Melton Truck Lines

The only thing about having a pet or a rider on the truck is that Melton will charge you $150 per month for it if your fuel economy sucks. If you average at least 5.75 miles per gallon they could care less if you have a pet or a rider. I have been there for over two years and KNOW that they legally dispatch their drivers at 50 mph. If you can't deliver that legally you need to seriously evaluate your use of time! Melton will not tolerate drivers cheating on their logs or delivering late. With a legal dispatch of 50 mph there is no reason for either though!

Wow! really, Melton dispatches at 50 MPH?
Sounds like you're quoting the melton manual there..while they say they do - they absolutely DO NOT. The $150 per month sounds about right - $50 per week out of your paycheck is more like it....I've stated this before and I'll state it again so people looking at Melton can get a better understanding -- Melton sets delivery and pickup appointments for you - which are usually out of reach and inaccurate. The customer may load and unload 24 hours a day - but melton will tell you to get there at 5AM. - and the DMs rarely examine your hours of service or hours till break macro. Some of their customers do require appointments as Melton uses a routine customer freight lanes -- and saves the good brokered loads for their lease purchase and owner op trucks. As far as the pet and rider thing - they want the money for the pet -- and they want you to pay for the rider and pay for the pass. I wouldn't advise skipping the legal stuff when it comes to the two.

It makes perfect sense why they set this fictious appointment times -- it's obviously to maximize the efficency of their fleet. If they told you when you could really deliver it - you'd probably not be in such a rush to drop it off. But miles are money -- and they know you'll push yourself to get it there to make the money. It's kinda foolish to expect them to book freight based on your hours -- they book the freight - then find someone to move it -- even if it means repowering it. Dispatch isn't taking into consideration the hours you have left to drive -- they leave that to the DMs, who are trying to move the freight the load planners are sending them -- either they move it -- or they face blimishes on their monthly progress reports.

I laugh every time I hear a melton driver say that "melton doesnt tolerate running illegal logs" -- well, that's true...but that just shows you how much the safety people and the DMs reallly communicate. You got safety saying "dont run illegal...turn down the load...tell them you cant make it in that timeframe" -- then you got your DM saying "it's a hot load -- or -- it's a new customer" -- do not be late! Melton wants you to communicate with them -- but they clearly do not communicate with one another. The worst thing melton could have ever done was lower their OTR experience requirements for new drivers -- this was just another way for melton to line their own pockets -- while paying drivers less to move their customers freight.
Sadly, this has resulted in an increased accident rate for their company and mutilated miles for company drivers. As melton adds more and more trucks - their freight does not increase - you will have drivers who get okay miles and others who sit or are forced to take left over miles via a repower. Melton clearly has more trucks than freight. I suggest leveling the playing field by going to a smaller company -- you will get more miles and a more family oriented atmosphere. If you are a melton driver and think you've found the right company -- you truly have no clue on what else is out there for you.

Lastly, over the weekend a melton driver backed their trailer right up into a parked owner op at the TA. The driver spent 30 mins trying to get into the spot before finally smashing the trucks front end and knocking out the poor guys headlight. Not to mention the melton drivers load of slinky coils were improperly secured and had apparently suffered a slight load shift on the back. You have to ask yourself if hiring cheaper drivers is the best way to avoid a changing economy and rising gas prices?

 

Not here to bash Melton -- I've built recruiter websites for them and recruited countless drivers to the company. It's easy to say I'm bitter based on my experience with them -- but if you read my previous posts you'll see Ive said they are a good company. I just want to stress that melton isnt the end of the rainbow...theres better out there...my advice is get your 6 months experience in flatbed then get into a company with oversize or OD loads...that's where the money is at in flatbed. I can make 55 to 64 a mile with an OD load...and that's for company drivers. Melton drivers are coming into the slower months now -- it doesnt take much to find out how it's effecting the other drivers -- just ask others at the melton terminal how they like sitting there waiting for loads...it sux. Flatbed freight vs. van freight is totally different. The money is in OD feight with flatbed -- 0-1 year experience isnt really much and coming from CRST doesnt say much about your expierience either. Melton will give you good training, but its up to you as to what you do with the training.
Looks like you are one of the drivers they recruited after lowering their experience requirements.

