bet on it.

As far as Melton vs Prime. I personally think Melton runs a better flatbed operation. I'm saying this and I work at Prime currently. Prime charges you for all of the flatbed equipment which adds up to at least 3 grand, they take it out of each weeks paycheck slowly. But that's still money spent that shouldn't be.

Meltons Hometime policy is also more lenient than Primes. Prime is a strict minimum of three weeks on the road before you can go home. There's no going home every two weeks at Prime.

And this is just my opinion, and we dislike telling people that X is better than Y but for your situation I can honestly say in my personal opinion that Melton would fit your life better. I can easily say Prime is better because I work here but I care more about your well-being than recruiting for my company.

It didn't affect me negatively at all, I've been with my current Company for 2 years now. I did what I had to do to pay my bills.

I forgot to mention I've been trucking for 3 years now. My 1st year of trucking was crazy because I changed employers often to maximize my pay when I was eligible with the amount of experience I had gained. Not sure if this will help you but I wish I could just easily tell you which company to go with but you really have to weigh out the pro's and cons based on your needs.

Thanks "Driver" for the input.. I can definitely see your reasons for doing that..we have to do what is neccessary for our families..I'm sure that was a trial as well..

Phil

Welcome Phill! I know how you feel about struggling financially. I was in your shoes minus the children.

First of all, do not job-hop three times for your first year. I'm sorry Driver, but that just kills your work porfolio. These companies invest a ton of money to train you and staying there for a full year is the best thing for yourself. Do a year of safe driving and you'll have companies knocking on your doorstep! Going to multiple companies just shows your future employers that you aren't loyal and don't have any sense of commitment.

Secondly, trucking is extremely tough on the family! It's tougher for your wife than it is for you because only thing you have to worry about is your job. But when you leave for weeks you give all of your duties and responsibilities to your wife. You change the lightbulbs, you fix the leaky sink, you change the oil in the car, now all of these things will fall on her shoulder. She is already a very busy person and she will be adding even more of a workload on herself. Make sure both of you understand this.

You definitely want to be home as much as possible, but finding that kind of job is not always possible. You will probably have to stick with it until either your 6th months or 1 year experience. You could possibly get lucky and land a job that would take you home more often with 6months experience but don't bet on it.

As far as Melton vs Prime. I personally think Melton runs a better flatbed operation. I'm saying this and I work at Prime currently. Prime charges you for all of the flatbed equipment which adds up to at least 3 grand, they take it out of each weeks paycheck slowly. But that's still money spent that shouldn't be.

Meltons Hometime policy is also more lenient than Primes. Prime is a strict minimum of three weeks on the road before you can go home. There's no going home every two weeks at Prime.

And this is just my opinion, and we dislike telling people that X is better than Y but for your situation I can honestly say in my personal opinion that Melton would fit your life better. I can easily say Prime is better because I work here but I care more about your well-being than recruiting for my company.

Thanks a bunch Daniel B>>My gut was telling me Melton..I didn't mean to put you on the spot about X or Y..I do understand and am grateful for your genuine honesty and character..I look forward to the journey in the flatbed division. I like staying busy..and am no stranger to manual labor..and can't wait to provide for my family like a true man is supposed to. I will keep updating as my progress continues.

Again, Thanks,

Phil

Welcome Phill! I know how you feel about struggling financially. I was in your shoes minus the children.

First of all, do not job-hop three times for your first year. I'm sorry Driver, but that just kills your work porfolio. These companies invest a ton of money to train you and staying there for a full year is the best thing for yourself. Do a year of safe driving and you'll have companies knocking on your doorstep! Going to multiple companies just shows your future employers that you aren't loyal and don't have any sense of commitment.

Secondly, trucking is extremely tough on the family! It's tougher for your wife than it is for you because only thing you have to worry about is your job. But when you leave for weeks you give all of your duties and responsibilities to your wife. You change the lightbulbs, you fix the leaky sink, you change the oil in the car, now all of these things will fall on her shoulder. She is already a very busy person and she will be adding even more of a workload on herself. Make sure both of you understand this.

You definitely want to be home as much as possible, but finding that kind of job is not always possible. You will probably have to stick with it until either your 6th months or 1 year experience. You could possibly get lucky and land a job that would take you home more often with 6months experience but don't bet on it.

As far as Melton vs Prime. I personally think Melton runs a better flatbed operation. I'm saying this and I work at Prime currently. Prime charges you for all of the flatbed equipment which adds up to at least 3 grand, they take it out of each weeks paycheck slowly. But that's still money spent that shouldn't be.

Meltons Hometime policy is also more lenient than Primes. Prime is a strict minimum of three weeks on the road before you can go home. There's no going home every two weeks at Prime.

And this is just my opinion, and we dislike telling people that X is better than Y but for your situation I can honestly say in my personal opinion that Melton would fit your life better. I can easily say Prime is better because I work here but I care more about your well-being than recruiting for my company.

Thanks a bunch Daniel B>>My gut was telling me Melton..I didn't mean to put you on the spot about X or Y..I do understand and am grateful for your genuine honesty and character..I look forward to the journey in the flatbed division. I like staying busy..and am no stranger to manual labor..and can't wait to provide for my family like a true man is supposed to. I will keep updating as my progress continues.

Again, Thanks,

Phil

I would also look into TMC and Maverick. Also great flatbed companies! Don't just limit yourself to Melton, see what all of them have to offer.

Hey Phil....a lot of companies can get you home every weekend. TMC is one that can. A lot of dry van companies also have options for getting you home on the weekends too like Roehl, Schneider, Swift, etc.

If you're considering flatbed then obviously you're not afraid of the physical work. In that case you might consider looking into Werner Enterprises or US Xpress because both of them have accounts with the dollar store chains. Those accounts are hard work - you have to unload the freight from the trailers to a set of rollers yourself - but the pay is great and you're home on weekends. I did it for a year and that was enough of that. It wears you out after a while. But if you want to make all the money you can that first year and get home as often as possible then that's a great option. Once you get some experience you'll have a lot more opportunities open up with good pay and home time.