Any Tidewater Transit drivers here?

@RevKev - don't you work for Tidewater?

 

Yes sir, I work for Tidewater...4.5 years now.

 

I drive for Tidewater, out of their Decatur, AL terminal. Not sure what terminal you're near. Each terminal seems to operate a bit differently, having different types of runs, etc. Even so, I'd expect grossing $40k would be extremely easy to do your first year. Could probably even take a month or so off without pay and still make that -- not that a terminal would encourage taking a month off

I made in the mid-50s my first year, including the period of training pay, and I did take off just over 2 weeks off (divided up for various things throughout the year) without pay. Back then we were paid by cpm. Starting Nov '15 the company went to percentage pay on most runs. That's worked out much better!

 

I'm hoping to go that way myself. Loved the Decatur terminal

 

Ah, the home office. I've actually never been to that one!

 

I've worked for the Tidewater Transit Kingsport, TN yard for 8 years. RevKev is right, percentage pay has given us a raise, and all terminals vary in operations. Some haul more dry bulk, others more chemical. Kingsport is both, so I do both. Even their OTR is home more often than traditional OTR. Our yard has about 40-50 trucks I'd say, and I usually don't sit with nothing to do. Another good thing is that tankers don't usually sit waiting to be loaded or loaded most of the time. In and out of most places in 2 hours or less. Might even be drop/hook. My only gripe is upper management of course. Just like any other place, their job seems to make ours more difficult. I don't trust any upper management. But as far as my immediate dispatchers, and terminal manager and shop guys-they are great and easy to work for.

Benefits are expensive. You will have no problem earning $50K. Pay your dues, be patient, and get a run or couple of regular runs that are predictable, and you can do better. I work hard-6 sometimes 7 days a week by choice, and I'll do about $70K.

 

I got to meet @Fishbait today. Pretty interesting guy. I think I talked his ear off.