Stay at Sygma or Join Conway LTL??

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by kilroy2963, Jul 30, 2009.

  1. kilroy2963

    kilroy2963 Light Load Member

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    So just some quick info, I currently work at the Sygma Network as a Driver for a year now. The money is very good, I'm on pace to make 50-60k this year. The downside is its a very physical job, and no chance of ever being able to work days.
    Recently I applied at Conway LTL for a truck driving job, and received a job offer today. The pay rate is 18.38 hr for a 40hr work week(about $200 less a week the Sygma). Barring any hic-up which I don't foresee, I all but have the job.

    So my question is would going to Conway LTL be a oppurtunity I should jump on?? I only have 1 year experience driving, and don't want to BS myself thinking the grass is greener on the other side. With the current state the job market and economy is in, it would really suck to get laid off in 4-6 months or have my hours cut.

    Any advice would be much appreciated!!
     
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  3. LRod

    LRod Bobtail Member

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    At sygma you are probably off the extra board ond on a route....most likely you will be on the extra board to start at Conway....probably evening hours but you may like that better than overnight at Sygma.
    My buddy works for Conway LTL and he drives and does dock work as well so you will still be doing physical work load pickups and unload on deliveries most likely if that terminal is like his. you will be home every day though. Sygma has good pay and excelent bennies compaired to other truck companies they are the only one I know of that still has a company funded retierment (sysco as well )
    Its tough when the grass looks greener on the other pasture
     
    kilroy2963 Thanks this.
  4. kilroy2963

    kilroy2963 Light Load Member

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    I think I have pretty much decided to stay with sygma, I have a year in and all my bennies in place. I don't think now is the time to be taking a gamble, not with the way the job market is. I asked the manager what kind of hours I could expect, and he said at 1st 40 or more, but if it slowed down it could be less, and he even mentioned the word layoff come Nov-Dec time frame was always a possibility. That was the real deal breaker for me, I cant take the chance right now on losing a 50-60k a year job, only to be laid off come the holidays.
    Since I have been at Sygma, it always been busy with all the trucks going out. As long as people like to eat out or go to coffee places, then I think Sygma will always have plenty of work.
    Thanks for the reply dude!!
     
  5. dr5169

    dr5169 Medium Load Member

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    Is sygma in danville doing any hiring now... i have been wanting to apply even though its about 2 hrs plus from chicasgo...
     
  6. kilroy2963

    kilroy2963 Light Load Member

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    According to their website they are looking for Driver Helpers and Drivers. If your new though, driver helper would be your best bet, as this will lead to a driver position. As a driver helper you will get seat time, plus make 50-60k while doing so.:biggrin_25525:
    http://www.sygmanetwork.com/Home.aspx
     
  7. dr5169

    dr5169 Medium Load Member

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    THanks for the info.....i will give the driver helper position a try...
     
  8. Trucking?Don't!

    Trucking?Don't! Bobtail Member

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    In the interest of anonymity, I'm going to be vague. I've been driving for Sygma Danville for many years now. It used to be a great place to work. Due to the management that's come in over the last couple of years or so, things have gone downhill fast. Way downhill! Things may look fine if you're fairly new, but they're good at pulling the wool over your eyes.

    They've stopped paying for things they used to pay for. They're requiring extra work that never used to be required (with no additional pay of course). There's a zero tolerance for idle time (gotten written up for idling at a backhaul when the heat index is over 100 degrees yet?). The GM want no more route bids (unless there's a huge change of business). No big deal? Wait till they change your route to where it no longer even resembles the route you bid on and you're running several hundred more miles a week, with several additional stops, and away from home extra days (or nights). At that point, you'll be stuck on it with no hope.

    Raises have been pathetic over the last few years. The GM tells everyone they're, say, 3% but if you really look at the numbers it's easy to see that he's feeding drivers a line of BS. They can't seem to get any new business in. Basically, the only thing that's happened over the last few years is we've lost business.

