The Best Company To Work For New Drivers

Hello truckers, I will be getting my CDL's the first of October 2014 and I know that there is a lot of companies that hire new drivers but which one is the best. I have been looking at USA trucking, Averitte, Central refrigerated and a few more what the recruiters have been telling me for all the companies is that training will be four to six weeks and then I would get my own Truck and then the pay would be between $.28 a mile up to $.32 a mile and averitte starts new drivers out at $.37 a mile common sense would tell you to take the job that paid the most, does anybody out there have a comment and any of the these companies, or any other companies that might be good for a new driver. Thanks a lot everybody drive safe!!!

Any company that pulls dry van.

The company that delivers freight to your area.

... averitte starts new drivers out at $.37 a mile common sense would tell you to take the job that paid the most, does anybody out there have a comment and any of the these companies, or any other companies that might be good for a new driver.

Hey there GA Trucker and welcome.

I drive for Averitt, and, although they did start me at a higher rate than the other companies I looked at, you have to keep in mind that they are regional (for the most part) and you will very very rarely bump into 3000 miles a week. That is unless you become a bad a** and keep you Fleet Manager happy by staying out longer. (hint hint).

your Fleet Manager

GA Trucker, welcome to the forum!

Hey, let me just try to steer you in the direction of thinking in terms of what do I have to offer to a company that will make it a good first time truck driving job for me. The good old sweat of my brow hard driving work ethic that made this country into the industrial leader that it has been for years is the same stuff that will make you a great career in truck driving. I can say this with some authority because I started out working for a company that many have declared to be downright evil in their treatment of their drivers. Please do yourself a favor and ignore all the internet tripe about how this company is bad and/or this company is good. Find you a company that you think will work for you and go for it. Work hard and do your best to be the very best driver they have ever seen and you will find yourself getting the royal treatment. I'm serious, these trucking companies are starving for drivers who have got a good old honest work ethic that shows up with them every day they are on the job. Once when I was getting complimented by my driver manager , I told him that I was just trying to do my job. His surprising response was that he just wished he had a few more drivers who understood what it meant to "just do their job".

I'm trying to get a feeling for how things work in the real world out there. I'm coming into trucking with no family experience etc. with it - total blank slate. So, does working hard and being a great driver mean taking Rolling Thunder's "hint hint"? Just wondering what's normal/expected out there ... no judgment intended. I am a by-the-rules person, but I understand there are unwritten rules too.

I'm trying to get a feeling for how things work in the real world out there. I'm coming into trucking with no family experience etc. with it - total blank slate. So, does working hard and being a great driver mean taking Rolling Thunder's "hint hint"? Just wondering what's normal/expected out there ... no judgment intended. I am a by-the-rules person, but I understand there are unwritten rules too.

Trish, I too had absolutely zero background in trucking before I began last year. There is no secret to being a success in the industry. I know what is working for me: Good attitude (be cool and professional always), be available (take that crap load when your dispatch needs your help even if you had plans for the weekend or whatever, it will be repaid), be a safe driver (no such thing as a real supertrucker. Take care of the companies equipment. If you do screw up, which I did a few times, report it immediately and be completely honest) and be respectful to your fellow truckers (even though some will be real pricks), you never know who you may be talking to.

This is what I do and in one year I have gone from bumbling rookie to a tour/production driver. Oh, and the above is the full "hint".

Don`t get me wrong, I have come close a few times to rattling some cages, but kept a cool head and realized afterwards that I did the right thing. I`m not saying be a push over either, there will be times you will need to stand your ground, just do it respectfully.

I hope this clears it up a bit for you.

YES, thank you VERY much! Obviously I thought you meant something else by hint hint. I can do all that you suggest! I don't like to push legalities or my physical ability (alertness/hours) too much, so was concerned that would limit me professionally. But if being a good and successful driver means being respectful, helpful, responsible, and honest - that's great to hear. Really appreciate your response.

YES, thank you VERY much! Obviously I thought you meant something else by hint hint. I can do all that you suggest! I don't like to push legalities or my physical ability (alertness/hours) too much, so was concerned that would limit me professionally. But if being a good and successful driver means being respectful, helpful, responsible, and honest - that's great to hear. Really appreciate your response.

You`re welcome Trish. I feel I have to tell you...um... I am on E-logs now, but, for the first 9 months I was on paper and, well, lets just say I had to be a bit creative at times to complete a run on time.

I am not saying that it is necessary, because it is not, but, I challenge any driver on this site to say they have run 100% compliant their whole career.

You will do just fine.

Thank you. :-) Reading Brett's book really helped clarify the issues with logs & compliance. Looks like Stevens (I'll probably be going with them) has e-logs, so that simplifies things. Congrats on your successful first year!