USA Truck doesn't get it

I know a bunch of guys and gals that have left USA TRUCK and not a one of them feel they have to make it a point to spend every last minute of their day whinning and gripeing about it. They have quit, got another job and enjoy their new life. I'm happy for them. But then there are a couple of people who are so obsessed with whinning about it there must be something mentally wrong with them.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion I and I listen to them. But, when it becomes an assult on me or others because our opinions differ, then that's just not right.

And then there are those that still work for USA TRUCK that think by posting bad things about USA here it will drive new hires away and get them more miles. Much like those that paint over the ph# on trailers. Its a waste of time.

 

I prefer calling it a puppet on a string.You know on qualcomms you can put your name on it?Mine was puppet for another company.

 

Frog! if you dont mind me asking; do you have a dedicated with USA?

Dedicated guys seem to be always happier.

If not then what good things can you tell us about USA ... the positive side to it

 

Again.... crappy trailer syndrome strikes. i had a 52xxx trailer tandom pins lock up...... trailer repair guys get 'em unstuck. Then I back in to the dock..... but tandom brakes lock up..... safety valve........ The trailer guys fix it again. I am loaded and ready to go but need to shift the wheels forward on 43,000 lbs. The trailer guys come again to free pins and repair release arm.

My miles for the week are rapidly going through the plumbing. Blowout. (2) APU repair. Trailer. btw..... MY week begins on Friday when I got this truck, so 1763 miles is running Friday to Friday.

USA ain't bad. Most heard complaints are consistent with industry as a whole. If a troublesome APU is my greater concern, I'd say USA is alright.

 

Nope, not dedicated. They asked me, we talked about it, but couldn't come to an agreement on the pay. So here I am. Runnng as a full phase trainer, but most of the students they have been handing me lately aren't worth a lick so I've started spending more time solo and less time training.

Good things, reasonable pay, plenty of miles, home when I want to be, college scholarships for my kids, ok medical plan, rider policy. People willing to work with you when they know you are serious.

Negative things... poor training on things like proper cornering, dropping/hooking a trailer, sliding tandems lead to hours wasted on my clock getting things corrected so I can run. Too many trainers don't know themselves how to do some things properly and can't teach what they don't know. Not their fault, what do you expect to get when you take someone with 9 months experience and call them a trainer. Its not much better than the companies that get two students together calls the oldes one the trainer, and sends them on their way.
As a former lean manufacturing engineer I see much waste in USAs policies and procedures that if eliminated and improved could save big $$. But everyone is too concentrated on individual budgets to "Get the BIG Picture" and no one wants to listen.
I could go on and on but have said enough for 1 post. Things aren't perfect here but when you look at the whole scheme of things aren't that bad. You just have to figure out what you want, who gives it to you and be willing to settle with what you can get.

 

Yep, I dislike the 52s with a passion. Many have lips worn into the pins that catch the rails and won't release. Shop doesn't look for this. They can be easily fixed by grinding off the lip so it doesn't catch on the rail. You solution for on the road repairs is a 6-8 lb hammer, a bungy cord and a couple of c or vise clamps.

 

I wasn't on dedicated either. I was in fleet 50. Had an awesome FM and if I go back that is the only fleet I would go to.

 

So what's the consensus does USA Truck get it or not??

I think I got 2 votes for yes and 3 for no...

 

If you have a good work ethic, want to hustle, don't complain at every little problem, especially in this job stuff just happens sometimes that neither you or the company can control. The trucks are luck of the draw. Old doesnt mean bad. I have a friend with a brand new 12k miles truck an he has been at freightliner twice already cuz the motor won't stay running. Once you prove to your FM that you can do the job and handle the pressure, you can and will make money. If you happen to get a bad FM, talk to the ops manager and get a new one. It's not always that your fm is that bad, sometimes people's personalities don't click. Good luck. Is it the best company? No! But none are. As I like to tell people that all jobs come with bs, you just have to pick which brand you can stand the smell of the best.

 

I agree that no trucking job will be perfect but if you're gonna be out here you should get paid accordingly.

I suppose that's why ppl dislike the megas so much, cause of the low cpm ..

What's USA top pay?