Market Transport Portland Oregon

Recently left May Trucking to work for Market. Like every company, May has it's positives and negatives.

The positives (for me) were the miles while I ran the 48 States. My experiences with my DM to the guys in the shop were very good. The terminal manager in Denver (Robyn Smith) is to date, the best boss I've ever had.

The negatives are that due to the high turnover rate at May and the emphasis they place on student drivers, the company tends to micro-manage it's drivers. The compliance dept is very heavy-handed and the steady stream of daily reminder messages on the Qualcomm is a bit much.

The medical insurance May offers for it's new drivers is really not much of a "benefit". The cpm pay is average, however, is starting to lag behind some of their competitors.

Their idling policy is horrific. Why they charge their drivers to stay cool in the summer is beyond me. They will reimburse drivers a portion of the over-idle cost, however, the onus is on the driver to track dates, time, location and temp levels.

I needed more time at home, thus, the reason I went to work for Market. I know my miles are going to be less, that's a given. However, being home 3 to 4 nights a week while traveling the I-5 seems worth it to me, for now anyways.

I like what I see from Market so far. They put me in a nice Freightliner equipped with an AP that has a built-in 1800 watt invert, pretty sweet. I've yet to receive one safety or procedure reminder on the Qualcomm Yet, among it's peers, Market has one of the top safety ratings in the country.

Only time will tell whether this company is a good long-term fit for me. I hope so. If not, I can always go back to May. I didn't burn any bridges. The things I've listed here about May are not meant to be a deterrant as much as it is to highlight and contrast the reasons I went to Market Transport.

 

Quick update on my experience with Market Transport. Compared to May Trucking, the difference is night and day, in a positive way. My miles have been better than I really even expected. Most of my loads have been drop and hook. Plus, I've slept in my own bed 6 times in two weeks! Not to shabby.

 

I missed my bed and my wife in it

These OTR companies would do well to adopt regional routes which allow their drivers to get home a couple of times a week. Their retention rates would go through the roof. Then again, if you have a hire new student drivers so you can collect big money from the Feds policy, your turnover rates don't matter much, do they?

 

TripleSober, good luck man on finding something more suitable financially and family time. I have said since I got into this industry that it is really not fit for those who have younger kids. Its just too stressful on the wife. Combine that with inconsistent paychecks and living expenses on the road, most guys would do better with a $10 an hr job and be home every night.

 

Almost a month under my belt with the new company. All I can is that my experience with these folks and my 2 plus years at May is night and day. The way they do business is just so much smoother and efficient then my previous experience. I'm getting home at least 2 to 3 nights a week and am able to stop in another once or twice a week just to say hi.

I was seated on a Volvo 780 last week. The truck is great. The best I have had yet, and I've driven Pete 587, Freightliner Cascadia and International Prostar. It's the model that has the bench seating with the dinette table. Too comfortable

The miles have been much better than I expected running the I-5 corridor only.

Cheers!

 

I-5 can be trying, no doubt

However, when you get home a few times a week after over two years on the road, getting home every 3 to 4 weeks, I can deal with it

 

With a couple of mos. under my belt now with Market Transport I have to say I'm very much at home.

The driver who recommended Market Transport to me referred to his experience at Market as, "lazy man's trucking" I'd have to agree. I'm not being pushed too hard, continue to receive sufficient miles and get home a lot, which I love!!!

If anyone has any questions, feel free to private message me, I will respond.