reefer division covenant

Very impressed so far with the miles we are getting with the reefer division at covenant. Almost all the loads originate out of california, and then take reefer/dry van to the west coast. I'll give a little insight to what our freight lanes look like and how the miles are

2\19\15
Return from home time after a week off. Arrived at the pomona ca terminal Thursday morning, already had a trip plan waiting for us.

-Hook preloaded trailer
-Walmart dc
-Colton, CA...Brundidge, AL
-2030 Loaded \ 30 empty miles
- set to deliver 2\22\15@06:30
-37K lbs


2\22\15
Arrived at Brundidge, AL at 06:30 on a sunday. Finished loading at 12:00...yup a whole 6 hours. Shortly after we receive new trip plan

-Live load
-Pilgrims pride
-Russellville, AL...Rancho Cucamonga, CA
-1908Loaded \ 248 empty miles
- p\u at 15:00 on 2\23\15
-Del at 0930 on 2\25\15

Appointment was not till the next day but decided to start heading out, considering it was 248 empty miles away. Stayed the night at the local walmart.

2\23\15
Appointment time for pilgrims pride was originally set for 15:00, but I didn't feel like waiting and stopped by early. They were able to squeeze me In at around 11:00. Finished loading at around 15:00. Weighing In at 30k lbs. A lot of chicken for the hungry consumers.


2\25\15
Arrived in Rancho Cucamonga, California earlier than scheduled. Called the receiver and politely asked if we could deliver early. Not a problem, started unloading at around 07:00. No more than 2 hours to unload. The delivery was for mbm corporation foodservice.

Shortly after a new trip plan arrives

-Hook preloaded trailer
-walmart dc aka lineage
-Colton, ca...Bedford, PA
-2446 loaded\19 empty miles
-P\u at 16:00 on 2\25\15
-Del at 05:30 on 2\28\15


2\28\15
Stopped by Wal-Mart earlier than appointment. Arrived 03:30...finished unloading at 05:00. That was a record 1.5 hours to unload, normally they take 5 to 8 hours.

New trip plan, actually this was a preplan that had been set up the day before

-Hook preloaded trailer
-Estes express lines
-Middletown, PA...Phoenix, AZ....Los Angeles, Ca
-2628 loaded\ 109 empty miles
- p\u on 2\28\15
-Del on 3\01\15

 

My favorite part about the reefer division is landing in california at least once a week. A nice escape from the below freezing temperatures that I'm currently in. Also good for someone that lives near the pomona ca terminal, allows you stop by the house when time allows to see family or run errands.

Of course reefer is not for everyone, some complain about the unloading times, reefer washout, and some even hate california. So far it works for me. Will be keeping up every now and then

 

Side note about the trailers. Never ran into a problem with finding empty reefers, always an empty reefer in pomona, ca. Trailers are great Dane, Wabash, utility, a large mix of different reefer trailers. So far the trailers I've picked up have been well maintained, except for the occasional marker light not working. Always new trailers arriving, been noticing a lot of brand new reefer trailers coming into the pool, as covenant is expanding the reefer division.

 

Quick update, the shipper at estes added one more stop to this load on Saturday. Additional stop in Sacramento, ca after los Angeles, ca. So it Looks like phoenix,az...los Angeles, ca....Sacramento, ca... 3 stops total making this a 3000mile trip..

I was hoping this load would be finished today however we ran into a snow storm yesterday going through Ohio and Indiana. Codriver got stuck in the snow and ran into the side barricade trying to avoid stopped traffic in Indiana. He had to call a tow truck and file a accident report with the Indiana a state trooper. Definitely unfortunate for him and his record. It could be worse however.

Looks like we will be late on this load.
A great way to start the week with 3000 miles though.

 

Arrived in Sacramento last night, finally got rid of the 3000miler from Pennsylvania. There was not many parking options Arround the Sacramento area. Decided to stay at the stp truck plaza in south sacramento, ca. Place was a dump and had to pay $10 for overnight parking. Not many choices around the area so no option there.

