Looking for a new trucking company to drive for? A key aspect of your research should be freight — what kind you’ll haul, specifically.
If you don’t like the freight you’re hauling for whatever reason — you have to unload it, you have to tarp it, it’s complicated to secure, etc. — you’re not going to enjoy your job very much.
Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) has been moving freight for customers since 1955 — starting with our very first customer, Cold Spring Granite (as it was called at the time), who we still move freight for today.
Our drivers move a variety of freight for a long list of customers — plus they also have the benefit of hauling freight for our brokerage to keep steady freight flowing in.
When you join the fleet, you’ll be able to haul freight in one of four divisions (as long as qualifications are met):
In the following, we’ll break down each division so you can get a good idea of what to expect and how it might shape your career path.
The ATS dry van division moves almost exclusively drop and hook freight. You won’t be required to unload it. This no-touch freight means ATS drivers can move more and wait around at the shipper less.
As a driver in the dry van division, you’ll primarily be moving retail freight, but you’ll serve other industries too, such as food and beverage. There’s a lot of variety mixed in.
The commodities you’ll move in the dry van division include:
Dry van drivers move mostly regional freight. A majority of the dry van freight ATS moves is located in 14 states in the Midwest and Northeast. Some freight is delivered into Texas and the Southeast.
The average length of haul is 450 miles and most drivers move about one load a day — picking up in the morning and delivering later that day or the next morning. This differs from the specialized division, where drivers may be delivering a load every couple of days.
This type of freight is ideal for drivers who just want to drive and don’t want to do a lot of the other stuff (securement, tarping, handling the freight, etc.).
The specialized division offers an exciting career path for ATS drivers — especially those looking for variety in their days. No two days are ever the same because you’ll be hauling different equipment each day on different types of open-deck trailers.
ATS hauls open-deck freight in a variety of industries — that way when one industry is slow, other industries are still moving freight to keep drivers busy. Expect to haul freight for the agriculture, construction, HVAC, power generation, industrial manufacturing, and aerospace industries.
You could haul any of the following:
Drivers should have over-the-road (OTR) experience upon joining the team. They’ll be hauling freight across the U.S. and into Canada.
New ATS drivers go through a securement class if they have no open-deck experience. Even though drivers receive ongoing training and additional support, they need to be problem solvers who enjoy a challenge. Securing and tarping freight — especially if you’re inexperienced — is challenging, physical work.
Specialized drivers have the opportunity to advance their skillset and go from hauling legal freight to oversized loads up to 14' 6" wide, 14' 6" tall, 90' long, and 70,000 pounds and beyond. This move doesn’t happen overnight, however, and requires a lot of hard work, testing, and training.
ATS boasts one of the largest heavy haul divisions in the country. Drivers are either hired into the heavy haul division with a wealth of experience or they work their way up from the specialized division. The process can take years, but it’s well worth it to haul this lucrative heavy haul freight.
The ATS heavy haul division serves multiple industries, including construction, agriculture, wind energy, power generation, mining, gas and oil, and more.
In the heavy haul division, you may haul any of the following (and more):
In the heavy haul division — much like the specialized division — you must be a problem solver and an experienced OTR driver. You’ll be hauling unique freight and some of it requires you to adjust on the fly and come up with creative solutions to make sure the freight is secure and in compliance. When this freight was built, certainly the last thing they thought about was how to transport it.
ATS provides ongoing training and an in-house permit team, so you’ll be fully supported, but we truly rely on your expertise as a driver. You’ll have a voice in the process from start to finish.
As with the specialized division, you’ll have the opportunity to advance through freight classes to move heavier freight.
The newest division of the company, ATS Secure, hauls freight for the Department of Defense (DOD) and began doing so in 2021. As a veteran-owned company, serving the U.S. Military is an important priority for ATS.
As part of ATS Secure, you’ll solely serve the DOD hauling TPS (transportation protective services) and AA&E (arms, ammunition, and explosives) freight that requires constant surveillance and DOD security clearances.
Drivers haul everything from military equipment and munitions to uniforms and important paperwork.
Qualifying for the ATS Secure division requires a rigorous background check (a process that’s triggered by filling out the SF-86) to receive government security clearance. You’ll also need to be part of a team, as DOD freight requires constant surveillance.
Though DOD freight is incredibly lucrative, it’s a high-responsibility position that requires an impeccable safety record, attention to detail, and patience. The position requires a lot of flexibility; at times you may need to wait days for freight, sometimes you might need to bounce hundreds of miles to pick up a load, and other times you’ll need to run through the night to meet a tight deadline.
Choosing the right trucking company is about more than just pay and benefits; the type of freight you’ll be hauling matters too. At Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), we offer a wide variety of freight across our four divisions: dry van, specialized, heavy haul, and ATS Secure. This diversity not only gives you options but also provides stability, even when certain industries slow down.
Whether you want no-touch freight, prefer a challenge with securement, aim to haul oversized loads, or are ready for the responsibility of handling DOD freight, ATS has a place for you. Each division comes with its own unique opportunities and challenges, allowing you to find the best fit for your skills and preferences.
If you're looking for variety, steady freight, and a company that values your expertise, it’s time to consider ATS. Join our team, and let’s hit the road together with freight that matches your goals.