Maverick Transportation

Good luck to ya! There have been some very "uncomplimentary" posts here about Maverick Specialized (though they sure aren't the only one to get trashed by former drivers). It would be great if you're willing and able to keep us updated on your experience. I'd really like to hear someone say something positive about them. Your attitude should do well for you, and you have a unique perspective as a former business owner.

 

My trainer called today while I am here at Ft Smith. He is from Oklahoma. He said our 1st run would be to Lincoln, Nebraska. I am anxious to get going. Out of 12 students fm my class only 2 got trainers who could get them near home. I will be out with the trainer for up to 6 weeks, (I understand). So for those who come to Maverick orientation, be prepared for about 8 weeks away before you can get home. The sacrifice may be great but I think the rewards will outweigh them.

 

I don't post on here much but, I read this forum 3or 4 times a day!
A little about myself, I first came across Maverick's site during the summmer. Back then I had no experience or a CDL A, I was dring a school bus pt for $13 bucks an hour, and really looking hard for a real job in trucking. Well I called Maverick at that time(had applied to the flatbed div.) Was told I'm not in there hiring area(Long Island,NY) ok fine end of story right? Wrong! Fast forward to Dec. 07, I took 10 lessons at a local driving school and passed my CDL road test finally, Yea! I then applied to Maverick again in Jan.08 and was accepted and put on their waiting list in Feb. Weel in the mean time i took a driving job/training with Prime in Feb. called a few times spoke with Beth on several times. Well this monday got the "call" from her that they arrived at my name on the list! I was stunned to say the least, i had left Prime about a monyh ago due to some training issues and time length of training. I have since took a local driving job, delivering food to restraurants, deli's and hospitals. Pays 14 bucs an hour but, long hours lots of heavy lifting, hand-trucking up/down stairs! My point, I am seriously considering going with Maverick Spec. div. Any input? I'm 45 yrs old and being a "lumper" of food products does not really appeal to me! I have 2 months driving exp. with Prime reefer, but I live on LI, so most companies won't take me living on the "rock"! So i think Maverick is my best option to date, high pay, decent equipment, i like the autoshifters. So What do youse guys think? Go for it or what? Thanks, bug-out!

 

Hey Bug, Maverick is a great company and great pay, but remember , youl still have to work for it. I been lucky, with the fact of having inside info. about them. And ive got a few friends who have worked for many other companys. Maverick Specialized is hiring now, so call them and make sure you let them know you want to be hired. Try calling them every few days, even if your on the waiting list.
I had applied a few months back and was put on waiting list also. They are being perticular, and they do check back grounds , so dont lie to them, they will find out. It's always best to be str8. Good Luck...

 

Thanks for the reply, but could ya share a little bit of that insider info with me? Like how are the miles,type of runs, to where? Where in Jersey are you from?I also need ideas of where to park the rig when i take home time. One more question, how is orientation in Laurinsburg,how tough is their physical abilties test? All and any replies are welcome, my recruiter Beth is supposed to be calling me back monday or tuesday, so i need some good info fast! Thanks again bug-out!

 

Maverick is a good company to work for. Probably one of the best I ever drove for. But they are kinda strict on things. When I was there, they were particularly picky about tarping. About 95% of thier loads are tarped, and they want it to look good. The physical agility testing isnt too bad, but you cant quit on anything cause they will buy you a bus ticket home. We lost quite a few aspiring drivers cause they wouldnt finish all the tests to the end. It has been a few years since I was there but the first thing they do is check your blood pressure, then you work for about 2 min. on a step platform, and they take your pressure again, then you have to lift sandbags in a crate from the floor over your head from something like 20 lbs and work your way up to 130 lbs. in progression and you have to lift all of it. If there are any sandbags on the table when you are done, you get a bus ticket. They have an 8 ft section of trailer about 10 inches wide set up like a balance beam and you have to walk across it without falling off (its only a few inches off the ground), then you have to get up on a trailer with a 6ft high crate and climb on top of it by jumping or pulling yourself up, but the trick is to use the tarp laying at the base of it. You just step up on the tarp and climb on top the box, then hop down. You also have to pick up a tarp and load it on the trailer 3 times in a row without taking a break. You just put it on the trailer and roll it off onto the floor and then do it 2 more times. They also have a Chiropractor there and she checks your joints, range of motion, neck and spine. About the worst thing they have you do is a thing we used to call "being a hood ornament". There is a piece of gym equip. there, I think its called a roman chair or something, and you lay in it face down, hook your legs in at the ankles and lay across a bar at your thighs, cross your arms over your chest and hold yourself straight out over the floor for as long as you can. We had guys that were only able to do it for like 10-15 seconds, but if you can hold on, they have you stop at 2 min. Other than that, its a piece of cake.

 

There is alot of true negative information on specialized. I wrote some of it. If you can get with the regular maverick division that would be great. But dont fall for the "you can transfer later on to the regular division if you dont like specialized" bull. I would like to talk to ONE person who has ever done it. Try and find one. Maverick based out of Litte Rock is a great company. Schnavrick, Also known as maverick specialized, is mostly former schiender employees. Read ollies blog about his experience. Mine mirrored his. None of the 7 people that I trained with were still there after 6 months. You will typically take a 4-8 hour break instead of a 10 hour and this will be expected and demanded, in between the lines of course. You will be dirty, hungry and tired. Then after 10-12 days you will be sent home to do a 34 hour restart. Dont buy big storms bull, he is just trying to get a referral bonus of $500.00, which is about a weeks pay at specialized. And the miles are typically 1800-2200. And knock 15% off the mileage pay, because they are true air miles.

 

Well I'm still in a holding pattern with My "recruiter". I was told to call after noon if i didn't hear from her,but I called and she was not at her desk! So, I understand all the downsides of there specialized div.,but I live on Long Island and nobody but nobody will consider a rookie to start out driving! Yep i applied to them all. Anybody who will take a trainee,most say i'm out of their "hiring area" even if they hire out of NY. Their regular flatbed div. doesn't hire that far north however,so i'm between a rock and a hard place. I am currently busting my butt at a local wholesale food distrib. start at 4.30 in the morning and sometimes don't finishup till 6-630 at nite. And it isn't even the "busy" season yet(summer)! So any valid options would be welcome, I've been working on this trucking "gig" trying to get started for quite some time now! Thanks, bug-out

 

I just noticed something ealier today that I find a little weird. I worked for Maverick for 17-18 mo., and I know that Steve started the company with a college friend with a rented truck and trailer in 1980. Now that lil bit 'o math would tell you that the company has been in business for approximately 28 yrs, yet on the web site it says they have 50 yrs in specialized hauling, and are leaders in heavy haul and O.D. freight. When I was there for '03-'05 we didnt haul any kind of specialized freight, oversized or anything heavier than legal (I did pick up a 51,000 lb steel coil once, but that was because I didnt fill up before I went in). We just hauled lumber, steel, sheetrock and slinky's. I am truly amazed that they accumulated 50 yrs. of experience in just 3 short years!

 

I guess when you buy a company you get to put their experience on your resume