Trimac or Tidewater Transit

Where in SC are you located?

 

I worked for TWT years ago they aren't the company they use to be for sure. I can't speak for Trimac haven't worked their but from what I've seen their equipment is beat. You should check into Eagle Transport in Spartanburg I've been with them in Kingsport going on 4 years now and it is hands down the best trucking company I've ever worked for. If you need further info shoot me a pm and I'll answer what I can about them.

 

The benefit with Trimac is you can move to their "Elite Fleet" after 24 months. A couple of their Elite Fleet drivers post they make over $100K. But, this is running coast to coast.
Personally, for running OTR, I'd take the beat up equipment and bigger paychecks.

 

I'd be more concerned with the average salary than what a few of their drivers might make we got guys that make 6 figures but I'm not gonna say anyone who works there is gonna make that. And running beat up equipment is fine if you don't mind the DOT painting a bullseye on you not to mention you'll be dealing with more break downs.

 

I can only speak for the Elite Team which I am currently on. Trimac is the best company I have ever been with. My pay, benefits and treatment are all top notch. I appreciate that they don't have any policies that are in effect to screw the driver. I appreciate that I can idle all I want, that I have every toll pass you can get and that nobody is breathing down my neck.

Trimac's main and in my opinion only major problem is equipment. Our trucks are old and management made the horrible decision to buy used trucks instead of new and that made the problem worse. If you come here you will not be issued a new truck. I have been down many times. Breakdown pay is excellent however. Usually it's only for a day or two. The age of our fleet is a problem though and the buying of used trucks is one of the dumbest ideas ever. Now, they are buying new truck finally but the damage to our reputation is already done. I have never had a problem with DOT.

Little perks you get. They will install a big inverter and a fridge in your truck for free. Want a better seat, no problem. Little things like that, they aren't petty. The want drivers to stay.

In summary, I don't have any idea where I would go to make more money, I am very well paid. My average length of haul is over 1600 miles and 80 percent of unloads I don't do anything but sit on my butt. I'm paid from the minute I get to the tank wash to the minute the tank is cleaned. I'm paid for every road expense I incur. If I need to replace a light or other light maintenance I get paid for that. I only can speak for the Elite Team and I have very little info on the day to day of a branch driver.

 

I am a Trimac Driver and am not on the Elite Team but agree with Ethos comments regarding the benefits. The training pay was $800 per week which was better than any other company I have seen and they paid for all meals and put me in a Holiday Inn Express with a room by myself. I have recently been assigned my own Truck, 2011 Freightliner that is in reasonably good shape with inverter and fridge. No restrictions on idle time and management has been good to work with. Completed about 2300 miles last week and so far no complaints.