Even the million milers are upset with the way things are now - the miles arent what they used to be 8 years ago. I'm actually wearing a melton shirt right now, one I purchased from the melton store back then -- its a reminder of where I came from....but this load I'm hauling now is a reminder of where I'm going...which is farther and for more money. I would love to point you in a better direction....it's fine to be proud of the company you work for...that shows loyalty...but dont let that loyalty block your vision for better prospects. Again, Melton is one of the better flatbed companies...the training is good and the miles are "ok" -- they're far from consistent however. It's all based on the number of trucks they have and the freight base....they obviously have more trucks than freight, hence the board system they use...that's not good for you. I've had 2800 mile runs with melton -- and I've had 300 mile runs. Their average dispatch is 800 miles -- which they rarely deliver on -- and to be honest with you isnt jack when you compare many other alternatives that are out there. I used to think those drivers that came up to me at the terminals were full of it when they said how my miles would eventually drop -- these werent just 3-4 year drivers - these were million milers.

If you can make meltons appointments you're in good shape! But for craps and grins - try calling the customer and find out their actual load and unload times - you'll be amazed. Ever wonder why that load info message says "driver may not contact customer" -- ? -- awww shucks - if you like it live with it..nobody is saying they totally suck...they're just one of those companies that you will without a doubt grow more and more tired of as time goes by. My posts (good or bad) are only to help potential drivers navigate their prospects.

"no the miles aren't great" truly says it all.
If you are saying this -- you're not where you need to be. PERIOD.

 

WindJammer
CNJROLLIN

Melton did not 'ask' you to build these websites and hey lets be honest here the only reason you were recruting drivers for them was the sign-on bonus you got everytime a driver signed onto Melton - yeah I know you dont get all the money right away but it still is the main reason..if you are honest with yourself.

I wouldn't say it was "mainly" about the bonuses -- I could have easily recruited drivers without a website and it would have been much cheaper. I was more interested in creating a community for melton drivers and offering up more information to potential Melton recruits. It was encouraged and praised by their recruiting department. My loyalty and integrity as a professional driver is not something that has a price tag.

Of course Melton is not the end of the rainbow, what trucking company is..? And any OD or oversize hauling company worth working for is gonna want more than 6mths exp. before they let you haul that kind of freight... You say you make good money but I dont see any mention of miles..? hmmmm

Not true. There are companies that can ease you into OD freight with only 6 months experience. (ATS is one of the companies that does that I believe / check it out) That's why I encourage drivers to go with Melton and get the flatbed experience -- then use that as a stepping stone to higher pay and better miles. I get more miles, great pay, and better treatment where I'm at right now in comparison to Melton. But maybe they just pay me more because I'm pretty? (joking) The miles are great, but if you read more of my previous posts you'd see where I stated I wouldn't fully endorse this company until I've felt them out a bit more.

How much experience did you have before you started with Melton..? Perhaps JB Hunt and the others could add a few lines of truth here..?? You can have all the experience in the world and still be a crappy driver..

I had no flatbed experience prior to joining Melton -- but as you know they train you on flatbed. As far as JB Hunt, that's for another forum. Ask me about JB in a relative forum and I will tell ya all I know. As far as "the others" I can't fill in these blanks for ya -- give me names and I will tell ya what I know.

Yeah until you mess up so often they fire you...then where is your loyalty..?hmmmm I have read a lot of your posts about Melton after they fired you and we all know Companies do not fire you for nothing !

So there aren't any companies that have unjustly fired a driver? A friend of mine is currently in letigation with Melton over a wrongful termination claim. And last I heard they are trying to settle out of court.
Like I said, if you're working for one of these big companies -- you are more than likely just a number, and for some that's okay. I think drivers should be picky when choosing a company. You're the driver!
As far as my Melton loyalty -- I still tote my Melton bag, still wear my melton tshirt, still keep that melton securement book in my console, still got that Melton keychain, still got a few melton hats, and still continue to say that Melton Truck Lines is (one of the better + larger) flatbed companies out there. But by far the end of the rainbow.

Of course you are...thats your job ! nothing more... get the load there in one peice, on time and undamaged...its not that difficult.

