paul transportation

Sad river,
Are you still with Paul? If so how's the last year been mile wise? good bad or in different? Will be there on Monday to start orientation, hopefully this is a good company to work for.

 

SAdriver....

 

Im still here though looking to move on soon. Things seem a bit short mile wise lately but its that time of year, at least Im not sitting. My dispatcher usually has a pre plan prepped.

 

Thanks for the info, guessing I'll take that leap of faith. Be safe and careful out there.

 

This got my grey matter buzzing and I came up with this:

After nearly 9 months I have seen changes. The terminal is completed. The company is growing. There is now a truck driving school on site...I dont know if its a seperate business entity or in house. They are leasing Paul trucks and using the back lot. That has me slightly troubled.

As far as miles and such go, I am happy where I am. My pay ranges between 900-1100. I dont actually keep track of miles anymore. I would venture a guess that ones dispatch team plays a big part in it. I have met a couple drivers that have issues with miles in the past. Could be the drivers fault or the office team, who knows, who cares. I just take the load and run it. My dispatcher in turn leaves me the hell alone and keeps feeding me loads and hometime when I ask for it. It helps alot to set a soft boundary on where you will run, but be willing to cross that boundary if freight availability dictates.

As far as office staff goes, I am pretty nuetral about Tulsa. You can talk to the mechanics and safety/logs without needing a fingerprint scan. If you need anything else, it becomes a pita. My dispatcher in Houston otoh, A double wide with an unlocked door, past the office dog straight to her desk.

The mechanics do their best to keep equipment up and running good. They will say this in orientation, before bringing the truck to Tulsa for repairs, call the mechanics supervisor before arrival. Following that rule will save a bit of trouble. If your truck has a dynasys apu, its a 6k watt generator that provides clean sine wave power only while the apu is on. That said, no words of man, elf, dwarf, klingon or hell beast can properly describe my hatred of it.

The trucks are not bad, They run 65, the power doesnt appear to be scaled back, pull good on small hills loaded and are generally comfortable. No room for a traditional or truck fridge but a portable dometic fridge or thermoelectric cooler makes up for that easily. Really saves on the debit card swipes at truck stop diners. I would recommend investing in either 4 inch ratchets or a couple stake pocket winches. The trailer winches stop about 1.5 feet from rear of trailer. If you come across oak 4x4x8's or even 2x 4x8's hold onto them. Some places we load require those only.

No forced dispatch or no stop policy. Only had to pull over to catch a nap one time, nothing was said about it. Shut down due to conditions several times without any pushback ever. Going out of route mileage wise seems to be a non issue, if it is I have yet to hit that threshold.

All in all this is not a bad company. Its just a place to work and make money and as such its wise to keep an open mind towards the bigger picture. Had a stranger walk up to me who said "nice truck, bad company". I agreed to get him to just go away because who cares what he or anyone else thinks. I would not recommend it for an experienced flatbedder looking to progress into more complex open deck. I would recommend it to less experienced drivers or flatbedders who just want to escape the 1k+ truck companies.

 

Hey thanks for all the info. I have been trucking for 8yrs this time around. Had 10 before that way back in the 80's!! Pulled some flatbed back then, nothing this time around. What you said bout "starter company" plays right into my hand.
I do understand a company is just what you make of it!!! Coming in with open mind, wanting to learn, REALLY tired of bumping these #### docks. All hours of the night!!!
Thanks again for info, maybe catch up sometime. Speaking of that, how are "other drives like"?
Be safe my friend

 

I was looking at them, someone recommended them for me too, but I live in Az so Im gonna have to call them on Monday and see.....I want to go flatbed.