Melton Trucking - A good home

I just finished orientation with Melton and Monday hit the road with a trainer.

A few observations...
Great pay... Start at .36 and get up to .45 when you hit 120k miles. ( it progresses in increments ) 40 tarp pay 25 extra stop and match 50% of your 401k up to 7% of your check. Liberal rider policy. Orientation exposed us to numerous different types of securement and tarping of loads. They exposed us to ways of working within the hos and maximizing our miles. They help with financial planning and things at home when you're on the road.

Straight shooting. They will not paint a rosy picture just to get your butt into a seat. We've had in depth conversations during class about many of the negatives to being a flatbed otr driver and videos showing the possible injuries.
There was a guy in the class who said his recruiter gave him information that wasn't Melton Policy regarding home time and the instructor didn't say " recruiters lie" he said "that isn't the policy, who did you speak with and lets get the correct information in the hands of the recruiters. He then walked next door to have a talk with them to recruiting to make sure everyone is on the same page. They DO not want people filling the seats only to discover flatbed otr isnt for them.

It will be long days away from home, in a dangerous profession. You will secure and tarp loads in temps from -20 to 120.
They will shoot it to you straight, and then give you the tools to be successful on the road.

Everyone of their employees and drivers that I've met thus far have all said Melton was a good company to work for.
I'm impressed with the orientation program and look forward to getting on the trainer truck on Monday. Lord willing, I'll be with them for many years to come.

 

The biggest reason for doing this thread is after reading so many negative stories of the recruiters with various companies promising a pie in the sky that I was concerned what the reality would be when I got off the plane in tulsa. My experience thus far with Melton is they don't sugar coat it to get you in the seat and that it is all about transparency. Work efficiently taking pride in what you do and be rewarded.

Skyviper, you are an experienced trucker who has slammed doors as well as the flatbedding so truly know the differences and what appeals to you. I am new to the industry with lots to learn. On the orientation yard, I enjoyed crawling around on the loads securing and tarping in effort to do each successive one better/quicker than the last. It was 85 and sunny with very little wind. You are correct, I may get out there and feel the frustration with wind/cold/ice/heat and decide I need to reevaluate my choice of trucking venue of skateboarding versus doorslamming.

You gave skateboarding a few years and I'll be the same way. I am thankful to Melton for hiring me straight out of school, investing in training and offering me a home for my trucking career. I imagine I'll love the challenges of flatbeding and stay with Melton throughout my career for many years until I retire. If I get out there and just don't dig it, and like you said, the frustration and pain is just more than I want to endure, then personally knowing my work ethic, I'll still work hard for Melton and be the best driver I can be for them for at least a year before entertaining other options.

Tomorrow I meet my trainer with whom I'll be with for the next 21 days. If he is a get it done kinda guy with a positive outlook, good attitude and strong work ethic, that would be ideal. If not, then it is just 21 days and I'll learn all I can, work hard and not get bent if we do have a personality conflict.

 

Will do ... Joe had us on the tulsa terminal yard helping melton drivers patching tarps. It was a cool way to meet you guys and get tips from you guys who are getting it done.

 

The first few loads have been good. No waiting at either the cosigner or cosignees. We've been running ahead of schedule so took a layover one night at lakeside casino in Iowa and the next in Newton Kansas.
Both were pipe loads and easy tarping. Tomorrow dropping then routing through tulsa for snow chains.

Enjoy your time back running skateboards.