Running with JCT

Absolutely! I double checked with recruiting. Just go to the front gate between 8 and 5 Monday thru Friday and tell the guard that you're going to recruiting. No appointment necessary.

 

Welcome to the thread! There's a wealth of information available on here. Not allowed to post personal email addresses here so check my profile if there are any questions that you would like for me to answer.

 

Wow! 100 pages! I guess it’s about time for this:

Sharpp’s "Running with JCT" FAQs

DISCLAIMER: While every effort to be accurate has been made, it should be understood that these answers are my own, along with the help of other JCT drivers. I am solely responsible for any errors! Neither this thread, Running with JCT, nor these FAQs are sanctioned or in any way condoned or approved by John Christner Trucking, Inc.

Thanks go out to TrafficControl, Truk Tuff, and all the others who took the time to answer questions and have helped make this the coolest, sexiest thread on The Trucker’s Report!

Who is JCT?
JCT is a refrigerated trucking company based in Sapulpa. It's a mid-sized company with around 800 to 900 trucks, driven by owners and lease operators.

Where does JCT mainly run?
We run I-80 and south mostly along with Washington and Oregon. We don't run in the Dakotas or Montana. We also don't go west of Denver on I-70 in the winter.

Why no Montana?
I've actually taken one load there, but we just don't have enough freight in that lane to be able to cover loads in case of breakdowns or HOS problems. JCT is big on doing relays to guarantee on time delivery.

I'm interested in leasing a truck. What are JCT's minimum requirements?
The minimum requirements have changed lately. It used to be one year OTR experience, but I know of exceptions to that rule. Call recruiting at 877-528-4482 for the latest.

Tell me about the pay.
JCT pays $.90 per mile for all dispatched miles, loaded and empty, plus a fuel surcharge. For example, for the current week with the national average fuel price at $3.92 per gallon, the fuel surcharge is $.44 per mile. There is a quarterly safety bonus of $.02 per mile paid on a calendar quarter. There is also additional pay for multi-stop trips paid at $40 for the second and additonal stops. Payday is every Thursday except holidays.

Does JCT pay for reefer fuel? What about tolls, PrePass, taxes, etc.?
Yes, JCT pays for reefer fuel. They also pay for permits, tolls, lumpers, Pre-Pass, EZ-Pass, Oklahoma's Pike Pass, Trip Pac Express, and fuel and road use taxes.

What is Trip Pac Express?
JCT provides trip envelopes to send in your bills and receipts. At the end of a trip, you fill out the envelope and drop it into the yellow Trip Pack box found at most truck stops. This is free to you. You may also scan your bills if you prefer, but at your own expense.

Is JCT no-touch freight or do you have to unload and load yourself?
Never touch, lol. Lumpers are paid for by the company. Some of the time we're not even allowed on the dock.

Does JCT pay detention?
No, detention pay is not paid as a rule.

What is this "variable lease" that I've heard about?
This year, JCT came out with a new lease that is partially based on the number of miles that you drive. For the fixed portion of the lease, the weekly truck payment is $120. The variable portion is $.18 per mile on a 2012 truck, and $.21 per mile on a 2014 truck. For instance, on my 2012 Cascadia my payment on a 3,000 mile week would be $120 plus $540 (3,000 miles X $.18 for $660. This lease drastically reduces your fixed costs to make it easier to enjoy more home time and to reduce the sting of low-mileage weeks.

Do JCT trucks come with APUs?
The new 2014 Freightliner Cascadias come with a Thermoking TriPac APU at no extra charge. Many, but not all, of the older trucks also have APUs and may have an additional weekly payment required.

How much is your weekly pay?
It depends on your fuel economy and miles driven. On my average 3,000 mile week at 7.0 mpg I gross around $1,200 before taxes. There's a calculator available on the JCT website at: http://johnchristner.com/?r=drivercareers&drv=whyjct
that you can use to estimate your weekly profit potential.

What is JCT's average length of haul?
I believe that JCT advertises a 1,200 mile average LOH. In my experience, it's more like 1,500 miles. Less than 5% of my trips are under 1,000 miles.

I'm worried that I'll have a major maintenance expense before I can build up some equity in my maintenance account. If that happens do I have to pay out of pocket or have my check docked?
Your maintenance account is funded by a weekly deduction based on miles. On my 2012 Cascadia I pay $.09/mile. New 2014's pay $.08/mile. If you had some expense that put your account into the negative, it wouldn't affect your paycheck. In fact, on a major repair JCT will get you back on the road with another truck. These factors are, to me, huge benefits over going out and buying my own truck.

How do you keep track of your fuel mileage?
I use Fuelog for my Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ch.simonmorgenthaler.fuellog&hl=en

Do you have to chain in winter?
My chains are, "FOR DISPLAY ONLY". JCT pays me to go AROUND the snow and I let them.

Does JCT have a Pet Policy?
JCT allows pets but may charge a very high deposit. Contact recruiting for the latest policy.

Do you have to get all your truck repairs done at JCT?
No, we can get work done wherever we want. There's probably a law that would disallow a company from forcing its contractors to only use their shop. Their shop rates are very competitive. I'll probably still get my oil changes done at Bosselman or Petro (I like the free hats!), but anything else will be done in Sapulpa, if I can get there.

What's this I hear about your Excel program?
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...e/219180-running-with-jct-31.html#post3495750
Send me a PM if you would like a copy.

What are some of the reasons that drivers fail at JCT?
Terry had a very good post to address this:
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...e/219180-running-with-jct-36.html#post3505226

Does JCT pay practical or short miles?
JCT pays short PC Miler miles.


Thank you for reading and for all of your input!