Any low down on GreatWide..

The biggest mistake people make when discussing Greatwide is talking about it as if it were one big company like Schneider or JB Hunt. Their business model is totally different. They are actually more like several different small companies operating under one of about five different umbrellas, which operate under one big tent. Things like pay, benefits, hometime, office staff and type of trailer will vary greatly between a Dallas Mavis O/O and one leased to the Pauls Valley terminal. When I was there, I started at the now defunct Indy terminal 72. Almost did go broke with those yo- yos. Before I did, I switched over to the Tyson account 49. My business turned 180 degrees. I dug myself out from being almost buried and did quite well. I had two totally different experiences, even though both were under the same Greatwide tent.

If someone tells you that the Greatstart program is a bad idea because leasing a truck from your carrier isn't smart, it's it's because they either have an ax to grind, or they are speaking from ignorance. Greatwide does not lease trucks to anyone. Until recently, they didn't own but a handful of trucks. All they do is help set you up with a leasing company, one that is independent of Greatwide. My Greatstart truck was leased from ATBS Leasco. I had an 05 Columbia that used to be a Covenant and SRT truck. I never worried about dispatchers giving more miles to anyone based on whether or not they were in a Greatstart truck. If anyone in the office even knew about the program (most never heard of it) they definitely didn't care.

With all that said, I no longer recommend Greatwide. The only way I would in the past is only if they go straight to the Tyson account. They recently lost that account, which was by far their largest account. That could explain cost cutting measures recently. Tyson has awarded the new agreement to KLLM.

 

mills546 please keep me posted on everything, also did you use to work at napa

 

Screw greatwide dallas mavis. What a bunch of cons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I worked in the office and know for a fact that Leasco was a HORRIBLE program that was pushed on contractors when the terminals were not at there "magic #" with zero thought on what was best for the contractor. If they were told the complete truth about the program from the start, before signing on that would be one thing. But the "truth" changed depending on how desperately they needed trucks on the day someone walked in and asked for an application. Im not going to get more specific because in all fairness I worked with only a handful of terminals close enough to know what really went on. I do know that when our lease trucks were about to completely go under because of $ we would let them run for Tyson for a while and they always pulled out of the hole and seemed much happier. I loved having that option as a last resort for contractors that really deserved a break.

You say its hard to discuss GW like this due to the many (yes there are many) different companies each with suck a different structure that each person will have a different experience depending on the location. In one way I completely agree with you. Even different teminals under the same company (ie the five WalMart terminals Texas and PV) The contractors at each of them often run out of the others due to all the BH's and even those are so different at the terminal level. Really depends on the people you see and work with day in and day out. But on the other hand dont forget it all goes back to DALLAS.... I was "fortunate" enough to be transferred there as well. Remember the s*** runs down hill and GW is not an exception to this rule.

 

Screw greatwide dallas mavis!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish another dispatcher from them would call on one of my loads!!!!

 

Since I del to the Pauls Valley,OK DC every week, I've noticed more & more Penske tractors there for company drivers. I saw one of the drivers at the Love's on I-35 x70 (same as the DC) and she said it was an easy gig, .40cpm and home 3 or 4 nights a week. Longer runs to ABQ & Santa Fe Sam's Clubs. She did say she had only been there 3 wks, but did say to make sure I specified Wal-Mart & not Associated Foods in OKC where they do orientation.

 

Its an easy gig right now wal mart is slow...Hasn't picked up yet and the ice hasn't hit.. Been here for years its not going to be easy in a month then when the weather moves in you are stuck..

 

You are talkin bout the company division they have now right? They are recruiting out of Cali right now and I have seen a few Walmart load runners going thru Sac. Do they have a West Coast division for the Wally world account thats company and not lease? They are advertising such.

 

WOT: You run out of PV? I'm commuting from Seminole to Moore now. Commuting to PV is only a few miles farther. Can you tell me more about the schedule and operating area? Thx

 

no I don't run out of PV I do know I would be very leary of going to work for greatwide doing wal mart right now their contract is month to month right now... they supposedly are in the process of renewing for 3 or 5 years.. I would not leave my job now for a greatwide walmart account until wal mart says its signed.