Dart Transit Co., - Eagan, Mn.?

I'm a lease contractor with Dart Transit, and I must comment on the last post. First: They do tell you about the 'first' payment, Its a down-payment, and you _SIGN_ one page of your lease specifically about that down payment that HS makes for you. Now, is it an ideal way to own a truck? Of course not, but it does work and I _DO_ make money, this nonsense about paying out $4500 each week is a complete fallacy. I pay out roughly 800$ each week for my expenses. and at MAX another 700$ week for fuel. Still netting myself a decent pay check.

As I said, its not perfect, but you can make money. The problem I see most with Dart Lease drivers not making money is because they refuse loads constantly. You don't want that 200 mile run that will get you out of a dead area, i'll take it. At the least it will pay my dailies, and make me a bit of money. If you don't move you make no money.

As for Highway sales, I picked up a used 2006 Columbia with a Detroit and EF Straight 10 speed. It wasn't perfect, I KNEW it would not be perfect. However, they have paid out of pocket to fix any problems I've had. Hell the second week I had the truck my Charge Air Cooler popped and they replaced it at no charge to me.

Again, i'm not telling everyone to sign on its GREAT. I"m just saying it does work. As for the CR England lease, been there, done that. Made a fortune at it, but only when I became a trainer. Every company feeds miles to its Lease drivers. Because that is where the company REALLY makes money. I've never had a shortage of miles with Dart, And i'm in the northern region, if they don't have frieght that stays in the region they offer me other frieght to keep moving. I don't have to accept it, I can sit if I choose to. All in all, i've taken ONE load out of the region because I decided to run over the weekend. Drop and hook both sides, then hooked to a load the same day and got back to my region.

*shrugs* Just my experience.

 

Its a wonder that one person can say they make money as an LO. Then have a few say they cant. Im beginning to think its all about how much money a person thinks is a good living.

 

Hey folks- found this conversation and noticed a lot of really old info in it. Dart is leasing O/O's and company drivers. They bought Allpoints out and Major Transport, they own Mainstream transport too. Most of the trucks in those companies are company tractors. The O-O's have dropped from around 2,000 to 1,400 to somewhere under 1,200 the last I heard (Jan '09). Probably less of us now (Sep '09). Here's the deal on the trucks for lease- the Freightliner Columbias are throw away trucks. Period. They will not last. Mine has a Mercedes engine and automated trans. Engine's been rebuilt twice in the last 4 months (cylinder liner problems). Allpoints drivers are using these and the automated transmissions are not shifting correctly. The result is often a broken driveshaft, shattered trans case or destroyed gears. Mine shifts without using the automated clutch several times a month and slams into the next higher or lower gear. Dart put extended warranties on these trucks, and most of the .08cpm maintenance account went to the insurance deductible for the extended warranty repairs. Total cost of this years' repairs (not the deductible but the total cost) is around $30,000.00 and still climbing. Dec '09 will be two years I've been driving it.
Most new O/O's are getting angry or scared and quitting before they get reimbursed for the repairs. A couple of months after I got in this truck a few hundred dollars was deposited into my maint acct from the last drivers' repairs. He didn't stick around long enough for the bill to go through the warranty process.
Dart didn't build them. Dart isn't perfect, they'll get your money sooner or later and the company repair shops sometimes cause more damage than they fix. This is the business folks, being an O/O is a dirty game. You will be scammed and will always be at a disadvantage. I've survived here since '94 as an O/O because I do my own repairs and do things my way.
Bottom line is if you don't know the O/O biz, STAY OUT! Doesn't matter which company you're considering, contractors will always get cut before the company trucks. The way the economy is today, all O/O's are on 24 hour standby. That is, tomorrow morning could always be your last day with the company you're leased to. Because you're a contractor and not an employee, no one cares how you pay your bills. I lost one of my houses this year because Dart put an on board recorder in this tractor. 100% Hours of Service compliance, no tolerance- just like several of the other companies are doing. I'm down to less than 8,000 miles a month because of 100% compliance and downtime for repairs. All of Dart's tractors (leased and company) are going to have OBR's by Jan of 2010.
New to trucking? Go away! You'll lose it all in this dirty business and it's only getting worse. New O/O? FOGEDDABOUDIT! Stay a company driver until you can find a real job. Something that really makes money like..working in a fast food restaurant or in a Wal-Mart stocking shelves.
Well, ok- that sounds bitter. It is! I hated being a company driver but since changing over to contractor status, my savings are long gone ($15,000.00+), I've lost one truck and a house, been dragged through bankruptcy, sent thousands of dollars to lawyers to keep the IRS from taking everything I own from me, and that's just the highlights.. Bottom line is- Dart takes around $80.00 a day from me in fixed costs whether I work or not. Every day. I'm about to turn this tractor in and lease a newer one. You might lease this truck next. In 10 years you'll be sitting in your truck late at night trying to warn the newbies to stay away like I'm doing.
Can you believe I gave up a Law enforcement career for this? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. You're next unless you just go away...

 

noooooooooooooo never work for dart,

 

Hmmmmm... Interesting...
Agreed Dart is not for everyone....especially H/S drivers...with inside financing
I agree..you will get raped 6 ways from sunday..and 7 ways toward it.
But if you had your own truck.......

I have been with Dart since 2004 had 2 trucks with them...not thru them.. DID NOT buy their Ins.. (went thru OOIDA and save 300.00 a month) But they are no different than any other company... yes they will try to screw you here and there... but if you stay on top of it and run your truck like a business than YOU can make it at Dart.... I have always ran out out of Lancaster. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed but, I do not like people who says they worked for Dart,and wont put up their Driver number to prove it. What are the hiding....are you taking advances everyday??? their has to be something....Whats my driver number????? Look at my login name.

Way to go Dave26027

Dave is right...H/S truck are the throw aways.... and Dart takes hardly nothing out for me.. My escrow is met.... my Q/C and scanning is about 15.00 a month... I do it all myself....If your new to trucking or a new O/Op go away... get someone to hold your hand....show you the ropes.... And for GODs sake bring your own truck,and don t turn down freight...

 

Is that your picture on their trailers ????

 

Nope...sure isnt... I dont know who that goober is....

I was just putting in my 2 cent....want change?

 

He got let go a few years back, or so i hear.

 

4.5 years later... any updates?