Question:
I'm going back on the road (haven't driven for 15 years) with a fresh CDL. So far my offers have been from Swift, USA Truck, Transport America, TMC, SMX, Covenant, and Milan Express. I'm mostly interested in flatbeds, but might consider vans. Right now I'm leaning toward SMX or Milan Express. Milan Express said they would credit me with my miles from 15 years ago (.01 or .02 cents). SMX would probably get me past home more often (I live on I-80 in Illinois and they run mostly midwest). Opinions on any of these companies?
Concerning Milan Express Little Ebby said ''Way too much emphasis on DAC reports. Very difficult for a driver to get a fair hearing". Would this be a concern for a new driver with a clean MVR?
Thanks
Answer:
Schneider has a terminal in Gary Indiana and they haul the I 80 area alot. Maybe the Spring Valley Il Wal Mart account is still going. Worth checkin into.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
Scneider actually has a dropyard and a Petsmart account right here in Ottawa where I live. However, they require a 1 year contract and a 14 week training period. I withdrew my application for this reason.
Answer:
They run every where. Their dry van fleet stays midwest. If you go with them on flats do the regional if you want to stay near the house. The OTR crowd will run you all over and most likely forget where you live. Their biggest downfall is their pay. Their still in the dark ages especially after you get some experience. Their biggest plus is they also have double drops and single drops and haul alot of Oversize. If you want to do specialized they would be a good place to start. But you will have to make 100 percent sure they will train you in the drop decks and oversized or you will be doing flats with alot of tarping.
When I was there the first and biggest mistake I saw them make was lying to the new recruits. Over half the people in my orientation went home because the job they applied for and was promised did not exist or they were told they would have to wait for an opening at some future date. From the recruiters right to the Dept. Mgr Frank none of them were very honest.

Answer:

Frank was fired a few months ago. Steve on the Van side was also fired. Alot of the office people in several of the terminals have been cleaned out & replaced with new recruits that do not have a clue on whats going on.
I'm sure you already made a decision on what company you want to go to, but if you decided on SMX watch your pay closely. They will try to get ya if they think your back has been turned.

Answer:
I worked at SMX on the flatbed side and was home on the weekends running regional for four years and loved it. Pay was good and they are not in the dark ages on pay like Stuffs said. Call them up and ask them what they pay and hometime just get it in writing. Their has been some changes and different people since I was their. Founder and President has since passed away but I enjoyed my time their.
TMC is a good company from visting with their drivers never worked their, good training program and nice equipment and they keep it clean. Lots of midwest and east work, hometime should be good.
Just like all companys, you have the ones that liked it and stayed, the ones at didn't and left and then you have the three month job jumpers that don't like it anywhere.

Answer:
Mad-Hatter wrote:

Proably because alot of drivers draw to many advances or have two many garnishments taken out of their check and then wonder why their not making any money. Then they blame it on the company stealing them blind.