Comments By Thomas M.

Guy is right. You will probably wind up working for a less desirable company until your record cleans up a bit. It is kind of like car insurance you are gonna pay a high price for a while until you can work your way into a preferred company.

I would agree with Daniel. There really is no best company for everyone. Some companies are a lot better than others though. It really depends on were you live, your lifestyle, what you want to haul (flatbed,tanker,refer,dry), and how much home-time you want. Every person is different in their needs and desires.

Mr. W,

I was a Network Engineer for 15 years with the last 7 years working my way up to be the IT Director of a hospital. When i got laid off due to budget cuts i also asked myself if i really wanted to face the lack of stability in IT against looking for a more stable career. I personally chose trucking for the stability, insurance(for my family), and the sense of adventure. I am so happy that i made the career move that my only regret is not making the move many years ago. Good luck in whatever decision you finally make.

Tiffany,

I think we are all scared in one way or another even if we are not willing to admit it. Fear can be your friend if you embrace it in te correct way. If your initial fear makes you more aware of your surrounding and helps make you understand the reality that if you are not on your A game a all times you put others at serious risk. Think of it like when you first learned to drive a 4 wheeler. Initially it is a big vehicle capable of causing more damage than a bicycle and less than a truck. Then you move from a car to a full size pickup. Now you mover to a tractor. Once you get used to the size it is not much different.

I almost went to CRST until i spoke to several drivers that all had the same feeling. The couldn't wait to get through the 8 month contract so they could quit. I could not be more happy with the company i work for now and will probably be there until i retire. I have a good dispatcher and get plenty of miles. I have no issues with home-time requests ever and my pay is always there everyday. I run solo. The whole team thing was not for me, but they do offer teams if desired. We have a lot of drivers come over from several companies. I think they are getting picky about who they are hiring in order to make sure that they only have the best drivers on staff.

I agree, Legally and for purposes of the test yes. I personally check tires every morning and when they are cold at about 95-100 psi then check them at my first stop after they heat up they are typically around 110 psi

Donna,

I have been using Verizon and have always had service almost everywhere i go. I do carry a laptop but only use it when on my 34 hour reset time or to watch DVD movies. A good android smart phone is perfect. I have all of the apps i use all the time on mine. Pilot, Loves, CAT Scales, Trucker tools, Big road, Low Clearance, and Transflo.

We have been looking hard at Tennessee. No state sales tax and the shipping hub for everything east coast is Memphis.

I think the question of "good company" to start with is a matter of opinion and your own relationship that you build with your dispatcher. There are drivers who are not really happy anywhere and there are drivers who are happy everywhere. I personally started with Knight Transportation and am still there. I have a pretty good relationship with my dispatcher and we understand each other. My style is different than some of the other drivers, but it works for me. Basically i don't talk to my dispatcher very much. He sends me a load assignment and when i get within about 200 miles of delivery i send a message on the qualcomm and let him know when i will deliver and he has time to complete a pre plan for my next load. Sometimes if they are shorter runs or it is going into a weekend he will send me 2 or 3 loads on a pre plan so i can keep going. I personally run 14 days out then home for 2-3 days. I run very hard (as close to 11 hours of driving as possible) everyday until i have a reset.

My personal style is not good for everyone and everyone runs their own way. Some run 7-9 hour days and some run less or make stops at places to see the sites. No matter what company you choose you must figure out how you want to run and what is best for you.

I have talked to a lot of others and among the most positive responses (that hire non-experienced drivers) are Knight, Schneider, Swift, Melton, and Roehl. I have heard some not so positive responses from others, but since i do not have any first hand knowledge i will not repeat it. Once you have a year or so on the road and are able to determine what is whining and what is real there is no real right or wrong company. I still consider myself a rookie but will always try to pass on things that i learn out there whenever possible. I hope this helps you.

I personally have not heard much about Stevens but it appears that most companies give you a road test initially then if you do not have any verifiable experience they put you with an OTR trainer for a while then road test again when your trainer releases you before you get your own truck. Good luck and please let us know how it goes.