I'm Considering Two Carriers. I'd Like Your Opinions On How They Sound.

Hello,

I got my CDL last year (2013) but have been out of a truck for the majority of the time since, as I returned home after my OTR training to find a local job so I can finish my degree. That didn't pan out as expected so I've been looking at getting back in a truck. I've been looking at two companies. I've looked at KLLM/FFE which would be an LTL position out of my city and get home weekly. .35/mi, plus $30 a stop. 6 month contract. The only drawback is I'm really not too keen on taking another greyhound or flying to Texas to do the refresher there and stay in a dorm with a roommate again and spend 10 days not getting paid. I've heard mixed things about this company, as one would expect with any company I suppose.

Anyways, a driver on another forum referred me to their carrier which is based right out of my city. It's a small company (less than 100 trucks) all Kenworths and they all have a 1500w inverter and a fridge, they have a pet policy and from what I hear he's very happy and they treat him well. The only drawback to that is that there is a year commitment, and in addition to my 2-4 weeks OTR training, there's 4 weeks of team driving. So, the deal here is: 2-4 weeks training @ $350/week. Then the team driving is .14/mile. Once you go solo it's .24/mile + .06/mile for meals & incidentals. So, .30/mile (which seems to be the standard for new drivers, and even better than what some carriers offer) plus a .01 bonus after 10,500 miles, .02 after 11,000, .03 after 11,500. The MPH bonus. .05 for 63-64mph, .04 for 65-66mph, .03 for 67-68 mph. Aside from the team driving for a month and the year contract (with $3,000 of training I'd have to pay if I don't stay the year) it sounds pretty good. I just wanted to get opinions on here. I know we all gotta start somewhere and it could be much, much worse for a starter company. Thanks!

Hey Iron Fist. I would say go with the company that suits you best as far as home time, pay, benefits, job duties, and all that. It's very hard to compare companies on mileage pay figures because mileage will vary from company to company. It's even more difficult comparing an LTL position to an OTR position.

The biggest concern I have to be honest is it doesn't sound like you're too keen on getting back into trucking. I mean, to make career decisions based on whether or not you have to take a bus ride, go 10 days without pay, or have to work at a company for a year - those are not things to be worrying about when choosing a company.

Plus, you got your license last year, then immediately shifted your focus away from trucking and on to college, which also didn't pan out, and now you're basically back to the trucking thing? It doesn't sound like you know what you want to do, which is fine, but the problem to me is that going with trucking because you're basically out of ideas at the moment seems like a road to nowhere. Trucking is hard...and you really have to be committed to it or you're never going to make a worthwhile wage out there.

Just make sure you're really committed to it or you're going to be out of trucking in two months and looking for something new again. There are some jobs you can do while you're waiting for something better to come along, but trucking is an awful tough one to do that with. I just don't want to see you waste your time getting into it trucking when it doesn't sound like that's really where you want to be.

Hey Brett!

I definitely appreciate the feedback. You're correct about a lot of things. Both seem relatively similar in terms of hometime, benefits, etc.

I have mixed feelings about getting back over the road. Initially, it was just a means to improve income. My girlfriend had just moved out and I wasn't getting by making $10.50 an hour. However, as I was reading into it and reading forums and drivers' stories I got more interested in the job itself. During my OTR training, I loved all that I had learned, including driving a stick for the first time in my life. Learning all about the engine and its parts, not to mention it felt pretty bad ass getting in and out of a big rig. Having already lived in a vehicle and lived minimally, I didn't mind, and actually quite enjoyed sleeping in the sleeper at truck stops and seeing new places and new states every day. I came to enjoy the job. The worst part about it was internal ****. Anxiety was on a high level due to not being used to it. Downshifting to come off the highway, grinding gears, steep ass inclines, backing, BACKING, ugh.. All stuff I could get used to. I think I freaked myself out a little too much.

Anyhow, you're right in a sense that I was kind of looking at it as another option, but it's an option that I miss that's always lingering in the back of my mind. A huge part of me misses it quite a bit. The freedom of not having to deal with people all day, (I'm seriously incapable of working with customers and a ton of coworkers all day non-stop), having my own living space in the truck, the satisfaction when I do a good backing, or when I shift smoothly without grinding, lol. And making a decent living.. Most drivers consider $1000 a week to be **** pay, but I consider $600-$800 a week to be living WELL. It seems the worst part for most drivers is being away from family but I live 2,000 miles away from family and go a few years at a time without seeing them so that's nothing new.

The bus ride and the year contract were just two factors I was considering when making a decision. If I had to bus to Texas to get on with that carrier, it wouldn't be the end of the world but if I found another carrier that was comparable where that wasn't required, that's far more appealing. My apprehension regarding the one year contract, I am just wary of contracts in general. I've read too many horror stories on the forums how a carrier will treat you like crap, knowing they 'own' you with all that money hanging over your head. Just another thing that I was considering.

I mean, I don't intend on making it a 20+ year career, but I could definitely see myself doing it for a few years, set aside money and start my business (which a few other drivers kind of have the same thing in mind). Once I calmed down and got used to things I'm sure I'd enjoy it just fine. I have more good memories when I was over the road than bad, I'd say.

Anyhow thanks again for the reply! This one was a bit scattered I know, haha.