My experience at holland enterprises

Made it to the yard a few hours ago. Impressed with the facilities so far

 

In my orientation several years ago, the orientation was a bit "scattered" due to some personnel being out and personnel changes. Make sure they properly cover the Omnitracs macro process for load swaps, to include the "Trailer Damage/Swap" macro that must be done anytime you change trailers, and the arrival departure macros t be used.

You'll do load swaps from time to time to get you or someone else home or when a load is going to be late on your hours.

Also, always keep a padlock on the trailer, especially when you arrive at the yard.

They like to cross-train a lot. Sometimes it seems they are playing musical chairs in the office and it's hard to keep track of who's doing what. Things can change from one month to the next.

Their dispatch works different from most. Your dispatcher will change from region to region. If you need to communicate a pending hours or logistics issue regarding a load or a preplan, use email or a Freeform message and begin it with the person's name you need to see it. They don't mind phone calls if immediate attention is required or if it's late in the day.

You'll find different regional dispatchers have different ways of doing things, especially related to when preplan are sent out. I had doubts about the system at first, but it seems to work for them, and they are good at what they do if you'll just let them work.

For me, I find that 2-3 times a year I will get into a 2+ week rut where things get slow and lots of hours start accumulating. I expect a few of these times. Life can't be perfect all the time. But if it goes on too long, send an email to Ruth or your next region's dispatcher that you need to see more production and things will probably improve.

Make sure to use the Transflo App. You can see Omnitracs messages typically before the truck receives the message. And you can send in your loads via the app. Also, use the WeighMyTruck App by Cat Scales. You can assign your EFS fuel card as the payment source. With the air gauges on the trucks and trailers, many weighs are no longer necessary, but when it's close, it's nice to not have to go inside if it's not convenient.

 

The company I just came from had a dispatch like that, every part of the country was split up into regions with different dispatchers. It took some getting used to.
We only had one guy who was difficult to deal with wouldn't pick up calls or answer messages in a timely manner. Sometimes you'd wait 2+ hours for a response and then it would be oh I'll get back to you most of the time.
I'm familiar with the transflo app I was using that at my last company. Never used the weight my truck one. Always just paid cash or used my card inside. I'll download that later.
Brett was telling me that I'll probably get a jump on the other two people coming in because they won't start until Tuesday and I may even get on the road quicker.
I was having a smoke yesterday walking around and I've got my eye on a truck they've got parked on the yard. I highly doubt I'll be put into it seeing as how it's pretty #### new.
Just ready to get all the done with and get back on the road and running some miles. The down time is nice but I want to get out there and work.

 

Non smokers and non-pet owners tend to be first in line for any new or newer trucks that might currently be ready. But it all depends on the week and their current inventory of unassigned and readied trucks.

 

Well I do smoke, but I vape most of the time when I'm driving. Not one of those guys who smokes in the sleeper with the windows up. If I'm smoking the window is down and the A/C is off and I keep a clean truck. No pets, not thinking of getting any either. Just lost my dog of 13 years a couple months ago. Not ready for a new pet right now.
We'll see what happens tomorrow. And it never hurts to ask right? What the worst they can say, no. I've been told that many times no big deal.

 

Post of the month. Bravo for standing your ground. I take my hat off to you. Nicely done.

 

Got my truck today 1708, first load out in the morning from Caselton,Nd to Roseville,Ca.

 

Well, glad to have you on board. You may run into some weather in Montana tonight/tomorrow. Sometimes interpreting the route can be a little tricky especially that route you’re on. Have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

I’m in Pendleton on this Dallas to Portland load that delivers Friday evening then load Friday to New Jersey

 

Glad to be here. Yeah I was looking at the route on the map and I've went that way before it can be tricky. Checked the radar looks the snow is moving out tonight. But it's MT so anything could happen.
That OR to NJ load would be nice. Wonder where I could go coming out of NORCAL. Most likely anywhere I assume

 

Yes. From Norcal, anything and everything can happen. Stuff goes all over the US from there but you probably won’t see anything that doesn’t cross the Mississippi.