Does Anyone Feel Pressure To Sign With A Trucking Company?

Topic 5475 | Page 1

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T.W.'s Comment
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It seems like every trucking company I apply to tries to speed up the application process and nail me down for a orientation and start date. US Xpress nailed me to a orientation and start date....I told them I needed to give two week at my current job. They said they needed me to start this Wednesday. I am told I will be home every night and will run dedicated routes. I hope this is the truth because I have no truck driving experience. I just got my CDL a few months ago. Yes, they have a trainer. But, wow----they don't waste time when hiring. Is US Xpress a good company?

This happened with Melton too.

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.

Dedicated Route:

A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."

Old School's Comment
member avatar

T.W. recruiters are sales people. They get paid for closing the deal, so they want you signed up now! That U.S. Express job is a great job for the right kind of person. It will work your tail off! The pay is great, and you get regular visits to the house, but trust me you are going to be so tired when you get home that you may not have the energy for much else than a good couple of days rest.

6 string rhythm's Comment
member avatar

Old School is right. There's a fine balance between getting home more frequently, and then making sure you're getting your rest after your runs. Typically, local and dedicated runs can be more labor intensive, i.e. if you're unloading your freight. If it's no touch, then they'll still probably have you working a 10+ hour day, depending on the company and gig. You get home more but it might be longer hours. In my opinion, I'd rather have longer hours and more frequent visits at home than a more relaxed pace OTR and then downtime away from home. Another member on here who's been quiet for awhile, ThinksTooMuch, left his tanker gig at Schneider for a US Xpress home daily job - he's home on the weekends too. Not sure how much he handles his freight, if any, but he liked it the last time we spoke.

Dedicated Run:

A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

T.W.'s Comment
member avatar

Thanks fellas. I wanted to make sure before I leap.

Good information.

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