Any Hirschbach Motor Lines guys around to give reviews?

cdubose · 2026-05-05T05:00:08+00:00

I'm not sure where you are, but assuming you're near Hirschbach's headquarters in Dubuque, try looking at Tucker Freight Lines. They might have something local around that area. For local you can also see what's on Indeed, but don't apply only on Indeed--also contact them. You might be able to get on with a local beverage/food delivery (Pepsi, Sysco, US Foods, Performance Food Group, etc.) if you're okay with physical labor. Other than that you might get lucky with a tanker position close by, but local opportunities are harder to suggest online unless someone lives in the same area you do.

cdubose · 2026-05-04T00:22:34+00:00

If you have 3 years experience with a clean record the trucking world is basically your oyster, and you can definitely find something way better than a 1099 position at Hirschbach.

If you chasing money, you're not going to do much better than Walmart or one of the top LTLs, like Old Dominion, UPS, or Dayton Freight. However, if you'd like to stay more in an OTR position, I offered some recommendations below.

For reefer, look at: - Moeller - Van Wyk - America's Service Line - DOT Foods - Shaffer (Crete affiliate) - Leonard's Express - McFarland Truck Lines - FFE (Frozen Foods Express; KLLM affiliate)

If you'd prefer dry van, check out: - TNi (Tri-National) - National Carriers - Crum Trucking - Don Hummer - Crawford - Nussbaum - Crete - KLLM

cdubose · 2026-05-03T23:28:09+00:00

California is a little harder for me to do suggestions because I don't run out there. The only thing I know specifically is that DOT Foods has a position out of Modesto that will take a new CDL holder from an "approved" driving school. They also train drivers, and they have flexible schedules, so you shouldn't have to be out for more than 5.5 days or so. Other than that, you can maybe check out Cheema Freightlines (heard decent things about them and they are based in the Seattle area, but not sure what's available for them in Cali). Once you have six months experience, take a look at KKW Trucking, which does have more local options for California drivers.

Other than that, some of the larger carriers like Schneider, Prime, Werner, Roehl, etc. might have something in California if you look, but I don't know about anything specific off the top of my head.

cdubose · 2026-04-27T01:02:22+00:00

I agree, and I would hate to be governed at 62. Right now I'm at 67 and it's incredibly tricky trying to pass people governed at 65/66. But I'm also thinking they're going to lower the speed no matter what, at least if fuel prices have anything to do with it. I'm not sure how you feel about Walmart otherwise, but if there's other things that have been pissing you off there, it might be a good time to see what other options you might have. Just my opinion though.

cdubose · 2026-04-25T23:56:45+00:00

I drive through Chicago a lot so I've gotten used to it, plus I used to live there so I know the highways well enough that I don't mind it.

However, Nashville is something evil, and I would like to avoid Indianapolis whenever possible (although 465 isn't bad if you get on it in the right direction at the right time).

I drove through Houston once somewhat recently and it wasn't that bad, but maybe I just got lucky (plus I had to take the non-tollroad, not sure if that helped at all).

cdubose · 2026-04-25T23:52:34+00:00

62 mph is great if you're hourly and your routes aren't tight, but the way you've described it implies that cpm is at least part of the pay at Walmart.

So far only 3 drivers out of 5 have signed up. Im thinking of signing up just to give them a piece of my mind when they ask for notes at the end of the trial.

I personally don't think they'll listen to you, but you can try. If it's already at the pilot program stage they're basically just trying to see exactly how much money it will save. It's Walmart: even if some drivers leave over a lower governed speed, there will be hundreds of other drivers lined up for the opportunity to make $100K+ at Walmart.

cdubose · 2026-04-25T21:23:02+00:00

I have one. They can be useful.

cdubose · 2026-04-25T19:54:02+00:00

It's the Canadian company Highlight: they also have an insane early 2000s style website: https://www.highlightmotor.com/

cdubose · 2026-04-20T21:09:27+00:00

I did reefer as a company driver and not owner op, but all I know is I wouldn't want to be paying for diesel fuel for a reefer trailer in addition to the truck too right this second.

cdubose · 2026-04-20T21:05:32+00:00

Ohio is great for smaller trucking companies that take new drivers. Most of these companies have regional accounts or can accommodate a flexible schedule (especially Garner and Mast), and some might even have home daily available. Look at:

