Heartland Express, Inc. - Coralville, Ia. - Page 6 - Truckers' Trucking Forum

HardlyWorkingNeverHome · **^ Top** #51 05.18.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrooperRat

Because of some of these posts I have seen about Heartland, I attempted to try and talk a fellow driver out of leaving our company and going to Heartland. I mean, if he really needs to go somewhere else, great, but what's the point of going to a company that does what has already been said on this forum?

Unfortunately, he was hell-bent on going. After getting on the road, the company wanted him to take a load that there was no way to get to on-time without going WAY over-hours. He refused it - and they made him sit for 24 hours without giving him anything. Then they gave him low miles for 2 weeks straight -before asking him AGAIN to take a load that would have him over-hours. That time, he not only refused, but quit. Called the general manager of our main branch and begged to get his job back - which the general mananger most graciously allowed him to do.

When reading these threads about bad trucking companies, I pretty much try to take a neutral approach in reading them and attempt to sift out anger and hate that is unwarranted versus those that are being rational, even if a little emotional (who isn't going to be when you get shafted?) and come up with a rational, somewhat calculated opinion of the company. This time, anyway, it worked. And didn't work - since the guy wouldn't listen (but then again, who am I?).

Still, it's a great forum.

Well It's the truth and we need more people to spread the truth about companys such as this one. While they are well respected with shippers it is at the cost of very high turn over and driver health.

They pay the high rate but clip you at very corner for something and its very difficult to get better than 2300 miles if you run weeks at a time let alone go home every weekend as they prefer you do.

I would have made 56k for the year at Hearthland after evaluating my 6 months with them. I was never home and I would be forced to take loads that I couldn't deliver legal, if I wanted to get 2300 miles or it would be closer to 1800 for the full week out.

Also they make you go to bed on their schedual not even close to what would be natural or healthy!

I also wish the owner's of this site would reconsider the status they bestow on Heartland. I agree that no company may be perfect but some just don't deserve to be mentioned period.

bigblue19 · **^ Top** #52 05.18.2008

Quote:

Eight hundred dollars........for a year of federal tax?? You mean eight thousand

8k? hardly. After OTR expenses, out of state sales taxes, per diem, mortgage interest etc... I got back all but a little less then $800 from Uncle Sam. With the $600 rebate it's less then $200.

If your paying several grand to the IRS as a OTR driver then I suggest you let someone else do your taxes, or get a new accountant. And not the bozo's at H&R either.

Quote:

I'm sure he is misstating something... For example my meal deduction alone is almost double the standard deduction

If your meal deduction is twice the rate of OTR per diem I would suggest being more frugal in your eating habits.

hambone379x · **^ Top** #53 06.04.2008

I'm a Heartland Driver, I do have a hard time getting home when I want to, but I do get home, the trucks are 63 mph, plenty of time to make the run, and my take home is 900 to 1100 a week, Oh, I get home every other weekend end, I do miss,like Friday night and get in on Sat, Sun, Mon, etc and to rebutt what that other guy said about waiting for loads, ... it's about 80% drop and hook

rixcamp · **^ Top** #54 06.04.2008

I worked for Heartland for 2 months out of their Phoenix terminal. They got me home more often than any company I previously worked for. However, in this regional route, the miles were measley to say the least. Most of the loads were to California and back to Phoenix. The problem was. that there usually was too much time on the loads. It was hard making a good living on running 340 miles per day, (if you're lucky! )To compound the problems I encountered with them, on the occasional loads I'd get to the Denver/Salt Lake area, it was very difficult getting fuel authorized, in adequate amounts! In addition, they occasionally compelled me to take loads that were impossible to get there within the 14 hour day. All the time professing "safety, safety, safety!"" The final straw was when my dispatcher started screaming at me because the fuel czars didn't authorize enough fuel, and I was concerned. Stay away from the western region division of this company!

Outinc · **^ Top** #55 08.10.2008

I've been driving for Heartland for 11 months and can't take anymore of their lies. Out of Phoenix you will be lucky to get 1,500 miles a week. You will spend 6 days getting it. you will load short runs and sit a day waiting for the next. All loads are hot loads which mean you will run your ### off to deliver on time. They do pay top mileage pay but all in all they are a very bad company to work for. I've been driving for over 20 years and this has to be one of the worest jobs I've had. Quiting this week.

bigblue19 · **^ Top** #56 08.10.2008

C,mon people did you really think this carrier was going to pay you half a buck a mile and run you legal and give you 3k miles a week running mainly a 500mile loop?

The drivers running out of Phoenix are on the "Phoenix loop". Thats what they hired you for. To shuttle runs in a 500mile radius of LA. Several company's do this loop.

When I worked for May trucking they had the same loop and their drivers would do all kinds of log falsification so they would not have to worry about that pesky 14 hour rule and could make a full turn despite delays in either Phoenix or LA.

retiredhand · **^ Top** #57 08.18.2008

Did you record any of the dispatchers on your cell phone? If they tried to run you illegally, you have proof for the DOT. $700.00 a week? I'd have quit long before. In the future. CYA at all times. Dispatchers are paid to try and make you run like a dog. Thats how they make a name for themselves with the company. Tell your next company you run legal and it ain't negotiable. We learn from out mistakes--don't we?

Good Luck n Good Truckin
Retiredhand

retiredhand · **^ Top** #58 08.18.2008

And that includes spelling errors i.e. "our mistakes"

Good Luck and Good Truckin
Retiredhand

Outinc · **^ Top** #59 09.01.2008

Stay away from Heartland Express in Phoenix. You can't make any money here. Been averaging about 1,500 miles a week and that is staying out for two weeks. This company uses drivers. They will send you out on a load and then sit you for a day. Very hard to make money running 200 - 300 mile loads. They have top mileage pay but you won't get any miles. Dispatch loves to lie to drivers. A VERY BAD company to work for.

jdrentzjr · **^ Top** #60 09.01.2008

Thought you were quitting 3 weeks ago?

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