System Transport, Spokane Washington

Was told yesterday to pick up a Load for another driver and meet him to swap loads. Said no problem as it was going to work well for me. I get his loaded and he shows up with an empty trailer and no idea of another load. I loaded his and mine after. It's things like that, that really irritate me.

 

Welcome to my world lol, lack of communication at System is the usual thing.

 

That's my biggest issue

 

I'm starting soon with system trans out of Washington. I live in lacey/olympia area. And I will be doing the maxi fleet stuff. What's should I expect in training? Are the trucks all autos now? Or can I choose a manual transmission? What's the pay really like? And where all should I expect to go. I asked to be home more because I really would like to spend time with the family. Hated being out three weeks at a time. Anyway hope to get some good info from you all

 

You won't be going far on that fleet the few that I knew on that fleet weren't getting a lot of miles and we're home most weekends

 

Well ####, that sucks
I hear they have all autos now is that true?

 

I checked out a T680 in Ok City on Friday that was sitting there and it was an auto. That was the word when I did orientation the first week of sept that all the trucks are going to auto. I've heard from a few guys their not bad... except when climbing hills. I still have a stick.. wanna hold onto this beast as long as possible!

 

They have some autos and are buying more, but they're far from being all autos at this point. Not much chance of you getting a brand new auto as a rookie driver. They're going to put you in something well used.

On the Maxi fleet you will probably spend a lot of time driving back and forth between Spokane and Portland or Seattle and tarping practically everything you haul.

I have no idea what those guys are getting paid these days.

 

Not all yet when I was still with them it was maybe 20% or 30% of the fleet but remember they all have drive cameras which are really sensitive compared to the company I'm with now

 

System is either really great for you or it stinks.

As a new driver, it's not bad at all, just from the training standpoint. If you have experience, unless you have a driving/criminal record that's getting in the way, there is only one fleet there that pays well, except the local Heavy Haul /Maxi-fleet guys.

On the upside, you'll be home every week. On the downside, you could work a local job at $16 an hour and make as much and be home every DAY. It's all about skills, certifications, Canada Eligible (and willing) and driving/criminal record. I just talked to a recruiter who offered me $0.37 a mile and acted like she was doing me a favor. I laughed in her face.

This whole industry is insane with regards to pay. It goes from BAD ($30k per year) decent ($50k+ per year) to good ($60+ per year) to amazing ($80-100K per year) and as far as I can tell, there is no rational basis for 80% of it.

I still recommend System for new drivers, because I think everyone that CAN do flatbed, should start out doing it just because it will teach you a lot about trucking. The training is terrific and the pay is decent, if not good. Do 6-months to a year there and move on. I've been driving a bit less than 2 years now and I make as much or more than my 1st trainer from System, (5 years OTR) who is on the highest-paying fleet in the company. -And I don't have to throw tarps. And my health insurance is HALF of what System would have cost me.