Question:
Personally, I do not really care for companies that have their own training schools, unless, I would have to pay twice for the same thing. Also from reading it seems like a decent outside school will provide better training that a company school (PLEASE correct if im wrong, but thats what it seems like to me??)
Now, on to companies...
I live on the westcoast now, but have family on the east, so either side is fine for me. I'll be 21 in a few months and after reading countless threads and "diarys" about what companys not to go for, these are the one's I'm considering (PLEASE shine in all personal experiences and what you have heard and tell which one it is or direct me to a topic if you know a good one THANKS!)
Companies, I'm considering to start with In no order:
(All starting age = 21)
1.Roehl Transport, Inc.
2.Arrow Trucking
3.KLLM Transport Services
P.S.
"Cost To Driver Benefits: $7.99weekly"
what exactly does this mean? am I paid 7.99 a week or is that what I owe them or what?
Thank You very much for your insights!

Answer:

The $7.99 is probably for Medical/Dental benefits.
If you live on the West Coast, you might want to look into driving for Marten Transport, as they run a lot of refrigerated loads out that way, making it easier for you to get home. I have seen quite a few of their trucks on I-40, I-80, and I-90 over the years. Most drivers I've talked to that drove for them seemed to be pretty content.
www.marten.com
Good Luck!Not liable for any information posted.

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They look very nice, but I'm not 22 but I'll definatly keep em in mind if things don't work out with my 1st company. Thanks

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Marten Transport

Unfortunately you are going to be limited due to your age, as I am sure you are finding out. Another company that advertises as hiring at 21 is Central Refriderated
FYI: The Benefit Cost to driver is how much you will be paying for health insurance if you choose to enroll in their insurance program.
Answer:
uturn2001, as always you give great info!
I went to thier website, looks very nice. The average 2800 to 3500 is exactly what I'm looking for. I dont understand what "0.08 perdiem" is. Bonuses look excellent and the low health ins. costs I like.
I'm definatly going to add them to the top of my list, just curious have you or anyone you know drove for them?

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For $ 7.99/wk I'd like to see what that POS health plan is. 5k deductible /yr. plus 80/20 ? No prescription card ? Dental plan limited to $500/yr. with co-pays ? Vision ? Can't be much to it.
The per diem of .08/mi. could be(doesn't have to be) a seperate check. No taxes, doesn't go into SS as earnings( that determines what SS you will draw one day.) Company pays no SS taxes on it. It's to their benefit, not yours. Say you drive 3000 miles, $240 will be your per diem check. If you don't spend that much on road expenses, the balance is to be reported as income by YOU.Whoa is me. Yup, put the brakes on the trucking crapola and haven't looked back.


Answer:
per diem is basically pay that is not taxed. it is essentially recieving your meal deductions that you are allowed to take on your income taxes through out the year instead of when you file.
The good news is that per diem will increase your paycheck over getting paid straight pay. The bad news is that is will reduce unemployement, workers comp, disability, and possibly vacation pay since these are normally based on taxable earnings. In my opinion is you ever find a company that gives you a choice of being paid per diem or not opt for the non per diem pay, however do not let this become an issue when deciding to go to work for a company.
I do not know anyone that has driven or does drive for them. What I can tell you about them is that they are basically owned by the same people that own Swift, however Central has its own management team and is run as a totally separate company though they do use Swift's facilites as needed for fueling, repairs, etc.
Answer:
You said you could live(domicile) on the West or East coast....but where would you like to run?
Roehl and Arrow will (and do) run you "regionally". This means if you live on the West coast they will try and keep you in that region (East coast the same story), they have National fleets, but seldom will you take that "odd" trip to the opposite coast.
Central and KLLM are more nationally operated, and will run you all over the country. They may have regional fleet options, but with those two it's surprising if they actually honor that type of operation on a regular basis.
Running regional, you will see home more often. Running national you will see more variety.
You got a lot of thinking to do.It's apparent this place is never going to change....then again; why should it? It gets the clientel it deserves.
Bette Midler

Answer:
I'm not really looking for regional unless the miles are there. Home time is not important to me since I have family seperated over different states and would not be at an offical home, so I would like to be out there as much as possible (OTR) but again only if the miles are there, meaning I'm doing more driving than waiting anything that can give me 2500 miles a week somewhat consistant is what I want, maybe a pipe dream?? but that site said "2800-3500" not saying I believe everything I hear but if I can get some nice numbers in writing from a company willing to hire me, I'm there.
My main concern as far as a company goes is, NO shady ones. After reading somethings, your right, I have a lot of thinking to do, I also will make sure that I do my best not to get screwed over by a company and thats why I was asking about those because they seem to be a cut above the others hiring drivers at 21 years old.

Answer:
Regarding schools ...watch what you are being trained in as far as trucks some private scools around here run a lot of day cabs with short trailers or they use cabovers. Also look at where they have you practice at ...is it in a dirt lot with orange cones or do they take you out to real world docks?
I would hang out at the schools on your short list to see if the trainers sit with the students or stand outside and yell at them while they are learning to back up. Also check with the companies that you are looking at to see that they hire from the schools you are considering you also need to see if they hire from your area.
Take your time in researching all of the aspects within the industry ...you can't know enough. When you think you have done all your research ...look it over again and if you have some questions about a school/company ask ...don't just let it slide.
Best of luck!
Randy

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Answer:
All things considered, there's not a dime's worth of difference from one "training company" to the other, in regards to combinations of pay/benefits. What one company lacks in cpm, they will shine in benefits or other areas. They have to be competitive with the other companies. Don't make cpm your main consideration - driver support, equipment, hometime, etc. weigh also. (And NO O/O programs... not yet, anyway, if that's your bag.)
So, pick a company with a cool logo you like, and just drive the truck down the road. Follow the company's policies, be prompt, dependable, etc., and you will do fine. No company wants you to fail.
Also, not much practical difference in schools. They're basically just to get your CDL. Your real education will come on the road, when you teach yourself.