It's been very quiet in the KLLM forum

I have been pre approved for Werner, The PTDI approved school I'm attending has talked good about the company. After reading hours of posts on this website, I seem to have a better feeling to apply to KLLM also. My background is squeaky clean driving wise and no run ins with the law. 2 former students of my school have dropped in to say Hi to the instructors. They seemed to be happy with KLLM and darn sweet looking trucks I saw someone talking about a Seagoville TX terminal, but heard the traing would be in Jackson MS. Not to keen on a 12 hour bus trip , but seems like it may be worth it to work for KLLM. Werner had no OTR routes open at the moment thier recruiter said, only dedicated and south regional. I thought most people disliked the OTR since not much home time. Had to wait for dedicated or regional .. hmmmm .. I've always been backwards it seems. I want to see the country as a first priority and 2nd would be a nice truck to do it in. Being in school it is a big struggle choosing which company to go with. You KLLM drivers seem to be great at giving good advice. Give me some of that knowledge, I'd appreciate it.

 

My unabridged opinion....KLLM...all the way. The bus ride is worth it.

The closed the Seagoville yard, so Jackson would be the closest yard to you (although we have a quasi- drop yard in Dallas off of 20...just parking and bathrooms).

My experience with them has been fantastic, even if I do get snarky with dispatch sometimes...it's usually because I'm tired from driving the wheels off my truck

-I almost always have my next load before I finish delivering the one I'm on.
-We have Pike Pass, EZ Pass and company drivers have the Ohio toll card...everything else is reimbursed on payroll.
-Scales (as in when you scale out your load at a truck stop) are reimbursed via payroll.
-We have PrePass which allows us to sail on by most weigh stations.
-Lumper (unloading fees) can be loaded on your Comdata card prior to paying them or you can pay up front and have them reimbursed via payroll.
-Trailer washouts are on a company account at Blue Beacon and many other places with no money needed...others are reimbursed via payroll (but those times are rare that you'd have to do it that way).
-Hotels are paid for company drivers who have to put a truck in the shop- whether out on the road or at a terminal.
-Layover, shop pay and detention are paid via payroll and I have never had to fight for it....just entered my macro and it's paid next payroll.
-We use Transflow which makes sending our bills and paperwork in fast and easy.
-My miles have always been good. You won' always have a "bonanza" week but, barring any major truck problem, you will run steady.
-Maintanence has been good. I have had very few truck problems and any problems I have had were taken care of promptly...be it out on the road or at a terminal. Atlanta shop can be a bit slow though so if it's something that can wait, I'd hold off until Jackson or until you get out on the road and they have to send you to Freightliner or TA.

Hope this helps!

My highlight for the week....busted a road pervert today. It was PRICELESS when that TN state trooper snuck up behind him and flipped on his lights. I thought he was going to end up in the ditch....wahahaha!!!! He tried to deny being indecent but good video, complete with a clear shot of the act and his license plates was hard to argue with. He got a free ride in a patrol car and some silver bracelets.

RT

 

I notice you live in Texas too. I'm near Killeen. I'm sold I want to work for KLLM , I hope they accept me. I'm at one of the better schools now so that should help. It is PTDI certified, Professional Truck Drivers Institute, 4 weeks class. 2 weeks in classroom learning about every law, state and federal. Many tests from Keller book and defensive driving certificate. We did get a little time on track for shifting and straight line backing. Old used trucks that were hard to shift. We got to go out on frontage road last Thursday and found I actually could shift when i got into thier road vehicles. Main reason, I'm 6'3" and the seat could scoot back. It is hard to double clutch with knees touching the steering wheel I'm glad to have had the experience in old Christine they called the truck. Next 2 weeks will be split days driving. 1/2 doing backing manuvers and the other half on the road.

Does KLLM have direct deposit? Or just the comdata card.

Your truck do seem to be some of the cleanest on the road. Shows me that they do care about thier image. I like that a lot. Noticed that before got into school.

Filled out an application online yesterday and hope to helping the KLLM image even more by polite driving and to customers.

BTW , How do you like being an owner operater now? I think after read yalls comments, may be the way to go.

Thanks for all ur help , KLLM should sent you recruiting bonus checks.

 

Roadtoad, do we have a choice on the orientaiton location? In reading the threads it dosen't seem like Atlanta is a place to attend it. I do not mind the trip to Jackson, from Fredericksburg, VA. I am scheduled for orientation on 1/5/2010. Also are you a trainer? If so how long did it take for you to become a trainer.

 

Can you request a non smoking trainer?

 

How is KLLM's lease program? I have heard and read some horror stories about company lease options.

 

I've spent a few months reading all the post on KLLM and they are deffinatly my #1 choice. But I do still have one question that i havent gotten a clear answer on, Can you have inverters in company trucks? i've had 2 KLLM drivers answer my question one said yes and one said no lol thanks for all your very helpfull post!

American Trucker

 

Thanks for the info R.T. I am browsing for the last few nights since I start on Tuesday. Your post have been excellent. Hopefully I am able to upload good info in the future and help prospective new hires. Your info has calmed me down a lot. Can I ask how much a new hire is expected to make after taxes when cut loose after 6 weeks? Thanks

 

You can set up direct deposit with the payroll department. The way is works is that your pay is put onto your Comdata card, you then call Comdata after your payroll is loaded on your card and use the Comdata system options to direct deposit it from there. It takes, I believe, two business days to hit your bank.

They do try to keep the trucks clean and in good repair. Usually when drivers get a new truck at a terminal, it has been cleaned by the service department and they do a respectable job. If you have to pick one up "off the road" and it hasn't been cleaned, you can call the company and get an allowance/reimbursement for cleaning it yourself. I think it is $50 but don't quote me on that.

Honestly? I'm loving it! I have more control over what loads I haul and where I go. For instance- I don't haul Pilgrims Pride loads (you sit forever regardless of appointment time) and I don't go to New Jersey (or "that Jersey h***hole" as I refer to it.) Pay is good but I also got "golden deal". Trucks for my lease class were higher mileage so we got the option of lower payments or shorter term. I chose lower payments. It is my understanding that payments for lease drivers coming in now are $550/wk while pay has gone down to 88cpm loaded and empty with fuel surcharge paid on loaded miles. For perspective, my payment is just over HALF that much and I get 92cpm + fuel surcharge loaded and 86cpm empty.

LOL! Would be nice! But I'd be happy if folks just mentioned my name, truck number, and my "extracurricular activity" here. I think sometimes they believe I exist solely to be a pain in the tookus. PM me if you want my info.

RT

 

Honestly, I'm not sure. I would think you can voice a preference. That having been said...if they do let you choose the location, it could mean having to wait for a later orientation class. But all in all, what is orientation but a few days? I don't know anything about Atlanta's orientation as I went to Seagoville before that yard shut down but, for me, I can endure any kind of cr*p for a limited timeframe in order to get what I want.

Unfortunately, no, I'm not a trainer. They are, from what I hear, working on the details of allowing O/O's and lease drivers to train. It is a matter of working out insurance responsibilities from what I understand.

RT