Company Choices
Ok, so let’s talk companies. We’re starting from scratch as fast as possible to make you as much money as you can efficiently expect.
There are other places that I will spend a lot more time, but I want you to be able to start researching this as quickly as possible so let’s jump right into it.
There are companies that you can get into right away, and there are companies that you will need several years of experience to get into.
Do not be upset about this, accept it as a reality, and plan your first company accordingly.
If you eventually want to work for UPS, or FedEx, don’t spend a lot of time driving a flatbed semi truck. Get good at doing dry van things, being punctual, getting good safe behind the wheel experience, and become an expert at backing that trailer up without hitting anybody. Practice in a big open lot if you need to, but master the fundamentals before even considering working at a company like FedEx, UPS, or Walmart.
Similarly, if you want to drive a windmill blade across Kansas, don’t waste much time delivering things to the dollar store when you should be getting Flatbed experience.
There is very little tolerance for mistakes at the best companies, because they expect you to know what you’re doing. Fortunately, there are a lot of companies that don’t expect you to know a damn thing, and that is the list we will start with.
Top 10 Trucking Companies Known for Hiring New Drivers:
Swift Transportation: Swift is one of the largest truckload carriers in North America, offering comprehensive training programs for new drivers.
Schneider: Schneider is a veteran in the industry known for its commitment to driver training and development.
Prime Inc.: Prime offers a well-regarded company-sponsored CDL training program for beginners.
Werner Enterprises: Werner provides extensive training and opportunities for new drivers to advance their careers.
CRST Expedited: CRST has a strong reputation for helping new drivers gain experience and start their trucking careers.
USA Truck: USA Truck offers entry-level training programs and opportunities for career growth.
Roehl Transport: Roehl has an extensive apprenticeship program to prepare new drivers for the road.
TMC Transportation: TMC emphasizes driver training and safety, making it a good choice for newcomers.
Maverick Transportation: Maverick is known for its commitment to training and safety for new drivers.
Millis Transfer: Millis offers a CDL training program and opportunities for recent graduates.
What you were looking for in a new company is to have a healthy environment with a lot of resources to learn and grow safely.
Do not worry about the most money, just worry about not having someone hassling you every single day making your life miserable. It is OK to choose a trucking company based on the new equipment, the resources, the technology, and the Hometime. You want your transition into trucking to be as safe and efficient and enjoyable as possible, without having to give up every single creature comfort you’ve ever known.
If you want to go haul logs out of the wilderness with your ol’ Uncle Stewart for your first gig, go right ahead, but be fully aware that there are a lot of good companies with safe equipment and training programs that might set you up for success a little bit more comfortably (without as much danger).
You are changing over your whole lifestyle, not just your job. Patience is key here so just relax and enjoy the ride.
Don’t worry about switching companies unless they are seriously miss treating you for at least a few months. Be sure that what you are experiencing is actual miss treatment from your company or dispatch team or whatever before you jump ship just because things are hard. Making a mistake, you will have a good days and bad days, but a lot of that is just trucking and not the company that you work for. Before you change companies that you work for, or look to upgrade and advance, be sure, you have learned everything that company can teach you, even if it is just patience.
Top 5 Highest Paying Trucking Companies in the Industry:
UPS: UPS is known for competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for its drivers.
FedEx: FedEx offers competitive compensation packages and career advancement opportunities.
YRC Worldwide: YRC provides competitive wages and benefits for its truck drivers.
Sysco: Sysco, a food distribution company, pays well and offers stability in the industry.
Old Dominion Freight Line: Old Dominion is recognized for its strong compensation and benefits for drivers.
Most of the time when you look at a companies website or call for an interview, one of the first questions they will ask, is how much experience you have. Often times you can count the experience you had during CDL training school, but safe driving time behind the wheel is something that everyone must get under their belt before they can advance to the big dogs.
