Jason,where you been?????

SSDD (Same Stuff Different Day)you know how it is.

Kim and I are still doing the dedicated route back and forth to Miami. Every 3rd week we have been taking the Miami reload to Elizabeth rather than Camp Hill. Last weekend we actually pulled a set of doubles (Kim and I have a full boat on endorsements) from Elizabeth back to Camp Hill so we got paid for all miles plus the extra drop and hooks which was nice (for a change).

Ray keeps trying to get us to work line haul Thursday nights and take a trip from Camp Hill Pa to S Plainfield and back but Kim won't hear of it. She is dead set against doing anything "extra" especially because they didn't pay us to go from Elizabeth back to Camp Hill twice already. By the time we roll into Camp Hill Thursday evening its normally around 9 or 10 Pm, my hours are up and Kim just wants to go home for a decent nights rest and shower before we go back out Friday morning. She can be very stubborn and would sooner quit and stay at home than let anyone push her (unlike me who just sucks it up and runs).

I did get a call from Warner last week. I believe he wanted to see if I really gave him my correct cell phone number. He seems like a personable enough fella although I have not met him and it is doubtful we will cross paths anytime soon. I reiterated my offer to assist him any way I can to help make the transition easier on him but so far he has not asked me anything. I hope this means he is catching on and doing well.

I spoke with Lee on Monday to verify EFW's current hiring requirements for road drivers. He told me that starting in January of 2009 they reduced the starting wage to .36 from .38 cpm and no longer offer "every" weekend off. He said the economy has made it difficult to turn a profit and they must be more flexible when it comes to shipper demands. The new recruits are told they may be out 10 to 14 days before going home now. They also want 1 year verifiable experience and prefer a driver has a hazmat endorsement as well. Lee did say they may make an exception to the 1 year rule in the event the driver lives in a desirable area, has come from an accredited training school, has a good MVR, and work history, but it will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

I have suggested a few drivers currently out of work apply at EFW including my brother who is still out of work. He is really kicking himself for quitting last Fall. At this point it is unclear to me whether I have any more inside influence though.

When I vouch for someone and then they quit it really ruins my credibility. I try and lead by example but as my brother told me last Fall; "sorry big brother I ain't you." It does trouble me that he had it made here but threw it all away 'cause he didn't get home when he wanted.

From what Lee tells me they are currently looking for about 20 more drivers. I am not sure if they have the freight volume to keep 20 additional drivers busy but things should start picking up a bit now that warmer weather is here.

For each driver that I encourage to apply I offer my contact info so they have someone they can bounce questions off and compare notes with. I have a vested interest in encouraging drivers to stay. Without good, reliable drivers, we will be unable to satisfy our customers needs and could lose our customer base. If I am able to encourage drivers to hang in there then we all win.

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Adapting to an ever changing world.

that every weekend home went out thw window years ago. that was just a selling point. as far as relaxing the qualifications, that came about because they were putting on drivers who either couldnt even drive or had a questionable background and got caugt at it. So they way the uppers covered their ##### is to maker it a "policy". they were pushing through guys to make quotas. lots of tension inside that office I hear. wonder where the next shoe will drop?

I want to warn you guys reading all this, I as well as others have given you the facts on Easter, they are not a good company. Soon after I posted the original thread to this, Eastern found it and has a couple guys trying to make them look good to you all, after reading Im sure you can spot them, I believe they are office/dispatch people. Dont buy into the stuff, desperate people do desperate things, as they are on here. I posted this to warn other drivers and it iritates me that these individuals are not being honest with everyone and are trying to use it to sucker more guys in. It truly shows how hard up they are for new meat when they have to monitor an advisory such as this, if they truly were a good company they wouldnt need to try to defend the sleez-ball outfit every time a comment is issued.

sleeze ball is a little over the top. unprofessional is better.

Every carrier has it warts. Some drivers will do well while while others will not.

It is up to each individual to find a carrier that will give them what is important. This is subjective based on each persons needs.

For me the important things were;

1. Money
2. Benefits
3. Home time.

I have posted last years earnings in this thread as well as mentioned the highest amount I ever earned as a driver here.

The benefits were 100% paid by the company when I first started back in 2001. Now they charge us $40.00 a week for Family coverage through United Healthcare.

As for hometime I am home each week.

Perhaps I am jaded but based on the other carriers I have worked at or researched over the years Eastern is one of the better ones out there.

I started a thread here a while back for those of you interested;

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

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Adapting to an ever changing world.

you have a thick skin and dont let the personnal battles bother you. you are also pragmatic about the job and see the whole picture. some people cant get by the buill and the bitterness of the people who work there. even you, the ultimate optomist, cant deny that. as for NEMF, I saw your post on the other board. Its easier to interline what you dont want then to deliver it yourself. You get your piece and it doesnt cost you a lot if they are bringing in to you also.

Sometimes I think my posts do indeed fall on deaf ears.

You would think that after all the detail I have offered in the previous pages of this thread that my identity and position here at Eastern would have been thoroughly established as well as my truthfulness.

Eastern is relatively small compared to many of the other carriers discussed here at Truckers Report but if someone were to take the time and actually compare the other companies discussed within this site, line by line, I do believe they would discover Eastern is actually a pretty decent company. Of course it is all in ones perspective.

In regard to NEMF's freight imbalance I do understand outsourcing freight to other carriers especially when the freight in question is outside our established operating area.

However, it is counter productive to have freight sitting on the dock or in trailers without enough night time line haul drivers to move those loads. I was hoping to encourage some of the laid off NEMF drivers to call their respective terminals and inquire about being called back. I know if I were laid off I would be calling in each day (or at least each week) to offer my services.

Need help today boss? I can be there in 30 minutes just give me a call.
Need help working the dock? I'm your guy!
Need someone to jockey trailers? Can do Sir!

You see, with me, it is all about "attitude." I succeed where others fail. I am aggressive and frankly I am good at what I do. With over 2 million miles under my belt there isn't much I have not seen or cannot do.

Low powered small bunk trucks? PUHLEASE! Been there, Done that, Got the T-Shirt!
No engine brake? No a/c? No air ride? No radio? No OBC? Man I done that too and came back for more!

Fortunately their are some still among us that have the "right" mindset and are willing to do the job. Hopefully this recession will help weed out the wannabes from the real McCoy's.

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Adapting to an ever changing world.

its not you, its the attitude of the majority of the country. Lets get something for nothing. thats why these left-wing nuts voted for Obama. He will make Carter look like Newt Gingrich. nobody wants to work if unemployment will pay them 80% to stay home. Now its up to 57 weeks in NJ. My own kids have the same mentallity. this country is in for a rough ride the next 20 years.

Hmmm. Well I guess I too am "nuts." I voted for Mr Obama.

Nice to see we do not agree on "everything." I will save the political discussion for the political forum.

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Adapting to an ever changing world.