Comments By Nolaman

Mcchuckles...... update please.

DSTURBD, I've only now (09/26!) seen your response. Good luck with Stephens.... I hope all is going well. Actually, I met a Stephens driver in Nogales, AZ. Parking being what it is there, and produce making it through customs caused us both concern for our 14 hour clocks. We hung out together, and worked together at the best approaches to our individual situations if we both faced the worst circumstances. Luckily, we each got lucky and were gone the following day. He was a good guy. He liked his job there, and I hope you do as well. I have really enjoyed working at Carolina Cargo, and coming to this company has been a good decision for my situation. The only issue I have had the last 9 months is getting home when I request. This is a small company, and I (patting myself on the back) am a very good, reliable and dependable driver, and I think they run me until they absolutely have to let me go home. I have been offered jobs from other companies, and I've stayed with Carolina until now, but I am considering a move. This isn't because of any problem with Carolina, but I've reached the top of their pay scale, and getting home is difficult. Carolina has been a blessing to me, and a door opener for me. I FULLY RECOMMEND Carolina Cargo to anyone having trouble finding a driving job, especially if already living near Rock Hill, S.C. I love and appreciate that company, and I am thankful for them, and I love driving.

OK.... it's been a few months. I have a handle now, it's "Done Gone". I met a lady driver who called herself "Gotta' Go", and I told her "Too late, I've done gone", and it became my handle. Anyhow, time to update you on my Carolina Cargo experience... I've been with Carolina Cargo for just over 6 months. I went from .10 to .12 to .14 to .16/mile. I got the raises every other month. I do get paid .16 for every mile the truck is driven, plus the bonuses I mentioned originally. I just received a 6 month bonus of $1000! I've been all over the country. I still LOVE driving, and Carolina Cargo. The driver managers are so nice. They try to keep me rolling continually. They still thank me for my efforts, and treat me with respect. The service dept. keeps my truck in great repair. The company everyone told me to stay away from turned out to be a blessing. I'm getting experience. The driver managers found that they can depend on me, and they keep me running. Everything's going fine, and I am very happy here.

Brandon..... BTW.......Sincerely, thank you so much for your service. I did see several videos on YouTube by an ex-military man who started with Maverick, and he seemed to be getting good training.

Brandon, Do you have any idea what you want to do? Tanker? Flatbed, Reefer? OTR? Regional? Dedicated? Take a look at the articles Big Scott recommended. My only advice is this... in almost all cases, it's you and your attitude that matters more than the company!! If you're a good, safe driver with a great attitude, you'll do great wherever you decide to work. The patient, safe, cooperative, good drivers rise to the top of the miles driven at every company... it's not coincidence!! -Done Gone

I heard horrible things about Carolina Cargo as well, but I had only a couple of other options, and I decided that C.C. was the "best of the worst" options. I am so glad I went to C.C.!! They must have realized they were getting a bad reputation, even among people with few options, and changed a few policies because I find the pay, treatment, equipment to be just fine. Granted, this is my 1st trucking job, and I have nothing to compare them to, but the only negatives I've found is I can't take my 2015 Pete home for breaks, and I have to drive to and from my home 700 miles from their terminal. It's worth it for $800-$1000/week! Just don't be lazy, want to drive a lot of miles, be able to handle being constantly on the road, have a co-driver for 6 months (then you have an option to go solo), and, most importantly...have a great attitude. Be grateful for a well paying, secure job, and act like it! You'll be amazed at how much you'll be driving and how much money you'll make. I LOVE DRIVING!! (Disclaimer-I am older, single w/a girlfriend who supports and encourages me. If I were married, younger, and/or had children at home, I'm not sure I could do this because of all the time spent away from home) I encourage you to NOT let others put false fears in your mind. Carolina Cargo is a 2nd chance company...take advantage of the opportunity at a 2nd chance. Again, be grateful (gratitude is an attitude). Be positive.

