Maverick Transportation - Safety, Why Risk It?

Recent graduates (newbies) or experienced drivers, Maverick is a good company to work for! Maverick is all about safety, keeping it legal and being ahead of the pack as we move towards implementation of CSA 2010. Every truck is equipped with safety warning devices, which are intended to help keep you and those around you safe. Their orientation and training is intense, but well worth it ... even for the old timers who have been trucking for many years. Keeping it legal, driving safely and making money can work and Maverick is proof it does.

If you are looking for a change, seriously consider becoming a flat bedder with Maverick. Maverick is ramping up their newly started refer division, which may be an option for those seasoned drivers who will only pull loads they can eat. Everyone at Maverick has been up front and honest. For those just getting started in the industry, the pay is better than most with $500 orientation pay and $450/week training pay.

 

LOL I'm not a recruiter, just a driver who spent a lot of time reviewing, talking to and investigating which companies paid, provided training to and treated newbies and vets the best. Actually the only issue I had was with their recruiter who has since left ... was let go or quit. She had really poor follow up skills (actually none). She never called me back when she said she would. It took five weeks of me calling once my application was approved to get scheduled in to training. And when she did finally call it was the Friday night before the Sunday morning training she wanted me to attend in Little Rock. Didn't leave me much time to pack, kiss the wife and kids good bye and travel to North Little Rock from Atlanta.

Chaining and tarping loads is not easy, but it pays a little better than most freight companies do, which is what I was after. "Show me the money!" It's good exercise a couple of times a week anyways.

Having been an owner-operator who pulled a refer as a "super trucker" 25 years ago, I pretty much knew what I was getting myself in to when I came back to the industry. I let my CDL go years ago, so I decided to go to a CDL school to get my license -- besides I needed a truck to test in. With no recent experience I'm a newbie myself as far as companies are concerned. It's been kind of like riding a bike... that is, I remember how to drive and can still back up without 50 attempts like some I see at the truck stops. I had no problem getting back behind the wheel again. But like the first school I attended 25+ years ago, the only thing they taught at CDL school was how to pass the permit and road test. I suspect most schools are that way. For me, I didn't want to owe my employer, so opted not to go with a company that has a pay us or owe us to get your license program like C.R. England, Prime and a few others. I had the money to pay the tuition up front, which allowed me to have a few more choices of who to go with. But having a license doesn't make you a professional driver nor a safe one by a long shot as I'm sure you'd agree.

There's a lot of people who have gone through a "get your license" driving school mill who only have 8 or 10 hours behind the wheel pulling an empty box. A good training program is extremely important if newbies are going to become a professional. With what's coming down the pike with CSA 2010 safety and compliance will be the name of the game. Maverick is gearing up for what everyone is going to have to deal with. They want to be the example to follow, which is better than being on the other end of the spectrum by being made the example of what not to do. From what I've seen thus far, they've invested a lot of money for classroom, hands on training, safety, teaching proper securement, otr instruction, testing, simulator training, etc. It's a win-win for the company and their drivers. And I'm getting paid for the training besides. Maverick wants to make sure their drivers understand the what and how to of the business, to be safe and in compliance. And isn't that what being a professional is all about?

As I previously stated, the folks at Maverick have so far been up front, truthful, and more than helpful with at least everyone I was in training with. All their instructors, trainers and office staff seem more than willing to spend the extra time to make sure everyone understands how to do things the correct way, drive safe and be compliant. There was no pressure if someone didn't catch on as quickly as others in the class who may have been struggling a bit. And yes, we had quite a few drop out or get sent home for health or other reasons. Not everyone has what it takes too be a Maverick. lol

Personally, I feel that anyone who is inexperienced and/or new to pulling flatbeds needs and should want to go with a company with a good training program and safety record. Maverick preaches safety! At the end of the day it doesn't matter how much you earn if you get hurt, killed or have an oops that injures or kills some one else and/or causes you your license and career. Driving for a company that lives and breaths safety certainly benefits me and my family who want me to come home safe and sound each week. Trucking is difficult and dangerous enough without working for a company that doesn't care about safety and ultimately their drivers. Besides, I wouldn't drive for someone who didn't preach safety. After all, once you turn the key it all falls on you the driver if something goes wrong. Ignorance is no excuse! If a company isn't preaching and training safety, compliance and driving safely then I'd seriously rethink driving for them. After all, every company is just an accident away from being out of business. And every driver is one foot away from being hurt, killed or in jail for injuring or killing someone else. Maverick is no different. Safety and compliance is as much to protect them as it is to protect their drivers. But as I see it, it's a win-win for them and me.

No, I'm not a recruiter, but I am happy with the company I chose to drive for. Are they the best? Perhaps not, but their orientation, training and starting pay is better than most. Not too mention, they've had two pay increases this year when many are still struggling. Freight seems good, they are adding more drivers and replacing their trucks with new ones. All-in-all Maverick is a decent company to work for. Hopefully you have the same feeling and conviction about the company that you drive for as I do driver.