Fresh out of a driving school, or a seasoned veteran in the business—anyone can have difficulties when choosing the right trucking company to work for.
More experienced drivers will, naturally, be able to assess the offer they receive from some trucking company better than someone who just got their CDL, but there is much more beside the money you should think about.
Some companies are not even transparent about the conditions for drivers and you should pay close attention and read everything before you sign for them. We strongly encourage our new drivers to read all terms and conditions before they commit to us, but Niki Express is devoted to transparency and honest relationship between the parties. After all, we treat our drivers as family members, because we know that without them, the exponential growth we are experiencing wouldn’t be possible!
Apart from those general rules, there are several things you should also pay attention to:
- Type of Freight
- Benefits
- Home Time
- Reputation
- Truck Quality
- Dispatcher
- Flexibility
Type of Freight
Experienced drivers usually specialize for one type of freight, but newcomers might not see the best option for them right of the bat. Usually, drivers fresh out of a driving school start out driving dry vans. The reason for that is simple — dry vans are generally easier to haul, and there are more job openings for newcomers in the industry. Some of the more specialized types of freight, such as hazardous materials (hazmat) are higher paying jobs, but they often require prior trucking experience. A refrigerated truck (reefer) driver jobs are usually open for newcomers, but we definitely recommend starting out with a simple dry van, if you have that option available.
The majority of trailers in Niki Express are dry vans, but we have flatbeds and step decks as well.
Benefits
When applying for job, truck drivers are usually interested in salary and everything else is secondary. If you have that mindset, we urge you to change it, because many companies out there will promise you everything, and after a month or two you will realize that the payment won’t be as high as you expected to be. As we previously stated, reading the contract carefully saves you from many unpleasant situations, and after that you will be able to correctly evaluate the payment and the benefits that come with it.
Some companies have lower rate per mile, but they offer amazing benefits and bonuses, which will allow you to earn more money per month, when you sum that all up.
Niki Express offers sign-on, referral and safety bonuses, apart from above-average salaries for the industry!
Home Time
For young drivers, who still don’t have a spouse or kids, home time is not high on their priority list. They want to drive as much as they can and earn more money, and it is completely natural in the 20s and early 30s. However, for older drivers who have a family to support, home time is one of the most important, if not the most important benefit when it comes to choosing a trucking company to drive for.
Niki Express offers extensive and flexible home time, depending on the contract you sign with us.
Reputation
Reputation of the company is, obviously, very important. Before you commit to somebody and sign the contract with them, you should check online ratings and what your colleagues say. However, you should be aware that there are not only bad companies, but bad drivers too, and in a possible public dispute between a driver and a company, the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.
Niki Express treats everyone with respect, and expects to be respected in return. We want to create a family-like bond with our drivers, and long-lasting, mutually-beneficial relationship.
Truck Quality
Truck quality is one of the most important things to learn about the company, especially for more experienced drivers. They are aware of potential problems on the road, which can cost them significant amount of time and money. Driving new trucks should be the safest bet, but it is not always the case. Regularly maintained trucks in a good shape, no matter how old they are, will get the job done.
Niki Express knows that time is money. Our trucks are regularly maintained, and we also possess a dedicated shop in Chicago, which takes care of our trucks when needed.
Dispatcher
Every seasoned trucker knows that having an excellent dispatcher is worth a fortune. If you create a good business and even friendly relationship with your dispatcher, you will be able to work in a low-stress, or stress-free environment, save time and earn more money.
Having a dedicated dispatcher, and hearing a friendly voice that partners you on the road every day is a blessing, and Niki Express is fortunate enough to offer that to our drivers!
We have a dedicated dispatch service, 24/7 support and our dispatchers are always of a great assistance to our drivers.
Flexibility
Some of the drivers have requests regarding the routes and types of freight they want to take. The requests differ and go from local and regional routes, to inter-state routes, in a quest to earn more money.
Niki Express tries to accommodate all our drivers to the highest possible level. We are flexible when offering specific routes to our drivers, and we even allow passengers and pets in the cabin!
Conclusion
It is not easy to choose the right trucking company to work for. Depending on your experience and preferences, even the most famous companies might not be a good fit for you.
The importance of going through every detail of the contract with the company is huge, and taking time to review it, maybe talk with someone who worked with them previously, is highly beneficial.
Niki Express is one of the most transparent businesses out there. From the first call with our recruiter, to signing a contract with us, you will be able to ask us anything you want, negotiate the terms, and we can even talk about special requests you might have, and then put everything in the contract.
With us, you will feel like a member of a family, and we will respect everything we previously agreed on.