Most of the time the best Paying driving jobs are not ones that are advertised, so be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled and open for opportunity while you hang out in truckstops or diners, or talk to other drivers at the pump. If you see another driver, who looks well paid, ask him how he likes his job, and what he might be bringing in. In other industries, it seems rude, but in Trucking there is a lot of times a big bonus incentive to get hired on at another company, so most drivers are more than happy to tell you about their companies if they are good ones, and will readily spill the beans if they are looking to switch.
Top 5 Companies for New Drivers in Various Trucking Categories:
I don’t know a whole lot about companies outside of Flatbed, but what I can say is no matter what division you start with, you can find a driver willing to talk about their company good or bad. Truck drivers are all too happy to either brag about their success, or complain about their failures, and if they look at their company as a partner, that is a major plus. If they describe them as an adversary, might be best to steer clear.
Flatbed:
TMC Transportation: TMC is known for its extensive flatbed training programs. I started with TMC and it has regularly afforded me more opportunities than I would have had if I did not start with the best Flatbed training company in the industry. If you are fortunate enough to start with TMC, just be aware that when they say don’t step on the grass, you will literally be fired if you step on the grass. That’s a real thing.
Melton Truck Lines: one of my best truck, driver buddies started with Melton truck lines, and he is one of the safest drivers, I know. You’ll find many happy Melton drivers, but like TMC they are no nonsense and serious about safety, so don’t expect to make up your own rules.
Maverick Transportation: Maverick offers specialized flatbed training for new drivers. I don’t know much about maverick transportation, but I do know that they are regarded as having decent training and often when you see their guys drive down the road they do pretty good at tarping their stuff.
Dry Van:
Schneider: Schneider provides dry van opportunities and training for new drivers.
Werner Enterprises: Werner offers dry van positions and training for newcomers.
Less Than Load (LTL):
YRC Worldwide: YRC offers LTL positions and competitive pay for drivers.
Old Dominion Freight Line: Old Dominion provides LTL opportunities and strong compensation.
Refrigerated:
Prime Inc.: Prime offers refrigerated training programs for new drivers.
USA Truck: USA Truck provides opportunities for refrigerated hauls and driver development.
Heavy Haul:
Keen Transport: Keen Transport specializes in heavy haul and offers training for new drivers.
Anderson Trucking Service (ATS): ATS provides heavy haul opportunities and comprehensive training.
Tank Hauling:
Quality Carriers: Quality Carriers offers tank hauling positions and training.
Kenan Advantage Group: Kenan specializes in tank hauling and has opportunities for new drivers.
These lists should provide a starting point for any new drivers looking to enter the trucking industry, with options tailored to various specialties and career paths within the field. It’s important to research each company thoroughly and consider your specific preferences and goals before making a decision.
Good and Bad Company Choices
I cannot overstate this, but if you get with a company, and you feel like you are being mistreated by bitter, hateful dispatchers, or a trainer who takes advantage of you, or you are not being paid the way they promised you would before you got hired, complain to the manager and get switched immediately into a different truck with a different dispatcher and you can have a different experience…
Just say to yourself over and over, it is just business. You are in control of what company you work for and where in the country you sign on to work. If they tell you that you don’t have to go to New York City and as soon as you sign up, that is where they send you and say too bad, tell them that is not what you signed up for and that you will find a new company if that is how they feel about it. Call their bluff.
Don’t forget that they need you more than you need them. This is not like any other industry. You can have a paid for flight or ride to a new orientation class and a new company in a new part of the country in four days or less as long as you keep your commercial driving license and record clean. Your focus is safety and clean driving. If someone is hassling you and making that difficult, don’t be afraid to tell them.
Personality types are a big part of this business and if you don’t work out well with your trainer or dispatcher or safety team, ask for a new one before you switch companies! Usually someone in the retention department will be all too happy to help you find a better fit. You can definitely do this, and don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot.
Just be safe, be excited, take good notes, and have fun. It is just a ride, just do your best and it will all work out.