Making A Decision
Topic 23009 | Page 2
Thanks, Big Scott and Susan for your comments.Patrick C. I know you are very satisfied with your company. That's great.
I grew up in Missoula Montana, and plan on heading back west when I retire, so for me, as long as they accept me its JP all the way, no brainer. Lol
A couple of thoughts Tarheel...
I know of no current exceptions to this; most, if not all of the experienced company drivers in this forum are satisfied with their company.
My decision to go with Swift was made within a 2 week vetting exercise. I based it on quality of their school, the length of their road training (then 240 hours, now 200), career path, the myriad of opportunities available to their drivers and the advice/recommendation of my experienced trucker friends. I started with Swift and have stayed with Swift.
It’s all about what you make of it; your commitment, focus and determination to succeed.
I strongly suggest approaching this in a blanket fashion by applying to multiple companies, as opposed to one at a time.
Use these links:
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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For me, I personally didn't want to work for a mega carriers, but didn't want to work for Mom N Pop Trucking with only a few trucks and very little in the way of benefits or financial stability of the company.
I also needed to be home weekly at the time and wanted to go to a company that had excellent CSA scores. The reason for the CSA requirement is that I didn't want to go through the stress of my rookie year with a DOT bullseye on the side of my truck. I also wanted a company that allowed riders.
West Side Transport fit my needs perfectly and I'm still here at my first driving job. I started out at about 32 cpm and make almost double that these days so I can't complain.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.