Received a new trip plan today

-Live load\reefer
-Orange cove, CA...porterville, ca...Bakersfield, ca \ Bedford, PA
(Multiple pick ups)
-2600Loaded\200 empty miles

So we headed out out, dropped our empty dry van and grabbed a reefer from the estes terminal. Just finished picking up citrus from the central valley and head towards Bakersfield.

 

Pretty busy lately. Currently unloading at Millard\lineage in Mira Loma ca.



2000loaded miles\300empty
Jm smuckers
Scottsville, kentucky
Picked this one up last week on saturday

Already set up for another load tomorrow as well.

Hook preloaded trailer at colton, california
2500loaded\30 empty miles
Destination el Paso, Texas....north Carolina
Our next load has two stop set to deliver throughout this week

Making awesome money right now. I'll post my earnings of my 4 week stint once I go home next week.

 

After training they start you off at 41 cents per mile. After 3months if you have no aaccidents, doing good with loads, no service failures, they will bump you up to 44 cents a mile. You might get paid more As well. All of this depends on your fleet managers as well. If he has a favorable view on you then you definitively should get a pay raise after 3 months. My co driver makes 45 cents a mile but I only make 44 cents. I'm guessing it's because my codriver is older and has work experience.

When you start out covenant will run you right away. They really expect you to know what you're doing soon as you get that truck. I remember my first day on the truck was overwhelming because reality hit all at once that I'm fully responsible for this truck and load. I'll admit that I was probably late for the first 3 loads only because I was taking my time to do everything correct. Never was I yelled at for this, I believe they understand it takes some time for a student to get a hang of things.

My favorite part about the reefer side of of this company is that reefer washouts are paid by the breakdown department, no need for comdata check....just call breakdown and they set you up with a truck washout\trailer washout. Load locks are also paid directly through covenant, no need for comdata check and reimbursements. You purchase oil through fuel purchases. Paid ez pass\pike pass\Florida sun pass.

The only items that must be purchased by the driver are anti freeze, windshield washer fluid, scale tickets,...etc. ....KEEP YOUR RECEIPT and you will be reimbursed...There are a few more just can't remember then all at the moment.

I'm typing on my phone so excuse me if there are typos.

Home time is really good. My fleet manager always does his best to get us home. Whether that be a repower, or home a day or two early. It helps to live close to a terminal. I'm about 250 miles away from the pomona terminal, home time is very easy considering the amount of freight in california.

I'll be honest about some things though h.
- The terminal In pomona California could use more men's \women's restrooms and showers. Only one stall\shower for all the drivers in california! It doesn't take that long for the men's restroom to become unbreathable because of stench. Also the shower is right next to the bathroom stall.
-We don't have a shop in pomona. Need something fixed? Expect to wait 2-6 hours for repairs at the ta\petro in ontario.
-Chattanooga, orlando, Hutchins, Texas....are all decent terminals. Don't understand why pomona is nnot like the rest.

Covenant is still growing so maybe in the near future pomona will get a nice addition\makeover. Staff is really friendly, and so are the guards. A nice atmosphere in ppomona

 

Ok so here are my earning for my 4 week stint

3\20\15
$1381...net pay

3\13\15
$1200...net pay

3\06\15
$933...net pay(could of been bigger but snowstorm thought otherwise)
$111...Tuition bonus

2\27\15
$406....Net pay
Small check because came back from home time and only worked 2 days

I still have one more check coming which should be around $500...this check is for this week and small because I'm went home for time off. Like they say only make money when the wheels are turning.

I never thought I'd making this kind of money. I don't think a college graduate even makes this much money. I Will say however that no amount of money can compare to what a education is worth. Although I make a lot of money, a college graduate will have something that will last a life time. My money will not be there forever.

I'm only 22 years old so college will be in my plans for the future. I have no bills so after a few years I can pay college with cash no problem

 

I am on the per diem plan.... So that explains my large net pay. Per diem Will work great as long as I can run miles every week..so far it has been working pretty good. I've been advised not to do per diem but I would prefer a smaller w2 at the end of the year...considering Obama is going to want a lot of my money