Trucking: New drivers, ltl freight company, crete carriers

Question
What is your recommendation for new drivers in terms of selection of a company to start working for? It seems like all new drivers are relegated to working for over the road companies. I graduated in January 2008 and applied to some local companies (like Coke and Pepsi). Are there advantages to starting out with a local company? Where would I get the best training. How long should I still be double clutching? I want to start off with the right company.

Answer
Hi Michael,

These are some tough questions. Depending on where you live, it could be hard to find a local job without at least 1 year experience. Unless it's a LTL freight company (Roadway, Yellow Freight, UPS Freight, etc.....) you won't make much money. Roadway use to hire drivers right out of driving school, not sure if they still do or not. If you don't mind driving over-the-road, Crete Carriers, Heartland Express, and Roehl are pretty good companies to start out with. The relationship between you and the dispatcher will determine how much money you'll make. What I mean is, if you and the dispatcher don't get along. Then he won't give you miles and he will try to keep you out longer than you want to be out. This is with every company. Take whatever load given, drive hard, be on time, and do favors for dispatch like shuttling trailers around town. It will payoff in the long run.
As far as double clutching, that's up to you. If you can shift without the clutch, then stop double clutching. You are taught in school to double clutch to help get your timing to shift. Sometimes I find it easier going up a steep hill or Mountain to depress the clutch to take it out of gear, then I float it back into gear. I suggest play with different ways of using your clutch and do what works best for you.

I hope this helps, if you have anymore questions, let me know.
God Bless, Israel