Current Drivers w/ GTI

Even being that close to a main pipeline doesn't mean much. We live basically on a main route (5 minutes off U.S. 41), and I never saw my husband. And check out the equipment. Being a newbie or new trainee, you may get stuck with one of the old Covenant trucks. You know its bad when the mechanics say "Whats wrong this time." My husband only had the truck 5 days and turned it in to be repaired after an electrical fire and refused to go back out in it because it was unsafe. GTI called him and said that it was ready, and he's too scared. Now they don't have another truck (I hope it stays that way for a very long time! I like him home and he is actually looking for something else already.) and don't know when they will have one. Which is okay with me. Also, with the old Covenant trucks, see if you can find out what is on the service record, and the APU's don't work. You can't plan on anything, so its okay if you don't have a family.

 

We can totally relate. Your husband probably had one of the white Covenant trucks. They don't treat their new people very well at all. No wonder they have turnover. We are looking for something better for my husband because the safety of their equipment is a REAL concern!!!! My husband won't outright quit though, he's afraid that it will ruin his chances for another job. But, its not safe to have your truck burn up with you in it either!

 

I never had a problem getting hometime and usually had a preplan for my next load. I live in the west and can't speak for guys in the midwest. I suffered a lot in my income this year but can now see that there isn't always a greener pasture out there...I left for personnel reasons in July but am now coming back...

 

JUst wanted to post an update. My last run went past my home time, expected to be home at 6:00 pm on 08/28 but had a delivery scheduled at 9:00 am on 08/29. was a 1008 mile run to get me home from Oregon and in my house for lunch on 08/29. If that doesn't meet your expectations your in the wrong industry. Some have asked about where I run. I live in S. Calif near I-10. I prefer to stay outside of Ca. while on the road. Better roads, higher speed limits and fewer regulations. In Aug I drove in Az, Ut, Co, Id, Wa, Or, and Ca. Averaged about 450 miles per day for 29 days with no resets. My trk has nearly 600k miles and does break down occasionally. In Aug my A/C condenser started leaking. Got load North to terminal for repair. Hit road debris in Wa. that damaged tire, no flat, repaired same day 2 hour delay. in July a rubber hose on turbo system failed. Service truck arrived and repaired on the highway within 21/2 hours. Some other companies seem to have more newer equipment but they seem to be parked on the side of the road also. The trucks are worked hard, and you must expect that there will be breakdowns on the road. Expectations for hometime are the most difficult to deal with. My experience with GTI has been acceptable. Not always on the day requested but not too much later. A suggestion for those with appointments to keep. Make the appointment for your last day home, not the first. Then if your a day or so late you still don't miss the appointment.

 

Yeah you have to give them a little lead way when you need to be home and it also depends on your dispatcher too. My truck had it's share of problems but never broke down on me,and considering all the trucks I see on the side of the road...I'm thankfull. I guess that it's tight all over and no one is really buying any new trucks so they're fixing them till they fall apart...

 

I live in Portland, Or---I've heard that GTI has runs up and down I-5---is that true for newbies and if so can you make a living on runs like that? Could I expect to get home more often than working for a company in the Mid-West?

 

Yeah you'll get home when you need to being that you're in Oreg...We run I-5 all day long and have 2 terminals in Oreg. There's quite a lot of freight on the west coast too..I'm going back this Monday after a couple months off for my wifes med. condition...I'll be at our home Terminal in Pacific, Wa....I live in Vegas and don't have too hard of a time getting home..Good Luck

 

Ok guys, you don't have to hear me complain about Gordon any more! My husband got a job with a local company that he absolutely loves. It's part-time right now, which is fine. He is home every night, and the equipment is excellent. I don't have to freak out that his truck is going to start on fire or anything like that anymore! He is no longer just a number for a company to run the wheels off of! Especially because he got paid next to nothing for riding along with another driver for 11+ hours to get his first truck, and no dead head to get his broken down truck to the shop. So, good luck to you guys out there! Hang in there, I know that there is no "perfect" job, but I hope you all find what you are looking for!

 

Well I hope he stays with it..Good luck...I must say that even though GTI isn't the most perfect company, they are far above a lot of companies out there. Every trucking co is after 1 thing and that is to get freight moved and do it as cheap as possible. Most of us are after a local job and to be home everynite..But, most of them want 1-2 years exper...I just have to keep on truckin till then....

 

Looks like I left Gordon just in time. However my dm kept me rolling and I always had my next load b4 I had dropped the one I was pulling. I did get a lot of crap loads at first, I guess to see if I could take it, but the loads got better after about 2 months. Ran from Denver to Houston and back up to Butte. That was some good miles!