Comments By Meltonfloyd

The west pay program is now 33 cpm. So if you are brand new it's not an issue at all. It's the same as your base rate. Now if your base rate is 41 cpm I can see having a problem with the west pay program. A majority of the western runs here are Las Vegas or Los Angeles which are some dang nice runs. As far as the trailers, they are not too old but some do have some issues. Drivers are currently being routes to terminals a lot right now for trailer maintenance. Trailer condition is an issue here but it's been acknowledged and steps are being taken to correct it. Definitely don't worry about the international prostar with the Maxxforce motors who which is what youWILL be driving here. They are sweet as bear meat.

Thanks Scott, just got a call from the recruiter and will getting a pre-hire from PTL..

These were the companies I was trying to stay away from based on research, but since I have a couple of not so preferred things on my DL, I may have settle for one of these...Thanks in advance..

What research? Oh you mean you read how each and every company out there was out to screw the drivers and rookies? You mean the post in other forums from drivers that are apart of the 95% that are fired based completely on THAT drivers poor job preference? You mean the research where you read that said that those 4 companies you are asking about fired those drivers for doing ABSOLUTELY nothing and they are fired out of the clear blue? OH THAT RESEARCH!

And if that is the research you are talking about then you have not done any research. You have read post from drivers that are MAD that they failed to do their job properly and could not hack it in trucking.

A word of mouth review is subjective AT BEST. The review will change based on how the driver is feeling at the moment he is asked about a certain topic.

The companies you mentioned are there for one purpose. To get your foot in the door and give YOU a chance to prove you have what it takes to drive a truck.

So because you f*cked up in the past and your driving record is not the best you have to SETTLE for these 4 companies? Which I point out MAY allow you to go to work for them even with YOUR less the prefect background. Ever think that because you screwed up in the past that these companies are thinking that they are "settling" for YOU? Makes you think a little bit huh? Or at least should.

Your prospective or outlook on trucking is skewed for the start due to what you perceive as companies you have to settle for because of the so called "reviews" out there.

See here is the deal and the reason I am coming with the "attitude" in this post. I need you to see and perhaps change your thinking and attitude when looking to get into trucking.....Anytime you get it into your head that you are "settling" for something, and especially pertains to trucking, you will always feel that you have less than what other people in trucking have and you will be "Company Hopping" forever looking for the next best thing.

Those 4 companies that you listed might be the ones that give you a chance to get into trucking and if they do allow you to get your foot in the door then you have to be thankful for the chance you are being given because in trucking you get so few chances not to screw up that its not funny.

I need you to understand....You have came to the right place and feel free to ask as many questions as you need but just be sure you are ready for the responses you will get cause we try and give you the truth about trucking without throwing in all the unneeded sugar coating.

So first you need to change your outlook about the chance you maybe given then things will be a bit easier to move forward with.

So now that has been said. You will find out here on Trucking Truth we are straight forward and love to help rookies and non drivers learn about trucking. If that was not the case I would not be posting this while I am at home on my home time. I would be fishing or doing any other number of things including but not limited to giving my personal critiques on all the free porn on the internet.

What? Really? you think my post warranted this kind of response? You must be having a bad day, maybe it's from being home. Look I didn't "F*ck up" as you put it and yes I am talking about THAT RESEARCH, peopless reviews and opinions about companies have to be taken into account, of course with a grain of salt. Do you of a better way to find out about a company than from the people that have been there? That's why I posted here asking for sincere opinions, as part of MY RESEARCH. It seems you think you have everything and EVERYONE figured out, and am happy for, but let me just let you in on a little secret, all that you you know is far from the truth..have a nice day, maybe you should go fishing..

So far the folks at PTL have been wonderful. When u upgrade here the pay is 33 cpm. There's not a truck in the fleet older than a 2011. The one international prostar I've driven drove real sweet. Granted that was with no load though. One more thing is that PTL is 100% emphee owned. Now that's not gonna mean squat to anyone that doesn't stay for quite a long time but ESOP is about the closest thing you're gonna find to a pension in this industry.

Hi Scot, I think west of the Mississippi it's 30cpm, it that correct? Also, it's it true that a lot of trailers have problems? are old/broken/brake leaks/bad tires...thanks

Really not sure what the 'undesirable' things on your DL are, without you mentioning them, but I'd go w/ Prime. I know that wasn't on your list, but that would be my first choice amongst major carriers - if I was in your shoes. I'm trying to make an educated guess on why you chose the companies you listed, but why isn't Prime on that list? Daniel B. runs for Prime, not sure why he didn't plug his own company, save for the reason that it wasn't on your list. He has a lot of good points on why he chose his particular order of preference, based on the companies you listed.

Yeah Billy, I have a DWI in 1998 and have a couple suspensions for non-payment of an insurance surcharge in the past 3 years, I also had an employment gap, but have resolved that. My DL is in good standing now and have NJ CDL permit with all endorsements.

I called PRIME but was told that they have a hiring freeze in NJ at the moment. I am moving to Bethlehem PA in April, so maybe I should call them again..thanks

All of the above companies are good companies to start off with.

But since you're asking for me to put myself in your shoes, I'll give my feedback.

If I had only these few companies interested in me.

I wouldn't go CRE. They push the lease way too hard and I've experienced that before and don't want to go through it ever again.

I also wouldn't go to CRST. I'm not a fan of team driving and the pay is very low starting. But mainly because I refuse to be forced into team driving.

I would rank Swift above CRE and CRST. Swift pays better than CRST and pretty much the same as CRE. Except Swift has many more divisions then CRE with great opportunities for dedicated runs.

