Profile For Jason H.

We recommend company sponsored schools, never go local as a rookie, and to stay driving with the first company for at least a year (preferably OTR where the most experience will be achieved). Those dollar store recruiters are good salesmen because most drivers don't survive either physically or driving on these tough accounts, especially any new drivers. I would enjoy knowing what the turnover numbers are.

It appears to me that you are looking for a regional position which is what you are on now with Werner.

Currently driving dollar general for werner. It is what it is, and ill stick it out until the timing and situation is right to move on. With or without werner. Not in love with either dollar general or werner. Just looking at options for a different way of doing things.

Turnover... ?? day 1 they told a group of us... Half the drivers on the account have less than 3 months experience. People quit after 3 days. 3 weeks. Or 3 months. Most people who last past that time become trainers for the never-ending supply of replacement recruits.

Unloading the freight is brutal physical work and the nature of the account comes with a lot of additional expectations for a new driver. All of which is discussed in other posts.

I knew on day 1 with my trainer in September that id be looking for something different as soon as it made sense to. Just made this post today to share my situation and see if anybody has any suggestions along those lines.

Does it have to be OVR? I did my year over the road with a mega but so glad to be local now. Home daily, weekends off and more money than I ever made on the road. To each their own.

Thanks Klutch. Id be good with home daily. Ive read and heard a lot (here and other places) that you pretty much have to do a year otr before home daily becomes a real option. Im home weekly now which isnt bad, and my family is adapting to it pretty well. Being out any longer than that would be a stretch and strain on home life for sure.

"What about any and all companies that hire? Why limit yourself to only a few? How long are you planning to stay with your current "mystery employer"? A minimum of a year is recommended, especially with your first driving job." Appreciate the reply PackRat. Im not really limiting myself to those few that i mentioned. Those are just the ones i have been in contact with and feel like good possibilities. Was just looking for anyone with experience with those companies. Im open to anywhere that is going to be a better fit for me. Ill turn 50 in march, and would like to find a job / company that feels like it can be 'home' for the next several years.

The 'mystery company' is Werner. Didnt think the name was important or made a difference in my question. Planning to stay up to 6 months to build experience. Maybe longer if one of the wait lists open up in that time. But i would prefer a place where when i call in with questions or for help, i dont have to give some random employee number. Id like to feel like a more valuable piece to the puzzle than that. Thats just a personal preference. Maybe thats an unrealistic expectation?

So i went against the advice here and started my driving career in Sept 2022 on a 'Dollar account' with a big carrier. The CDL school I went to had an influence in that decision, but I'm the one who pulled the trigger on it. Guess im one of those people who just have to figure things out the hard way... (note to new drivers considering Dollar accounts --- every word of warning found on TT is accurate)

Anyway. The aforementioned big carrier has no other openings in my area (Kansas City) for solo drivers. Im on a few wait lists for different accounts, but not holding my breath.

I've decided to stick this out for a few months, so i can start a new job as 'experienced' and not have to do the extended time with a trainer all over again.

Looking for input on some of the companies ive talked to and am considering moving forward with.

Roehl. Knight. ACT (american central transport). Butler. Hirschbach. Are the ones I have talked to. Anybody driving for any of them and could give me some pros and cons ? Would be extra helpful if anybody from the KC area could chime in. I know there are company reviews on here but most of them seem to be from several years ago.

Also, if there are other companies that others would recommend...

Despite going against the advice earlier (lesson learned), i actually do respect the advice and experience of drivers on TT. Thanks in advance for any replies.

The above posts are so 'spot on.' One of the guys that did NOT reply to this thread (yet) like Grandpa Clark (over in the diaries section) is in a VERY similar situation as yours; I highly suggest you read it. He's joined with the ranks of Maverick. There are many more that went the private route, doing okay!

Also, what Ryan speaks of, re: 'decent' companies, is the fear of the "too good to be true" 1099 gigs. They're popping up a lot lately, but have always existed. Look at Z.M.'s thread, for example. (Put 1099 in the white 'search bar' above, for more.)

Another thing to watch for, re: 'decent' companies, are those that will try to shove leasing down your throat, out 'the gate. I've noticed that more lately, myself as well. It's something we highly frown on here on TT....but it happens. Texas Tim went that route with Wilson, and according to his Facebook page, he's doing alright. Pretty sure Ryan didn't mean anything about the 'name on the door.' At all. We don't care about that here, just the safety and integrity of 'said' company!

That explained, I'd recommend this, too: Apply For Truck Driving JobsAnd grab all the pre hires you can!

