Question:
RABELAM sez it BEST! (in a different thread)
It's amazeing how people don't ever notice the ARCHIVE SECTION in the profiles. It'll bite you in the posterior if you don't watchout.
Sorry for quoting you RABELAM, but it needed to be done.
For those of you that have the desire to make driving a truck your career, PLEASE(and I can't stress this enough), use the Search Feature and the Archives! If all else fails, ask questions! (just overlook the smartazzed answers that some members give)
Doing so, just might make your life on the road a little easier.

Answer:
But Newbies will flock to the majors in droves no matter what forewarning we give them.
In the short time I've read posts here, people have have been warned about CRE, Prime, Convenant, Stevens, and more, but don't believe a word of it.
Maybe its because of the Trucks looks, snow jobs sold by recruiters or its like those STUPID comercials that are SOO annoying that folks buy the product becuase the name is welded in their heads. Like being stuck behind a Swift truck for miles. I dunno, but they just flow on in like lemmings.
Or maybe its seems to be too hard of work to do a fair amount of research on prospective employers.
Before I had a CDL,I wanted to start with CRE because of the graphics and big red trucks. But was saved from that by CRE's own slimyness that came out in my research on them. If they would have tried to appear more straightforward they MIGHT have sold me...., Nah.

Answer:
Well.... let's not forget that the MAJORITY of smaller outfits will tell a newbie they're welcome to apply AFTER they've proved themselves and developed a record with a major.
It's hardly the Newbie's fault that for most of them, the majors are about the only option they have.
No disrespect intended, but I think some of you seasoned guys may have lost track of what's happened in trucking recently - even just the last 4 or 5 years. It's almost impossible to get a newbie job with a REPUTABLE smaller outfit if you don't have some experience.
The reputable, successful smaller outfits - the ones you'd want to work for - skim the cream off the top of the majors.
Perhaps more realistic advice is to get your on-the-toad experience (and a good record) with one of the majors -- THEN go for that better job.
There are very few overnight success stories in trucking. Most folks have to work their way up, don't you think?

Answer:
I couldn't agree with you more Shuffler. But! I was refering to the big companies when performing a search. Of the bigger companies, there are 2-3 of them that put all the rest to shame.

Answer:
...so which two or three are you suggesting?

Answer:
Originally posted by Shuffler:
...so which two or three are you suggesting?
Definately NONE of the ones listed above.
From posts that people have made about their experiences with the bigger companies, I'd say these are the ones to check out first;

• U.S.Xpress
  
• Crete
  
• Werner
  

While all companies have their bad points, these 3 seem to have less complaints about them.

Answer:
No disrespect intended, but I think some of you seasoned guys may have lost track of what's happened in trucking recently - even just the last 4 or 5 years.
I'll have to agree with you on this point.
It's almost impossible to get a newbie job with a REPUTABLE smaller outfit if you don't have some experience.
I'll agree to a point on this. Almost being the key word. Many come here not willing to do what it takes,they want the I'll do it on the Net job search not willing to do the inperson search which can open alot of doors. The guy from the Old Dominion thread comes to mind,he knocked on doors to find a job that I believe is better than
the big OTR training companies offer,he had zero experience.
There are very few overnight success stories in trucking. Most folks have to work their way up, don't you think?
True but you don't always have to start at the
bottom of the pits either.
Mike
Answer:
I agree completely Mike.
Part of the problem is it's just easier to sign-on with a major -- they'll take you without even meeting you! And for some -- it probably seems like a "safer" route since they're joining a big, anonymous "institution".
Smaller companies with (perhaps) better jobs involve closer personal scrutiny, and maybe you have to play-along with the personality and whims of a couple individuals. I think most folks instinctively understand -- especially after truck school -- you can blend into the background easier at a major, versus a smaller family type outfit that really watches you closely.
In other words, a big major that'll treat you like a number, may be less intimidating than having to worry about getting along with the stereotype "good'ol boys" you have to impress at a smaller outfit.
Some newbies are so overwhelmed with what they've found out they're getting into after truck school, maybe they intentionally don't want to bite off more than they're sure they can chew.
Just a theory.

Answer:
Shuffler your one of the few people on here with a brain. I dont mind being a number. I hate havin to kiss someones butt. The less people in charge of me that I have to talk to then the better. Nothin like being stuck on hold for an hour just to wind up getting ignored anyways. Thank god for qualcomms

Answer:
"... I dont mind being a number. I hate havin to kiss someones butt. ..."
That's sums it up pretty good.
When you're being measured and evaluated by a computer program (Werner) it doesn't matter how much it "likes" you. The numbers speak for themselves, objectively, without prejudice.
[This message was edited by Shuffler on December 14, 2002 at 02:10.]

Answer:
Newbies want all the information in one little neat package. That's impossible. We live in a micrwave society. However, life and this business is not a micorwave environmet by a long shot. It takes almost a book to relate 5, 10, 20 years of experience.
Company changes, industry changes, even the experienced drivers have trouble keeping up.
We get newbies telling us we are being negative in our assessment of the industry. No! we are giving you the worst you can expect to protect you from the lies you are given.
It would be an injustice on our part to tell newbies everything is hunky dorey in trucking.
Newbies need to be prepared for the worst that they can expect. It's not out of cruelty or a form of sadistic behavior expressing our view points.
It gets old going over the same topics over and over again. If newbie's think they are going to hear something better in the active forum than you'll read in the achives, your wrong.
Trucking sucks in the achives just as much as it does up at this end. No differance.

Answer:
Amen brother you said a mouthful of truth.25 plus years in this industry have seen alot of change most for the bad but most folks don't want the truth just a big shiney truck and the promise of big money.
aman
Answer:
Crete isnt hiring newbies at the moment. Werner has had to much negative feedback for me...even though im still thinking about them..don't know much about US Express..but another good company according to my research that hires newbies is Roehl.

Answer:
Im kinda leaning toward going to MTI and getting in with Millis. They seem to be a real good company. Im going to call and ask if im in there hiringt area, then I think my decision will be made.
Ike

Answer:
Another factor in all this concerns location.
Some actually are forced to pick a carrier that's able to get them home and it may not be the best.
Then some localities just don't have local jobs.
I was always from Chicago and could have a pick
at any enviornment I chose to work in.
Mike