Students and new drivers that are trying to break into trucking as a career, always have one question that I receive on a daily basis: “What about Swift, Werner, CR England…?” Instead of constantly answering this question one at a time, I thought it would be easier and more efficient to post about it.
The biggest obstacle for newcomers to the trucking industry is actually getting hired and to begin building that all-important one year of actual driving experience. It is an even larger obstacle today, due to the economic situation. Not all trucking companies accept students or recent CDL graduates. In fact, the companies that do can almost be counted on both hands. These are the trucking companies that I often refer to as “starter” companies.
“Starter” in this sense, does not mean that they are new companies. Swift, Werner, CR England and the others have been around for a long time and are very large trucking companies. “Starter” simply means that they are some of the few trucking companies that will accept students as drivers. Why do students always ask about these “starter” companies? Because they are the largest and most well-known trucking companies that offer student acceptance. I always make it a point to advise students and recent CDL grads that you cannot expect to receive your license and immediately land one of the really good trucking jobs. Nor can you expect to go right out and get hired driving locally. There may be a very few rare occasions, but for the most part, this simply does not happen.
So, where does this leave the student? A newcomer to trucking must have between six months to one year of verifiable driving experience before a company will even look at them for the possibility of being hired. For the most part, one year is the magic number. So how do you receive this one year of experience? Through attending an accredited CDL school, you will meet the regulatory mandated hours required for the minimum driving “experience” trucking companies need before they can place you behind the wheel. From there, you will begin building the real time driving experience through the trucking company and continue on with one year of driving, thus building the driving experience that the trucking insurance carriers require.
So who will you most likely be placed with? Swift, Werner, CR England, USA Truck, PAM, Lisa Motor Lines, FFE and Covenant or the few other known “starter” companies. You have no other choice, because these are the companies that accept and/or will train students. This is the only way to obtain the one year of verifiable driving experience, period. To begin a career in trucking, you are going to have to begin with OTR (over the road), 99% of the time. So, what is my answer to the question, “What about…?”
No matter who the trucking company is, you will always hear both good and bad things about them. This is just the nature of the business. No company can make all 100% of their employees “happy.” This is just human nature. The bottom line is this: if you are wanting to make trucking a career, then you are going to have to begin with one of the “starter” companies, again, 99% of the time. These trucking companies do provide important facets to the trucking industry … (1) they offer training for newcomers to trucking who may not have the up-front money needed for CDL training and (2) they provide the means for students to achieve the actual driving experience required by the insurance carriers.
Nobody can tell you that whoever you decide to go with, that it is all going to work out just as you planned. This is OTR trucking that we are talking about. In today’s economic situation, if trucking is what you want to do, then grab on to one of the “starter” companies and get going. You are not ever going to get started in your trucking career if you constantly spend your time asking, “What about…?” The situation that comes is out of your hands, except for one thing: attitude.
Attitude plays a major role in how your trucking career plays out. You are going to have to accept what comes in trucking. There are going to be good days, and there are going to be bad days. It’s all about individuality. Go into trucking with a positive attitude. Work professionally and act like a professional. Pick up and deliver your loads on time, submit legal, well written paperwork, speak to the dispatcher, load coordinator and everyone else professionally. Do not worry about the “bad” things that will surely come…this is OTR trucking. When they happen, deal with it and move on.
Understand, that driver turn-over will continue. The key, is sticking it out and getting that one year of driving experience under your belt. After that, if the company you are with is not working out, then move on to something better. You now have the experience that the insurance carriers are seeking. The biggest obstacle standing in your way could, very possibly, be you. If you begin with a company with the attitude or fear that they are going to treat you badly, then most likely, they will. These “starter” companies, as I call them, could turn out to be a very good trucking job for you. Who knows? Alot of
it will be based on your attitude and professionalism.
I know that many of you have read and heard the “horror” stories about many trucking companies. On the other hand, I know many drivers who have driven for “starter” companies for years and are very happy being there. Could it be attitude? Could it be accepting the good with the bad? I believe it is. Over the road trucking is a tough vocation. You are never going to find a trucking company where there are no problems. Problems are a part of trucking.
As a newcomer to trucking, you first have to stop looking for that perfect company. There are very good trucking companies out there, but many are not “starter” companies. If they are, they may not be accepting students due to the economy. Companies such as Roehl Transport and Millis Transfer are excellent companies that offer training.
