McLane Western

I'm not a recruiter. I am a route driver.

I've been working at McLane Western in Longmont, CO, for almost two years, and I've by and large enjoyed my experience there. It's been tough lately because we're hurting for guys, which is why I came to this forum in search of some drivers, but too much work is typically a good problem to have.

That they pay me well and have a good benefits package doesn't hurt, but I appreciate McLane because they do their best to treat me well, employ a management team that I get along well with, and give generously to our local children's hospital. There are rough days and difficult customers, but I don't think I've ever left our dispatch office feeling unfairly treated or ignored. And that I appreciate.

 

I've not been to Houston, but I'm sorry to hear you had a rough experience.

That said, please don't take offense when I say that I'm always skeptical of those who would say the company is jacked up. I've worked with a few guys who could never be pleased. There's always something wrong, and they're always eager to moan and groan about something, because it's easier to blame your employer for your daily stress than it is to take responsibility for your negative and ungrateful attitude.

Again, I'm not saying this is you. You may have very valid reasons for your frustration. I've just found that the most outspoken critics are usually the most self-entitled drivers.

 

Sure thing.

Pros:
I'll make 80k this year without a college degree for delivering candy and water. Not bad.
I earn money while I'm sleeping in the bunk and listening to podcasts in the driver seat.
I'm not OTR. I am home regularly, and I'm not showering in truck stops or gaining 500 lbs.
The job is autonomous. I take a break when I want, pick where I want to have lunch, and take in the sights, be they the mountains of CO, the wild horses of WY, or the pretty girls downtown.
Dispatch doesn't treat me like garbage.
The trucks are well maintained by the on-site shop crew.
It takes a lot to get fired.

Cons:
I drive mostly at night.
If I had family, the first year would be an adaptation process.
Occasionally, I don't like the guy I'm working with.
Issues come up anytime you're dealing with people and technology.
We currently have too few drivers for the workload, so I'm working my butt off.
It takes a lot to get fired.

Typical work day:
Come in at 1900. Prep the truck. If I'm driving out, I grab some water, some coffee and get on the road. Maybe I'm only going to Denver. Maybe I'm crossing Wyoming. Whatever the case, I know beforehand so that I've either taken a nap to prep for the night drive, or if I'm sleeping out, I've not slept in a while so I can sleep well in the bunk.
If I drive out, maybe I deliver a few stops by myself or maybe I wake up my buddy as soon as we get to the first stop. It just depends on what time we think we'll be back. My codriver can't come on any sooner than his 14 will allow for us to get back home, or else we're calling for a "rescue."
Driving in the winter is tough. Driving in the summer is great. The mountains are beautiful and dangerous. Go slow and pair up with a guy you trust. The job isn't deadly, but don't be stupid.

Weekly gross varies. I make between 1600 and 2100/wk, but I don't have family at home and there's a lot of new work available. I'd say that after your second raise, it's easy to make 75/yr doing three solid routes or four easy routes per week. I'll gross 80+ this year.

Equipment: automatics. They're well maintained and clean. Mostly new model Freightliners and Volvos. We're typically in sleepers with 53 ft trailers. If you're going downtown Denver, you're pulling a 36. We have a few 48s and one pup. And a box truck. The dollys, or "wheelers," are solid. You'll learn to dance with it in the back of your trailer. It takes some practice learning to use the brakes, but once you get it it's not that hard to move thousands of lbs of product.