T. E. Smith Transports and Logistics - USA

Discussion in 'Report A BAD Trucking Company Here' started by P5CU, Mar 18, 2013.

  1. P5CU

    P5CU Bobtail Member

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    TOO EXCITING TO BE A REAL DEAL: I was so exciting about going to Myrtle Beach, SC and exciting about learning more about a new Canadian trucking company expanding into the USA. Out of both excitement and desperation, I applied for a commercial driving position with T. E. Smith Transports and Logistics - USA. I had another job offer but the job would not be available until April 9th, 2013 . . . . I needed to get back out and making money. I rent a rental car and go to Myrtle Beach, SC. I arrived there just in time for a 11:00 meeting with Nathan Smith. It was shocking to get there and realize the U. S. Operations is raw and it isn't as operational as I had expected. I was shocked t realize the "meet-up" place was in an office suite converted from storage units. I go in to meet-up with Nathan Smith and I can tell he doesn't want to be there. He young and this is likely a job his father Terry E. Smith created for his son. He tells me the company has a 2005 Freightliner en route from Canada. I was again surprised because the recruiter Micki said that a 2009 Freightliner was already there, but I didn't see any trucks on the outside premises. I spent an hour with Nathan Smith my first day filling out paperwork, and I immediately developed a bad feeling about the company and driving opportunity. I tried to remain pleasant and optimistic. I had driven 530 miles for a driving job in a rental car, and I needed everything to go as planned. It didn't go as planned. The second day the meet-up was called off because the truck wasn't there and I think negative tension began to build-up between the Nathan, Micki and I.Neither Nathan nor Micki had any pertinent information about the truck, such as the odometer reading, whether the cmv was an auto-shift or manual shift . . . . They knew nothing about the truck. By the end of the second day, I had decided not to get involved with T. E. Smith Transports and Logistics - USA. To go to work for T. E. Smith would be a step backwards and downwards from where I've accrued my knowledge, skills and abilities to be a top professional commercial driver. I am so use to working for big carriers and literally I can say there is no comparison when you investigate driving opportunities with much smaller companies. My message to the top dogs out there, don't waste your time going to T. E. Smith Transports and Logistics - USA Operation. You will likely be disappointed with the scattered personnel and what you are offered to drive once you actually arrive there on the premises.
     
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  3. Bigdaddy00

    Bigdaddy00 Light Load Member

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    i applied last week and was told by Andy it would take 3 weeks to get a truck from canada to mertle beach . around 10th of april. P5CU how was hotel ?
     
  4. P5CU

    P5CU Bobtail Member

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    Why would you be concerned about the hotel. The hotel has nothing to do with the job. Drivers do not go to work for a company based on what the hotel is like. Maybe T.E. Smith is the perfect job for you if you are looking to live in a hotel.
     
  5. Flatbedn

    Flatbedn Road Train Member

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    Whats with the d-bag attitude? He asked a question which you didnt answer. Again, How was the hotel?
     
  6. P5CU

    P5CU Bobtail Member

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    @FLATBEDN: The purpose of the thread was not to rate a hotel. Who goes to apply for a job concerned about the hotel? So, if I have a bad attitude to you, Good!!! Your mind isn't on the businss of transporting freight and generating miles and revenue. I am here discussing the fact that T. E. Smith is a start-up trucking operation in the U.S. They do not have a fleet of trucks here for prospective drivers. If you or anyone wants to know about the hotel, why not call Terry, Nathan, Paul, or Micki; or simply play on the phone and call the Holiday Inn Express. Someone with nothing better to do can give you hotel and tourism information. I don't have time for that!
     
  7. pwills2

    pwills2 Bobtail Member

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    Response to P5CU from Paul Wills - VP of US Operations for TE Smith Transport & Logistics, Ltd.
    I become immediately suspicious of someone who is sitting in judgment on a person or company but hides behind a codename. Let's call the person in this blog Jackie, because that is her real name. Jackie and I originally spoke on the phone because she was interested in a dispatch position with our company. I am disappointed that she chose to write this instead of trying to work any issues she felt were pertinent to her potential job out with management. In fact, she failed to mention the she didn't even let us know that she was leaving.... She just disappeared without a word.
    Several of her claims are false and as one blogger already responded to her "what's with the attitude" we may see a bit of what the problem might be.
    Fact #1: Our offices in Myrtle Beach are in fact very, very nice. A part of the building is a storage facility for the public but there are several respectable businesses that have offices there including the US Coast Guard. I have been in the trucking business for over 25 years and the offices there are as nice as any I've seen.
    Fact #2: Nathan is the owner's son but how did Jackie come to the conclusion that the company's existence was created so Nathan could have a job? I think this is making a huge assumption on her part and even if it were true, what makes the difference?
    Fact #3: I will admit that we did have an issue with the timing of getting the equipment down to Myrtle Beach. A big part of that is due to the success we have had in putting owner operators into lease purchase units at very reasonable prices... usually $1200~$1300 a month. The popularity of the program surprised us and we have been catching up to the demand. We plan on having a yard to have a pool of equipment so when Owner Operators arrive the equipment will be there already.
    Fact #4: Right now we are a small to medium size company and I understand that some people like to work at large companies. That is a personal preference just like choosing a big or small church. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and it comes down to what you like. I can tell you that I could give you lots of drivers and owner operator's names that are VERY happy to be at a company that really does care about the drivers and owner operators out on the road. We show it from the very beginning. Our company's foundation is built on this.
    Southwest Airlines has a policy on how to handle complaints from their customers. The first complaint from someone gets a great deal of attention in finding out the facts and how to resolve the problem. The second complaint from the same person gets the same kind of attention. The third complaint however get a response letter from the airline that simply says we have done everything we can to try to make you happy with our airline and we don't seem to be able to accomplish this goal with you. Maybe it's time you find another airline. Jackie, I hope you find what you are looking for.
     
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  8. Knucklehead

    Knucklehead Road Train Member

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    Methinks the OP had believed everything was all ready to go for her. Little does she realize, is that a company still has to do business as usual, even as the move is going on. Yes, real life can be a pain in the butt.

    I live in the Detroit area, and thought about giving TESmith a call last year, as I love driving Ontario. What are your rates like, for American o/os in both straights and semis, if you don't mind me asking?
     
  9. Meltom

    Meltom Road Train Member

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    Well you gave it two days before deciding it wasn't for you, I'm not sure that makes them a bad company. If anything you had an experience that was unpleasant, but in the long run the personality conflict (from the OP's statement) would have eventually soured the relationship and it would have ended poorly. Maybe next time try to get more of the info upfront?
     
  10. JayTee

    JayTee Light Load Member

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    To be honest I believe you have a lot to learn. TE Smith have been around for a lot of years and this is the 1st I've heard anyone slam them whatsoever.
     
  11. OPUS 7

    OPUS 7 Road Train Member

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    P5CU,,Can you at least tell us how rental car drove?:biggrin_255:
    Seriously,though..Was the motel better than a truck stop urinal?
    Will you marry me??
     
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