Picking The Right Truck Company To Work For

This is my first post. This is my first time being here. And I'm sure my "Subject" isn't a new one. I think I have picked the training facility. Just have to fill out the stack of papers they gave me and send along my check. They pretty much sold me by saying they are accredited and that others aren't as good because they're fly by night operations. Also sold on the 385 acre facility. And gave me a sheet (not signed) stating guaranteed job placement or money back, for attending open house. But before I dive in with my $500 and commit to $6,000... I want to decide on the company that I want to work for and that seems to be the biggest challenge. I want a company that will pay for my training, and I know they're out there and National will hook me up (with one of the 100+ companies they recruit for) ... but I want to be prepared when they show me the list of names... so I can pick the company I want to work for after doing my homework. They said Covenant was awesome... all for the women... but in researching today... the reviews sure say different! How do you go about picking a great company? The recruiters will tell you anything you want to hear and then some. But in the end.. reading the reviews... a lot of promises are made that aren't kept. And on this site, it explains that recruiters aren't going to be there after you sign on the dotted line. Short and sweet (little late)... what company do I want to work for? Can anyone tell me spectacular things about the company they work for and narrow my search? Please? Thank you!

I am currently training with Swift. I have one week to go before I get my CDL. I really like it here so far, the training has gotten better and is free up front.

I am currently training with Swift. I have one week to go before I get my CDL. I really like it here so far, the training has gotten better and is free up front.

I'm thinking about Swift, but don't they make you pay for the school later from your weekly pay?

All company training schools will make you pay them back in some form. Some do take from your paycheck, with the bonus of a reimbursement plan if you stay driving for them for a certain set of years. Others, such as Celadon that my fiance and I are about to attend, will have you drive at a lower rate for a set amount of time. Celadon has two options for teams though, .30CPM for 120000 miles and then you have paid them back and get bumped up to their base .42 CPM.

As for companies, all will have good and bad, but you will have to put in your time for the first year at least to get experience behind the wheel and learn what you need to. Every company that takes new people have people saying both good and bad things about them. Swift, Prime, and Celadon were all companies J and I were looking into before we settled on Celadon for the close area to our home. We were told both good and bad things about the companies and how the drivers are "trained terrible and pay is BS". But these are starter companies and have to deal with the blow that comes from taking on new recruits that don't understand driving, or pass everything and then turn their brains off and slack off.

We also chose Celadon because of what is on the trucks. They have both APUs and inverters, which allows us comfort without wasting too much gas if we had to idle. This was important mostly to me because my body does not handle extreme cold or heat very well and being able to regulate the cab temp without wasting gas. It all depends on what you want to have. This will be your home, so make sure you have what comforts you need.

CPM:

Cents Per Mile

Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

You're right ☝ ☝ ☝.

We pay in some form or another. Committing for a year doesn't bother me at all.

I was trying to pick a school where I could keep my home state license, but mostly all of them are in Indiana where you have to surrender your DL. Seems like a hassle but maybe not as big a deal as it seems. For my state, they make you retest.... Something I don't want after over 30 year.

Anyway, thanks for your post. Look forward to your updates from school.

I'm driving for H.O.Wolding. They hire new grads from schools that meet certain criteria, and they do repay tuition up to a limit ($5000 maybe?). There is also a new hire bonus $2,000 paid out in $500 increments. Decent pay, with the opportunity to get quarterly mileage & safety bonuses, and many drivers get those. Good insurance. I've met quite a few people who have been with this company for 20-30 years, and that says a lot. It's family-owned, and has a friendly atmosphere.

I'm driving for H.O.Wolding. They hire new grads from schools that meet certain criteria, and they do repay tuition up to a limit ($5000 maybe?). There is also a new hire bonus $2,000 paid out in $500 increments. Decent pay, with the opportunity to get quarterly mileage & safety bonuses, and many drivers get those. Good insurance. I've met quite a few people who have been with this company for 20-30 years, and that says a lot. It's family-owned, and has a friendly atmosphere.

What "certain criteria" ?