Question:
Since starting trucking over two years ago, I have dedicated alot of time into looking into pay packages and talking too drivers from various companies, reading posts from various boards. The following companies would be probly the only ones I would have any interest working for, I appologize if your pet company is not on this list it does not include any of the small companies I would consider.
Roehl
Transport America
Crete
Sunflower
Arrow
Shaffer
CFI
Millis Transfer
Yellow
USF Holland

Answer:
Troy... I agree with that list.
But...
The problem is that the list is supposed to be if you are a newbie.
I know that Yellow and CFI only hires experienced drivers. Yelllow... ohhh yeahh... the Rolls Royce of trucking companies... but I doubt a newbie has much of a chance with them. Hell I don't even have THAT big of a chance and my uncle had drove for them for ten years.
Anyways.. otherwise.. good post Troy.
Disagree with me? Tough.

Answer:
experience also. Sunflower and Schaffer according to their web sites require 1 year but may take a newbie depending on "circumstances".


Answer:
You forgot one.
I dont care how many people hate this company, for a newbie, this company couldn't be any better.
Im talking about Schneider National. Like I said no matter how much people complain and whine about how horrible this company is, I think its one of the best.
The training in my opinion is great and is a great learning experience. Theres a good supply of freight and miles and endless oportunities of dedicated freight lanes.
Just thought I would pass that one along.


Answer:
I talk with a lot of drivers while eating, doing laundry etc. Some of the friendliest I meet and happiest with their new career field are from companies most would never work for.
Swift newbies like their career and training. Most do say they might move on after a year or so but are happy as a newbie. Slow trucks is not a problem for most just starting out. Werener is the same with the ones I've talked with. Could be their just new and naieve. But most like where they work.
There is one real problem starting out. It's where you live. A lot of companies that one person may think is the best may not hire in a new drivers area. Living in South Florida lots of supposidly better companies just do not hire here. It is something newbies need to concider when looking into driving as a career. Who can you work for??
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
...but I think it varies from person to person, with things like experience, location, and personal history.
Only if were as easy to just pick and choose.
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.
www.livejournal.com/users/trucking_life

Answer:
I have just graduated from driving school (9/21/02) and have spoken to CFI about driving for them. Unless they have changed their rules within the last week they are very interested in hiring me and are sending me the application packet. I'm not sure if they are only doing this because my hubby is an experienced driver, but they definitely said if everything checks out they would hire us both.

Answer:
it being tough living in Florida. I live on the east coast and the only carriers that will take me are Schneider,Stevens,Willis Shaw and there are a few others.
I really wanted to go with USXpress but they said not from Ft.Lauderdale. I'll probably end up with either Stevens or WSE. The price we pay for being comfortable in January !!
FlBlonde what part of Florida do you live in?

Answer:
Is it because Florida is more of a tourist state than a industry/manufacturing state?
I do know that Florida is a consuming state if you want to call it that. That is why it is so hard to find outbound freight and alot of drivers will deadhead out of Florida.
You would think alot of carriers would hire drivers from Florida. I mean why not, with all the produce and import goods that come in everyday. I know whenever I go down to Florida I never have problems with finding freight but I guess not everyone is the same. I mean its kinda hard to put produce in a dry van and arrive to your destination without your whole load spoiling.


Answer:
little made in Florida. Refrigerated carriers( WSE,Stevens,FFE, etc) will grab us in a heart beat. Tons and tons of produce coming out of Fla. Unfortunately little else.
However I have dallied around at different load board websites and there seems to be a lot coming out of Florida...I dunno?!?!
I will happily pull a reefer for someone so I can play golf in December and not pay state taxes !!

Answer:
I will happily pull a reefer for someone so I can play golf in DecemberIf you find a local job, trucking or not, I'm sure that you'll be able to play golf in December. If you drive OTR, the only thing that is certain is that you'll be in a truck in December. If that truck is in Chicago, you may need to bring an extra set of irons.

Answer:
Problem is South Florida doesn't pay worth a crap. I could easily find a local driving job in either Ft.Lauderdale or Miami....if I want to make 7.00-9.00 per hour with little overtime!
I do want to try OTR though. It is something I've wanted to try for a long time. If I don't like it I will at least gotten it out of my system.

Answer:
However I have dallied around at different load board websites and there seems to be a lot coming out of Florida.
Could you tell me where those load boards are. I use them all the time and can't find much worth starting my truck for.
Florida is a no mans land as far as trucking goes. All the freight I bring into Florida pays very well. But not without reason. Very few loads leaving and the ones that are pay very very low. Companies know they can get you home to Florida but will also make very little if any money getting you back out. Drivers dead-heading from South Florida to Georgia to get loaded is very common.
But, South Florida has lots of small O/O type companies that do hire. Unfortunatly they usually don't train. My company would train except for our last attempt. It didn't work out too well. Trainees must actually stay awake the majority of the time the truck is moving, loading, scaling, fueling etc.. The trainer is not your personal alarm clock.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
I should have named this thread, Companies you can drive for and still have Dignity. I heard a funny comment from a driver on the CB this week, not that its on very often but was in IL and needed bear reports. This guy was trying to get ahold of the East bound drivers and nobody responded he said "Must be a bunch of JB Hunt Rejects that can't pick up the radio" with that someone responded.

Answer:
I just diddle around at www.truckstop.com and www.getloaded.com and all I do there are demo searches.
The boards claim they are actual live loads but as a newbie I couldn't really tell ya. Hey if you're having trouble finding decent help I'll give ya a holler once I'm done at McFatter getting my CDl, but it won't be till december at the earliest.
Florida being the produce capital of the us I'd think that with reefers you'd be able to find all kinds of stuff ?!?!?