However, If I was in your position I would rank Paschall Truck Lines above the other. Here's why:

I'm not positive, but I think they pay better than Swift does.

They offer more frequent hometime, I think its like 10 days out?

No forced NYC or North East from what I've heard.

They have APU's unlike the other carriers. Not a must have, but definitely a giant convenience feature.

Equipment isn't as great as the other carriers though but they have a lot of positives that the other carriers just don't have.

So this would be my order, if I was in your position. Now I'm not saying one company is better than another. They're all fine companies. But like you requested, I'm putting myself in your shoes.

PTL-Swift-CRE-CRST

Thanks Daniel, I agree with all your points and have them in almost the same order, PTL, Swift, CRST and CRE.

I've heard some good things about PTL mostly that pay is at the top for new drivers, they have lots of miles and that people are generally very nice, but the talk is also that their equipment/trailers are in really bad shape which makes them a DOT target. Another negative is that I'm going thru Truck Driver Institute and I don't know how much that's going to cost me yet.

Swif--I don't much about, just a lot of negative reviews on the net and tuition is very high compared to others, but you point out some good reasons.

CRST--I like only because their tuition is very low, I could pay up front and leave after a few months if I didn't like it. I also don't like the idea of teams, besides personality compatibility, you are not always in the same truck so that would make impossible to carry personal stuff(cooking items/food..etc) around. That's something a really want, to be able to prepare my own food, I don't want to be eating at rest areas or fast food joints. Also I'm an Ultra Runner and need to do daily training runs of about 10 miles and running as as team that would also make impossible I think since the truck is basically always on the move..

CRE--I just hear horror stories about a lot of stuff, but I hear that there school is actually pretty good.

My other option is to LCCC in lehigh county PA....thanks for posting

Since this site seems to have many honest and knowledgeable professional Truckers, I would like to ask some advice. Knowing some pros and cons including tuition, if you had to choose between Swift, CRE, CRST and PTL, which would YOU choose?? I have the to pay up front if needed. These were the companies I was trying to stay away from based on research, but since I have a couple of not so preferred things on my DL, I may have settle for one of these...Thanks in advance..

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the suggestions, I've been picking my brain and have resolved my work gap. I was performing a "job" all along without realizing it, only because I never looked at helping my 83 yr old mom as a "job". I wrote a letter how I help my mom with all daily activities including taking her to Physical therapy and will have my Brother ans Sister sign it and if need be, I'll have her doctor write something to confirm it..

Thanks again for all the help,

When you are self employed, prospective employers can use your tax returns to fill the years you were self employed. Barring having those, you may be able to use a notarized letter from a friend or family that states what you were doing during that time. Theres a steering wheel for you, you may have to try a little harder than most to find it. You can't burn your name in trucking.....APPLY EVERYWHERE.....Some one will understand your situation.....just keep your name infront of them.....

Hi Star, I was in Portugal and only returned in Dec., I think I'm going to go to SAGE@LCTI and see what happens from there..thanks

So you're going to go to a Private School? By all means go ahead. But make sure you have companies interested in you before you fork out the money for the school. The last thing you want is to spend 5 grand and get your license but not able to find a company that will hire you. So make sure you have a list of prehires. Just looking out for you sir!

That's one of my concerns and I mentioned that in my OP, But I guess that's a risk I have to take. I hoping that once I have the CDL from a reputable schools, they may overlook some of the petty stuff..thanks again

When you are self employed, prospective employers can use your tax returns to fill the years you were self employed. Barring having those, you may be able to use a notarized letter from a friend or family that states what you were doing during that time. Theres a steering wheel for you, you may have to try a little harder than most to find it. You can't burn your name in trucking.....APPLY EVERYWHERE.....Some one will understand your situation.....just keep your name infront of them.....

Hi Star, I was in Portugal and only returned in Dec., I think I'm going to go to SAGE@LCTI and see what happens from there..thanks

Hi Everyone,

My mom always told me to tell the truth, but when is the truth not always the best policy??

After 13 years in Europe, I recently returned and decided to take up trucking. A few weeks ago I aced the NJ CDL written test of course with the help of the The High Road Online CDL Training Program on this site. After doing extensive research on this site and some others about my options for CDL training, I applied to Prime, Roehl, Millis, Knight, Maverick, CTL before looking into expensive private schools LCCC, Sage@LCTI and TDI which I have the money for if needed.

Roehl, Millis and CTL are not hiring from NJ and the others "couldn't accept me at this time" because of my recent employment history and also I believe because of my DL being suspended at some point last year. The suspension was for non-payment(while in Europe I stoped paying) of an insurance surcharge and for the last six years I have been a Day Trader which on the application I put down as "self employed".

Everything else on my application is crystal clean, no felonies, accidents or tickets, I have a BS degree in Accounting which I did back in the '90s and two computer programs from Chubb Institute which I used to become a Computer Analyst working for a Canadian company on projects in 5 different countries in Europe from 2000 through 2007 before they merged with another company and my position was outsourced...

I stopped applying because I didn't want to "burn my name" in the trucking Industry before ever becoming a Trucker.. and Also, I am now afraid to go spend 5/6 thousand dollars at one of the private institutions and then not be able to find a job because it looks like I am unhirable due to the gap(day trader) in my work history.

I'm sure my dilemma is not unique and am open to suggestions of what to do, I know I'm a good worker, have always been a well respect by my peers and think I'd be a credit to the Trucking Industry..

Should I somehow twist the truth in my employment history or do you think these companies react differently and make exceptions if I already held a CDL from SAGE for example?

It seems the truth is not always the best medicine...

Thanks to all here..