Comments By Rookmaster General

Also what companies besides Schneider would allow you to choose between OTR and local? Like start OTR and switch to local if I needed to? I only ask because there's a possibility my son could be coming to live w/us in the future. IF that happens then being gone 5 days a week is a no go.

Local work can be very challenging; close quarter maneuvering, numerous tight backing situations, urban congestion and multiple stops. Best to get a year of OTR experience (if you can) to hone the necessary skills.

Oh I'm definitely hitting the road 1st.

I personally think it is better to learn in winter, if you learn how to handle snow and ice, you can drive during warmer days with no problem.

This is my 2nd winter driving and I still wish i had been out with a trainer for it.

Right, right. Yeah I'm looking at companies now. Thanks for that.

Another question....do yall think it's a better idea to wait until the weather breaks being a new driver? Of course u have to drive in it 1 day but I wonder what are yall's thoughts on starting OUT your career in snow, ice, etc. being that you have no experience.

I want to learn in winter, so I know how when the time comes.

Yeah I was thinking that too. Just curious as to what the vets think.

Another question....do yall think it's a better idea to wait until the weather breaks being a new driver? Of course u have to drive in it 1 day but I wonder what are yall's thoughts on starting OUT your career in snow, ice, etc. being that you have no experience.

Also what companies besides Schneider would allow you to choose between OTR and local? Like start OTR and switch to local if I needed to? I only ask because there's a possibility my son could be coming to live w/us in the future. IF that happens then being gone 5 days a week is a no go.

Funny thing is I found this site by accident. But I'm glad I did. It's exactly what every new driver/recent graduate needs. People who have actually DONE it....for years. So I notice I keep seeing the same few companies repeatedly.....TMC, Prime, Melton, Maverick, and Mcelroy....again, the main things that are important to me are equipment, pay, benefits, and training. I also would like to know who has the better rider policy? Seems like those 5 are like an all-star team from what I'm reading lol. They're all great w/slight differences. So what are the pros and cons? I'll definitely be doing my due diligence by checking out these companies sites but there's nothing like hearing it from the horse's mouth. Again I appreciate the comments and whatever info that can be given.

Yeah the own truck had me scratching my head. Some companies like CRST are team only but most you will be solo.

Prime has one of the longest training programs and at the highest pay. You will do 40,000 team miles which will take 8 to 10 weeks depending on hometime and miles run per week. If you and the trainer choose to stay on the trainers truck longer you can.

we have different divisions too so if flatbed isnt for you, you can switch to reefer. we do have tanker but i wouldnt try that until you have a year.

You need to get a job soon though because after 3 months your 160 hour certificate will get stale and you will need to do school all over again at a company!

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Oh the search starts now. I hope to start in January. Just had some things to take care of. Thanks for the info and the links

Don’t get too enamored over percentage pay. We had a member here that did percentage pay and did meticulous notes. He figured out the mileage pay and percentage pay pretty much equal out in the end. Imagine that, they are paying drivers the same. Some weeks he did better on percentage then he would of done on mileage other weeks worse. In the end it was pretty much even.

Interesting. I preciate that.

annnnnnd the percentage pay. Which according to almost ALL of yall is the way to go

Really? I’ve never gotten that impression here.

Getting your own truck is a selling point for you? You do realize most otr outfits will give you your own truck?

If you want to get home weekly with one of the major flatbed outfits (Tmc, Roehl, McElroy, etc.), you are going to have to see if they have a dedicated route in your area.

I really didnt because the few times I've seen somebody talking about TMC that's 1 of the main things they mention. How TMC gives you your own truck that stays with you. But I haven't seen it mentioned when other companies are talked about so I thought you may have to switch out trucks at the terminal on your reset.

@Raptor: Oh I definitely plan on going on the road @ 1st. I was just asking for future reference in case of life changes. and yeah I'm just getting the tanker endorsements now. I wanna get some experience before I go there. Thanks for the info about CEVA. I'll keep that for future reference if need be.