    The worst thing (and I really can't go into detail) is how they're treating drivers who have been with the company for a few years. They're inventing policies that act as tools to get rid of the drivers they want to get rid of. Lately, that means senior drivers (after all, we cost them more and probably complain more as well). I've seen them fire drivers that have provided excellent service for several years simply for breaking one ridiculous policy. It's like throwing out an old dirty rag.

    Sygma Danville is in trouble. It's easy to see based on the actions of management (actions they try to keep behind closed doors). Management is worried and they're cutting expenses like there's no tomorrow (maybe there is no tomorrow!). They'll screw over anybody they have to for the almighty dollar, all while putting on a happy face and pretending to be your best friend.

    I really could go on and on for hours about how screwed up the current management is, but I think I've made my point.

    My advice is get out now. Don't believe me? You will...in time.

    It's really a shame because I really used to like working for Sygma. Funny what greed, power-hunger, and cost-cutting can do.

    Note that I'm only referring to the Danville location. I've spoken with drivers from other centers who are shocked at the BS we put up with.
     
    Baack Thanks this.
  9. dr5169

    dr5169 Medium Load Member

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    Thanks for the great posts!!!!!!!!!!! Didnt know it was like that at sygma.........
     
  10. kilroy2963

    kilroy2963 Light Load Member

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    Hey fellow Sygma driver!! I can relate to a lot of stuff you are saying, I see the same BS going on and its not pretty. The zero tolerance for idling time is a real crock of crap!! I get hit for idle time and all Im doing is warming up the engine before the start of a route. Management meanwhile sits around in their heated or air conditioned offices, while we suffer from heat stroke or freeze our butts off just like you said. My biggest issue lately with them is the loads, ever since they changed the way they load the trucks it has been a nightmare!! Example: Stop 40 buried on a stop 60 pallet, pallets facing the wrong way forcing you to basically strip the whole #### thing!! Refrigerator, dry and freezer pallets that are built so big its not only almost impossible to find the stuff you need, but also good luck trying to keep them standing (that's if they were standing in the 1st place). Meanwhile, management praises the warehouse, while we are out there for 14hr busting our nuts and losing our order accuracy and on-time bonus due to their screw-ups!!
    Your also right on the money about it seems they are trying to screw senior drivers. I see these guys getting screwed out of their safety bonus, even though it wasn't their fault!! Several have been fired over the last year, and I know of a few more that I'm sure they would like to fire or get rid of. Our safty guy is a complete joke, fresh out of college with a degree in the Smith System, doesn't have a CDL and never driven a truck once other then his Tonka trucks in the sandbox. But this is the guy telling us how to drive and operate a 18-wheeler safely..........LOL!! As far as our management team, none of them have CDL's or ever have held one, yet they know all there is about driving a 18-wheeler!! Hell, they don't even know what the HOS rules really are, they just guess!! They think that we have all the time in the world out there, therefore adding a couple stops wont be a problem.
    Another thing that bugs me is the fact that they seem to think that we should be on-call 24/7 with our phone right beside us. they will call you up and change your route at a minutes notice, and expect you to accomadate them. i though this is why they had spares...........oh wait, I forgot that they play favorites with them, sending them on easy routes as to justify their $1200 guarantee. So when you really need them, they are out on a 600 cube trailer singel man run, with another driver!!

    These are just some of the things that are going on, believe me there is more.
    Some positive points though, the pay is still very good. You can make $1000 a week as a driver helper, and even more as a driver. Im well on my way to making $60k this year, and this is my 1st year. We still have our order accuracy and on-time bonus which is $600 a quarter(although harder to achieve these lately due to the crap loads). We still get our yearly safety bonus, although again much more difficult to achieve. The retirement program is still in place, for now. You still get to come home every night for the most part, so atleast your not out on the road for 3-6 weeks at a time.
    So all in all, its like any other company these days, taking advantage of the current economy and sticking it to their employees. I guess we have to be thankful that at least we have a job that is well paying.
     
  11. dr5169

    dr5169 Medium Load Member

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    Nice post from both yu guys...its good to know the inside scoop...
     
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