Companies that hire drivers?

nic13 · Oct 22, 2007

What companies hire drivers to drive for them? I want to see if I like this lifestyle before I go out and become an owner operator. So I was just wondering what companies hire just drivers.

arkjarhead · Oct 22, 2007

all companies have drivers that run for fleet owners. I'm not sure but I would think working as an employee in this biz would be alot different from working as a subcontractor/contractor.

cheri1122 · Oct 22, 2007

Nic, it isn't the company that hires a driver, in expediting, (though they and their insurance have standards you must fulfill), it's the owners of the trucks, whether they have just one truck, or a fleet.
Read the Newbies, & Newbies FAQ fora, and check out the ads posted here, to get an idea of what the owners are looking for.
One bit of advice, if you don't mind: if and when you begin calling to inquire about driving for an owner, be prepared, with a short list of specific questions, so as not to waste their time, and your own.

Moot · Oct 23, 2007

There may be some small Mom & Pop companies that have their own authority, customers and trucks that hire employees. Con-Way Now started up with company equipment and company drivers along with owner/operators.

JohnO · Oct 24, 2007

I know of 1 driver who is justing finishing up paperwork to be a company driver for All-State Expediting Kernsville, NC

cheri1122 · Oct 24, 2007

I stand corrected - and intrigued. John, can you offer any more details? I've never heard of a company driver in expediting, and am wondering how it works.

RichM · Oct 26, 2007

Because of the hit or miss nature of expediting just about every company prefers independent contractors. It is difficult to hire an employee without a guaranteed salary plus a work schedule. But a IC will take that load on a Friday night as he/she needs that income for the week. Companys want drivers to be hungry.

Years ago Roberts used to hire temp drivers for the 4th quarter. They were put in rental trucks given a minimum guarantee plus motels and expenses for 3-4 months. They were supposed to be at the bottom of the dispatch boards for wherever they were ,but in reality they were given the loads first as they could not refuse the offer and from a Corporate standpoint that made sense as you are paying these people to run not sit and wait for a trip. The temp drivers were told to avoid the contractor drivers for obvious reasons. This policy caused much grief and anger from the contractors and finally went away.