New driver seeking sound advise!

Discussion in 'Marten' started by 5TH WHEEL, Nov 16, 2009.

  1. 5TH WHEEL

    5TH WHEEL Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Nov 16, 2009
    riverside,ca
    0
    For one, I just starting driving truck a short time ago. I worked in logistics for over 25 years until I was recently laid off 8 months ago. I've searched for a decent paying job for quite a while with out much success. Economy is rough right now. I'm currently out with my trainer right now, and I have decided this will be my new career. I'm lucky enough to have a trainer that is showing me what this is all about. He's a good one. Oh yeah, I've been dubbed fifth wheel because I did'nt think that changing my eating habits could be that critical. No greasy meat and pay attention to fiber intake. But, back to the subject. I'm out here to learn, and have been doing well. I've read Cowboys retort about Martens trucking and even being this new I've found him to be comical. Does he really expect people to buy this nonsense. I make bottom of the totem pole money, have to pay my dues, thats ok, but I average 400.00 dollars a week. Even being new I've put in those 600+ mile nights and I make more than that in one trip. I don't understand this. And even being new I know not to abandon a truck. I put in for my home time when i started on this trip of 28 days of training and I will be home next week. Its taken some getting use to but I like it. I like meeting people out here, love my trainer, kinda hungry right now but still eating and yes even managing to send money home. Thats all I have, and Cowboy, if your un-happy with life in general, maybe you need to change, not the world that has to deal with you. Oh yeah, my dispatcher seems pretty cool too! Signed, fifth wheel.
     
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  3. Kabar

    Kabar Road Train Member

    1,041
    395
    Nov 5, 2008
    Pell City Al
    0
    Marten is a good company to work for IF you want to work and act like a professional. You can do 5-600 a day. 2800+ a week. Take home $700 a week. They do expect you to work hard, Use all available hour and run it legal. They do expect you to do little things like, use your head, communicate, take care of the truck and be on-time. They will give you 1 day off for every 5 you are out. Will get you home on time or pay you $50 IF you do your job and give them 2 weeks notice. They will give you a good truck to start with. It may need some work to start with because the last driver was not a professional and did not take care of it right. If you take care of it and show some pride in it. Work hard and put in the miles. You get bumped up the line for a new truck. They drive Frieghtliner Columbia's, Cascadias, KW T600/T660, Peterbilt 387's. The Frghtln have 10 speeds. The KW's and PB have 9/9T2/10 and 13 speed trans. You can request your favorite truck to start with and if one is available they will give it to you. If not you will have to take what they have and they will get you into what you want down the line. They will audit your logs every quart and expect them to be turned in on time and correct every time. After you get 6 mos. experience and want to work for a company that will treat you like a pro if you act like one. Then this is it.:yes2557:
     
    future driver Thanks this.
  4. skibum_63

    skibum_63 Road Train Member

    2,176
    918
    Oct 12, 2007
    somewhere, USA
    0
    As 11-20-09
    Marten has done away with the missed home time pay.
    No reason given on the qc msg that was sent out yesterday. It was mentioned, that if there are any problems getting home, on requested start date for home time, it will be delt internaly. No mentioned of what that means.
    Yup Marten joining the rest of the other companies.

     
  5. BigKid2

    BigKid2 Road Train Member

    1,698
    480
    Nov 16, 2008
    Indiana
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    Yep doing away with guaranteed hometime and forcing per diem and losing 1 cent per mile anything over 700 miles and so many of the long loads going on trains. So many reasons I came to work here just keep going away. But they are the best company out here is what they say. Yeah right!
     
  6. Saienga

    Saienga Medium Load Member

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    Jul 28, 2009
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    Hey, BigKid, you're losing a half cent on the long loads (still stinks).

    And those loads going on the train? They're going on the train because the customer was going to give them to another carrier. They come to Marten and say, "We want to do this cheaper." From a business stand-point, what do you want them to do? Give the load away to Shaeffer or FFE?
     
  7. Kabar

    Kabar Road Train Member

    1,041
    395
    Nov 5, 2008
    Pell City Al
    0
    I haven't had any 2500 mile loads but thats fine. Most of them are between 700-1500.
     
  8. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

    12,812
    6,135
    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
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    But what happened to 5th Wheel ? He disappeared after 1 post .
    I wonder if he was one of those the trainer tells "Great job" then hands him a bus ticket .
     
  9. tvaldez

    tvaldez Bobtail Member

    39
    2
    Jan 16, 2010
    Brownwood,TX
    0
    I just got off a 2018 mile run but other than that its been between 1235 to 1785 with a few small runs but all in all not bad im taking home about 1000-1325 a week
     
  10. BigKid2

    BigKid2 Road Train Member

    1,698
    480
    Nov 16, 2008
    Indiana
    0
    You are taking home $1000 to $1325 a week? At Marten? You better hope they don't drug test you because you are taking something stronger than marijuana.
     
  11. tvaldez

    tvaldez Bobtail Member

    39
    2
    Jan 16, 2010
    Brownwood,TX
    0
    Whatever man I dont do drugs Im just here to tell drivers what im making talk all u want but i know what i make. If i make less or things start getting bad Ill post but so far thats what im making
     
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