Comments By Bilbo

I'm still looking into all my different options with the different trucking companies and I'm just curious how important is it to pick a company with a terminal close by? I am really looking into Werner Enterprises but they don't have a terminal here in Tennessee. When I would get my 2-3 days of home time I really wouldn't like to drive any more than 3 to 4 hours to get back home. I'm new to trucking so any advice helps but is it a deal breaker if there is no terminal close by? You guys have helped me a lot so far so thanks to the people that take the time to reply.

From what I've learned half of the states already have an idle law to limit your idle time, how much it's enforced I honestly doubt very much so. As far as APU's, I'm pretty sure we only have bunk heaters but they sure put out a ton of heat, maybe come summertime I'll wish I had a full apu but as for now not so much.

Yea I'm in an auto, and I gotta admit I love it haha. Before I drove this I was one of those guys who had the opinion that "if you ain't shifting your not a real trucker" Going through rush hour traffic with it was a piece of cake too.

The one thing I was worrying about was pulling power, now givin I havnt climbed the Rockies yet but the steep hills here in PA and NY I have climbed it had plenty of power, and that was fully loaded

Shoot I wouldn't care a bit to have an automatic haha. I hear those bunk heaters put out all the heat you need out. I think it would be the hot summer nights that would bother me. You can always cover up more but it's hard to cool down when it's 100 degrees out but I guess I will find out. Hopefully that automatic will hold up on them mountains. You will find out before I do. Haha

My top three were US Xpress, Scneider, and Roehl, all of which seemed nice. I went with US Xpress because their equipment seemed better off, better starting pay, friendlier recruiters, and the terminal is only a couple hrs from my place and the have a decent bit of freight going through my area. Plus I talked to a few guys who said their biggest complaint was that they were always driving haha so no sitting around waiting. They were a better fit for me coming right out of school, I mean I'm training in a 2015 cascadia, it doesn't get much better than that haha.

Who are you looking into and have you spoke to any recruiters yet?

I am looking into Crete, Shaffer, US express and Schneider. I have spoke to all 4 recruiters. Schneider seemed the most helpful and friendly. I just don't like the fact that they don't have apu and such a strict idle policy. I'm really leaning toward us express. I seem to hear nothing but good things about them. All 4 have terminals within an hour of my house. Are you in an automatic?

For me it was super quick. I went to an independent truck school, and got my CDL on oct 4th. I didn't get any prehires because I was thinking of working local so I took a couple days to figure out what I was gonna do. I Filled out applications on Wednesday the 8th to my top 3 choices. The next morning I received a call from all three, spent all day talking back and forth to the recruiters and was offered an orientation spot the following Monday the 13th. I've now finished my first week with my trainer.

Maybe my results were not normally the way it goes and some of the experienced guys can chime in but everything has been really quick. Good luck to ya and hopefully you can get on with your top pick.

Wow Travis that's awesome! I really hope mine goes that fast. I knew there was a shortage of drivers but I didn't know it would be that quick. I'm glad you got on with who you wanted. If you don't mind me asking who did you decide on?

Wow that is all good news. I was starting to worry I might have to drive for someone I didn't want to. Thank you all.

Wow that's crazy how fast it is! I hopefully won't have a problem getting on the four I want. Thanks bud.

Thanks Brett! I will definitely keep that in mind. Awesome web site by the way!

I was just curious about how many companies you all applied for before you got hired? I know every one is going to have a different answer depending on a lot of different factors but I would just like to hear what you all have to say. I have done a lot of research and came up with a list of about 8 companies that I would consider driving for and out of those 8 they are 4 that I would be extremely happy with. I know you should get as many pre hires as possible but throw me some real life scenarios. Thank you all who take the time out to help.

Wow Daniel this is one of the best posts on TT. You defiantly have inspired me and I'm sure many others.

Thanks David. I have a list of about 6 companies I'm interested in. I guess I will have to find a bit more. When you say multiple do you mean 10+ or more like 20+ Thanks again for all the help.