Thinking about Smith Transport. Anybody have any stories or info?

With 10 years experience under your belt -- why don't you consider "upping your game"....by signing on with one of the private fleets?....:

• Love's
• Airgas
• Linde/Praxair
• ADM
• Walmart Transportation
• & others

You'll need the hazmat for all of the above (I think); hazmat & tanker for most of 'em.



-- L

 

Airgas used to be great, it legitimately sucks now, unless you get a contract through a 3rd party or get lucky on a O/O contract.

I was with their midwest/central region. Absolutely clown show, too many redundant managers in the same position per terminal, zero communication, bad equipment, insane safety rules with a 24/7 live feed 360 degree Ai camera. Mediocre pay on the company side, terrible and expensive benefits packages with restrictions.

Specific to the midwest/central/north region, its a huge family affair, kids with no experience come in at top pay while being trained because they know someone, while guys with all their endorsements and experience get shafted.

The only guys I know making 100k at AG were 3rd party, owner ops, or guys who worked 80+ hours a week because youll be doing a lot of work off the clock.

Dont dare back to without your orange cones, that's a death sentence!

 

Smith back in the day was a top notch fleet with really good equipment, then...

I think it was Useless Express (US Express) bought them ? Anyway, IMO they are just another big fleet you can certainly do better.

 

When I was there in 2013 they would push you to run every minute of your 11 hours .. almost hounding you if you shutdown early.... had a real hard ### dispatcher at the Remington Terminal...never liked his attitude...

 

I've worked you'll break down quite often. At first first I was grossing 1500 to 1800 a week then my miles started to dip lots of sitting. When I left I was barely scratching 500 week to 800. They force you to run every single hour. Even if you have 2 hours on your 70. It's forced recaps. Equipment looks but as I said it's not maintained at all. I kept telling them I needed a PM but they refused to do one I went almost 8 months past one till some idiots saw the sticker during one of my many many breaks downs. God forbids if you have to do the Walmart account they have their favorites. If you still want to work for them just go to heartland itself avoid Smith entirely.