Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

From CT looking for best OTR company

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Wienerschnitzel, May 31, 2019.

Page 1 of 2
  1. May 31, 2019 #1
    Wienerschnitzel

    Wienerschnitzel Bobtail Member

    26
    12
    Apr 17, 2018
    CT
    0
    Hello forum,
    I'm from Connecticut and looking to get in with the best OTR trucking company that puts you through your CDL and gets you on the road.

    I'm in my 30s and single, with no mortgage or kids or anything holding me down. I would like to just long haul for a few years, for starters, and save as much as I can.

    I'll pretty much bus it anywhere in the USA. Good suggestions would be amazing!

    Thanks.
     
    Wienerschnitzel, May 31, 2019
    Wienerschnitzel, May 31, 2019
    #1
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. May 31, 2019 #2
    Tombstone69

    Tombstone69 Road Train Member

    1,010
    1,346
    Dec 20, 2018
    Jersey shore
    0
    Chinatown should be with you any minute, you might want to add a little more info, what type of truck do you want to drive?
     
    Tombstone69, May 31, 2019
    Tombstone69, May 31, 2019
    #2
    Puppage Thanks this.
  4. May 31, 2019 #3
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    13,789
    25,879
    Jul 25, 2008
    Somewhere out West, in my mind.
    0
    It would help to tell us if you prefer dry van, reefer van, flatbed companies. Are needing a company that provides "free training/license" or are you willing to get your license on your own and then drive for a company? Half of trucking companies that hire newbies offer Tuition Reimbursement in addition to their pay for driving. Maybe 10% of trucking companies will provide training to get the license in exchange for 1 year commitment to work for them. If you don't stay for 1 year you will owe them, sometimes a lot of money. I'm just trying to get clarity on your need.
     
    tscottme, May 31, 2019
    tscottme, May 31, 2019
    #3
  5. May 31, 2019 #4
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    73,251
    164,564
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Here's three coast to coast outfits with their own cdl school and provide meals and lodging. They'll provide transportation to the school.
    Jim Palmer Trucking - refrigerated
    Wilson Logistics - dry van
    CFI - www.cfidrive.com - dry van
    Note * Jim Palmer and Wilson websites are very similar because they are owned by the same man.
    If you want names of more companies, let us know, but I think you'll find your niche with one of these.
     
    Chinatown, May 31, 2019
    Chinatown, May 31, 2019
    #4
  7. May 31, 2019 #5
    Wienerschnitzel

    Wienerschnitzel Bobtail Member

    26
    12
    Apr 17, 2018
    CT
    0
    Thanks everyone. I should have added more info. I'd probably prefer driving either dry or reefer van, at least for starters. Figure once I'm in it for a while and have the hang of it a little more I can consider tanker or flatbed.

    In terms of the type of schooling, I guess the idea of a company putting you through school and getting you on the road for a one year contract sounds appealing because they put you out there with a trainer (I have heard the horror stories of teaming with a trainer). I feel that'd be the best experience in itself, though. I wasn't aware of companies reimbursing tuition. That is good to know. I do have a pretty decent accredited trucking school in my area that I have reached out to in the past. Could be an option.

    Something about just busing out somewhere and not coming back is appealing to me.
     
    Wienerschnitzel, May 31, 2019
    Wienerschnitzel, May 31, 2019
    #5
    Tombstone69 Thanks this.
  8. May 31, 2019 #6
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    73,251
    164,564
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Yeah, you hear of horror stories of working with a trainer, but what about the 10's of thousand of others where it worked out just fine.
    Even if you attend a private school, you still will go out with a trainer because you don't have any driving experience.
    Those companies I listed that have their own cdl school also start their students out at more pay than many experienced drivers are making; over $ .40 cpm and you can verify that with a phone call.
    If you do decide to attend the private cdl school; Leonard's Express will hire you. This is a refrigerated trucking company that runs coast to coast. I've seen their trucks here in Las Vegas.
    [​IMG][​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2019
    Chinatown, May 31, 2019
    Chinatown, May 31, 2019
    #6
  9. May 31, 2019 #7
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    73,251
    164,564
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    [​IMG][​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2019
    Chinatown, May 31, 2019
    Chinatown, May 31, 2019
    #7
  10. May 31, 2019 #8
    Wienerschnitzel

    Wienerschnitzel Bobtail Member

    26
    12
    Apr 17, 2018
    CT
    0
    Yeah, you're absolutely right. Can't really feed into the horror stories. I think going OTR with a trainer for a few weeks or however long it is would be the best on the job experience you can get before heading out there on your own.

    Thanks for all the suggestions. On the CFI site they state that about 53k is average yearly salary for solo drivers. Any chance you know if that's about the same for Palmer/Wilson and Leonard's companies?

    Also wondering how much an average OTR dry or reefer truck driver makes after a couple years of experience? Thanks again for all the help and info.
     
    Wienerschnitzel, May 31, 2019
    Wienerschnitzel, May 31, 2019
    #8
  11. May 31, 2019 #9
    Flat Earth Trucker

    Flat Earth Trucker Road Train Member

    4,053
    14,889
    Nov 19, 2018
    0
    I work hard to suppress any positive information about students being successfully taught by a trainer. :pirate:
     
    Flat Earth Trucker, May 31, 2019
    Flat Earth Trucker, May 31, 2019
    #9
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  12. May 31, 2019 #10
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    73,251
    164,564
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Should make a lot more than that pulling a reefer coast to coast.
    @RoadRooster works for CFI, so he can answer you question on pay there.
     
    Chinatown, May 31, 2019
    Chinatown, May 31, 2019
    #10
    RoadRooster Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2