My take on Celadon

Been decent so far in the four months I've been there. Like every company, it has it's ups and downs


Equipment is all-new (ProStars), usually traded out after three years or so. I'm always seeing trucks in the yards that are being prepped for sale. Have yet to pick up a trailer with bad tires, they keep on top of that in the inspection bays at the terminals, which you have to go thru even if you're just spending the night. Trucks have Int'l's battery-powered sleeper heat/ac; I wish they'd gone with real APUs like Thermo king, but the trucks are spec'd with auto-engine start to recharge the batteries. With the a/c on it'll last maybe 5 hours before the engine will start. NO slip-seating; when I go home the truck and trailer come with me. With home time, travel day does not count. Also NO chaining- if chains are required they'd rather we park it and notify dispatch

Pay isn't the greatest, but better than some others. It's capped at 3 years, but there is no forced per-diem, and with the vacation package you get $600 (if you have hazmat, $300 without) paid after your first 30,000 miles. Thereafter every 30,000 mi I can take a week's paid vacation then or save up to three weeks at a time. I can take up to two weeks off and not have to turn in my truck. Extra stop pay is really good- $30 for the 1st, 2nd is $40, 3rd is $80, and then $100 for the 4th and up. Most of my loads are 800 miles or more, I've only put two on the rail. I've been averaging about 2500-3000 mi per week, and there's usually a preplan on me before I deliver. I see way more Marten trailers than I do ours on trains. Usually out of the house I get a load to TX or NC. I have ezpass for tolls; we are routed, but that can be overridden with good reason. Operations is open-door; they're not behind closed doors and the drivers can walk right in. Three meals are provided by the on-site cafeteria during orientation at Indianapolis, and they have their own medical facility there


Well, that's my take so far