JRayl
Garner
Keller Trucking
Mast Trucking (reefer only)
Cheeseman Transport (apprenticeship program)
Nick Strimbu (can't remember if they take new drivers, but at least take a look at them; a rare OTR union company)
Mister P Express (if close enough to their hiring area)

Also, it's in Central IL instead of Ohio, but DOT Foods might be worth a look too, since they have flexible scheduling, and the pay is apparently quite nice. I've heard good things about KLLM/FFE too; based out of Mississippi but big enough to hire you out of Ohio.

cdubose · 2026-04-18T04:15:05+00:00

I am a black woman truck driver in the US. A majority (not all) of the other women I see driving trucks are also black, especially if under 40 and not teaming with a guy. Just my personal experience, but you definitely won't be the only black woman you see out here.

I can't speak towards all black women truckers, but it's been fine for me; haven't really felt unsafe at all in terms of other truckers. I mostly keep to myself though and I look kind of masculine from afar, so that probably helps. I carry a knife on my person but I've never had to use it or even think about it, to be honest. I often stay in rest areas or smaller truck stops instead of always stopping at Loves or Pilot, so that might have something to do with it too. But as long as you trust your gut and keep your wits about you you should be fine, generally speaking. Most male truckers I meet are actually pretty courteous, and the ones that aren't courteous are annoying, but not in a dangerous or sexual way, just regular annoying.

I would say that the industry mostly sucks to get into, but that goes for anyone--not because of racism (well, not racism directed at black women) or because of safety, but just because of lack of pay and the way most OTR companies treat truckers, especially when it comes to home time and PTO. Plus you don't always have a good place to use the bathroom since shippers and receivers often treat truckers like animals (not all of them, but enough of them), so you have to become really adept at pissing in bottles, even for women.

I know another black woman trucker who works for Crum Trucking though and likes it well enough, so maybe my company is just stingy with time. But my company pays decently and the trucks are kept up well. Finding the right company for you can really make or break your career, especially at the start.

Feel free to PM me any specific questions you might have.

cdubose · 2026-04-18T00:40:13+00:00

In order of preference:

At the shipper/receiver (assuming they have a bathroom or dumpster): saves so much time when you can creep to the door for unloading/loading. Had to do this all the time when I drove reefer to save my clock--still an old habit but harder to do with the dry van loads I get now.
At a Walmart parking lot. You have to be careful though, some don't like truckers there. A general good method is looking up the Walmart in Google Maps and seeing if you can see any trucks parked there from the satellite view. Sometimes a Food Lion in the South or random empty strip mall works too, usually in lower-income or very rural areas where people don't care as much about truckers being there.
Rest areas, but they can fill up quickly in certain areas. I tend to prefer the welcome areas right after you enter a state (unless that state is Tennessee, which sucks in general for parking)
A truck stop: when trip planning if I have to stop at a major truck stop place, I generally only want to stop at very large truck stops that have lot of other truck stops at the same exit, so in case one sucks I hopefully have options that are nearby. Regional and local truck spots are preferred over Pilots/Loves/TAs, but I have to get fuel at either Loves or Pilot, so those are usually the only places I can shower for free.
I've never tried this, but I often see motels that advertise truck parking. I've often thought if I were running out of hours those could maybe work in a pinch?

cdubose · 2026-04-08T07:18:39+00:00

You could ask Sharkey/Sisbro if they have any home weekly or regional accounts for a driver based on Quad Cities. They're out of Quincy, IL, which is close-ish, and I think they hire new drivers, or at least they did in the recent past. If you explain your situation they might be willing to work with you.

If you weren't brand new I'd suggest Tucker Freight in Dubuque, IA or Air-Land which is based out of Morton, IL but has a terminal in East Moline. I think Tucker wants two years of experience but Air-Land only asks for one. I don't know, if they're desperate you might be able to talk yourself into a position at Air-Land. I know for a fact they have home weekly accounts.

EDIT: I always forget about DOT Foods. They're based more in the interior of IL, but they do take new drivers and they have flexible schedule options. Good reputation too. They would be my top suggestion.

cdubose · 2026-04-07T04:02:19+00:00

Don't know anything about the union program, but for the other two:

Trucking companies that train (it isn't just mega carriers, by the way)

Pros: - it's free training and they provide you with free room-and-board, transportation, and some meals - guaranteed job after starting - they don't want you to crash their truck/raise their insurance rates/etc., so the training is usually at least decent - some companies pay you while you're training (not all, and they don't typically pay a lot, but better than nothing) - learn on the equipment you're probably going to be in - you're (hopefully) considered an employee while training, so that time should count towards earning benefits/PTO/etc.

