Interstate Distributor

BigRig what is your truck number?

 

Yes, thank you. I called yesterday to get all my questions answered. It is 3 months. So we're now planning when she'll go to school. Thanks BigRigFisher.

 

Never do per diem!!

 

Can you tell me about interstate? They offered my hubby to run on the refrigerated side and western states only can you fill us in on how it is

 

I spoke to a recuiter today. They offer new drivers for reefer western $7500 bonus with hazmat over 12 months. that averages to $625/month bonus. starting pay solo is 36.5/mi and goes up .05/3 months to 38.5 at 12 months. with the bonus, that's pretty decent I think.

 

I'm set up now to go to Interstate on May 16th for orientation. I'll be in the western 11 reefer division. I'll be based in Tacoma and live less than 30mins from that terminal. This will be my first trucking company so I'm excited and think that it will be a good fit for me espicially as my first company. I wanted to do flat bed but I think the benefits of this company outway the benefits of doing flatbed with system or some other company. The perks, for me, are
1. home time every 10-14 days. I think more home time just makes it an easier transition as a new driver. I don't want to get burned out with driving staying out 4wks at a time to begin with. the 11 western means I don't have to deal with the east coast for now which I appreciate.
2. Good benefits. they kick in I think the first day of the month after 30 days of employment including 401k with company match. i belive the vesting period is only 2 years.
3. 4 weeks with trainer as opposed some companies that want at least 4 weeks and many want more than that.
4. Decent pay at 36.5/mile to begin with .5/mile raises every 3 months until hitting 38.5. 10 cents of that is per diem which helps with taxes i guess but if you don't take the per diem and do straight pay, then you loose 1 cent/mile in pay. I'm not enough of an accountant to know which option is better.
5. $7500 bonus over one year with hazmat. this averages to $625/month which is like an extra 1/2 week of bonus pay. I like that it's paid out over a year as opposed to 2 years.
6. Everyone says they have good equipment. Looks like KW 680 and freighliners. they come with a fridge and inverter so that's nice.

Downsides:
1. No APU. I guess they allow some idling though but still
2. Reefer isn't my first choice for a couple of reasons. i don't want to listen to it and I understand there are some frustrations with the wait times at dist centers and sporatic delivery times. I'm pretty laid back overall and don't need a huge paycheck to get by so I can just use that time to relax. We'll see how i feel about it more when I do it. I'm also getting some nice earplugs that are supposed to be comfortable to help with the noise issue.
3. Pay could be a little better but I think it's good enough. I'm hoping to make $1000/week in my first year (with my bonus and everything). After that, we'll see where it goes from there.

 

Orientation is compelte! Looking at getting on the road Saturday morning with my trainer. He is hoping to go thru 28 days all at once with no home time. I told him I would try but after a couple days, I'm going to re evaluate if that is still possible. Here are some of my impressions of the training experience and first impressions at Interstate:

I went thru in the Tacoma terminal which is the main terminal. Our class had 9 students to start but one guy had trouble with his medical so we graduated 8. Pay was $225. Day one included a DOT physical, drug screen (hair and urine), drive test and backing test. The physical my BP couldn't get low enough so I wound up with a 1 yr card. Oh well. The drive test I did fine. The backing, I messed up and blindsided a cone. The backing involves backing thru a curve. Kind of combo between an offset and a 90. I was just told it's something I'll need to work on with my trainer.

2nd day was safety. We did a vehicle pre trip. discussed some things that will get you fired right away. 1. cell phone ticket, 2. 15+ speeding, 3. seatbelt violation. 4. 10k in damages preventable. I'm sure there are others but those are the main ones to watch out for.

3rd day Benefits. They kick in the first of the month following 30 days. So for me, July 1st. They are pretty decent. $50/month discount if you are tob free and do an annual physical. No real choices of benefits but they are decent. 401k matches 25% of up to 6% of your salaray. So if you make 50,000 in a year and contribute 10% of your wage, they will match $750. Not the best but oh well. It's vested after 2 years. Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, and life are offered.

4th day short day, Met the fleet managers. One of mine happens to be a former driver so that's really cool. They seem very accomodating about flexing for home time and driver needs. Just execute good communication. If you want to drive, they will drive you. If you want to go slow, go slow (just not late). My FM said he shoots for a min of $2200 miles/week for each driver.

Facilities: I would say they are very good. Everything is kept up very nicely. The shop looks super clean. The Tacoma terninal is basically treated like a truck stop with showers, snacks, a cafeteria, wiifietc. I would say the feel of the place is one that has grown over the years but has always been kept up. Is it perfect? No, there could be more of this or that but the main things are there.

Hotel: I stayed at the Shilo Inn. It was nice. They book single occupancy. First day we shuttle the couple miles to the terminal. After that, we borrow the company vehicle. I live nearby so I used my personal vehicle. Nice breakfast which a basic waffle/pancake option. fruit, yogurt, coffee. Nothing fance but more than offbrand cereal and a packaged pastry.

Staff: This was pretty interesting. A lot of the staff we met were folks with a lot of experience at Interstate. They were bought out in 2011 by Saltchuck corp and many staff comment on the improvements that have happened since. They seem very postive and happy overall. Everyone was very helpful. One trainer was pretty straight shooting "this is the realities of trucking" guy but very experienced.

Oraganization: The training was very well organized. It flowed smoothly as it should condiering they do it every monday. Information was clear, lots of details. As a new driver, I felt kinda overwhelmed though I would say keeping your stuff organized is going to be a key component to being successful. If you're constantly scrambling to find or lookup something or where something was placed, you're F'ed.

Vehicles: Freighliners 10 speed manual eaton fuller. I think they are 2013+. They have some kenworth 680s that I'm told they are doing away with since they didn't like them. not sure why. They got some autos recently that they are going to try but I have no details on them beyond that. They have small fridges, 1000 inverter, no APU. They have an idle policy of 20%summer and 10%winter months.

I think that's enough for now. If this info is helpful and you decide to join Interstate, feel free to pass along my driver code lindja to recruiting. I'll do my best to answer Qs but please check interstate's website for details as well.

 

Im driving a 2012 freightliner. Very few KW's here. The trucks will idle when its 70 degrees outside or warmer. We do quite a bit of local deliveries inbetween our regular runs which cut into our hours. Im on the dry van side with lots of drop n hook. Im getting about 2500 miles a week and get home after 7 days out for a day or two off. If you use a c pap machine they will set the truck where you can idle every nite while on your 10 hr break. Freindly people here!

 

I was not aware that they take new students here.

 

TE="rachi, post: 5218503, member: 39508"]I was not aware that they take new students here.[/QUOTE]
Depends on the trucking school you go to.

 

Thanks for the info. I spoke to a recruiter today. Just need App process to go good.

Will be running out of Fontana if hired. and starting at 0.40cpm on the Western 11 Reefer side.

Hope to keep hearing good things from you!