Opti-Idle VS. APU (Shaffer)

In this day of modern technology, I wouldn't work for a company that has opti-idle, even for more pay.
With opti-idle the truck engine starts and stops automatically when the temperature reaches a high or low temperature. This means, every time the truck engine cuts off or starts, you and your husband and dog wake up.
I shouldn't say I won't work for a company with opti-idle, because that's a broad statement, but I would at least put them on the bottom of the list, but just above companies that don't have opti-idle or APU.

 

I drove for Shaffer for 6 months. With the opti idle it is tricky to set. The gear shifter has to be in netural and the splitter flipped up and if someone or something (like dogs) were to bump it it could turn the opti idle off. It has its advantages as it runs off the trucks engine and such.

Apus have their own engine and can faulter out. Opti Idle can stop working too though. Like Chinatown said I would rather have the apu unit. Just set the temp and you are good to go. If you get the sequence wrong for the opti idle it wont set and could drain your batteries, among other things.

 

Did you find out anything about Heyl?

 

Shaffer was a decent company. This has been a few years back. The miles weren't good at first cause they put me in a crappy truck that kept breaking down. Once I got a new truck the miles picked up cause I wasn't sitting in the shop all the time. They kept me in the Northeast a lot. I live in southern Ohio. Only time I got south of Pennsylvania at times, was to go home on home time. Some of their shippers are a pain to get to, but of the reefer companies that I am familoar with, they are probably one of the better ones.

I left there cause I wanted a dedicated route. I was promised one at Shaffer, and at the last minute they backed out and refused to let me be on it. The company I left for gave me a dedicated route that was closer to the house that let me get by the house a few days of the week.

 

Honestly, as a newbie, he isnt going to find better money than what Shaffer is offering, at least what I have found. They are one of the better reefer companies, like I said. Is he pulling reefers right now?

Btw, they do have a free rider policy. Minus training my wife rode with me from day 1.