New Driver, Need Tips

Tom hears things:

Major carriers? I always hear they don't do so well for their drivers & treat you like a number. Although I have though of Prime, as I hear they are decent.

Major carriers don't get to the major leagues by screwing drivers. All the bigs do a decent job for their drivers. The industry is competitive for hiring drivers - you will have a job. The people you read on forums (besides T.T.) who complain do that \because they didn't understand the system - how things work. They think they were screwed on miles (There is a set way companies calculate miles) or wait/detention time (there are company policies about that). You can check out many companies here on Trucking Company Reviews. On this forum people have experience on many many companies, just ask.

I drove for Swift for three years. Thousands of drivers. The most important people in my job life knew me by name, and we worked closely so that I was always driving ($$$).

Up at the top left is a hamburger (☰) menu to find all the good stuff.

This is why it’s great to have Errol and Mr. Curmudgeon active again. Sound wisdom.

Like many things in life, trucking is what we make it to be in most cases. Drivers do well to understand that a company is the sum of it’s parts. Best to be an asset and not a liability.

If you haven't started school yet, it's highly recommended here to go through company provided training. There are many reasons for that.

Definitely disregard reviews, complainers and the bulk of misinformation out there. I'd recommend you take the time to read the CDL diaries here, ask questions here. Many of our members got their start to successful careers at major carriers and are still there, myself included.

Here are some links to follow up on, once again I'd recommend holding off on school and pursuing company sponsored training.

Paid CDL Training Programs

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Truck Driver's Career GuideTrucking Company Reviews

• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing Your First Truck Driving Job
• Article Category: Finding The Right Truck Driving Job
• Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Trucking Company"

Tom, I posted this "fable 8 1/2 years ago. I think it't time for a bump.

Once there was a truck mechanic named Ty Changer. Ty has been working on 18 wheelers almost since tandems were invented. He spent his days servicing OTR trucks that stopped in.

One day, while changing oil on a Freightliner, the driver asked Ty, "I've been thinking about switching companies to QuikTrans Trucking. You talk to your driver customers, have you heard anything about how they treat their drivers?"

"Let me think." Ty replied. "Say, how does your current company treat their drivers?"

"That's why I want to move on. There's all these rules we need to follow. I can't get the home time I really need. And they force dispatch New England all the time."

Ty looked at the driver, and stroked his chin. "From what I've heard, QuikTrans is a lot like that. But you need to make your own decision. Here's your truck keys. Thank you for your business."

= | = | = | = | =

Later, another driver stopped in. He needed new steer tires on his Kenworth. Ty was happy to oblige. The second driver spoke up, "I've been thinking about switching companies to QuikTrans Trucking. You talk to your driver customers, have you heard anything about how they treat their drivers?"

"Let me think." Ty replied. "Say, how does your current company treat their drivers?"

You know, my company has a set of rules for drivers. The rules help to keep us safe, make our jobs consistent, and we all understand what's going on. I get home every couple of weeks, but the rest of the time they keep me driving. Every once in a while I get sent to New England, even New York though. It's really not a bad company but I think QuikTrans might pay a bit better.

Ty looked at the driver, and stroked his chin. "From what I've heard, QuikTrans is a lot like that. But you need to make your own decision. Here's your truck keys. Thank you for your business.

Question for you: Which driver would be happier at QuikTrans?

Errol wrote:

I drove for Swift for three years. Thousands of drivers. The most important people in my job life knew me by name, and we worked closely so that I was always driving ($$$).

I was with Swift for 8 years. I concur with Errol’s reply to you. When I left I was making top pay and treated like gold. Same opportunity exists at most every company offering Paid CDL Training Programs

Not sure of your information source, but I respectfully suggest (with emphasis) that you ignore it and educate yourself on the Trucking Truth website, starting with the links Davy posted for you.

It sounds like the op has some preconcived notions already, like many do.

This economy is in the tank and the trucking industry is taking a large front line. Things are hard right now.

Companies large and small are selling out or going bankrupt at a pace I have never seen before. Rates are at an all time low and expenses are very high.

Shippers are going to brokers at a record pace trying to save money.

My best advice.

First attend a company sponsored school because you have a job upon graduation.

Second take a job with a large carrier. Your chances of having loads are much better.

This is a take what you can get at the present time. Not a time to be pickey.

I've honestly never cared about being a number. I'd rather be a number and know for sure that my paycheck is going to clear. I've worked for small businesses where that didn't happen on a consistent basis.

I'm not there to make friends or for people to know my name, I'm there for a check. I make them money, they make me money. I'm a number and they're a corporation. Easy peasy.

I've honestly never cared about being a number. I'd rather be a number and know for sure that my paycheck is going to clear. I've worked for small businesses where that didn't happen on a consistent basis.

I'm not there to make friends or for people to know my name, I'm there for a check. I make them money, they make me money. I'm a number and they're a corporation. Easy peasy.

Whenever the “being a number” thing comes up it reminds me of Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers.

“ They’ve given you a number and taken away your name”

Whenever the “being a number” thing comes up it reminds me of Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers.

“ They’ve given you a number and taken away your name”

Bruce,

I'm glad I'm not the only older person that remembers that song. When I read the original poster's comment, the song popped in my brain and stayed there for the better part of the day. I found the song on YouTube and played it a few times 😁😂🤣

Laura

Hey I "faintly" remember that tune in my younger days lol.........As pointed out, in trucking, it "usually" ALWAYS involves your attitude !! Even if on the inside you don't like a certain situation, keep it to yourself ! Don't vent out on the person who provides you work. Whiners and crybabies, tend to sit more than those who "suck it up buttercup" and roll with the flow....

Come into the industry with an open mind, and eyes/ears, and be like a sponge, sucking up as much knowledge and info you can, and learn. No matter how old you are, or get, everyday IS a day to learn something new, about anything. Today may suck, but tomorrow, is a brand new day !

Time to go enjoy some of this "new" typhoon related rain, we're getting here in PH (day 3)lol