My Experience With KLLM

The new solo drivers usually get the older trucks. Trainers, million mile drivers and teams get the newer trucks. That is to start. Upgrades depend on the age of your truck and when it is slated to be traded, leased or rotated down to newer drivers.

So far the company is working on pulling all of the old green and the white Century Class trucks from the fleet (and may have completed this by now). I think it's possible that they are pulling ALL of the Century Class trucks....I know mine is on the trade list (YES! There *IS* a God!!). But don't quote me on it. I know all the remaining automatics are getting axed and there will be no more coming in....they are nothing more than a bad memory in this company (or will be soon).

We've had an incredible number of Cascadias come in in the past several months and continue to get more approximately every 4-6 weeks. I know we have another round coming in early February. I am seeing more and more solo drivers in Columbias....something I didn't used to see much of.

RT

 

My husband never got shirts when he was hired, nor did he get any on his anniversary date.

 

no more auto's? and there woz me looking for an easy life

 

i'm here in jackson at orientation. I asked about bringing the truck home and was told no..no if ends or buts..know i asked this before but does anyone know how safe the dallas yard is to park your personal vehicle. It's goin to be a 70 mile communte for me each way. Was also told that they still do have a regional Dallas run. Hoping to get with a trainer tomorrow.

 

Woo Hoo! Just got my pre-hire from KLLM!

I won't be done with my CDL training until the second or third week of February, but I wanted to get the ball rolling early. She said they are still staying pretty busy right now and that they currently have no trucks being unused. If this is true, sounds like the company is still doing well in this economy.

Quick question. While I live in Chicago, I want to travel to as many places as I can. Hometime is not an issue for me. I'm willing to stay out for 6 or more weeks at a time. With this in mind, how often does KLLM get you out to the western states, southwest, northwest, and Rocky Mountains. I have nothing against any other part of the country, but I really want to head out that way from time to time. It looks like a lot of runs are made to and from California, so hopefully I'll get to see a bit out that way.

Also, how long are your typical load / unload times? Can you typically catch up on some rest during loading / unloading? I know a big drawback of driving a refer is the loading / unloading times. But I was hoping to get some specific answers for KLLM.

Wish me luck!

 

Congrats on your pre-hire Mike. A lot of the West is handled by the Western Regional division, but not to worry, you will get out here. KLLM has clients all over the West, so you will get here, not to worry. My husband usually hits the West Coast once or twice during his 6 week runs.

Yes, it is true that the company is staying busy. My husband has averaged 3000 mile weeks for about the last 4 weeks. Prior to that, he was a little slower than last year, but still hitting about 2500 miles. If you want to stay busy, make sure you get your Haz Met.

 

Congrats, trucker Mike !!!!!! I will be in Jackson for orientation on Jan. 19th, Lord willin' an the creek don't rise! Make sure you keep in touch with your recruiter weekly as you finish school... just to keep on top of things.

 

OK,

1) Get your HazMat endorsement as leannemarie said. This does help you get more runs out west. I am currently sitting in Rawlins, WY on my 10 hr break and headed to Pacoima, CA with a HazMat load due Monday morning.

2) If you really get to longing for a west coast run (and you did not hear this from me *innocent look* ) you can always put in for time off in Fontana (where we have a yard) and then cancel it once you get out there.

For you new folks-
Something I found handy when starting out was Dry Erase markers. If you do not have a GPS, take the marker and write your routing in the upper left corner of your windshield. Beats fumbling with a trip book and as you finish with each step one quick swipe takes it off the list so that you are not fishing around trying to find where on the (sometimes lengthy) list of roads you are on.

I still use this for writing the final detail directions (from last major road to door of shipper / receiver) and I write my fuel stops on the triangular vent window at my side. I finish a fuel stop...*swipe*...off the list it goes.

A piece of velcro on the marker and the matching piece in a spot handy from the driver's seat and it's quick to grab and doesn't get lost. I find velcro'ing it tip down works best.

And that is your handy hint for the day.

RT

 

Forgot this part. It is a real mixed bag. Meat processing plants are the worst as far as long waits. I was once held "hostage" at a chicken processing plant for 13 hours. For those who have never smelled a chicken processing plant....the smell can sterilize frogs at 500 yards. And for Gawd sake do NOT spray Febreeze to try to cover the smell...this is like waging gas warfare.....AGAINST YOURSELF!!

For the most part I don't have too many problems with long waits. Get there on time (or, rather, early). This is important as if you do not arrive for your appointment on time then you do not qualify for detention pay. Very honestly, there will be times you CAN'T get there on time due to the scheduling of loads (i.e. you deliver at 9am and have to p/u 150 miles away at 10am) but the company tries to avoid doing that to you unless they have no other choice (no one else in the area to p/u the load or you are the first to come available in the area to p/u the load).

They really do try to be good to you so I don't feel any need to complain about the occasional funky situation / scheduling.

Now, sending me to p/u a load the day before Christmas at a place that wasn't even open that day AT ALL....yeah, ok, I did put some words on them for that. BUT, I did get paid layover for it too. Just hated looking like a dork for showing up when the place was shut down for the holiday.

RT

 

Ugh, chicken processing plant stench. Hahah!

Hello everyone! My name is Jay and I received a pre-hire letter from KLLM last week. Im pretty excited to take them up on the offer as opposed to the other pre-hire letters I got from Werner and Transport America. (Our school insists that you fill out a ton of applications, wether you want to work for that company or not, just incase anything happens you at least have some backup plans...)

The thing that I like the most about KLLM thus far is that they have a Southeastern regional run, and I have every intention of moving to Florida within the next year from Michigan.

I saw you guys talking about the trucks. We had a graduate from my truck school show up in a brand spankin' new Freight Liner. It had under 1000 miles on it when he got it, it currently has a bit under 30k miles. Its a nice rig for sure. I asked him how long it took him to score a brand new rig as a company driver. His reply? Just under one year!

Not that I would go there expecting that, but its nice to know that it does happen.

I have a question for the KLLM drivers, or anyone that knows this.
I havent had a chance to speak with KLLM directly yet, I have been quite busy this week so I didnt get to call them until yesterday, left a message and I am waiting a return call.

The southeastern regional fleet seems to pay percentage only from what I understand.
Does anyone here belong to that fleet?
How is the pay?
Are you stuck running more miles for less pay on a percentage plan?

Thanks!