The trucking industry continues to offer job opportunities for experienced and non-experienced drivers nationwide. Many companies provide on-the-job training and a reasonable starting salary along with benefits such as heath care and bonus programs.
Since trucking companies vary greatly in the benefits they offer as well as the bonus programs used to recruit drivers, it is to your benefit to take a detailed look at each opportunity before you make your final decision. Although it can be difficult to compare “apples to apples”, using the 5 tips below will help you evaluate each company on their merits and how well they meet your needs.
Tip #1 – Local Terminal
One of the most important keys is to find a company with a local terminal. The local terminal is where you will normally attend safety meetings, file paperwork, pick up equipment and other related company employment responsibilities.
A local terminal is critical to eliminating additional travel time and expense. If you are an owner operator, it is even more important to work out of a local terminal to eliminate the additional fuel cost and lost wages driving an empty rig.
Note: One of the benefits of working with a national trucking company is the likelihood that the company has a local terminal located close to your home base.
Tip #2 – Compensation
Salary is always one of the biggest factors in selecting a trucking company but certainly not the only one. This is an area where you will need to evaluate all the components in detail. Are you paid by the hour, the mile or by the job?
If there is a sign-on bonus, what are the terms? What happens if you leave the company early? How is the bonus paid? When is the bonus paid? What do you need to do to qualify for the bonus? Is there an instance where you would be required to pay back the bonus?
After you finish the job, when will you receive payment. Is it after you submit your paperwork and if so within how many days of the submission? Or, do you have a set pay date? Do they offer direct deposit or is a check mailed to you? If you are an over the road driver, a direct deposit is critical as you can access your account from any bank ATM or even a fueling station.
Tip #3 – Dispatch
Another consideration is the company dispatch. Dispatch can either be your friend or worst enemy. Find a company that has a large freight backlog. You want to be able to deliver and contact dispatch for another load quickly and efficiently. What you don’t want to do is sit around while waiting for dispatch to call you with another load.
Tip #4 – Benefits
Also take into consideration additional benefits such as 401K plans, safety bonuses, health plans, retirement plans and vacation time. Does the trucking company have additional benefits? Some benefits will add up to 20% to 40% additional overall compensation for you and some if not all of the income may be deferred until retirement.
Another question to ask is how the company handles time off requests. Do you get a paid vacation after a certain length of employment or a certain number of hours on the books? At some point you may need special time off for yourself or family time. Find out how the company handles these requests. Look for a trucking company with a “family” atmosphere who understands your personal needs and family requirements.
Tip #5 – Safety
This should be the most important decision factor. How does your future employer maintain their equipment? What is their safety record and maintenance plan? Even if you have your own rig, you will be hauling their trailers and you want to make certain they are safe and well-maintained.
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