I worked for USA for two years, I quit about a month ago. Number one reason? No freakin home time. If you love to stay out and work for weeks at a time and come home four days a month then this company is for you.
I realize there are a lot of companies like this out there. The basic fact is this is a "STARTER COMPANY," which means this is a company where all the newbies go to earn their wings. Once you get your experience you find a decent company to work for. You are nothing but a number to them and you WILL be treated as such.
There is no point crying or complaining about your weak paycheck, lack of hometime, or dilapidated equipment because unless you're going there with previous experience they are going to USE you like a cheap ##### and know they can get away with it. Until you know what you are doing, and know how to "work the system" you probably will be very unhappy.
What can you do? COMMUNICATE with your fleet manager. Tell them how you feel and what is going on EVERY DAY. Say good morning to them, wish them a happy fourth of july, etc. Basically treat them like a friend... and most of them time they will return the favor.
Do NOT complain (without a VERY good reason), curse at them, or be difficult to work with... because your dispatcher can make your life miserable if he/she wants to. All you need to do is suck it up and put your time in while you gain the experience needed for a real trucking job.
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My experience with USA personally was positive overall. No company is perfect (especially OTR companies), and USA has problems just like all the rest.
I averaged close to 3000 PAID miles a week as a solo driver (USA pays short route miles, not actual miles). I averaged about $400-600 per week in my first year. After my first year I became a trainer and averaged $800-1500 per week.
Yes, I cheated on my logs, but I never put my life in danger just to deliver a load. If I was tired, I pulled over and slept no matter if the load was late or not... I wouldn't suggest doing that too often! BUT, regardless, I did what was necessary to get the load delivered on time and to stay safe. They know if you fudge the books but they really don't care as long as you don't get caught.
Their trucks suck and run at 62-63 mph (unless they've changed this since I left). Their terminals are old and run down, the showers are dirty, the washing machines are always broken. Their mechanics are overwhelmed with too many broken truck which makes them slow. Forget about calling dispatch at night or on weekends because you will be stuck on hold for about an hour before anyone answers.
My basic opinion? They are a good place to start out... and if you don't mind the fact that you never go home you can even do pretty good there if you get on your dispatcher's good side. They WILL pay you detention and breakdown pay IF... pay attention here.... IF and only IF you specifically ASK for it and IF your dispatcher likes you. They will not just hand it out to you every time you get stuck somewhere for 8 hours... but if you have a good reason and are detained for 12 hours or more they might just pay you for it.
I didn't mean to be so long winded but I hope this info helps someone.
My experience with USA truck and some general advice
Discussion in 'USA Truck' started by ErgoSum88, Feb 11, 2008.
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