Southern mail

Anyone? Saw an add on Craigslist wondering if they are legit.

 

I'd also like to find out more about them.
Also found them on craigslist.
Their ad says they pay around $22 hour.
Hiring in Indiana but looks like they are out of Texas.

 

They also have operations in Chicago.
I posted briefly a little about them on another thread.
At the time I received the information the only thing they had out of Indy was Chicago and back. They're hierarchy are experienced with postal operations.
Personally I just don't care for their forced 401k policy.

 

Forced 401 policy?
Please explain

 

They do have a yard on W. Commerce in Dallas. They currently have an ad on CL in Dallas. This same ad has been running for at least three years down here. I won't post the link, but you can find it at CL/Dallas/jobs/transport. Then type MAIL in the search box.

The going rate for mail haulers out of Dallas is about $23.50 or more per hour. USPS tells mail contractors what to pay their drivers.

Southern advertises $19.17 an hour with insurance.

So it begs the question, where is the other $4 to $5 an hour going? Is it all going to insurance? If so, then based on 40 hours per week, are you paying $160 a week for insurance? A previous poster said it was forced 401k. If so, how much of the $4 to $5 is going towards the 401k?
Bottom line, there is a lack of transparency in their advertising.

Hauling mail can be decent gig if you like being home frequently. But be sure and find out about the health insurance costs and the 401k. If you are a veteran, you may get to opt out of forced insurance.

If I were you, I would drive my personal vehicle to their yard in IN, and just look at their equipment and shop. Talk to a driver, they will tell you how it is. Be sure and ask the recruiter/manager on the phone what route are you being hired for, how many hours you should get a week and days off. Two consecutive days off a week is a plus.

Again, hauling mail can be a decent gig, but it depends on the route. 50 hours a week is the sweet spot between making a little money and some quality time at home, imo.

 

I was told 50 hours per week.
Not sure where their yard is at. Got the impression they just use the USPS yard.
I wonder where orintation will be at?
They paid for my drug test and physical already but seems to be kinda hush about the rest.

 

Good. Getting paid for two hours for randoms is not uncommon either. Perks.

Edit: They should pay you 8 to 10 Federal Holidays first year. If you work those days, you should get paid route hours plus 8 hours
holiday pay.

 

First, they are not the only mail contractor doing this.
Besides your hourly route pay you get 5 bucks and change per hour health and welfare pay up to 40 hrs per week. This is to offset the cost of your health insurance. If you are single, it won't take all of those dollars to pay for your health insurance. My company pays any excess dollars back to me. Southern (per a phone call I had with them) puts the excess money in a,401k for you. That's why I call it forced 401k.

Now, this is no way directed at Southern. I know some of their people and they are a fine company. In the past there have been mail contractors that also had that policy who ceased operations for one reason or another. Drivers then found some or all of their withheld dollars were missing.
I have a fund that I have had for many years. I don't need their 401k. IMO it should be optional. I'll pass.

 

Midwest transport is the same way . You get the straight hourly usps wage at whatever rate your local area dictates , then the health and wellness money(paid UP TO 40 HOURS ONLY) goes towards your health insurance , and any extra goes into a 401k . No choice at midwest even if you're a vet. You can opt out of the health care with them but the money still goes into the 401k

Another thing to know about hauling mail is you get paid what the route pays , meaning you can't just drive 50mph ,lay back and collect the money . They had me on a 7 hour each way,42 hour per week run and that's what it paid . So the quicker you did the run ,the easier it was to convince yourself you were making more money

Good gig that ended


Edit : just realized the date of this thread ,