Question:
Hello Gentlemen,
I am a 49 yr old guy who spent 25 years behind a desk managing the distribution side of the trans industry. After being laid off in late 2005 I decided to change careers. Last July, I completed the good old Swift 3 week program at one of the local driving schools. Worked for Swift for 5 months before I had to leave due to family medical issues. I have looked for trucking work in the Sacramento, CA. area , as I have a family who I would like to see more often than 3 days after 5 weeks out. It has been 2 months and nothing has panned out. So I am contemplating returning to the 11 western region runs.
I have been researching different trucking companies, other than Swift (whom I really didn't have problems with other than home time). I only have 5 months experience driving, with a clean record so far. I have boiled it down to a few companies and wanted your opinion. Keep in mind, I do think of pay / miles and home time as top priority. I am seriously looking at Crete, May Trucking, and Knight Transportation. I appreciate any opinions good and bad.
Thanks

Answer:
I'd stay away from May. I was at Cummins the other day and a coupla May drivers came in needing some work. Cummins refused because of unpaid bills.
Don't know if you have enough time in for Crete, they are a good company.
Knight will hire ya and they do have many regional dedicated runs. I've heard good and bad.
Just curious, did you ask about dedicated runs at Swift? Also ask about division 902. That gets you home every two weeks. They should have been getting you home every two weeks as it was. You're also entitled to one day off for every 6 days out per policy. If you go back there, fire your DM until you get one you like.

Answer:
Thanks for the info on May. Don't need that. I was with a non trucking company for 11 years and they couldn't pay their employees on a regular basis toward the end. As for Swift, I checked into doing Rite Aid dedicated out of Woodland, but they were not accepting new drivers at that time. I have considered driving zone 902 should I go back to Swift. Just need to check about the miles involved. My DM always seemed to have things lined up one after the other for me, but kept me out for 5 weeks. I didn't have any real issues with Swift except the low pay and the weekend crews I had to deal with. I once had to sit for 3 hrs after putting in a fuel request on the weekend. Seems no one was interested in getting back to me. My DM was fine, like I said except for the home time.
I am married and have 3 kids at home. Two girls 14 and 9 yrs and my son (23) who is handicapped and missed his dad. I did call Crete and they did say they would take me, but I would have to go out with a trainer for up to 4 weeks. I will investigate further. I originally was out of the Lathrop terminal at Swift. Would be interesting to see how Crete deals with me so far away from the Arizona Terminal where I would probably be routed from.

Answer:
Why not look into LTL freight company. i haven't been to CA in a while but last time I was there I know many companies were hiring. It might mean a night run but you go home every day after your run, have every weekend off and usually pays more than truck load. LTL also has pick up and delivery jobs which stay local and work days, pay by the hour.

Answer:
Thanks for the advice. I have been looking into LTL carriers too. UPS, SAIA, Watson-Sheppard. Seems though most require at least one year OTR experience. Unfortunately I lack that. But good news is I have a interview with SAIA and have been in contact with Watson-Sheppard. Hopefully one of them will give me the opportunity to drive for them. I really love to drive, and hard work was never an issue for me.
I have also been in contact with Crete, should I have to go do regional in order to get to my one year. I really appreciate the help you have given and welcome anymore advice.
Thanks

Answer:
If you're considering Knight, I'd look at USXpress too. I'd add Werner to that group, except their western region is the poorest paying division in their fleet (although they're better than average at getting you home on time).
Crete may be the best on your western region OTR list. It's a small division and does a lot of Los Angeles and Bay area. I almost took the same job in their western fleet. I went finally went with Gordon (GTI) instead -- you might consider them - they have a small western division but I don't know the specifics, I work their national fleet. You may not have enough experience.
You know what I'd do? I'd make one last manic, door-pounding round at the LTLs and everything else you can think of. Re-connect with the ones that didn't "pan out". Hit them up again. Every once in a while, the best match is the one that can start Monday. http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

Answer:
LTL usually takes some door pounding and patience to get in, but it's usually well worth it. I'm sure there are a lot more than those you mentioned in your area, and don't believe the you have to have 1 year before you can get in. Myself and many others got in with 0 experience. It depends on the area but even the union carriers are training or hiring trainees right out of school.
Go to the interstate and look for the trucks with a back window and write down all of the names and start finding and visiting the terminals.

Answer:
What Beeman said.
You can always step back into a Swift-like truckload carrier later if you want -- they'll always take you. This is an excelent time to get ANY trucking job as we move out of the slow, post Chrstmas season. Read Beeman's other thread. This could be you, if you put some efort into it.http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

Answer:
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/
The Office of Personnel Management's web site has several thousands jobs listed from any where from $28K to $109K depending on your experience.
Typing in Sacramento, CA there were at least 12 pages of jobs listed.
I have 10 years of active duty I bought back to increase my senority and the amount of vacation I earn each month.
Never hurts to look and in most cases you'd be home every night.
Be safe."If men were angels...No government would be necessary."
51st Federalist Papers
"Nichols' Fourth Law says, "Avoid any action with an unacceptable outcome"

Answer:
Knock on Oak Harbor Freight Lines door in West Sac. Not too long ago they couldn't find drivers fast enough. Last week we opened a new terminal in Stockton also don't know if they got it fully staffed yet but I am betting they will need additional help in the near future. Most of the CA terminals are non-union but get the same pay and benefits as the Union ones. OHFL is not without some problems but money isn't one of them. You don't have to worry about a bounced pay check.

Answer:
I looked at Oak Harbor Freight Lineup here in at oneof their northwest terminals. I was impressed. I decided to stay "dweller" OTR, but I can vouch for their relatively good reputation. But remember -- you'll be running doubles/triples on I-5, chaining through the passes, etc.... It ain't Swift. http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

Answer:
dkdamas i sent you a private message let me know here on the forum if you got it
Bert

Answer:
Bert B, Thanks for the info. I did get your message and will look into that. I have been in the bay area visiting my daughter and now am able to get back to looking. I appreciate all your help

Answer:
Yes check into the company i told you about. let me know when you are going to take a look at it, and i can help with some names to drop I myself have been knocked out of trucking and all commercial driving due to a severe crush injury to my left hand last july the retract handle on a set of tandem sliders on a 53 got me and pinned my hand with an increasing crushing pressure for more than 15 minutes at a desolate locations loading dock, i have lost the use of my left hand and the nerves in it went haywire and has caused very painful living and no cure, just a chance for it to spread further up my arm than it already has. my physical is due next month and thats gonna be it for me after 34 professional years driving trucks, school busses in California In S.F., Sacto. and Redding. and also here in Nevada. without a ticket ( moving violation ) so we will see what we shall see as they say. at 51 kinda late to change careers when driving is what i know.
Bert

Answer:
I have seen that company many times while commuting back and forth to the bay area. Looks like a good outfit. I will be sending them my resume and most likely paying them a visit next week. I need to find something soon. My family has already started to succumb to the possibility of me going back to OTR, yet are not too happy. I have checked out and talked to many of the LTL carriers in the area, SAIA, Yellow, Oak Harbor, etc yet no luck . I hope these guys will give this newbie a break. Though I did enjoy OTR, the time away from family and their medical issues is a major concern for me. Again, I appreciate all your help and suggestions.