Keep us in the loop, and ask as you need! Best to ya;

~ Anne & Tom ~

Anne / Tom,

Thanks for the recommend on Grandpa Clark... his story plus all the comments by others with similar stories are great reading and definitely an encouragement. I had really thought I'd be somewhat of a unicorn, getting started at this stage in life. (I'm also a grandpa x2. Long way to go to catch up to 18 grandkids...)

I've applied to about 15-20 companies so far... some recommended by my cdl school, and several others that I've learned about here on this site. Most have been very positive. Made a lot of contacts and will have several options to choose from in about a month when I am licensed 🤞

To me, a 'decent' company is going to be one that takes the time to choose me, and not just looking to fill a seat. I want to be a name and not just a number, with a company that is proven to be who they say they are. I realize that I will have to earn that. All of them say the same things about pay / miles and home time and the importance of family etc... I'm really trying to dig into it and seek out the ones that mean it. I have a top 2 or 3 that I'm pretty excited about. But any additional nudges in the right direction would be appreciated 🙃

I began my trucking career well into my 40s and I have established myself as a runner. As well as my company is able, they keep me running. There are quite a few drivers at my company who are well over 50 and beyond. Many of these guys (and gals) run hard and the company will keep any driver moving who wants to run. Any decent company will have load planners who pay attention to how individual drivers run and plan accordingly. There is a high demand for safe and reliable drivers, so once a driver establishes him/herself as such, that company will work to keep that driver happy.

Just adding another affirmative response to those who have already basically said, "Don't worry about age."

Hey Ryan, thanks for the reply and encouragement. I'm hoping to wind up with one of the 'decent' companies and figure out how to get started running.

Congrats on the written/CDLP, Jason! Welcome to Trucking Truth, too!

We are in the 'upper club' at my house, as well; and ditto what the above professionals have stated. Heck, still in your 40's, you're a youngster, haha! Yes, the HRTP is the best; glad it got you where you needed to be.

Have you decided what's next? Here's something to think of: Apply For Paid CDL Training.

You could also prepare for the 'next step' .. here:

• Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide
• Daniel's Pre-Trip Inspection
• Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
• Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions

Stick around, and ask away. Honestly, the cutoff age at many companies, is BELOW 25. That's not a joke! I would 'guesstimate' the mean age in the mid 40's, personally.

Best to you, going forward;

~ Anne & Tom ~

Hi Anne/Tom, and thanks for the reply and info. I was in the glass trade since 1999, so it's been a long time since I've been the new kid. Kind of exciting but also a little anxiety about all the yet unknowns. Definitely will have lots of questions..

Next, i'm doing a private local cdl school (4 weeks) that starts Aug 22. Figured that might get me into a wider variety of work options and also more time to sort through all of it. Getting started on prep for that including all the pre-trip stuff to learn.

Got a couple of pre-hire opportunities that I'm excited about too. It's good to start seeing how some of the pieces might wind up fitting together.

Howdy!

Last year at the age of 70, I ran 139,000 miles. Not sure what I'll run this year cuz I was off the road for 5 weeks in May and June and then went with the new company. First four and a half weeks out I ran just shy of 13,000 miles. Did home time for my birthday on July 26 and I'm back out here running crazy again. My company loves me. So, no, companies don't cut back on us older people.😁

Laura

Hi Laura, thanks for the reply and that info. Good to hear I should be able to stay as busy as I want to be for as long as I can.

Contrary to what one would normally think, companies actually prefer older, more mature and grounded drivers over the young whippersnappers. Older drivers aren't as prone to whim or fancy, and are typically the most dependable.

As long as you continue to produce an efficient profit, and do it safely, the company will continue to feed you the miles.

Congrats on the permit!!

Hi Turtle, and thanks for the reply. The people at my CDL school have said the same thing about some companies preferring older / mature / grounded type people. Makes sense, and it's good to hear the same thing from a different voice. Especially being new, trying to soak up as much information as I can, and then have to learn how to filter through it.

Passed the written permit exams today!!! Got to give credit and thanks to the online training found here. Been working on it all week and tested today. Anybody who hasn't tested yet... read up and do all the practice test questions on this site. You'll be fine.

49 yrs old and finally getting started into driving. Been talking about it for years. Needed a kick out the door from my previous career, and a nudge of encouragement from the Mrs. Start the driving training in a week and been working on pre-hire applications and interviews. Excited and anxious to see what 'next' is gonna look like.

Thanks to all the posts I've been reading up on... especially about the Dollar Store accounts. Of course those jobs are going to catch the interest of a noob. Think I'm gonna go a safer route and see about making it 20 years or so...

Which I guess leads me to a question I haven't thought too much about or seen an answer to yet... is there an age where companies start cutting drivers back on miles or just moving them out completely? Just curious.