Do not let the term “starter company” keep you from beginning a truck driving career. These are big companies that have been in business for many years and they provide a much needed service to students. Accept this as the way things are. Many drivers and trucking sites are coming together now more than ever, working to bring change to the trucking industry. If a company treats you poorly, then report it. Post it in the trucking forums, post it on the blogs…let the world know. Help to bring about change.
If you are having problems getting hired by one of the better known trucking companies, this is to be expected and you need to go with one of the starter companies. It is the only way you are ever going to begin building the experience that is required. Again, just because they are known as a “starter” company, does not mean that it will be a “bad” experience. There are thousands of drivers very contented with many of these companies. Attitude means a lot.
One thing I do know is that you will never begin your trucking career if you never take that first step.
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: cdl, cdl graduates, good trucking job, good trucking jobs, starter company, students, trucking, trucking companies
AskTheTrucker
Allen,
Great post. There’s a lot of truth in what you talk about here. Attitude is the one thing businesses cannot teach, so you had better come to work with a good one or work will always be a struggle. With the right attitude, a new driver could do very well at a starter company.
Robert.
Hey Robert: This is where many of them will have no choice but to start. Attitude does play a big role, but I still contend that first year has a lot with having to “pay your dues.” Thanks for the comment……
I attended MTC driving school in Missouri graduated and was placed with Stevens Transport. I was a good trainee and being a former road musician I understand dues paying so I was willing to endure just about anything. I had 3 trainers, 2/12 weeks with 1st, 1wk w/ the 2nd & 3days w/ the 3rd. I have a felony in my past which is 13yrs old so this being the case I want to succeed. The last guy tried to start a fight with me and company policy staed that in the event of problems get off the truck and call dispatch which I did and Stevens left me stranded in Virginia . I called them and they had me waiting at Greyhound bus terminal. so after calling and calling i had to find a way back to Chicago. Since than I have been getting work w/ A O/O but need experience to go on my DAC. I am not going to give up but bills are piling up and I,m in need of work.
Hi Cory: I hear more and more about this company, as well as many of the starter companies … they know that without them, students and recent grads do not have a prayer for obtaining the experience needed …. in a sense …. they own “us” … as one guy told me the other day …. some starter companies are better than others … these stories still abound out there and you found yourself as another victim of OTR scams …. we will keep fighting the good fight by telling the real TRUTH ABOUT TRUCKING …… good luck … Allen
i am in cdl school now and i have had a suspended driverslicense due to unpaid tickets in the past and i have had some misdemeanors but so far everywhere i have apllied has turned me down. HELP!!! please. if i can’t find a job that is $4,000.00 i just threw away for school
Angela: Did the school not tell you that right now in this economy, many students with negatives on their MVR’s, etc., are very unlikely to get hired? Which school is this? I would like to know? – Allen
As a recruiter who has dealt with many of these starter companies, both placing drivers to them and hiring many of those same drivers away for better jobs later, I can say the driver’s attitude and their recognition of the realities is the difference between success and failure. The biggest problems seem to come when a new driver tries to make it into something it isn’t. For the first year it’s a tough job that barely pays enough to live on and you’re constantly on the road. In this economy almost any background issue will prevent you from being hired and almost every company has cut pay. A new driver has to be realistic about the job and their personal situation – if they don’t match up – do something else – come back to trucking when the job and your situation are more in sync.
I’m glad you posted this, Allen A. – I continue to explain to new students and newcomers to the industry, that right now, in this economy especially, problems on your MVR, etc., is greatly going to cause you much hardship in getting hired …. if at all. I know many times that what I say is not what many want to hear….but it’s all about honesty and truth here ….. I will point out the good and the “stuff” that may not want to be heard …. but I would rather tell them what they are up against ( in reality ) than have them lose thousands of dollars in training when they stand no chance of being hired ( for now ). Thanks for your post ……
ya hi id like to know if cr england is a good plase to go for traning
Did you read the above post?
Theres one other thing that wasent addressed .Blelive it or not theres a age problem if your 50 or over theres a problem being hired its hard to prove and they play on that .And it doesent matter how much expereiance yoy have.
As far as starter companies go,I was hired by stevens transport ten years ago did my year and have been local in southern california since,like it was said in the article it is hard that first year,but my reccomendation for a company to go with would be werner,because of the paperless log system they have,I have never worked for them but doing logs for me and most drivers is a real pain so to have it computerized would be nice and if I were to go over the road again,werner would be on my list just for that reason alone,paper logs suck and with all these new hours of service laws keeping track of hours is very important to keeping your job and staying out of trouble with the law,just my thoughts on this subject,hope it helps someone,keep on truckin, mark