Holland Enterprises or Freymiller?

What about Van Kampen?

 

I just PMed ya

 

Home | MC Van Kampen Trucking | Grand Rapids, MI

Some of the finest trucks around

 

Holland is a really good company. Worked with their dispatch for a while. If you like to run long loads (48 state some coast to coast) I’d recommend them.

 

Just an FYI — I spoke to Laura in recruiting for 40mins this morning . She was very personable and pleasant to talk with.

Moreover, I didn’t feel rushed or hear any other chatter from folks in the background. A few companies I called sounded like a call center when talking to the recruiter.

They do require you to drug test and get a new DOT medical card in the area you live prior to coming to orientation — at their expense — no matter how current your DOT card is.

Everything she told me was in order with what others have stated on the forums. The bad reviews seem to be more far-few-and in between in comparison to the good reviews.

I will say this, the very first thing Laura asked and explained to me before we even got further in any other discussionwas, and I quote, “ Holland is a long haul coast-to coast carrier with a minimum of three weeks out, will you be able to abide by the home time policy and capable of running 3K miles a week?” She also explained if an emergency came up that the emergency would take precedence over the home time policy.

There is no forced per-diem and you have the choice of a weekly or bi weekly pay period. You also have the choice of $1500 week salary for 12 weeks or start off on your agreed rate per mile. The 1500 is based off of 3k miles and if you run more than 3K miles you’re paid the difference after the 12 weeks is completed.

The pay for orientation is $200. If you choose salary it will be prorated to reflect the $200, but if you chose mileage, then there is no reduction and just a straight $200 plus the mileage you run for the week. Payroll cutoff is 0900 local time on Tuesdays.

She did they will split miles for payroll. In other words, if you have a 3k load and it doesn’t deliver until the following Friday, they will pay the driver — if he/she chooses— on the mileage driven on that load and the remainder on the next pay period.

They are a forced dispatch company. They do not force anyone to go to NYC. You would always be asked to go there before they dispatch you on such a load, and you can always decline.

Trucks are replaced every 3 years. They are removing the satellite tv in the truck, but are leaving the smart TVs which are 24”. They will remove the front passenger seat for more storage. Your assigned truck is professionally detailed before assignment and is not slip-seated. Trucks also come with refrigerators, APU’s and inverters, although I forget the wattage.

Their average length of haul is 1500-1600 miles and is based off of 95% contract/customer freight with the remaining 5% being brokered. They do prefer a driver run recap hours and will plan loads based off of available hours. Therefore, managing time is in the drivers best interest in order to stay productive. They will also at times use brokered freight to get a driver home if the situation arises. Some loads are 500-800 miles, however that’s only to get a driver to a different lane for a long haul. In addition,, about 80% of loads are 1PU and 1D.

Laura is going to put a pay package together for my review after she runs all my reports. Which, by the way, are all clean, so no worries there.

Bear-in-mind, I was looking for a coast-to-coast company that runs primarily solo freight as teaming isn’t for me. Plus, I’m the type that likes to pickup, close the doors and ride for 3-5 days before delivery. My circumstances allow me to do so, plus I typically stay out 6-8 weeks at a time.

Now, I know their pay may not be the TOP in the industry, but in my opinion it is competitive. I don’t feel as if I’m going to be “low balled” for my experience when I receive the offer.

Could I go with an another company and probably get .03-.07 more per mile? Sure, however my driving style doesn’t fit said companies freight lanes as most run regional with bumping docks 5-7 times per week or more.

In my opinion each driver has their own driving style and preferences that will fit their lifestyles. There are plenty of jobs out here for drivers that have clean record with at least one year of experience to fit any drivers preferences and lifestyle. It’s just a matter of finding it. Thanks.

 

Did you take the job?