Recruiters
Topic 1385 | Page 1
Mary, I'm assuming when you ask which recruiter to talk to you really mean which company? There is a lot of information available to you here at Trucking Truth, but I would recommend that you and your husband take a look at the Trucker's Career Guide and also do some research into How To Choose A Company. The main thing that we would stress is that you find a company that seems to be a good fit for y'all.
Look at measurable differences in the various companies you're interested in, like home time, average miles, driver pay, types of freight they haul, etc. DO NOT base your choice of companies on all the non verifiable vitriolic complaints in trucker's forums that are so common on the internet. It's a fool's paradise and an open season on trucking companies in most of those forums and therefore the information is completely unverifiable and an utterly useless waste of time and effort, not to mention how confusing and frustrating it can be to someone genuinely interested in researching this industry.
Much of the demand for team drivers is in the refrigerated freight. So you may want to start your research by looking into companies that have a refrigerated division. If you're interested in not having to fork out a bunch of money for training then look into Company-Sponsored Training programs at some of the refrigerated freight companies.
One thing to keep in mind is that when you go for training you will have to be separated from each other for a while during the training period. Each of you will go out for several weeks with separate trainers, but if the company understands that you want to team together they will be glad to have you together once you've finished that part of the program. There are quite a few opportunities available for husband and wife teams out there.
We welcome you to the forum! And hope you'll make yourself welcome here by asking as many questions as you need - best of luck to ya! 
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
The company I am with, FFE, loves husband and wife team drivers. We had a married couple in my recent Academy training class, and I even heard them being told how much they are appreciated by the company. Unfortunately, they left due to medical issues, but FFE is a good reefer company to go with, and they will not lead you astray. They tell it like it is. With the recent merger with KLLM, the company will be even stronger. You and your spouse agree to a year, and you will not see a single nickel taken out of your pay for the Academy training. There are other good reefer companies that love husband/wife teams as well, as successful teams tend to maximize profits.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
Oh I thought this was where you griped about recruiters luring their face off. Have I got a story for ya...nah I won't pirate the page.
As a rule...ALL companies like Husband/wife teams. WHY???? Well. if your spouse is with you, whats there to go home for ?? When TSB and I teamed, we had no home...just the required address. We ran west coast turn arounds for a year straight before we took any real time off. Teams are used for JIT freight, and Spousal teams are the best. So you are a sought after commodity in the trucking world, work it, and take advantage of what you can offer a company, after you get your year in...... And as always...enjoy the adventure !!!
Thanks for the replies. We are working with a recruiter that is not associated with a company. He has been very upfront and we feel comfortable with his advice so far.
We are working with a recruiter that is not associated with a company.
Interesting statement. If this recruiter is not associated with a "trucking" company, what is he associated with? A CDL school? What is his vested interest?
I only ask because typically, a recruiter either works for a trucking company or a school. I've not experienced what you are describing.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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My husband and I are thinking that we want to give "Team Driving" a shot. We have done some research gone to a couple of truck stops and asked questions so we feel we know what we are getting into. The one thing that we hope we could get some help with is which recruiter should we talk with? Any recommendations? Thanks, Mary