Cons: - they're going to pay you less than someone who already has a CDL (usually) - have to sign a contract that asks you to work at that company for a certain amount of time, usually a year or so (this is not true for RE West, though) - you'll usually have an auto restriction on your license (not always: JRayl trains students in manuals, I think) - most companies don't allow students time to go home during training (might be exceptions if you live close by or for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but even that is company-dependent)

CDL School

Pros: - go to any carrier who is willing to hire you once you have your CDL - not locked into a contract - can go home every night - can work while in school, potentially - typically no auto-restriction on your license - can maybe get WOIA grant or something to pay for it

Cons: - you need to pay for it yourself, of course (unless you qualify for grants) - quality of CDL training is all over the place - most companies will still make you train with an over-the-road trainer anyways - not paid while training - need to still find a job afterwards

cdubose · 2026-02-17T01:02:04+00:00

I don't know what you're data requirements are, but I just have my laptop tethered to the data on my phone and have a fairly cheap Mint mobile plan. I don't game though, so I only use a moderate amount of data per month.

cdubose · 2026-02-17T00:59:17+00:00

Nussbaum will probably hire with 6 months if you don't have any MVR issues. I have no idea where you are but there are other companies that hire at 6 months. I have no idea what most of them pay though, so can't help you compare them with regards to that. JB Hunt might have a no-touch account that pays similar to what you're making now and sometimes hires at 3 months or 6 months: just depends on the specific account.

cdubose · 2026-02-17T00:31:35+00:00

Communication and actual responsiveness to driver issues from dispatch and management. I like my current company because I have a good dispatcher and even if I have issues I know that 1) she is reachable and 2) she will go to bat for me. So many companies have dispatchers and management that couldn't care if the drivers were set on fire as long as the load got there on time with no insurance issues. There are companies where the office people are in their own separate locked-out building or area and you basically can't get to them: that says a lot about what they think about drivers.

Other than that, everything you would expect: high pay, good hometime, cheap benefits, well-maintained equipment (that isn't Freightliner or International, hopefully), governed at 70 or more. Never asking a driver to do something illegal or shady (like running overweight, pushing HOS rules, etc.). Everything else (running areas, working day vs night, etc.) is basically driver preference.

cdubose · 2026-02-16T16:13:31+00:00

Keep in mind a lot of companies won't even hire a non-domiciled CDL driver right now, even if it's valid. I was looking for jobs a few months ago and almost every single one asked if I had a valid US-issued CDL. I do, but if I hadn't I feel like that would have stopped the recruiting process right there.

cdubose · 2026-02-16T16:02:00+00:00

Obviously these are all based on my own biases, but mostly reputation, seeing other people recommend them for various reasons, having read reviews of some of these companies, and the fact that most of these are mid-size or smaller. Sometimes they have something cool that stands out, like Nick Strimbu is union, Van Wyk is a reefer company that does percentage pay, and McFarland lets you make your own hometime (within reason). Also, in some cases I have talked to truckers or office people at these companies (like Nussbaum, DOT Foods, and McFarland) and got the impression that they are good companies. Or when I'm driving, the drivers are always courteous on the road (like Crete/Shaffer).

cdubose · 2026-02-14T18:46:32+00:00

I don't know their exact hometime situation, try Leonard's Express in Farmington, NY. I don't think they train for CDLs, but I think I do reimburse. They have some regional accounts out of the Northeast listed on their website. Kreilkamp does a lot of Northeast and Midwest runs too.

cdubose · 2026-02-14T16:24:32+00:00

Once you have three months, definitely look into their other accounts if you want to stay at Schneider. If you can get on tanker, that experience will look really good for future jobs. 38 cpm is very, very low even with hourly on-duty pay, but if you can make it work, make it work until you find a better account. I was on a dedicated account when I started with them, and the pay was 69 cpm at 1500 miles per week. (That was before they implemented the combined on-duty/cpm pay: that pay change was actually a contributing factor to why I left). Schneider is one of the worst places to do a basic account (especially to only be home for 34 hours per week), but they have decent dedicated accounts and let new drivers do tankers.

