Big Trucking Companies

So I'm a new member (just came from Trucker's Report, got tired of them), and I was wondering if all the stuff they say on there about the bigger companies like Werner, Swift, Prime, USX, etc. is all that stuff true or is it bull crap? Thanks, Sean (Ham)

Most likely bull crap. I drive for prime and love it, reading things over there had me unsure. However heard lots of good things here about them and have no regrets of starting my career with prime.

I currently drive for Swift, however i am leaving them for crete at the end of the month.

There is good and bad in EVERY company its a matter of whos BS you can deal with. Swift did some thing i cannot deal with so i am moving on to another company paying more. Each person has a different experiance

Ham, keep in mind that you're always hearing just one side of the story. I'll give you an example. Eckoh is leaving Swift because they did something unacceptable according to him, correct? But as always there's more to the story.

Interestingly enough he signed a contract with them stating that he'd work there for one year if they were willing to pay for his training up front with no money out of his pocket. Then he reneged on the deal and left anyhow. If Swift had reneged on the deal he'd be screaming bloody murder, calling lawyers, and blasting them on every website he could find. But he didn't even mention the fact that he signed an agreement and then bailed on it, did he? Nope. To him that's acceptable. All we were told is that Swift was the one that did something unacceptable. And maybe they did. Who knows? The point is that you're only hearing one side of the story and it's normally about 90% propaganda.

The truth of the matter is that this job is requires you to perform at a high level and get along well with people if you're going to make good money and be treated well over the long run. The drivers that run hard, are safe and reliable, and act like true professionals will do well everywhere they work. The drivers who won't run hard, don't show up to appointments on time, and can't get along well with people end up miserable all the time and tend to be the ones that blame everyone else for their problems. I'm not saying this is the case with Eckoh by the way. I don't have any idea what the situation was over there. But generally speaking the people you hear complaining all the time are the cause of their own problems. They also tend to be the type that screw up everything and never take the blame for any of it but bash everyone else publicly instead.

Just ignore the baloney you read about trucking companies. Go out there with a great attitude, work hard, and get along well with people. Learn what it takes to thrive in this industry and make your own way. Tons of people fail in their attempt to make a career out of trucking. You just have to focus on being the safest, hardest working driver out there and treat people with kindness and respect. If you'll do that and give yourself enough time to prove your worth to this industry you'll do well.

To also go along with what Brett said something I learned in the restaurant industry and it holds true to almost anything, someone who has a bad experience is going to go the extra mile to make it known compared to someone who has a good experience. Like Brett said, this job is what you make it, if you work hard the rewards are there, but doing the bare minimum in this industry will hit you in the pocket. Its the bare minimum kind of people who are always bad mouthing companies FYI.

So I'm a new member (just came from Trucker's Report, got tired of them), and I was wondering if all the stuff they say on there about the bigger companies like Werner, Swift, Prime, USX, etc. is all that stuff true or is it bull crap? Thanks, Sean (Ham)

I'm doing the same as you right now. Researching. One of the things I look for in a negative or positive post is specifics. If all someone can say is Prime sucks, or Prime is great, I dismiss the opinion because without specificity it's worthless.

Also a recomendation for this site. Use the search function before asking. It's likely you'll find your answer. If not you'll probably get a reply with a link from one of the vets here. I know when that happens to me I feel silly.

Welcome aboard and I can say these folks will professionally shoot straight with ya. Good luck.

Do Magoo are you criticizing the fact that I didn't go into great detail and therefore what I said should be dismissed. If you want specifics I can give them. Prime does what they say they will. You get nice equipment, some of the best pay around, especially for a newbie. I find it funny that I make more already than a lot of people who drive for other companies and most of the time when I talk to other drivers they have no idea we are paid so well. They have a fantastic training program and actually care about the drivers more so than most companies. I'm not saying that there aren't other good companies, just saying I'm happy with my decision to drive for them.

Nope. Nothing towards you at all, Josh S. It was meant in general. For me when someone says something good or bad about something, without being specific, it's hard to gauge whether it's actually good or bad.

That's all, nothing personal.

Do Magoo are you criticizing the fact that I didn't go into great detail and therefore what I said should be dismissed. If you want specifics I can give them. Prime does what they say they will. You get nice equipment, some of the best pay around, especially for a newbie. I find it funny that I make more already than a lot of people who drive for other companies and most of the time when I talk to other drivers they have no idea we are paid so well. They have a fantastic training program and actually care about the drivers more so than most companies. I'm not saying that there aren't other good companies, just saying I'm happy with my decision to drive for them.

Oh, and since we can't edit, I'll say this is awesome. Yes it's your point of view, but I appreciate the "specifics", thanks.

Welcome Ham. Like Brett said there is always 2 sides to every story, What you need to do is look at each company what they offer, what you feel is the right fit for you and go and talk with them. the jump in run hard run safe be on time and after some time like 6 months to a year if you feel its still the right fit then stay but you feel that it is not then move on but be respect full and go to some other company you think will work out better for you.