KLLM worth going to?

Hi Cap!
I have been with KLLM for a year now and have very few complaints. It is unusual that I get under 2800 miles per week (solo driver with HazMat endorsement). They have treated me well and any issues have been quickly resolved with, at most, one phone call, if not by a simple QualComm exchange.
I am OTR so I can't speak as to what miles regional drivers are getting. Hometime has been no hassle for me. I just put in the date I want to be home and, so far, I have been there by midnight of that date or even a day early. You get a day for every week you are out. Bonus paid for working Thanksgiving through Christmas.
The company still has that small family feel in that most everyone refers to everyone else by first name. I recently had a close call and the first 5 minutes of the conversation with the head of safety consisted of him asking me repeatedly if *I* was ok...didn't even ask about the truck and freight until he was sure I was alright.

Due to the economy, fuel prices and the recent repurchase of the company by the previous owner and a group of investors, bonuses were suspended (except the holiday bonus) although we did regain our idle bonus a few months ago. I believe bonuses will be reinstated progressively as the new management regains it's footing and gets on an even keel. Espcially with fuel prices coming down if they will stabilize.

Overall, I am very happy with them and have no intention of going elsewhere in the foreseeable future.

RoadToad69

 

Keep in mind that everyone is different...so there for everyone may get treated differently...no matter what company...job...career...church...anything...it's always someone that loves it where they are...and it's always someone that hates it...and of course...someone that's in the middle of both...to find out where you'lll fit...you'll have to join the company...

 

What kind of solo miles have you been getting recently? I need to make a decision this week between KLLM and Roehl. Any Advise?

 

Been getting 2200-3000 miles per week.

I just leased a truck with them this past week and have a new dispatcher so I will have to see how he does.
Of course I have my own training method for dispatchers...it's based on Stephen King's story/movie "Storm Of The Century".....Give me what I want and I'll go away. In other words...get me a load or I'll get on the QualComm and play around and drive you nuts. Can't do that if I'm moving and driving (hint, hint). HAHAHAHA!!! Has worked well so far.

The company is still solid financially. The cuts are from a proactive stance rather than any damage control. Cut now, keep the company solid and ride through, rather than wait until the poo hits the fan and then scramble around making drastic and extreme cuts (as my grandfather used to say "Whittling with an axe").
We have picked up new contracts with M-n-M Mars and grabbed a larger share of the buisness with Hospira...edging Marten out of the Wisconsin facility. If I understood Jim correctly, KLLM is the ONLY carrier hauling out of Hospira's Wisconsin facility now.
There has been a slight increase in freight over the past 2 weeks and this has enabled the company to decrease the number of broker loads they have been taking. The goal is to get out of brokered loads completely as they just don't pay very well.
Things are slowly picking up now that we are getting into the new year. Fresh Express should rev up late March to mid-April depending on farming conditions and that will crank things up for us even more.

All in all, despite some moderate, proactive, cutbacks, the company is still on solid financial ground.

Last I heard we are still holding orientation every two weeks. The hold-up is that all orientation is being held at the Jackson terminal only. So, rather than having 3 locations holding orientation, they have cut that down to one. This limits things as to the number of incoming drivers they can handle per orientation class.
So, it may be that the orientation classes are booked up until April.

RT

 

My advice is much like Minus's. There is no One Size Fits all when it comes to trucking companies. Different things are important to different drivers and you have to sit down, list what is important to you as a driver (in the order of importance) and do your research to find the best company for YOU.

KLLM is a great company for me. I get the miles, pay is good, management / administration is responsive and easily accessible, it's been 99.9% no touch freight (I had to break down ONE load so far in the year 15 months I have been here), detention / layover / shop pay is good and not a hassle to get, I get home on time (the exception being when I had to go pick up a new truck from Atlanta...but I'm flexible anyway so no big deal).
I did have a problem with dispatch this past week in trying to get to Jackson for the lease program orientation and ended up calling Jim Richards. I spoke to his administrative assistant and the problem was resolved within 30 minutes and I made it to orientation.

One good piece of advice I can give you is, whatever company you consider, get on here, go into thier forum, and ask questions and get the scoop from thier current and former employees. Recruiters are paid to get you into the company they are recruiting for and, unfortunately, some recruiters have the scruples of a rabid baboon and will tell you anything, including outright misrepresentations, to sign you up.

RT

 

Hey RT, I will be attending the orientation in Jackson on Monday. Thank you so much for all the information you've provided us. You really helped me make my decision. I got my HazMat this week and am ready to go.

Quck question: How often do you get out to the western states? I'm single and am not interested in getting home all the time. I just want to see as much of the country as possible, at least when I first start. I'm also interested in traveling through the western half of the country. Should I expect to get out that way very often?

Thanks again RT. You've given a very realistic view of what to expect. Can't wait to get started!!

 

good info! cant find the hiring areas. i live in nashville. do they hire from middle tennessee?

 

I would think they would be hiring from your area since their two main terminals in the Southeast are in Jackson, Miss. and Atlanta, Ga. And, yes, they are having orientations in Atlanta at this time. I know this 'cause I'm going to mine there on March 17 and I live in NC. Good luck.