Need To Make A Decision. RoadOne or CSX???

I work for Road One (Roadlink). Every company will have pros and cons.

#1 Even though there's no forced dispatch you shouldn't go in thinking that you can pick and choose your loads everytime. Everything is 1st come 1st serve unless you're on a dedicated route. Btw, there aren't any "official" dedicated runs, but if you can manage your time very well then you can get to your destination and back everyday for the next pick up. So dedicate'ish. On the open board just expect to get a mix of light and heavy stuff.

#2 The income quote is a fair estimate provided that the work is there. Like every company there will be peaks and lows in this regard.

#3 CSX, Road One, and other intermodal companies are pretty much the same. The main thing that you'll have to ask yourself is if you want to deal with the rail yards AND intermodal equipment. Sometimes you'll be sitting there all day trying to "flip" a chassis, or if the billing wasn't processed, or simply waiting on a train to get there and unload. Every yard has a personality that you'll have to learn to Live with. I can say that Road One does NOT pay detention at the rail. Forget whatever a recruiter will say regarding this. However, if a shipper detains you then after 2.25hrs you'll earn it. Yes, the clock starts after 2hrs but it's paid in 15min increments so in reality it's 2.25hrs.

I've heard that CSX equipment is worse than Pacer ones. In any case, you'll learn to be a mechanic regarding these chassis for the sole reason of avoiding waiting in the Roadability line to get it fixed by their mechanics. Some yards are better/faster than others regarding this - again, personality. You'll also learn to absolutely HATE 10R/20 tires lol. They blow like they were made for it. The heavier the load the more likely it'll happen (which is another reason o/o's tend to avoid the heavy crap). Put air in the tires or not - it seems not to matter.

I could go on and on but like I said before, the main thing you have to consider is if you want to deal with the equipment. Companies like Road One don't own it, and therefore aren't responsible for maintaining it. CSX might be different since they literally have equipment with their name on it, but as I mention before, I've heard that they don't maintain theirs any better than Pacer does. Road One does try to give you all the supplies you'll need for minor fixes like lights, grommets, wiring for the lights, mudflaps, crank handles, gladhands+seals, and zip ties. The only reasons to go to roadability are flat/bad tires, abs, missing lock pins, expired/missing inspection sticker/paperwork, and some other major stuff.

 

Yeah. No company will pay you detention at the rails. And .. IF THEY DO - I can guarantee you that they will take it out of the base pay of the load, of course they arent gonna tell you this. They'll just tell you they'll pay detention for sitting the rails to get you off their back. Company I work with, customer has two hours free time then detention starts.

 

What are do you work in for Road One. I am in Boston and used to be leased on with them

 

really look into this i hear road one pays better than csx even though csx has a plate program you still have to be able to make money to pay for it csx rates are much lower than what they pay there contractors in st louis you can do a load for csx and be paid 325.00 and do the same load for all pts or cardinal and be paid 450.00 same with detention csx 50 others 60 or 65 look and make them produce proof not just one day but at least 30 there fleet supervisor {joke} will try to show you spread sheets

 

JB Hunt does pay detention at rails. Rail delay pay starts after 1 hour for us in Harrisburg. I'm a company driver but I'm pretty sure owner operators collect detention pay at the rails as well.

 

JB in Chicago detention starts at 1.25 hrs. And I'll be dammned I hit the out gate at 1:10 every time.

 

Our company doesnt pay us for being in the rails. It'd be nice..........but they dont. And as far as I'm concerned, those companies who pay for rails take it out of the line haul rate some how, some way. I firmly believe that that's what companies do to "get the drivers" off their back.

 

55 minutes myself over 90% of the time...right before I can collect rail delay.