Crap Companies

Yeah I saw that dummies YouTube "Crap companies of the week" Don't watch him, if he is so smart why is he spending his time DRIVING instead of making videos? Aside from whatever YouTube revenue, he might get from his whine fests!

I was very fortunate to have discovered Trucking Truth early on, way before I went to CDL school. Once I got immersed in the educational resources available here, I didn't have time to get involved in much else. Yes, I watched a few You Tube instructional videos on backing, shifting, pre-trip; but never got into any that were personal diatribes against the trucking industry. There is a lot of similarity between my long-time profession of construction and trucking. By that I mean there are always the gripers, the negativity people, the malcontents. I was turned off by these people and avoided their association. Because of that background I was able to quickly identify TT as a "safe haven" for rookies in training and rookie drivers. And I took my knocks. I was often corrected after making inaccurate statements; corrected by the moderators and experienced drivers. But I know that your best teachers are usually the toughest on the student.

I say all this because I hope other rookies can gain the same mindset. It's in their best interests to settle in and benefit from all the accumulated knowledge and wisdom freely given by those who have proven their mettle. There is a quote from the Bible that says: "A pupil is not greater than his teacher. But a pupil who has learned well will be like his teacher."

There's a ton of garbage out there regarding youtube videos and what companies to drive for. Its the same with politics and current news issues, unfortunately we've become a society where people have retreated into echo chambers and my team vs your team seems to be where everyone lines up. So you get a video from a guy or gal who worked for company A and it didnt work out so they bash company A. Well as they make this video they are currently working for company B and everythings going great so Company B is now fantastic...... Fast forward 6 months and company B is now terrible and company C is fantastic or quite possibly they went back to Company A and its now great.

Avoid all that mess.... Its all personal opinions. Theres enough info out there to find out what you need to make your own decisions the biggest is yourself. Actually make some calls and write down and compare the companies yourself tailored to your own expectations and wants.

There are some great youtube videos that are instructional theyre easy to find if you know what your looking for. Avoid commentary and focus soley on instruction.

Perfect example is a pre trip self test by cdl college LLC. Its a silent video with zero commentary just showing parts with a pause for your answer then they give the answer.

I tried to put the link but it wouldnt take it from youtube.

It's funny that all (or most all) the companies the OP related the video-whiner called "crap" - are the ones that our most successful members got their start with. Some of which, are still driving for, years later.

If they were such garbage, would some of our most trusted contributors still be working there?

Which is not to say there haven't been negative INDIVIDUAL INCIDENTS at the aforementioned companies - but the ones we hear about HERE, when we really drill down to the TRUTH OF THE MATTER, in 99% of the cases - it was a rookie mistake or misunderstanding that created the negativity, and the person was just looking to shirk their responsibility in the issue - or just a plain old BAD ATTITUDE on the part of the "offended".

That and the internet jokes about Swift/Prime trucks in ditches and whatnot.

I've never heard anyone here, complain that a member relating their POSITIVE EXPERIENCE with a particular company, steered another member into a "crap company". Some people may not like the pay or other company policies. Some companies allow really poor individuals to be trainers, and members here have had bad experiences with that particular individual - but those who have followed the advice of members here in resolving the situation - have gotten the situation resolved.

There IS some good tutorial info on YouTube and the like - but unfortunately, a ROOKIE has no idea whether or not it IS GOOD INFO.

Despite their negative info on the web - Prime & Swift are probably the companies that most folks here started out with - and a few of our mods have been with them for YEARS. (so called) "Starter Companies" may end up being the companies they RETIRE FROM - so they can't be all that bad...

I too, had somewhat of a "negative experience" with the military. 150% ALL MY FAULT, and to this day, 35 years later - STILL ONE OF MY BIGGEST REGRETS. Seemed I loved smoking weed, more than I appreciated the 2 years of quality training, and the cushy job that I really didn't have to work hard at (Navy Electronics Tech on a destroyer). I didn't appreciate the opportunity to travel to all of Asia & the South Pacific for free, while getting paid for it. On the other hand - I never "bad mouthed" the Navy - even though some of the officers were a-holes (as would be the case with any superiors in any large company).

Rick

I would often look at videos on flatbedding practices back when I started out. It didn't take long however to figure out that most posters would neglect the content of the video, and instead focus on themselves, as if they were the entertainment. I quickly learned to just ignore most of what I saw on there.

When looking at any source of information, whether from YouTube, terminal rats, the coffee counter etc, the most reliable way to vet the info is through good old fashioned common sense. Anyone who puts stock into what these naysayers preach is sorely lacking in the fundamental common sense needed to be successful.

Hey Cecilia I am on my second week solo as a swift rookie driver. Social media definitely shapes bias opinions about alot of companies. I lost count of how many times i have been told by truckers "your going to get alot of crap for the name on your truck". All i can say is that when you do get your class A, whatever company you decide to go with, learn everything you need to know for yourself based on your own experiences. I can tell you that there are alot smart and knowledgable truckers on this forum who have taught me alot, and if you ever have a question or your unsure about something this forum can be very helpful.

Best of luck to you!

Not to beat that dead horse, but every company is going to have its own "six to the front and three to the rear, thats the way they do it here"

Videos from unknown sources pertaining to driving manuevers have the potential to arm you with information that, while achieving the same outcome, may not coincide with that company's proven (or maybe just preferred) methods. You work for THEM, let THEM instruct you in the way, Young Jedi...

In my previous career, as both a Field Trainer and a FT Supervisor, I encountered many idealistic young men and women that had formed opinions and routines based on tv, youtube, and college classes. Some of them were unable to adopt OUR "six to the front..." and went the way of the career dissipation process.

If you need to learn, the sources here are great, wish id had them 7yrs ago. The Pre-trip documents provided by YOUR state's dot are golden. Everything else? Leave it on youtube until youve got you first year under your belt. If you wear suspenders, I cant help you...

My two cents, your mileage may vary.

Mr. Curmudgeon, If I may be so bold, what does six to the front and three to the rear mean???????

Mr. Curmudgeon, If I may be so bold, what does six to the front and three to the rear mean???????

6 steps forward - three steps back - or 6 positive things/3 negative?

Rick

Mr. Curmudgeon, If I may be so bold, what does six to the front and three to the rear mean???????

6 steps forward - three steps back - or 6 positive things/3 negative?

Rick

***HINT***It's related to the military, and there may be a YouTube video.