Back at Dart

Well, after trying for three weeks to get on with Crete, I said, "Scroom" and called Dart. I was in a 2012 Volvo 630 within 48hrs. (Side note: The day I arrived at orientation, Crete called and said come on in, you are worthy...I was still willing to give them a go but they had to resubmit my application since I had started with another company--then their safety department said I was only qualified to drive within the state of NC! Weirdos.) Been back with Dart almost three months.

It has been pretty much like I figured it would be...took that undriveable piece of junk I had last year out of the equation and I'm happy as a clam. There was a little hiccup around the beginning of August called Wal-Mart Dedicated (their division seems to be run by four Rhesus monkeys, a red-winged blackbird, two invisible Spanish swordsmen, a six foot length of rubber hose, and a former Republican Guard captain who is still mad that they got Saddam). I got on a good fleet (collaborative dedicated) with an aggressive planner and a fleet manager who lets me run my own truck, and all is peachy.

Didn't want to like the truck, I must admit. Midroof Volvo 630 with single bunk, Volvo D11 power, and <choke, gasp> Volvo iShift 12-speed automatic! And the thing is Barney Purple!

One trip around Atlanta during rush hour mostly cured my attitude. My sub-40% fuel costs finished the job. I love this truck. I have dubbed it, the Purp. If it breaks down, I guess I'll be doing the Purp Walk. (Ba-dump, bump)

Will post my experiences with Dart and maybe answer your questions when I can. If you hate Dart, there is a section in this forum just for you. This isn't it. I'm not disputing you had a bad experience; I'm saying my experience here has been mostly good, even considering the krappy truck I had last year. I had a horrible experience at CR England years ago; but I have friends who thrived there. Guess what I'm saying is there are things in this world outside of your personal experience and what may be right for you may not be right for somebody else. So hush. <Stepping off soapbox>

Have taken aboard a passenger: Luke, a ferociously passive-aggressive guard dog. He doesn't bite, but as soon as your back is turned, he'll spread horrible rumors about you. Will post pics soon.

Have also started a blog, published biweekly or when muse strikes; will get the link here when am able. (Have to wait til get to a WiFi location to get online)

Have begun search for missing personal pronouns.

Anyhoo, need to get some sleep. Safe travels!




I am Captain Zoom.
I have spoken.

 

Hello and preemptive welcome to Dart!

You can get $25/day for your first three months, then after that you can call your FM and have them raise that to $40. Under certain conditions you can get a percentage of your current load, but I think that varies from fleet to fleet...you'll have to ask your FM what the policies are on your fleet.

Be careful with the older truck...check it out thoroughly and write up and ask about any major problems. If there is a problem ask them at Highway Sales about it. Warning: They will not, repeat NOT, replace tires unless the shop tells them they are out of DOT. I recommend putting a penny or two more than the mandatory amount in your maintenance account if you can swing it. You really should start a personal reserve account too. Two cents a mile builds up pretty quick if you don't mess with it, and makes a great emergency fund, plus it earns interest (but they'll charge you $3 every time you ask for an EFS check from that fund, so use sparingly).

Other than that, just stay awake and pay attention in orientation. They're pretty good about giving out the information you need. Yes I'm making decent money. One of the secrets of making good money with an older truck is to not be too fastidious with the maintenance...do your PM's (but NOT AT PRO STOP!!!) and any DOT items or stuff that'll make it quit working, but live with the rattles or loose trim.

Good luck!



I am Captain Zoom.
I have spoken.

 

Our support (at least on the dedicated side) is actually pretty good. I just need to make up for lost time with those Walmart clowns.



I am Captain Zoom.
I have spoken.

 

Okay...FSC is calc as a % of DOE nat'l fuel cost avg. You can take your truck anywhere to do your PM; you'll have to ask someone at Highway Sales about doing them yourself--I'm sure they'll allow it (it's your lease) but they probably have a protocol to get the supplies paid for out of your maintenance account. I run collaborative dedicated and make a little over 1200/week. I pay myself around 300 and send the rest home. Don't know anything about your account in Memphis--reckon you wouldn't make quite as much but get home a lot more often. The rest of your questions are best asked to your recruiter, they can probably put you in touch with someone from Highway Sales.
Good luck!