Trucker Forum

I have just graduated from driving school and i am looking for a good company to work for. OTR or local does not matter any suggestions would help. I currently reside northwestern IL.

usxpress ripsoff drivers on payroll by taxing perdem

I recommend Werner, Swift, and JB Hunt. They are all great companies and treat their drivers great! JUST KIDDING.these are the ones to stay away from. The first question on your list is hometime. Do you want to stay out, get home every weekend, every other weekend, but this is the first thing you need to address. Also, do you want flatbed or dry van. I personnally learned that flatbed is a pain in the A_ _! Constantly securing the load after if loosens up, tarping, commodotys that are sensitive to economic downturns. Most importantly is safety issues with irregular loads. Some guys love it and are great at it. It's for the birds as far as I'm concerned. You will start at either and then move on after you get the experience from what I have learned so far.

You need to do your homework. You don't want to get stuck with an outfit that you are unhappy with and felt like you settled for because you kept coming up empty handed on your search. There is a ton to consider but start with the hometime question first. Did your driving school give you a list of questions to ask the recruiter?

KATMAN

Regarding hotrod's comments on the per diem.I'm with him. I'll let my tax man to handle this when he does my taxes and figures in the daily per diem when you are on the road. Every state has a different per diem and if your tax guy is good he knows what to use for each state. No handouts from the trucking company if they offer it.it only muddies up the water! GET YOURSELF A GOOD TAX GUY THAT HANDLES DRIVERS AS PART OF HIS CLIENT MIX. THEY WILL HELP GET YOU MONEY BACK AT THE END OF THE YEAR. SCREW HR BLOCK.TRUST ME ON THAT!

KATMAN

Thanks for the advice we had a weeiner recruiter at school and boy was she a salesman. If you belive what she said every one would work for them and be millionaires. What a load of Bs. Anyway thanks for your advice and keep it coming im still looking for a good company that i can trust.

Do your homework. Recruiters will promise you the moon and the sky just to get you to sign up. Know what you are looking for and which companies will provide that.

The first question I would have for you is are you MARRIED if so I would stay away from the afore mentioned companies.You will likely be out 4-6 weeks at a time with them.If you are married you likely want to stay close to home.Companies that run dump trailers will often give a new driver a chance.I started out 30 yrs ago hauling roof trusses locally.I drove for a co.by the name of Transport Service Co.out of Hinsdale Il for 12 yrs.and they had a driver training program.You have to have a tanker and hazmat endorsement.They are a VERY good co.to work for,if chemicals don't worry you.
Good luck on your search and please remember SAFETY at all times.

I worked for KLLM Transport straight out of school. They treated me great for the 4 years I was with them, miles were good, pay, bonuses, home time, and they took care of their equpiment. I would recomend them to anyone. They haul Refrigerated products, and they also have a dry box division. I left for 2 years due to a death in my family. They changed their hiring area so unfortunatly I can not go back with them. I am looking for a good company to work for now. I did not realize how bad alot of companies are...it is scary.
Good luck and be safe

I started out driving in 2002 in a dryvan and it was a good learning tool. But after I got some miles under me I went into flatbed and I have been doing it since. I find its more of a challenge in the flatbed hauling but its better pay and your not stuck in a dock for hrs at a time or spending time looking for a scale to weigh your load so you can move your tandems on your trailer. Most flatbed loads are loaded quickly and the loader already knows how to load it even on your trailer to where you usually dont have to weigh out to be sure your not heavy on either side. That is if you have a split axle trailer. Most good companies use them these days. You will get dirty but its good for you. Laying in your bunk while being loaded in a dock on a dryvan or reefer is not good for you or anyone. Most flatbeds are shorter 48' but a lot of companies are going to 53' but ive never pulled one. But in my opinion, I like flatbed better even with the fact that I have a bad back but I found out laying in a bunk all day hurts worse than getting out and moving around. Just go where you feel more comfortable. Good luck.