Hometime

Since you're required to be there for the Military, I don't think it would be a problem getting you home for the weekend every month. You may get home a couple days early, just to guarantee you're home. But it seems that Bob appreciates the military and our Vets...

And we have quite a few pick ups around you..Huger and Darlington at Nucor are a couple big ones.

 

Thanks for the reply Noggin,

Are you guys still getting decent miles? Ive read up on most of the threads. Seems like some are and some are not.

 

I'm still getting what I personally require to be happy. Have they recently dropped a little? Sure, they have. I still make enough to cover my abslolute minimum though.

 

Hey ctv8828, I respect your military dedication. I was also in the army in the early 90's. I do understand your obligations. I'm a driver for Melton as well. I'm really happy with them as a company. They do an outstanding job taking care of their equipment and employees. I have all the respect for them in that aspect. With all that said, do not get my personal opinions wrong.
Your recruiter is not responsible for ensuring you get home on time. Your driver manager is. Your recruiter WILL tell you what you want to hear. You as a military man know how recruiters work. I'm sure that is for every company you have applied for. When it comes to brass tacks, it's all up to you and how you will manage your time while your on the road.
I'm will never tell anyone where to work and where not to work. Melton is an awesome company, but I would not in any simple words tell you in any company you apply for can guarantee you will home when you expect unless you plan to refuse some loads.
I hope you have the best of luck with any choices you make. I can't tell you which you should work with. I have only worked with Melton. I speak with drivers from all the other companies you mentioned. They all seem happy with where they are at.
AGAIN, these comments are my opinions and that's just the way I feel.

 

While what burke said is true, there are ways around it. We do have guaranteed home days, only 1 every 6 months though. So yo're set 2 times a year at least. But, the way I figure it, you are only obligated one weekend a month, which leaves three weeks for being on the road. That is basically what melton wants anyways....

That said, they may not always get you home on the exact day..most times you'd be there a day or two early. But with something like Guard duty, I'm sure they would be more than willing to work with you and get you home. They may even park your truck at a terminal and get you a greyhound home if you're too far away for them to get you home on a certain day. Doesn't happen much, but that is always an option.

Like burke said, a recruiter will tell you whatever you want to hear to get your butt in their truck...is it a lie? Not necessarily. But like he said, they have no control over how you are routed while you're on the road. Only your DM and the load planners control that. Mainly the load planners. But if you have a good DM who stays on top of things, they will be able to make sure you get loads home when you need them.

 

I appreciate your opinion Burke. Mostly everything I hear about Melton is positive. I think I am going to try to get ahold of someone in operations who is not a recruiter just to make sure my military obligation will not be an issue. Thanks for your reply.

 

Can you guys tell me how the terminal in Birmingham is? Decent facility? Good trainers? I guess thats where i will be going to orientation if i decide to go with melton.

 

It's a nice terminal. Little TV room with 4 recliners and a treadmill. Small kitchen set up, laundry, and 2 showers in men's restroom. I've never dealt with the Orientation guy there but I've heard he's easy to get along with.

As far as trainers...you just get who you get. I've met some that are good, explain how to do stuff, show you, help you....

then there are the lazy ones that make you do everything and never get out of the truck..

 

Hey burke, i was just curious whay you did in the Army?

 

This is so true , I wish some of these trainers would get yanked - makes me sick to see a student doing everything while a trainer sits in the terminal and runs his mouth . Seems to happen a lot in Laredo , heres a little advice call Pat in laredo and ask him who a good trainer would be that will train you and not try to slave you - he will give you a few good names. If you do this you will thank me when you see what students with poor trainers go through