Nobody said that it was difficult -- but dispatching illegally without taking an appropriate loaded MPH into consideration can hender your ability to do so. Melton even states in their book that top heavy loads require a lower MPH, especially through the mountains. Of course when freight is slow, you may be given more than enough time to deliver your load. Maybe I should have just tried to get a new DM, like so many of the drivers told me to do.

I dont know how you do your math but Melton's runs are 50 miles per hour. I guess all that experience you have still has not taught you how to work out how long it takes to get from point A to point B.

If you're still a believer in this than maybe you're one of the lucky ones who have yet to be pressed with out-of-reach delivery times. My math supports my arguments against Melton unfairly dispatching loads with incorrect delivery times. Many of my loads had to be adjusted based on the pickup/delivery times being out of the realm of possibility. My DM usually blamed the load planners -- who either booked the freight at the last minute or failed to secure the proper load info before the load was handed off for dispatch. When freight was slow (around this time period) I was given more than enough time to pickup and deliver.

Its irrelevent what the customer says, you dont work for them, they are not paying you (directly). Melton is your boss and if they want you there by a certain time then thats what you have to do...You are not an O/O so you cannot act like one.

"Melton is your boss and if they want you there by a certain time then thats what you have to do."

This is no doubt why Melton loves you. Keep up the good work.

Okay about time for a few home truths here....

I am guessing that the 'C' of cnjrollin is writing all these emails seen as how HE is not a driver (just the rider) and has all this time to write online while his wife does all the driving....Good for you. Perhaps this should have been made clear from the start so other potential drivers know that the advice you are writing is from your Wife's driving experience and not yours.

About time for truths? really?
If you're attempting to state facts or "truths" why start the sentence with "I am guessing" -- potential Melton drivers want facts not a guess.
It's no wonder why a "guess" preludes the rest of your message.
It's not my job to address the validity of your sentences. I will say that my comments are based on my personal experiences with Melton Truck Lines and not flimsy guesses. I have never fabricated my driving experience or credintials as a professional driver. Guessing your way through a personal attack on someone just to relate with the issues, can only be defined as unwise and trivial. You may want to take the "give us sources or give us silence apporach" on this one.


Melton fired you guys for good reason and you both know it.
You had a pretty good idea it was coming I beleive. Perhaps it had something to do with arriving late for appointments so many times without valid excuses (note I said Valid), the fact that you had more than one pet on your truck when you were only allowed one and also the little 'accidents' you guys seem to have......I could go on but I wont as I am sure you and everyone else gets the idea.

LOL. Now you're just being silly. The validity of this one can only be defined by looking into my poor little doggies eyes! I wish I had more than one dog, mine would absolutely love a playmate! My current truck is a huge peterbuilt, with plenty of room for a new doggie if I wanted one -- unlike those small Melton KW's/FL's that barely have room for you and a fridge. Where exactly are you getting your info on this stuff? If you are able to get a print-out of my old qualcomm messages please send me a copy! And if my DAC report lists any other accidents other than the one back in 2004 -- I really need to know. (seriously) Otherwise, this is America -- please carry on. Nobody is stopping you WindJammer. But some of us may be losing interest. Please continue to flatter us with your left of center detective work. LOL. (j/k)


Come on, are you sure Melton fired you unfairly.....?

Yes. and so do the other 4 drivers that were fired that day.

I am not here to 'bash' cnjrollin because no company is perfect but there are always two sides to every story people....just remember that next time you read about how bad a trucking company is.

Well, besides trying to paint me as an unsafe, unsatifactory, and some type of rogue company driver, I'd say you've been pretty fair. lol

Most of my previous post (post-melton) state that I am not here to bash Melton Truck Lines -- an experience is just that "an experience" -- I do not claim to speak on behalf of all ex or current Melton drivers. I like to think of my posts as fair, balanced, and informative -- not to forget comical at times.

Melton has always been good to me and where respect is given it is returned.

WindJammer, it's clear what side of the tracks you stand and nobody is attempting to coax you away. There's plenty of room for all us to stand around and voice our opinions. As long as your opinions are within reason and relative to the topic of the forum.

We take on all comers here.