OTR Choices

Hey gang been awhile since I've posted. After 2 months and a week driving an automatic doing aggregate bottom dumping (July-Oct 2014) then a 2 month unemployment stint, I think I'm ready to try my hand at getting some OTR experience for the skills and resume. C.R. England is offering $5,000 sign on bonus but I hear horror stories about screwing you on bonuses and forcing lease purchase plans. Applied at DOT foods and have pre-hire letters from Covenant, CRST, Swift as well as Western Express. Licensed since June 11th and hoping my lack of seat time lately doesn't put me in refresher territory? Looking for input on above options or any other company recommendations/stories you might have for me? Thank you kindly. ~ Michael E. King

All trucking companies make money the same way - hauling as much freight as possible as safely and efficiently as possible, right? They all use the same highways, the same types of trucks, the same fuel, often times the same customers, and operate under the same laws. So there are very few ways for a trucking company to differentiate itself from the rest. And in fact, when you've been around the industry long enough and worked for a number of different companies, you realize that many aspects of the various companies are pretty much the same.

The main differences between companies lie in the type of freight they haul, their home time options for your area, and their pay & benefits. What you want to do first is figure out what type of freight you'd like to haul (dry van, flatbed, refrigerated) and then how often you'd like to get home (daily, weekends, every few weeks). That will narrow it down.

At that point you'll want to speak with several current drivers, face to face, from each of the companies you're considering. You want to hear how they feel about the company and find out more details about life on the inside. After gathering opinions from a company's current drivers, you then compare the pay & benefits that each company are offering and you'll come up with a list of the companies that seem to suit you the best.

So at this point you have maybe 3 or 4 companies at the top of your list, right? But as you've already found out from the anonymous knuckleheads online, every single company is lousy, they're all a scam, they're all out to abuse you, and you'll end up a slave that's broken and beaten down, right? That's what a lot of people would like you to believe it seems.

The truth of the matter is actually pretty simple and encouraging..any of those companies at the top of your list are equally good opportunities for getting your career off to a great start. So far you've determined that each one hauls the freight you'd like to haul, gets you home on the schedule you wanted, and pays pretty well. But one of them has to be "the best company", right? Actually, no. You see, here's the part that everyone who is new to trucking fails to understand..the most important factor in determining the amount of happiness and success you find in trucking is you...not the company you work for.

What these companies all do in the very beginning is test you. A trial by fire you could say. Sometimes you'll sit around waiting on loads too long, sometimes you'll run so hard you can't remember your own name. Sometimes they'll send you into really tough places, sometimes they'll try to keep you out past your scheduled home time, and sometimes they'll just do whatever comes to mind to push your buttons a little bit. Why? Because trucking is a really tough way to make a living and they want to know if you're the type that can hack it or not. This is the stage where most people quit if they do not belong in trucking or they aren't committed to their company. They figure they're being abused or taken advantage of or whatever. But the truth of the matter is those people wouldn't have made it in trucking anyhow. They're simply not tough enough nor committed enough to make it out there, and you have to be both to make it in this industry.

Now in this context, think about the key piece of advice I always give new drivers - stick with your first company for a full year no matter what. Why do I say that? Because it will take a couple of months to get through the training and then another 6 months or so of running solo to establish your reputation with dispatch. A company isn't going to bank their future on some unproven rookie. Would you? Heck no! They are going to push your buttons a little bit. They're going to test you. They're going to give you every opportunity to show what you're made of. If you can get the job done safely day in and day out, you're hard working, and you have a great attitude, they're going to reward you with great miles and fair treatment. You're a proven asset now and they rely on those drivers to keep the company afloat. The bottom line is simple..they'll keep loading the miles on you if they know you're going to help their business prosper.

Now you know why trucking forums are full of people bashing their former companies. Almost anyone can get a shot in the trucking industry, but many of them have no business being there in the first place. They wind up getting their asses handed to them. They've failed in their mission, they're embarrassed, and they try to save face by placing blame elsewhere.

Truck drivers and trucking companies make money the exact same way...by turning big miles safely and taking great care of the customers. If you're the type of driver that's willing and able to work hard and do what it takes to get the job done safely, then you're the type of driver these companies need. Most of the companies that hire new drivers have been in business for decades. They know what they're doing, and they know a true professional driver when they see one. Prove to them that you're a true pro. Show them that you're the type they can rely on to stay safe and take great care of their customers. If you're willing to pay your dues as a rookie, they'll rely on you heavily to help keep them in business. Every company has good miles available for their top-tier drivers or they wouldn't be in business. It's just a matter of proving your worth so you'll get your share of the available miles.

I sometimes feel like Im reading a book when you post Daniel....... lol