Marten Transport, the good and bad

When I ran with Marten back in 09 as a regional out of the Irving yard, I would make runs all the time from the Mars plant in Waco to the rail yard in Haslet, TX that were going to the Chicagoland area.

 

I have also heard of them putting loads from hormel near janesvile,Wis to oseola,Iowa on the rail, 365 truck miles

 

Last month I did pretty good on miles, but the last two weeks Has been only 1,800 miles (per week). Alot of sitting, but not enough to get layover. I had 2 loads where I drove till around 0200, and one load that was an overniter that picked up at 0230, and drove till 1600 the next day. That load picked up at con agra in troy,oh and delivered to americold in carthage,mo at the cave. I don't like overnite loads cause its hard to sleep during the day.

 

l spent most of last week on the frigging east coast running over niters, and didnt break 1,000 miles. Had two days layover, yes i gopt the $$ for it.
I then got a load out to Ill. then was preplanned to reutrn to Jersey, I said BS i spent a week out there and didn't see more than a 1,000 miles. You get me a load with some miles going west, or i will bring the truck back to Mondovi. You can't do that i'll turn your fuel card off, i said go ahead, i have full tanks. Got a load that went to Joplin, now headed to AZ.

Pretty #### sad when you have to threatin to turn the truck in, in order to get miles.

My days are #'d here

 

I hate running out in the jersey area, especially out to that rail yard. Lucky for me I don't get out there often, but it does happen from time to time.

 

oh i missed the rail yards. Just got stuck picking out of drop yrds

 

So the recruiter who said I will see. 2500 to 3000 wk in the national fleet was selling me a line of ^%$

 

Partner, Marten is one of the biggest bunch of lying sacks, this side of the Mississippi. They'll run you just hard enough to generate the income needed to make the payments on the truck and put a little cash in their pockets. Very few drivers are making a decent wage with that company. Most of the old timers are hanging on for their retirement. Their turnover rate is one of the highest in the industry.
They are utilizing the rail in an ever expanding capacity. You won't see long runs, their rail loads are short hauls, and you'll get very well acquainted with all the local truckstops in your running area. I think they mean 2500-3000km's per week.
In a nutshell.....they stink!

 

You may see those miles your first couple/ three weeks, then they may slowly drop, to where you leave your home, get the one good run out, then get stuck doing the regioanl/ rail crap loads, and then you get you other good run, to get you home.

Rule #1 never beleive waht the recruiters say.,.. Feel free to ask any Marten driver how he/ she is doing. At the same time, ask them are they otr, or regioanl.

 

OK. I know there is tons of info on here for Marten Been Driving 18yrs. Moving from So Ca to Salem OR. Does anybody know how the portland terminal is for home time .Want to run western regional. And looking to be home on Weekends. From what I hear they want your hometime on weekends . Can make it on 2,000 miles a week. Does anybody know if you can transfer terminals after you get hired. Hire on in Ontario and transfer to Portland. Figured their would be alot of freight running the 5 between portland and San Diego