Indian River

No sir I didn’t. When they found out I was leaving, they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. But, based on everything here, if in the next 15 months things change, the money won’t mean squat and it will be IRT.

 

Glad it worked out for you, and I hope it continues into your future.

 

No he didn't . I was waiting for him to so I could meet him in person as I live 1/2 mile from the Winter Haven Fl terminal

 

This happened this morning in my hometown it was to believe the driver fell asleep and crash into a laundromat before hitting 6 parked vehicle

 

Looking forward to orientation next week, flying out Monday

 

Thought I would post a 3 week report of 2 pros and 2 con that I think should be illustrates here.

The coolest part of this company is that they never have you sit. They pay deadhead miles out the wazoo every week just to make sure that no driver sits at a truck stop waiting for Indian River to get you a load. Sometimes you're even pre-planned two loads out in the middle of nowhere.

Another thing administratively which is really neat is how well they take care of their equipment. Not just in terms of giving me a brand new truck and having two onsite Peterbilt mechanics for warranty work, but also in caring for the trailers. I send in a pre-trip email to break down every trailer I pick up notating damage. At first I thought I was spinning my wheels and they weren't looking at my emails but on one trailer I picked up and sent an email in with a dent on the outside covering of the tank, I got the terminal manager who called me and asked me to send him pictures so that they can track it down. I'm glad I sent that email and cuz it protected me from damage I didn't do.

As far as things that need to be worked on is administrative paperwork. Indian River is a slow-moving political machine if you scratch your butt you better have three emails covering it notating that you did. This is a nuisance to deal with however does keep the quality of things moving forward.

What really grinded my gears this week is that my payroll processor made a mistake in regards to a type of load that I did. It didn't upset me that she made a mistake and didn't pay me for it, what really made me upset is she made the choice to not pay me for it and then not communicate with me about it. I emailed her this CC the appropriate people and she stated she made a mistake and promptly paid me that day. I think if you're going to work with this company you better get used to email politics especially with detention. This place works in a way which the squeaky wheel gets the grease and you better have evidence of your squeakiness. Every week I will be on top of my payroll about detention and ensuring each pay trip is paid properly. I've had to ask for deadhead order numbers no less than three times two emails and a Qualcomm before I get a response.

Another thing that I think that warrants correcting in regards to this thread and some of the drivers who speak positively about drop and hook. I think it warrants noting that the drivers who primarily drop and hook in this thread and speak positively of that ; I personally believe that is a privilege they have earned over time and not a standard perk that is given. I have been on the road 3 weeks and I have seen one drop and hook and only on a pickup. Everything else were live load on each end. I have experienced approximately 21 hours of detention time in the last 2 weeks of which I was paid 16 hours only after some back and forth emails providing evidence. If you are coming here as a new driver please expect to do lots of live loads. If I'm wrong about that and you get put on drop and hooks kudos for you. But odds are you will be doing a lot of sitting and waiting and then emailing and providing evidence that you did.

Despite the above the coolest and most important feature of Indian River is how much they leave you alone and let you to your business.

 

How long does it take to do a live load?

 

Depends on the product andnDepends on the customer. I've been to a vegetable oil place pumped on in 40 min. Then delivered that load to a huge conglomerate. My appt was for 12. Didn't get into the door until 230. Didn't start pumping due to mechanical failure until 5pm finished pumping @ 630.
Some stuff pumps easy. Some stuff pumps slow.
The policy is when delivering or loading first two hours are free.


Adding: I will shout out to all the Indian river veterans who had to fight for me to get paid detention. Used to be free and part of "that's the business" shpeel.

 

Are you a pump driver or regular? Reason I ask is from what I'm understanding alot of the non pump drivers are drop and hooks. I could be completely wrong as I haven't completely started.

Is your dm out of IA?

Really looking forward to starting next week! I was under the impression I'd be flying out since it's about a 20 hour drive but said my recruiter would be contacting me Monday for my rental car reservations. Either way I'm looking forward to the company, the change, and learning everything I can soak up.

Hopefully I'll be meeting you guys soon!