My Averitt adventure

Discussion in 'Averitt' started by SmokeMac, Mar 10, 2014.

  1. MUSTANGGT

    MUSTANGGT Road Train Member

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    Feb 21, 2009
    Georgia
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    Sounds like you're running good Smokemac. I always liked old Grady's Truckstop near Metter too, except when it's been raining and the lot is a mess.

    I've been getting 2000-2300 lately which is fine for me but if this year is anything like last year, it's about to turn up a couple notches. On my way to Jacksonville tonight to rail yard. Lately we have been taking Miami LTL loads to rail yards in Atlanta and Jacksonville.
     
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  3. SmokeMac

    SmokeMac Medium Load Member

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    Jan 31, 2009
    Savannah, GA
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    I have been to Gradys at the 111 but it is not 24/7 like the friendly Gus. The friendly Gus has chow served with plent of grease cholesterol and gluten at no extra charge. If your arties are soft and in need of harening the friendly Gus is the place to go.
     
  4. russellkanning

    russellkanning Medium Load Member

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    Frost, TX
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    Well it sounds like they get you back home.
     
  5. jerrybye

    jerrybye Bobtail Member

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    Feb 20, 2014
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    Going through orientation myself at averitt right now. I don't think the uniform policy is so bad, just have to wear their red polo shirt and grey slacks.
     
  6. lags

    lags Bobtail Member

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    Apr 1, 2014
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    I talked to a recruiter from Averitt and he told me I couldn't get a female trainer because they are all down south. I'm in Michigan. Do you think that is accurate or should I put an application in?
     
  7. SmokeMac

    SmokeMac Medium Load Member

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    Jan 31, 2009
    Savannah, GA
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    Tell you the truth I really don't know much about Averitt truck load division. I pick up my loads at Diamond Chrystal Savannah and deliver them and come back to Savannah. I don't see those guys much
     
  8. Raven_Whitefox

    Raven_Whitefox Bobtail Member

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    Dec 8, 2013
    Cookeville, Tennessee
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    Yeah Smoke, the only time we see you Skateboard drivers actually driving is when we go to Fulton or Dallas or Orlando, or the other places we have Pods runs at. Its about as rare as finding the dry van drivers for CR England or a Prime driver that can go faster than 58 mph.
     
  9. Raven_Whitefox

    Raven_Whitefox Bobtail Member

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    Dec 8, 2013
    Cookeville, Tennessee
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    Personally I don't see what all the bad comments are about. I have been with Averitt for about a year now. I live in Cookeville which is a plus. I know why the one guy had to pay for the uniforms, he left before they were paid for. I can agree that some weeks it seemed I couldn't get above 1800 miles. After being with them a while, I am starting to finally get an average of around 2,000 miles. I drove 5,000 miles while being out on the road for 10 days with them. Yeah you heard that right, 10 days on the road and they say weekly. Its happened to me 3 times since January that they haven't got me home in the time they should. I am not on a dedicated account, just your standard regional driver for them.

    As far as the comments of them being a puppy mill like CR England, that couldn't be further from the truth. Yes they are having to hire a lot of drivers right now, but any company that grows large enough will have this happen. They don't have their own CDL school, instead they have finishing schools for new drivers. These are drivers that have already received their CDL but have no experience. They are in training for 5 weeks at the very least. The trainers are all experienced drivers and the hiring criteria for them is 2.5 years experience as a driver. Averitt also just recently changed their pay scales for regional drivers so that was a nice raise for me.

    Now here's the downsides that I have seen:

    They spend way too much effort worrying about that uniform. They have a full video at orientation about it, signs posted at every service center about it, and some of the restrooms even have stickers on the mirrors to remind you. If it were my company I might spend more of that money on improving our facilities or getting Sirius radio for all the regional drivers. The night and weekend dispatchers are quick to call and ask a favor of you but seem inept to return the favor back. And if it is on a sunday, hope you like the on hold recording because you will have it memorized before you either hangup and use the qualcomm out of frustration or have someone answer the phone. They also have some real jerk fleet managers that just get under the skin of the drivers. I know this because I know I just do not match up with the personality of mine and I can barely stand talking to him on a phone, let alone trying to talk to him through the qualcomm. The Load planners also have no concept of time or distance either and you have to watch your load times and distances like a hawk.
     
  10. MUSTANGGT

    MUSTANGGT Road Train Member

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    Feb 21, 2009
    Georgia
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    That is entirely possible. Certain areas seem to have more trainers than others and some of the smaller yards don't have any. Yeah, you are definitely on the outskirts. I often forget we even have a yard in MI.

    I remember talking with a woman last year who had just started as an experienced driver. She said she was becoming a trainer as soon as she had the required time with the company. She mentioned they were glad she wanted to be a trainer since we have so few female trainers.
     
  11. MUSTANGGT

    MUSTANGGT Road Train Member

    2,236
    1,694
    Feb 21, 2009
    Georgia
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    Enlighten us on these "greener pastures" or is it a secret who you drive for?
     
    SOAthor Thanks this.
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