Question:
Hi All,
I am currently attending Northeast Technical Institute in Scarborough, Maine. It's a 4 week, 200 hour program. So far its excellent.
I was hoping that some of my learned future colleagues (that'd be you) might care to provide me with suggestions on which companies I might want to consider working for upon graduation.
I live in eastern Massachusetts. I am ammenable to almost any type of driving. While I would like to get home occasionally, home-time isn't a big issue. What I'd really like to find is a quality company; a real class act organization that I can be proud to work for. Needless to say, good pay and bennies are important too.
I have already looked at Swift, Schnieder, and Werner. While I am not discounting any of these I would like to know what other options might exist.
Thanks in advance for your thoughtfull advice.

Answer:
of hiring areas two other companies you might want to look into are Millis and Roehl. Also you can go to sites such as 1800drivers.com and classadrivers.com, layover.com, and of course here on truck net and place on line applications and see who responds.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
What kind of Trailer you want to pull?(REEFER, Dry Van, or Flatbed?)
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Check the major newspapers(Sunday Edition) in your area to see which carriers are hiring in your area.
Also stop by a truckstop & p/u a few of those FREE trucking mags.(this will also give you an idea which carriers hire in your area.)

Answer:
Thanks for the advice. I have looked at Millis and Rhoel, but it appears that they do not have a lot of freight up here.
As for the truckstop papers and newspaper ads, I've done both of those things and I have a long list of companies. Too long in fact to follow up with each company. What I was hoping is that the good folks on truck.net might be able to help me identify the "better companies" to work for so that I can focus my efforts in pursuing those.
Regarding the type of trailer I want to pull, I've looked at the options and determined that I don't have a real preferrence one way or the other. Each seems to have its pros and cons. I am more concerned with finding a company that I'll be able to learn with and be happy working for them.

Answer:
Willin it might be easier for some to comment if we had an idea what companies you are looking at. Why don't you list those that interrest you and we could go from there.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Ah, point taken. The ones that look most promising include Swift, J.B. Hunt, Smith Transport, and Shaffer Trucking.

Answer:
JB HUnt and Smith transport off your list. Both require verifiable OTR experience. (Unless of course one of the other has recently changed hiring policy)
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
Transport America has very solid freight too and from your area. When I worked for them OTR I spent every cycle out going out that way. I was happy working for them for 2.7 years but what seemed to be constant staffing problems in there operations centers finially sent me to greener pastures, outside of the truckload business.

Answer:
Not to be bustin your bubble, but as the newest newbie, you will not have a large choice in companies, equipment, pay, home-time, etc. This doesn't mean you don't try to get as much as you can, just be aware that you will not get all you would like.
Disregard what the companies tell you. Most of them are simply looking for a warm butt to put in their seat.
"We have met the enemy, and he is us." pogo

Answer:
quality company; a real class act organization? Probably don't exist within the truckload carriers! You might want to try the LTL company's for that, but you probably need a few years under your belt before you will get hired with any company worth staying with, unless you know someone.
My two cents.

Answer:
I truly appreciate all of your advice. I have made the decision to go with Werner. I realize that as the "Newest Newbie" I have to pay my dues just like everyone else. Werner seems like a resonable place to start off. I've spent a bit of time speaking with (pestering?) drivers from a number of companies. Overall I heard an awfull lot of negativity but found most those sources to be less than completely credible. Of the drivers that seemed sincere and without chips on their shoulders, I got the sense that I would be happier at Werner than at some of the other carriers that hire new drivers.
If anyone's interested I'll be glad to keep you posted as I progress.
Again, thanks.

Answer:
All in all, probably the lesser of several evils. Being from Nebraska, I am a little more disposed toward Werner for training newbies. Ya will still get screwed but will now and then get a little lubrication to go with it. Hang in there, pay your dues, and then look for a better outfit.
"We have met the enemy, and he is us." pogo

Answer:
Willin,
I have just started with SNI, on pumpkindriver.com I am keeping a thread going covering all my training and my first over the road trips. I am not recruiting for SNI, so don't think that. I did do alot of research before choosing them and am very happy so far. From what I have heard and seen they do have one of the best training programs. But with all training companies there will be some bumps along the road.
Rowdy
Pumpkin Drivers Rule!!

Answer:
I run northeast regional for Shaffer and I know for a fact we have plenty of freight up there because I'm up there a lot......CT,MA,VT,ME,Canada, NH, we have freight in all those states.
They also have national account that runs all 48 and Canada, you stay out 2-3 weeks and earn 1.5 days off for each 6 days out so if your out 2 weeks you get 3 days home and 3 weeks you could have 4-5 days home. On the regional you are out 5 days and home for 1.5 to 2 days....with the option of staying out over the weekend too if you want to stay out longer but just drive in your region (Can-ME-NC-IN triangle).
But if your just getting out of school....you might want to call Craig in recruiting and check they just take students from certain schools you can reach him at (800)669-1181....tell him Greg told you to call truck #82348.
If you have any other questions about shaffer see my post here in this forum or msg. me back in here and I can give you more details.
"Hakuna Matata".....Greg
All for the love of a good woman.