Question:
I am currently going to Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for CDL Driving Training. This is a PTDI school for which is very good with their training. We have had several recruitters come in and speak to us and I was wanting to know if you could give me some feed back on the companies below. I am looking mostly for a Midwest Regional job to get a year's experience to transfer to a local company to be home sooner. Thanks in advance for your comments.
Swift Transportation
Roehl Transport
Crete Carriers
Schnieder National
Thanks,
Ryan

Answer:
Crete & Schneider, in No particular order.

Answer:
Trans Am Trucking, not a bad outfit and good starting pay
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
Just some friendly advice,don't take the Recruiters word as truth for anything unless it's in writeing.
Mike
Let's all Chant...
"It's a Lifestyle and is what you make it"
Feel better?
Answer:
Not too many newbies get regional hauls (that will get you home most weekends) right out of school. Some do get lucky however. Expect to be out away from home for 2 weeks at a time with any of these companies after you have completed training.
As far as the companies you have listed my vote would be for Roehl or Crete to start out with.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Keep in mind also, that after completeing the CDL school training, you will also train with which ever company you choose.
When my driver started training with his first co. he was out with trainer for approx. 6-8 weeks. He was paid a weekly rate while training with them. They also had an incentive where you could split the training in half, but if you chose to do it all at once you got a bonus? Not sure if that co. still does that anymore.
If you have a family, thats something you might want to check out with the companies. Ask some of the co. drivers here, don't go by just recruiters.
Good Luck........be safe
Cindi
Thats just my opinion......
I could be wrong!
Dennis Miller
searchin.....for pigs on the wing! Pink Floyd


Answer:
I second what chocklt said, Roehl. Then I am biased and drive for them. Actually, I'm on my second go around. Quit back in January (recalled to Boeing), then decided to go back in August after being layed off for a second time in a year. I looked at some other companies, but was more then happy with the way I was treated with Roehl. Are they a perfect company? No way! Then again you will never find the perfect company, or job for that matter!
One thing to consider on regional is the pay is .02 cents per mile less then national, you will get home on the weekends though. I stay out 10-11 days and get home every other weekend. All a matter of personal choice.
If you have any other questions feel free to email me here, just click on the envelope above. I'll be home till Monday 0800!
As far as your other choices Crete is the only other one I myself would even research. Swift? Nuff said! Pumpkin? For one way to big! Another reason, I've been to the site set up by one their drivers, and I'm sorry but they read like a bunch of teenagers (IMOH!)
Best of luck on your choice. Keep us informed!
Drive on! bandit58....

Answer:
Well thank you all for the information and feedback about the companies. Tomorrow is the big day, I test for my CDL with the DOT. I am not really nervous, but probably will be as it gets closer. We went out on the drive test route today about 20 times and I feel my backing (Skills) test is good and my pre-trip is good.
I also submitted 2 apps today. One with Roehl Transport and the other with Crete. Hopefully I will here back shortly with them.
Next step is to study for my haz-mat endorsement. Fun Fun
Thanks again for all your info.
Ryan

Answer:
Driver!

Answer:
Well,
Like Bandit I am a little biased also. IMHO Roehl is probally one of the best companies for a new driver to start with. This is not meant as a put down to the other major carriers out there that hire student drivers. But when it comes to finding a company to cut your teeth with Roehl is a good one.
Something to consider comparing midwest vs. national. As Bandit said, Roehl regional drivers are paid .02 less then National drivers. Here is the catcher for you. Alot of the "Regional" drivers I have met have driven all over the country. Yes they get home every weekend, but dont always expect a weekend to be 48 hours. If you can handle being home every other weekend you can make a little more money. Of course the decision is yours to make.
Good luck on the test.
DRIVER BY CHOICE
Buzzdog