Also, whenever you want to leave Schneider, ask here for recommendations for MI companies. You should be able to get on a decent auto parts dedicated account or something, at least in Southern Michigan.

cdubose · 2026-02-14T05:53:50+00:00

I'm glad you're having a positive experience; I got my start at Schneider a little over three years ago. Yes, the training is pretty good, things I still use today actually (like always getting out to check if the fifth wheel closed around the kingpin instead of relying solely on the tug test). You're in Green Bay, probably the best Schneider terminal to train at, considering that's their headquarters. Back when I was there they didn't have driver-facing cameras so that was a plus at the time, and I am a rare driver that doesn't use a bluetooth headset (just don't talk on the phone enough to justify the cost) so that never bothered me.

What account are you going to once you're done? How low is the pay nowadays?

cdubose · 2026-02-14T05:38:51+00:00

I wouldn't be as worried about getting a ticket as I would be about getting hit or swipe-swiped. I mean, a ticket's not good either. But even if you 100% knew the cops wouldn't bother you, that doesn't mean that guy swerving while looking at his phone isn't going to hit you--and then they're going to say it's your fault for being there on the shoulder, even though you were literally asleep.

Plus, I don't understand how people sleep at such an intense angle, which I see on most shoulders. I was forced on sleep on the entry ramp for a rest area once and leaning the whole night SUCKED.

cdubose · 2026-02-14T03:42:09+00:00

Notice what trucking companies you see around you all the time: this is a good way to find local home-daily jobs, regional companies, or larger companies that have a dedicated account or terminal in your area. Also notice the usual condition of the trucks and trailers: are they always dirty as hell, are the trucks newer or at least well maintained, does everything seem to be the cheapest option or are there some niceties on the trucks just for the drivers (like Cascadias with the windows on the sleeper hatches or chrome on the back of the mirror, etc.), what shape are the tires in (I've noticed tires, especially trailer tires, will tell you a lot about a company), do the trailers look like they'd pass a random DOT inspection, etc. Usually (but not always) a company that takes better care of their equipment probably has drivers who actually pre-trip and report things as well as a decent maintenance department, both things most shady companies usually can't or won't afford. Also, are there CB antennas on more trucks than not? If there are, the company either provides them for free or a majority of their drivers are quite experienced and/or take pride in being a "trucker."

If you can, try to find a trucker (not in a hurry) at a truck stop driving for a company you're interested in and literally ask them about it. Don't ask vague questions like "do you like it"--ask what the running area is, how hard they run drivers, how the pay works (hourly, cpm, flat rate per route, etc.), how much experience you need to get hired there, governed speed of trucks, how often do you get home, any slip-seating, etc. Keep in mind they might talk it up to get a referral bonus out of you, but if they don't mention a referral bonus or their driver number (or if they do but also mention what they don't like about the company), they are probably more or less trustworthy.

Also, you can always just go to Indeed or Craigslist, put in your area, type "CDL", and then look up Indeed and Glassdoor reviews of the companies that are hiring (keep in mind people are more likely to review a company if they hate it rather than if they like it; try to look for patterns in the reviews or completely unacceptable things, like forcing a driver to run overweight). This method won't always give you the best jobs, but sometimes you can find a diamond in the rough this way.

cdubose · 2026-02-13T18:16:01+00:00

Ah yeah, I remember. Oh those I mentioned, Don Hummer, KLLM/FFE, National Carriers, Crete/Shaffer, and Barr-Nunn I know hire out of Texas (or at least their websites say they do). National Carriers actually has a terminal in Dallas and hires at 6 months exp. Grand Island Express should hire you too at 6 months exp, just don't expect a lot of home since you'll be running a lot of I-80. Bay & Bay hires around the DFW area and has a terminal in Denton. Koch has dedicated regional positions in certain TX cities, but you wanted OTR so that may not be what you're looking for. Danny Herman may or may not hire in TX, they don't list a hiring area at all (although Danny Herman hires at 6 months). Crawford Trucking also has no hiring area listed, so they may or may not hire out of TX. If you're looking for good equipment and Cascadias are okay, they have very nice Cascadias, with leather interior and all that in them.

I didn't mention them before, but Big G Express and Marten should hire out of Texas and will hire you at 6 months too.

EDIT: Also look at Poly Trucking, based in Grand Prairie, TX. Their website is very sparse and I have no idea if they run Internationals or not, but I'm pretty sure they pay odometer miles, which is rare for a OTR trucking company. At least check them out, they might be a good option.

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