Going to Boyd Brothers

Hytek- Its all good! You are right! WHen I wrote that post was still pretty upset at the whole situation! I didnt feel I was talking bad except for the fact that what they did to me at the time they did was sucky! I still would consider working for them down the line because by talking to you I know they are a pretty good company overall! Even though they do sometimes do things wrong! But as you said every company has the good things and bad! But hope to still consider you my friend and as so I wish you the best my friend! we will still get together! I hope anyway!

 

Look at it this way, at least they told you they wouldn't hire you 2 days BEFORE you were supposed to show up for orientation. Lot of guys get sent home 2 days AFTER... I'm willing to bet, if come spring youre still driving truck and you still want to drive for Boyd, with 6 months experience they'll hire you, no matter where you live.

 

On those tarps, it don't hafta be purty, it just hasta keep it clean and dry! Good luck to you all at Boyd. They didn't work for me. Caught them in too much dishonesty for my taste. Giving back my FIFTY EIGHT mph, non-apu truck in Cinci today. Going back to the multi-axle heavy haul. Figure if I am going to be hung out until they deem me worthy to go home, I might as well make more money. You new guys, just watch your FM, and don't let things get too far out of hand, before you say something. And don't waste your breath on Wade Gunter. He's too "important" to be bothered. First thing out of his mouth will be "it's the freight"..... Best of luck, all!

 

Good luck to you, old school. Sorry, it didn't work out for you. A lot of this is totally luck of the draw. For years I had the same dispatcher and hometime was never a problem, i was home probably 9 out of 10 weekends. A couple of months ago i got transferred to another fm's board and now all of a sudden they just can't make it happen. If this doesn't change i'll be out of here too.

 

It's a thing called NAFTA, "North America Free Trade Agreement"
Mexicans can come into U.S., but we can't go into Mexico!

 

hay loads...took one from kansas to Florida...it was frozen solid in the kansas winter..and yes it thawed out by the time i got to FL...When i took the straps off...most of it fell off...I think the tarps were what was holding it up straight.

 

ive been flatbedding for 3 years and I think everytime I tarp a coil its different..lol

 

I'm still in orientation at Boyd. we started on Friday before Thanksgiving. So far this is what i can tell you guys about Boyd. It's not a huge company, but they're pretty big. I have confidence in them staying in business and making payroll. That means a lot. I haven't been assigned a truck yet, but most of them look pretty nice. Big sleepers too. They are actively trying to grow and move out west more. If you live out west or mid-west or even the north east they will hire you in a heartbeat. If anyone would like a referral, please send me a message on here and we'll swap details. We get a little bonus for bringing people in, and you get a good word put in for you. I wish I had known someone to mention as a referral but never did.

Anyway - you have 7 weeks total training. 1 week orientation, 5 weeks on the road, and then 1 more week for coil securement. NO - securing loads on a flatbed is not common sense and it isn't easy from what I can tell so far. There are VERY specific ways you have to do it and the DOT inspectors will bust you if you don't.

The first day of orientation is fairly simple, they have u read some material, fill out application (yes, another more thourough one) and you take a physical. Two guys in my class didn't pass their physical because their blood pressure was to high! They were told they could come back once they got it in check. They cut them a check for expenses and sent 'em home.

Almost everyone in my class has come from another company, flatbed or not, and cannot believe how good the company polices are on layover pay, etc. (If it turns out to work like they claim)

They have 80/20 insurance, which is typical for most truck companies. You have a yearly maximum out of pocket of $5000 if you have a family. After that I think it's all covered 100% from what I understand. They over free vision and it's only $3.00 for your family.

As for the road test, you do that the first day too. David the instructor goes over very specifically how they want you to shift in the classroom. Then he takes you one by one to do a test. You simply pull out from the side of the road, drive around the straight line back area, and set yourself up centered with the crease in the road. Then you just LET OFF THE CLUTCH AND IDLE BACKWARDS. Do not give it gas. Be sure to get out and do a walk-around ALL THE WAY AROUND your truck before you back up. You'll do a small little loop, takes about 10 minutes to see how you shift. I missed a few gears here and there, but at the end he said I did well. I'm a student driver so I guess they allow for that. After talking to the rest of the guys in my class, they did as well as myself, if not worse! So I think they are pretty laid back. I do know when you come back for your LAST week during coil training, you go over to a big lot and do your alley docks, both driverside and blind side! They said it was fun and non-stressful and you got it when you got it. Anyway, if you have any questions, reply to this post and I'll try to follow it when I can.

Oh, as far as transportation to orientation, you can drive, get dropped off, or take a bus. Either way, they'll pay you what a bus trip would cost. The motel you stay at is the Quality Inn off of 155 Vulcan Rd. Google it, u can find it. You WILL SHARE A ROOM unless you pay the difference of about $23 dollars a night. Thats what I did but I can afford it (for now!)
Good luck to everyone out there, and I hope to meet you fellow Boyd Bros truckers out there soon!

Later

 

We lost our 3rd guy out of 9 people today. He lived to far south in Alabama and did not find out until his 4th day, about mid-way. They apologized and got him a ride home immediately. I assume they squared up with him fairly. I was told I would be assigned a trainer and the rest of the guys with experience will either get a truck, or start load securement class and then get a truck. I like Boyd, they are really nice people, seem really sincere, and i truly believe the open door policy to management. I've worked for a much bigger, multi-billion dollar company before and did not get this kind of sincere honest open-door policy before. Time will tell, but from what I can tell, I love the management, love the policies, and I will just take it from there.

Once again, good luck to all of you out there, whatever your endeavors are. Drive safely!

P.S. I used my Star Transportation pre-hire letter as a mouse pad and later a drink coaster while at the hotel. True story.

 

So do you have any news to report since you have been in training? I'm getting on the truck with my trainer for the first time tomorrow. I have much of the same opinion of the company as you do, seems like a real top notch place with an awesome management and open door policy. I think I will be happy here if it all goes how I picture.