Reaching out to Heartland drivers

I've been through several trucking company mergers/buyouts/bankruptcies & my policy has been, sit through the meeting/orientation and make a decision then. Keep it in perspective, a truck driver is only a tool in the big tool box, no more than a wrench, flashlight, etc. True, goods can't be moved without the driver, but they also can't be moved with flat tires or blown engine or no headlights. I always had a backup plan so if I decided to move on, I knew exactly where I was going. When I went to a new company, I immediately started my next backup plan in case it would be needed. I've seen drivers with tears streaming down their face because they didn't keep it in perspective as to what roll they actually play in the big picture and couldn't face reality. The company will move on with or without the driver & they really don't care as long as they can get you to stick around until the transition is complete just to make it a little easier on them.

Good for you "tow", you're planning now instead of waiting in case you need to make a move. You will move up, not a lateral or downward move.

 

+1

I've seen a company offer drivers a $5k bonus if driver stick around during the transition for 3 months, and then not get the promised pay. Promises and company policies can and will change after the transition is done, I've seen it happen.

Ok back on topic. "Former Employee" here, and the positive I can say is the pay, per mile, is good. I was making 48 cents per mile after working with them for 2 years. Question is can you handle all the bs that comes with it (too much to list, posted elsewhere), and we eventually reach our limits where money isn't everything.

Heartland is more doable if your single and no obligations.

 

I think that the Gordon drivers will need to wait and see. I cannot say how it will go for them since I have never run system, and never run western region for heartland.
They have a big presence out west that we have never had. Heartland had some western freight, but typically the running area stopped at the rocky's.

Pay wise I keep hopeing that things will come together with both company's, now that some form Gordon are in management and the old owner is on the board.
Heartland does not pay short haul. Heartland does not pay local delivery, if picked up in a yard and delivered in same town it is no pay. (they do have 15 dollar heartland cares for this but you have to ask).
Heartland does not pay practical mileage pay. I typically loose a minimum of 50 miles per day. I don't want to think about the miles I give away on that one. I have done the math, but don't like to.

But on miles, overall operating etc. I think some things at Heartland could change for the better with this merge of management. I hope it does for the heartland and GTI drivers.

Miles and home time really depend 90% on your dispatcher. If he/ she works for you, then you will get the miles and you will get the home time. If your dispatcher is lazy and just takes whatever the planner throws his/ her way, then you are screwed. Since the planners do not seem to look at the notes on the drivers screen with home time info and time off info.
I have had the best dispatcher I have ever had at Heartland, and some that are not so good. Almost luck of the draw when you start. Then you kind of feel out dispatchers in your terminal and find one that you get along with well when you are around the terminal. Always try to make yourself known. So you are not just a truck number.
Everyone in the Columbus terminal knew me by name. And I think that helped allot.

 

Subscribed..

 

Even though I don't like Heartland, I'd say what some of the positives are:

Lot of the freight is preload drop and hooks.

They used to (and probably still do) pay higher cents per mile if running in the Northeast.

As far as I know they don't do NYC, or at least they didn't send me there during my 2 years with them.

 

Count me in.