Question about Sodrel Truck Lines

Bumping this because I'm curious if anyone out there knows anything about them. I went to their CDL school's seminar and was pretty impressed with them. I know the source wasn't exactly unbiased, but I liked what I heard.

 

Bumping this for the same reasons as cellopudding... Anyone know anything about Sodrel ??

 

I know they haul mail, and I believe they are based in Jeffersonville, IN.

 

Sodrel does carry a lot of mail, especially in the Indpls area. They run straight trucks out to the surrounding counties post offices, been doing it a long time. I also see a lot of day cab class 8 trucks with tag axles. I don't believe they get out far from Indiana, maybe a state away or so. I think they run an extra board, but its conjecture. I remember seeing them in the '70s in Iowa. Have always run Macks. These comments are all based on observation and living in Indiana for a long time.

 

Hiving gone to and graduated from their school I know a little bit about them. They are a family owned postal contractor. They do run an extra board, but from what I was told they move people off the board and onto a schedule pretty quickly. They also service a variety of other customers in the Indianapolis and Louisville area, including Eli Lilly. They seem like a good company to work for. I Actually got to meet the owner; seems like a nice guy who genuinely cares about his drivers.

 

I know this is old but if any body else happens to be looking around and wants information on Sodrel here's a little bit. Anything else, just ask. (I currently work there)
So we'll start off with what every cares about the most, Money.
Starting pay is $25/hr for your first 60 days. If you take insurance from your spouse or the military, you'll stay at that rate. otherwise, after 60 days, you'll drop to $19.56/hr. Everybody makes the same amount at Sodrel.
You get paid every other week, and I average $1700 take home.
It is hourly pay, but at the same time it's not. You get paid for what the run is scheduled. for instance, I run to Fort Wayne and Lafayette every day, it pays 12 hours. If it takes you less or more time, you get 12 hours, unless the post office gives you a late slip.
Expect to work 6-7 days a week, every week until you get a bid. even then, some bids are 6 days a week bids.
You are home every single night though, so that's a plus.
You will be driving very old trucks. We have 18 new Macks and 18 new Freightliners on the way, but unless you've been at Sodrel for 10-15 years, all you'll get to do is look at them. The trucks you'll drive are from 1995-1998. If you're lucky, you'll get a 2000-2002 sometimes.
Pre 1997 are 5 Speed Macks with a low/hi range selector
post 1998 are 6 speed Macks.
All the new trucks are Automatics.
Most of what Sodrel does is haul mail, and some of these post offices are tight. especially the downtown post office. you have 55ft of room from the nose of the trailers on the door to the wall. 52ft in some areas.


If anybody is still interested in Sodrel and has any other questions, post them and I'll answer them the best I can.

 

I was told by ex employee that now works for us that Sodrel has driver pointed cameras. True or not?

 

Yea driver and road pointed mounted on the windshield. It only records when you hit the red button though. Then it keeps the last 30 seconds of footage.

 

Always was fascinated by Sodrel & the SOdrelLOgistics trailers, love the paint job & the front tag axle is definitely unique.

First saw one of you guys at the Eli & Lily place we were loading at just west of Indy a long long time ago.

Just this morning around 0330 I saw one of you guys blow by me going & holding 71mph on I70EB through the mountains around Washington,PA hauling a trailer that said "For job #### use only," which was intresting since I have never seen a trailer of yours marked as a dedicated like that before.

(S)he definately knew how to handle the curves at speed.

How long & tall are your trailers & can you slide tandems on them?

Does the tag axle drop automatically or do you have control of it?
Does it ride any different down vs up?

How are they on DOT required repair issues on equipment?

How are the attitudes of office staff & other drivers?

Do you do any meet & turns?

So taking health insurance through Sodrel costs you $5.44/hr?
How good is the insurance?

Any talk of raises?
How long has the pay been at that amount?

Sounds like they pay like R&L carriers; do they at least dispatch the load so you miss rush hours in the big cities in practice?

Thanks much.