Unimark Truck Transport - Kenosha, Wi.

You've piqued my interest. Was the 'victim' male or female? Which 'deleted thread'? Or just some more BS...

Update: Never mind. I now realize you're referring to the locked up thread.

 

Right now in Laredo, TX, Unimark is going through contractors like floodwaters flowing over a Mississippi levee. I'm being told the Unimark shuttle drivers moving decked sets from Laredo to San Antonio are being paid $55 per trip, two trips a day (12 hours), seven days a week.

Works out roughly to $8 per hour and their primary pool of prospective 'employees' (1099 contractors) are those who wisely gave up the coolie freight jobs with Werner, Knight, U.S. Express, etc.

 

i could see how this might be worth it,but id never stick my neck out with all of the negativity towards it, in multiple threads...

it also sounds as if its almost mandatory to tow your own vehicle to be able to come out ahead, and that can end up costing alot in and of itself.

looks like this is another segment of the trucking industry where drivers end up paying to work, rather than being paid to work.

 

I am not going to insult anyone but before you make a statement you should know what your talking about. They do not have any connection with Cold Iron or Dallis Mavis. They did sign a contract with Cold Iron a few years ago to handle there overflow when they did not have enough drivers to handle the loads. Cold Iron was only used to handle ATT loads. Also Unimark was bought and originally used to only transport used trucks. Now they are using unimark to slowly drive the union out. They are slowly resigning contracts under the unimark name instead of ATT. You can make lots of money in the drive away buisness as I have had several years where I took home over 150k profit. Everyone in here saying that you are not making any money have either stated that you are a new driver or new to the transport side of trucking. I have weeks where I take home over 5k a week profit. I will agree about there tool. Dont buy there cheap tools. If you want to make money you have to spend money and do it right. buy the tools you need and invest in a good tool bag if you are flying. I fly sometimes. I drive a rental car sometimes and I also have a chase vehicle that i am not afraid to leave somewhere and get it back later. In this buisness you have to be flexible and be smart and you will make lots of money!

 

Sounds good and I only worked at ATT for about 6 months but I learned ALOT. As far as 'private contractors' go, very few seem to make any money. There seems be an abnormally high turnover and the bulk of the 'hard core' contractors seem to be homeless for the most part. I spoke to several contractors and to a few who had quit or were about to quit. The biggest complaint (same at ATT) were ridiculous promises made about income potential, misrepresented job descriptions and questionable 'co workers'(?).

I would advise those looking at this type of work to really do your homework.

 

I tried Unimark once. They train you in the shop on real loads [sorry no compensation]. I was dispatched on my first load from Chicago to Dallas to deliver a bobtail Mack tractor to the dealership. After waiting for an hour for someone to come out and check in the truck I called dispatch to see if they would try to get them to come out. NO HELP, 3 hours later I finally got checked in.
No support from Unimark, no extra money for waiting- nothing.

I did one more haul and walked! A few weeks later I got a bill in the mail for "training".
Also in orientation someone comes by and tells you that because thier competition decks used trucks and hauls them overhieght, that we will too!
If you want to make money and run legal, STAY AWAY!!!

 

I'm starting with Unimark soon. I'd appreciate some feedback on how the company is doing? Where the best loads are? Is there any Union animosity between Unimark drivers and the other companies the parent company owns? What are the secrets every Unimark driver should know?

 

I lasted a week there. It was difficult trying to find your way around the country with your bags and no rides.

 

Can you tell me if they hire in Colorado
Also how's the pay and training

 

The haul away business hires the lower 48. Training is just the basics as it only one week and there's no way it can be taught for all the models in a such a short period. You are responsible to pay for all transportation, fuel, hotels, etc. Pay is great but you work like a dog undecking the trucks. Most new drivers don't last more than a few months. Most don't like the work or having to find their own way around the country.