Melton Truck Lines Wasn't A Good Fit

I don't know if you were talking strictly Melton Drivers or not but I have found:Folks pulling a Flat tend to be helpful if asked.Indeed.If "they" wouldn't have helped me 9 years ago I wouldn't be out here today.I snuck into this through the "backdoor" as it could be done back then. Proud to be part of the "Brotherhood" if ya will..

 

No matter what company you run with you will always have #### heads and some people are the helpful and willing to advise new drivers and some won't give new drivers the light of day

 

My first job in trucking 20yrs ago was with a flat bed outfit (Builders Transport). After brief training I was sent out to fend for myself. I learned by asking questions and paying attention. I learned securement by trial and error and I probably got lucky a few times when things weren't exactly right. I got more satisfaction out of that first job than any job I've held in trucking since. I really enjoyed the experience and feel like it made me a much better driver.

 

I have been with Melton since February. Believe me when I say they show you what is expected and the Melton way of securing loads. It's not possible to practice securing every load, but with the basic rules in mind you can come to a solution for every load. Sometimes it just requires a little imagination. Tarping just takes time. Each time you secure a tarp you learn more. Eventually it becomes easy.

Whoever said aid flatbedding isn't work is definitely wrong. I know what work is from experience. Between 2 deployments to Iraq and 1 to Afghanistan I have done my share. Sometimes a load is simple and can be secured in 20 minutes, but at other times I have worked on a load for 3 hours pouring sweat and cussing because it can be a challenge.

I believe the safety program is pretty good. Anytime there is an issue or question you have the opportunity to call and ask for help. Help is always a phone call away.


All of the other Melton drivers I have ran into have been very forthcoming with help and advice as well. The only time I have seen them not help another driver is when said driver is not receptive to the advice given.

 

Hello All

I quit melton after 5 weeks. Not for the work involved as i don't mind securing and tarping a load.

While in the short time i was there, I met some realy great and friendly co-workers, pay was great, and had a overall good experiance there.
I really liked the way they gave you the necessary equipment to secure your loads, wasnt greedy with straps and chains. You are dispatched at 50mph
so you have time to make your deliveries. On the negitive note (or is it) is that the dispatchers did not want to talk to you on the phone.

Took them 3 loads to get me back to the terminal to return my truck, and believe it or not they did not hit my DAC
with a negitive report like most trucing companys do. Overall impression was a good one with melton and would consider
going back to work for them, thats if they could keep me out of the north-east.

 

Kind of ironic you're from New BOSTON,huh?!? Good Luck Driver!!

 

On Tuesday morning about 0700am a Melton truck dumped a load of
steel plates on I-270 on the west side of Columbus Oh, It caused a big
traffic jam just in time for the morning rush hour. Fortunately it was on
the right shoulder and nobody was killed or injured. I have never driven
a flatbed so I cant say why he lost his load. I assume it wasn't secured
properly or it would have not been dumped like that. I assume he will
lose his job over this accident. Obviously he wasn't trained properly by
Melton to secure this type of cargo.

 

Not sure why they would have had reason to put anything negative on your DAC anyway. You gave them notice you wanted to leave and left their truck at their terminal.

 

That's basically how I feel about it. Seems like too much extra work and aggravation for not enough extra pay IMO, but I certainly respect the guys who go out and do it every day.

 

I did an application with Melton, I think their pay is good, .44 a mile plus extras like performance, etc. I got 1 year experience with a clean report from DAC to MVR. Have done flat bed a little for 2 weeks on my current job, and liked it, but Melton pay is better, I did the math and with 2300 miles 3 tarping and 2 hours detention I'll get paid about 100 more that where I am, right now I do about 3000 miles at .37 and don't get tarping or driver stops. Are these guys a good place to work?

My application was approved I just need to go to orientation.