Truck driving companies are hiring all across the country. Big and small, these employers have seen a shortage of drivers lately and are in need of some fresh workers for their fleets.

New drivers should be aware of all the advantages and disadvantages that come with working for different companies. So, today we’ll cover some aspects of working for big truck driving companies vs. small truck driving companies.

The Skinny on the Bigs

Well-known reputations. If you do your research, it’s easy to find out exactly what to expect from big truck driving companies. Some of these companies have been around since the invention of the long-haul truck, and in that time they have acquired a certain reputation. Some are known for their excellent pay, benefits, flexibility, job security, working environment, and incentives geared towards safety or efficiency. Meanwhile others have acquired notorious reputations for mistreating, mismanaging, underpaying and even illegally overworking their drivers. In the age of Google, all it takes is a simple search to find out which big companies are worth your efforts.

Corporate environment. In the world of corporate employment, truck drivers are known not by their names or their faces, but by the numbers on their trucks. With thousands of employees to manage, there’s little time for bosses, managers and dispatchers to get to know their drivers… much less care about their personal lives or families. So, if you crave a friendlier, more personal work place then this type of employer may not be right for you.

Flexibility. Because larger truck driving companies employ so many drivers, it can be easier to work out a more flexible schedule or ask for extended time off when needed. When you are just 1/1,000 of the fleet, the company’s financial success doesn’t depend on you as much.

Working for the Little Guys

The Unknown. Small truck driving companies usually don’t have much of a reputation. Unless you personally know a former fleet driver or a current employee, it’s hard to find out much about these small-time employers. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give the little guys a chance. Just be sure to check with the BBB for any major issues, and don’t sign any contracts without carefully reading them first.

Close-knit companies. Since small truck driving companies usually employ less than a dozen or so drivers, it’s easy to get to know everyone at the job. You may even become close friends with your boss and fellow employees, hanging out after work and getting to know each others’ families. Working with a tight group of people can be pretty rewarding. At the same time, it can also present its own crop of issues. When everyone knows everyone, word gets around quicker. Things such as work life, family drama, pay raises, and scheduling can cause problems between friends, so it’s best to be careful about how you handle your working relationships.

Dependence. When there are only 10 or so drivers, you become an integral part of the fleet. The company really depends on you. For this reason, your good work will be more appreciated and your bigger mistakes won’t go unnoticed. It may also be more difficult to request time off of work, since losing just one driver for the day could have a huge effect on the bottom line.

When choosing between big and small truck driving companies, it all depends on what is best for you. Don’t get too hung up on the size of the company. Just keep these thoughts in mind as you compare more important job aspects such as pay rates, miles, hours, vacation and medical benefits.