I started with Carolina Cargo when no one else would hire me because of my past. I drove my car there Monday of Thanksgiving week 2015, and I stayed at the Motel 6. Monday was paperwork and a urine test. They took care of "breakfast" at the hotel, and lunch was pizza at the terminal as it was the following day. Tuesday was verbal instruction on DOT regulations, and company procedures, what is expected of us, and pay scale and procedures. (Note: I am new to trucking and this is my 1st trucking job)

I was actually in a truck and driving Tuesday night! I have a co-driver, and we get along well (I am told this is a blessing, and I believe it is) We have a 2015 Peterbilt w/an APU! We drive all over the country, and we are both anxious to make miles, so things are going well. I started at .10cents per mile, BUT...I get bonuses for on time deliveries, mileage bonuses, and raises!!

I got a .02cents raise/mile, and expect 3 more .02cent/mile raises by the end of the year! I get paid if I or he is driving! I have the option of going solo after 6 months, but I got a taste of solo driving because my co-driver went on vacation, and I must say that I HATED IT! Spending so much time sitting and waiting on time to allow me to drive again was aggravating.

I like the wheels always turning. I like the idea of making money whenever the wheels are turning> sure, I get paid twice as much as a solo driver, but I spend too much time sitting. I don't like sitting still so much. Carolina Cargo will keep you moving if you want to. They have a lot of miles for anyone who wants them, and I want them. I LOVE DRIVING!! Everything about it... interstate, city, back roads, especially difficult backing (I like challenges).

It takes a while to get used to life on the road, but not being lazy, accepting situations, and being motivated to make miles makes it easier. We communicate with dispatch via e-mail. I like verbal communication, so this is a difficult part of the job for me, but attitude is a major thing--have a great attitude, and you'll do great! Once dispatch knows you are dependable, they will have you driving all the time!! This is what I've experienced. IF THEY LEARN THEY CAN DEPEND ON YOU, YOU CAN DEPEND ON THEM TO KEEP YOU ROLLING!!

Pay works like this... they keep a check "in the hole". Your 1st check will be $300 minus taxes after your first 3 turns. (This comes from your orientation pay) It takes 3 turns to make a trip. A turn is dropping or picking up. Basically, 5000 miles. You should make this weekly! 5000 miles equals $500. But wait, you were on time, so you make more money! But wait, you did well with your mileage (MPG), and you get another bonus!! (trucks are governed at 65mph, so good mileage is easy) What was a $500 trip becomes a $1000 trip! They figure your pay minus your $59/day per diem, so your net pay is much better. (this is something you must consider if you don't have good years paying into social security and are planning to rely on S.S., then you may may want to leave C.C. after you have experience and can)

There are bonuses at certain mileage levels accomplished, and time spend with company. You can get advances. They do cover fuel, repairs, tolls, etc... You shouldn't have to come out of pocket for anything except food. They use Love's for fuel, but you'll learn to use Love's for fuel, free food, and showers, and others who are much more driver friendly in terms of amenities when you're stuck for any amount of time. Vacations are unpaid! Time off is unpaid! "If the wheels aren't turning, you aren't earning", but they are so flexible if you want time off, and I like that.

I LOVE THIS COMPANY and JOB!! They gave me opportunity when no one else would. They pay me well. They thank me all the time for my work and service. They never bother me (I hated the micromanagement at my last job) They gave me a raise, with more to come, and make me feel appreciated. I have been approached by USA and ConWay since starting here, but I like it here.

There are negatives... the "terminal" is terrible and in the middle of nowhere, no paid time off, they use Love's, you have to follow the fuel route they give you, you have to get there on your own, you have to get home and back on your own (but they'll let you get off and on while your co-driver is driving if you cooridinate with them in advance), they expect you to drive a lot, it's hard to be off on the exact date you aim for.

I listen to drivers from other companies complain about their companies, and I have come to realize that they're all about the same. The difference seems to be the attitude of the driver. I am considered to be at a "terrible company", and I think it's great! I have heard drivers from "great companies" complain about how terrible their company is. I don't have much experience, but I plan to stay here at least 6-12 months. I have met drivers who left but came back because they didn't make the miles or money promised by other companies.

Gratitude is an attitude! Have a great attitude, and this will be a great job with a great company! I realize I am a rookie, and "green". Please take into consideration my inexperience, but also realize that I am not a younger man, and I have much life experience. Carolina Cargo has a new pay structure, is buying new trucks, and has good incentives. -Tony