I have read all the hate mail about Covenant and I know the opinions of several posters in here that have worked for the company in the past.

With that being said, and me being the eternal optimist, I am always willing to give people (and businesses) a chance to do the right thing. I like everybody until they do me wrong intentionally. I have found that for the most part, folks want to do a good job. In the past, I worked for a small university that was severely underfunded in just about everything (like most universities without TV money from their sports teams). So I know what it's like to be told to do something with nothing. I've seen departments so understaffed that single employees try to do the work of four people. I learned to never depend on someone else to do something that affects your livelihood. I also learned to keep copies of EVERYTHING. And I learned to follow up on requests and to be the squeaky wheel. People didn't get to my stuff not because they didn't care; it was because they didn't have TIME.

In this age of cutbacks and outsourcing, I'm sure these kinds of things are not relegated to only the education industry.

I'm not saying I'm taking management's side. I'm only saying that I've dealt with the same thing before.

So that is my disclaimer at the beginning of this thread.

After reading all the horror stories about Covenant, I am willing to give them a chance. My husband has no choice as he needs the job. So this post is going to be the start of his dealings with Covenant only from my perspective as he is a very private person and wouldn't *dream* of posting in this forum. My thinking is that there may be other wives (and husbands) out there that have input in the decision of their spouse to work for Covenant.

So to begin, Redcoat has just finished Covenant's orientation at the Hutchins terminal. He started on Monday, the 25th of August. It was my second trip from Waco up to Red Oak to the hotel as he had previously stayed at the Days Inn when he attended orientation for Swift. Covenant uses the Comfort Inn (about a quarter mile down the road) which is MUCH nicer AND right next to Denny's. They paid for his dinner at Denny's (unlike Swift) although he had a limited choice from the menu, it was still free food which is always a good thing. The people at orientation were friendly and treated everybody like real people. Definitely not like the cattle auction that was Arrow's orientation.

There are other great posts in this forum about what to bring to orientation and what to expect so I'll not go into all that. Nothing very religious went on at Hutchins. The terminal is clean and well kept. He said he never filled out so many forms in his life. He watched all the powerpoint presentations. He read all the propaganda. He waited for the ax to fall like what happened in the other two orientations he attended. It never came. They questioned him about his lack of work history but were satisfied with his explanation (and documentation) that he'd been retired for several years. (Yeah, I'm the nagging wife that forced him to unretire and get a job!!) Thursday rolls around and all the other people there are getting their paperwork. He waits....and waits....and *finally* he gets the word that he is good to go. He is the last person to get assigned a trainer. I have met the man. He seems to be a super nice guy, very personable, and he keeps his truck clean. (BONUS!)

Right now they are playing the waiting game at the Hutchins terminal waiting for a load assignment. They are not alone. Redcoat estimates that there are probably around 20 other drivers there waiting....and waiting. It looks like it may be a LONG holiday weekend as far as any freight going anywhere. He plans on doing some studying for his hazmat (which he was advised to *not* get while attending Roadmaster school). He wants to see if he can get in some backing practice or any other training while they are sitting. He hates being non-productive and is bored to death.

So far the only glitch is after two requests (phone and emails) to have some funds put on his commdata card, nothing is there yet. (too task saturated maybe???) Fortunately he still has a little bit money so he's not a starving trucker yet.

I will update this thread as Redcoat starts his journey with Covenant. And speaking of journey's, if any of you forum rats see me on the road, give me a wave. I don't have a CB in the rig (just a Sirius radio). This is our rig that I travel around the country in (and that we are trying to pay for!!!). It's a Winnebago Tour being pushed by a Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Both have Delaware plates. Right now I'm in Topeka, KS at Lake Shawnee Campground but I'll be heading out on Monday the 1st to head up to Cedar Rapids/Iowa City to do some Air Photo work. Ya'll keep an eye out for me as I've learned to try to give truckers as much space as possible.

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It's not how bad you screw up; it's how well you recover.

Great post! However, waiting through a 3 day holiday weekend, along with 20 other drivers, raises a red flag, at least for me.

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Go, and beat your crazy head against the sky.....

Just based on your posted information. He should be okay. Just tell him to keep "perfect" records of his loads and supporting documents. I would even go so far as to scan a copy of the bills for loads I hauled, for my files.

Keep all receipts, especially those of unreimbursed "company" expenses. These are 100% deductible. He will have some, as Covenant has issues about some of the stuff they should supply a driver.

Do NOT take the per diem. Unless he already draws Social Security.

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I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

The down time waiting on a load with twenty others is a little scary, but bottom line he needs the job so as a professional you take it as it comes until something better comes along. GOOD LUCK and SAFE TRUCKING

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Flatbed Bob 379 #91041
KEEP THE RUBBER DOWN

Will keep a eye out for ya

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Flatbed Bob 379 #91041
KEEP THE RUBBER DOWN

Would like to hear from others who drive or have driven for Covenant. I was offered a job with them and ended going with Central Ref., which in itself was a mistake. There was a comment in another thread that is appropriate for all though.... every time a trucking company/recruiter/ opens their mouth, just rest assured it is a lie. Look forward to hearing about Redcoat's early goings, as I am in the position of not having driven for 3 years and now am looking at having to go with the best of the worst, which I have yet to make my mind up about yet... (Swift, Covenant, Werner... even Central ref. again? ). I am not happy. I am finding the better og the larger companies (Schneider, Roehl, are making it harder to get in with them, as well as expensive). Best of luck to Redcoat and I'll look for more. My thanks to all drivers who take the time to write in all these threads. JD (Inthewind)

I am a newbie, working for Covenant since last April. At first I was afraid, after all the horror stories I read about the co. But I felt very welcome in the co. since orientation. Nothing to complain. Treatment was adequate, people were friendly, everything ran smoothly and there was no waiting. However, I didn't expect anything fancy, no fancy hotel, no special banquet, or special treatment... My trainer was a nice guy (thank God). Good trainer, we got along very well and 5 weeks of training went by quickly. The only difficulty I had was finding a "good" partner to do my mandatory 6 month teaming. Had 3 partners that didn't work out. Some were a nightmare One time, when we split, I left partner's truck at Pomona terminal, Calif and waited for days until I got a ride back to main terminal. But I never lost hope, patience, kept good attitude, and I ended up meeting wonderful people. Got help from everybody, drivers, team coordenator, dispatchers... Now I have a nice co-driver, we both have HAZMAT, we are getting good miles, our dispatcher is wonderful, very nice person, very caring, I love her! The trk is in very good condition... Well, this is my experience so far. I still have to team for 3 more months until I can go solo (that's what I want). And I hear that it's very hard to make good money being solo at Covenant. I'll see... when I get there. Best of luck to you and your husband. And welcome to Covenant Transport.

Are all you people recruiters?

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A red is any son-of-a-##### that wants thirty cents an hour when we’re payin’ twenty-five!’"
--John Steinbeck

I was thinking the same thing...???

Well I sure hope Covenanant is not a nightmare!! We are going to talk to the owner of Kelworth before we make our final decision tho, Rick and I are going to make a career out of this and we want the best possible situation. We were offered a job with FEDEX custom critical, that sounded a little to good to be true, but who knows, anyway any advise is welcome, I hope all of you out there have a safe day!!