Decisions, Decisions

Hi all,

I have scoured the internet and found a lot of companies that may meet my needs, but man is this rather difficult.

I've had a couple of companies that pop out to me extremely strong. I really like what I'm seeing, but I'm not sure if it is a "to good to be true" scenario, but I still have several other companies I haven't finished researching.

Did any of you during your research hit a wall or obstacle where you could have potentially chose the wrong company?

I ask this because I "feel" dead set on starting to apply to a few companies, but I also feel I haven't given enough attention to the ones I haven't researched.

Oh for those wondering. The companies that are sticking out strong to me, for me, are: Prime Inc., Jim Palmer, and Knight so far. There are others that look real interesting like Halvor Lines, Navajo Express, Crete/Shaffer, and WEL.

What’’a a wrong company for you?

One thing I learned, I didn’t know what was actually wrong for me till I got out there. Did all the research, asked all the questions, and still didn’t know what I didn’t know. Now after a few months in, I know what is wrong for me and actually know what to look for if I decide to make a change-and I may switch to another division in a couple months. But even a few months in a wrong situation is still a valuable learning experience.

No company is perfect either-sometimes you just have to take a little bad for a lot of good

I'm right there with you Jason. Luckily I still have weeks to go before being ready to get out there. I picked one of the big companies (schneider) that fit what I think I'd like so far and have a conditional hire from them. Keeping my options open and talking to other companies and recruiters that end up coming to the school and weighing the options before deciding. I have another company (Paul miller) that is on my short list too because of their home time options.

Good luck to you. I know it seems like finding good information on companies can seem impossible.

Good insight andhe78. I appreciate that.

I have narrowed down a few "deal breakers" as some might call them. 1. I have to be able to take my dog 2. Must NOT have driver facing camera 3. Must be able to go to all states, don’t mind regions, but would like some west coast, south, and upper Midwest. I don't want to say no northeast, because I'll take whatever load I get, but I won't be happy the day it happens. LOL. Will probably be my most stressful load.

I'm not super worried about pay/CPM, but now that I have done some research, some companies pay on a sliding pay scale which I really like, but don't know if that is a bad thing.

I also thought Per Diem would be a great thing to have, but didn't consider all the other things that will come out of my check like insurance, etc... so I don't particularly want more coming out of it for Per Diem, but we can't claim/deduct anything based on the new tax laws so I kind of have to do Per Diem to make up the extra money.

I'm just frustrated and trying to figure out how all this works. I don't even know what is "better for me" with regard to pay and such. I just want to drive, with my pooch, do all my other necessary tasks, and just HOPE that I'm being treated fairly with pay and benefits. I don't know how truckers know what is fair for them on CPM and benefits.

Here is what I do know. After taxes I need to make, at minimum, $1200 a month to maintain the income I'm leaving. I know that how much I make is up to me, but I don't know if $1200 a month is huge hustle as a new driver or if that is average or low. I would want to take the time to learn in my first year, and don't want to be bombarded by back to back loads at first. I'm a slow learner.

You might not be making a whole lot right away, but $1,200 is near what a lot of truckers gross each week after a year or so.

I do have to ask Jason, why did you leave Schneider? I haven't been following your posts so forgive my ignorance.

Btw, as far as I know, only me and Jack are the only ones that are still driving for Schneider. Shaquan is now doing tow work in Chicago, Jay went to Gypsum Express doing flatbed, and Russ is with Kold Trans last I heard. Don't know what happened to Aaron though.

There are many people on here for more qualified than I to talk about Prime, but shoot I’ll give it a go. Just in training you will earn a guarantee of 700 per week, with a possibility for more during the 30,000 mile TNT phase. I’ve earned a bit more a couple of times, but it’s rare. No driver facing cameras (I’m with you in those, by the way!) and if you go lease which everybody on here will vehemently dissuade you from doing, perhaps rightly so, you can take your pooch for free. If you go company it will cost you $1,000, or a down payment of I believe $300 and the rest take out in installments. You can expect to earn I’d think between $700-$1,000 per week, but as I’m still in the TNT phase (again) I couldn’t speak on that with any sort of confidence.

Prime is an excellent company. I’d highly recommend starting with them.

I meant to add that the word is driving solo with Prime is going to get you up to the northeast a lot, that the west coast is reserved for teams. Perhaps somebody like Rainy could confirm or deny.

I do have to ask Jason, why did you leave Schneider? I haven't been following your posts so forgive my ignorance.

Btw, as far as I know, only me and Jack are the only ones that are still driving for Schneider. Shaquan is now doing tow work in Chicago, Jay went to Gypsum Express doing flatbed, and Russ is with Kold Trans last I heard. Don't know what happened to Aaron though.

I left because the VA offered me IU and I wasn't allowed to work while on IU, Schneider also wouldn't let me take my dog, they don't have any pet policy, and I doubt they will have one anytime soon. Who is this by the way? LOL. I heard about Russ, and Shaquan. Jay and I are best friends. He is no longer at Gypsum either, they told him the nerve damage in his hand was a problem since it is flatbed work. I think he was looking at Crete or going back to Schneider. He wanted to team with me, I said no I need to do my own thing.

I meant to add that the word is driving solo with Prime is going to get you up to the northeast a lot, that the west coast is reserved for teams. Perhaps somebody like Rainy could confirm or deny.

That does not sound fun, LOL. I don't mind the northeast per say, just NYC and those very congested cities with small streets.