Comments By William P.

I did work for one of those you listed, I don't like to endorse one over the other because I think they all have merit. Let me put it this way, do the research and review each company. Find the one that fits what you want the best out of a career and then make your decision. I'm a believer in don't be lured by the sign on bonus because if there is a large bonus they possibly can't keep drivers. I looked for a company that would keep me rolling and had lots of freight options, I also took a look at their CSA score and safety record. I spent a lot of time researching and found it to be worth while because I for a company that I was very happy driving for.

One note I was also a Refer trainer for that company and thought they had a good program. I like to talk to people (Important idea) I found out that all trainers are not created equal, guess I knew it all along, and there are good and bad one. I count myself as either lucky or a good trainer because most of the trainees I had were successful in their jobs. But I also hooked up with trainees that had bad trainers and those trainers weren't concerned with trainees success.

Good Luck, make sure to do the hard work and complete your research you'll be much happier if you do and it'll keep you firmly planted in that company which will lead to greater feelings of Success.

Hi Mike,

Old School has answered many of your questions and I'm probably repeating some of what he said. When I started I wasn't told that for the company I worked for it was 7 days out 1 day off with a maximum of 5 days off at one time. It's important to get that information so you know what to expect. Once on you're own your dispatcher will probably try to push you to do your best. Remember it's important that you work with that Dispatcher, but run safe and legal. Do the best you can to be on time, try to make it all the time and if you're going to be late communicate that information. Establishing yourself will help you get more miles which equates to more money.

My experience is to work with your dispatcher because they are the ones giving you your miles. I was almost always on time, except when the shipper loaded me late or dispatcher sent me late. These are not you fault and if you can't make the schedule make sure they know right away. If you do this you'll establish yourself as a reliable driver and get more miles. I was lucky I had a good dispatcher and she realized my potential and I progressed quickly. I would stay out more than most being SINGLE and so I stayed out 2 or more months at a time still only getting 5 days off but if i need a couple more days they worked with me. Again all this was after I established myself. I really enjoyed my time over the road and was making good money, but had to take a local job to be closer to my Parents because of health reasons.

One other thing I'm not sure what you're plan is but talk to drivers and decide which division you might like, Flatbed and tTankerdo have some slow times, I was Refer even certain time are slow there too. Make sure if you haven't made up your mind to talk to those drivers. Most drivers are happy to talk to you and even when i'd stop during break I'd sit and talk to other company drivers, most are easy to chat with. There will be some that won't like the company you work for but I always approached it as you're just another person I want to talk to. I rarely had problems talking to any driver. Finally drivers like to tell stories and so take what they say and sort through whats a story and whats truth. That in itself is sometimes difficult.

I wish you good luck it's a great job.