Hey All,
I agree with the previous reports about the trashy company of USA Truck, Inc. The Inc. Means stinks with this company. They recruite approx. 100 people PER WEEK! They have orientation for three days and then you are suppose to get with a trainer. Not happening. The company blamed the drug testing company, stating that they were waiting on our drug tests to come back before were assigned to a trainer. I looked on the board and noticed they only had 6 trainers available.
USA Truck housed us an extra day at a dump that was so nasty that I slept up right, on top of the bed. There wasn't a phone or alarm clock and the lamp was electrical taped together. The tv had no remote and would only turn on by the door. I don't think the Meador's Motel of Oma, Arkansas could pass state board inspection if their life depended on it. The carpets were nasty, no chair of any kind to sit in, no mircrowave or frig., not to mention the prostitutes hanging in the doorways telling their small children to get back into their room.
We all returned to the terminal the next morning and waited some more. It was afternoon, around 2:00, before we were assigned a trainee's manager, who proceeds to tell us that they don't have enough trainers available so that we'd have to spent home. I agreed to have either male or female trainer, hoping that it would speed up the process... Didn't happen. We were all sent home... Some as far away as Buffalo, NY. Fortunately, I drove to Van Buren, and went home. I called in like the manager told me to, only to find out that USA Truck still didn't have a trainer available for me. After two weeks at home, I called the trainee manager and told her that I went with another company since they did't have enough trainers. The next day, the USA Truck Recruiter, Andrea, calls and wants to talk about what happened, according to her message on my answering machine. I never returned her call. It doesn't deserve a return call.
I kept looking around for a company that would take a recent grad. Who prefers flatbed/heavy hauls/special permits. I'm not going with a big van company. I learn that the hard way. I found a company that would take me and I'll be leaving this Saturday on a bus to FT. DODGE, IA to SMX:) This is a good reputable company that doesn't have any consumer complaintss. I've heard and read only good things about this company. I'll return and let you know how it all goes.
Take it from me... Especially newbies in the industry. Bigger doesn't mean better. The bigger the transport company is, the more money and power they have, and they can do as they want, when, and how they want. Most of the big boy companies will promise you the moon to get you there, only to do with you as they want. They're in the money making business, not necessarily the trucking business. For example: When a company requires you to turn your load around that is more than half way to the destination, for tailer maintance, something is wrong. USA Truck has done this, therefore making the load extremely late and who gets the blame for that:)
A lot of the bigger companies will say: be safe, be careful, be legal, be thoughtful, etc. During orientation. But in the real world, most of the big boy companies will not allow for that AFTER you are already assigned a truck and load assignment. You've already made your investment with your CDL and you've invested your time with the company, only to find that you're either going to have to remain with the company that expects the opposite of what was told during orientation, or leave. If you leave, there you go again... Another orientation, loss of wages, go through more training sessions, and your student loans... Not to mention your other bills are starting to become delinquent. The big companies know where you stand financially and believe me, the majority of them take FULL advantage of it. They know that most newbies are there because they need money, more training, you're cheap and lets not forget, expendible, since the job market is flooded.
My suggestion is: Do your reseach. It pays off. If you find a reputatable company, go it and stay put. Don't be jumping off onto another company only to start over. Be tough and stick it out and resolve your issues with the company if its at all possible, for at least a year, before making another move.
Prospective Students/Students Attending Driving School. Don't sign anything that obligates you to ANY company. Use your labtop, if you have one with you, and research the company first. Go home and research companies before you make your decision. Don't jump at the first opportunity. Remember, its your career and reputation, and your life and the life of others on the road, and your money. You've made your investment with your time, money and efforts to get your CDL. Why take the chance/risk of not researching, only to come to find out that you've been had? Don't go there. Trucking schools are in the business of making money, not necessarily training. Just because they may offer job assistance, doesn't make it so. Don't be in a hurry to sign anything at school concerning loans and applications to companies. Schools are paid from big companies to send X amount of students their way. So, beware of all of these facts. If you've already signed on with a company, after you researched? No problem. Call them up and tell them that you went with another company, period. You don't owe them any explaination actually but be nice, all the same. Recruiters, Sales People or Cons? Whatever you want to call them, are paid a salary commission folks. The more they can suck into the company's headquarters for orientation, the more money they get:)
All of us need to be careful when it comes to the trucking industry. Be on your toes at all times. Don't get stupid and stay away from the drugs/alcohol. Over 70% of all truckers who are fired is because of drugs/alcohol. Just don't do it. If feel you have to do your dope or drink... By all means, stay home. The highways and interstates are crowded enough with unsafe, inexperienced drivers let alone someone who is intoxicated.
Everyone... Be safe out there and God bless each of ya:)
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