Quote:
Originally Posted by crockett
You pick the right company, like Prime as example they wont be having you do stupid shit. They have a NE division so guys in that division do most of the NE loads as example. Sure you take loads into the NE, but it's usually to somewhere in PA or maybe NJ or DE. Also they don't tell you to avoid tolls.
In fact as lease guy I try to avoid tolls at all cost because that comes out of my money, but for company guys they are always riding toll roads.
You are missing the important factor as why I said go to a mega, it's because no one but a mega will hire a brand new driver because insurance rates cost to much. The megas are all self insured which is the reason they all take new drivers. No mom and pop or small company will hire a driver unless he has a year or 2 of experience. It's not like it used to be back even 15 or 20 years ago where you could get your CDL working for your dad's construction company. Now days insurance rates are fucking insane.
Example, I called for a insurance quote for a fucking Sprinter van to do expediting. They quoted me over $30k/year because I'd have a new DOT number. Insurance now days is insane for both new drivers and new companies.
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That's just not true anymore, the mom and pops might not hire you but you also don't have to settle the Prime's and Schneider's of the world. Most companies now are taking graduation from an accredited truck driving school in lieu of a year experience, because they flat out have to. The shortage is just getting worse and worse and most companies have no choice but to take the insurance hit. You don't have to believe me, just go to any of the truck driving forums and ask.
As for the Sprinter van, 2 questions...who in the hell quoted you $30,000 a year? There is only one company that offers commercial insurance for expediters, Progressive, and most everyone uses Commercial Insurance Solutions out of Ohio to get the Progressive policy, since the brokers there know each expedite company's requirements. For the blanket million dollar policy they are quoting $3,000-$5,000 per year, or more if you have a shit driving record. Any why would you get a DOT number? No company is going to award you bids off any of the job boards with your own authority anyways unless you have at least 10 vans. If you are a one man operation you have to work for Panther, Roadrunner, or one of the other big boys...