Maverick Transportation

I talked to a Maverick driver who came into where I now work. He said that Maverick is enforcing the log rules now. (You know ;the logs and reaility) He said they fired 50 drivers 2 wks ago for log violations. We all know that when you are at a shipper and have to wait 3 hrs to load that it has been common to log as off duty not driving so that one can have more driving time within the allowed 14. Now is more common to log on duty not driving. Anyway he said that average miles he other drivers he has talked to is 1500 miles. The Little Rock yard is full of empty trucks and the back yard behind the office is full of trailers. He has been there 2 yrs and is now in the top 500 on senority roster. He said it is going to be difficult to get 2500 or more miles now. The ranks at Maverick have thinned dramatically. From what I read on posts I have no reason to doubt what he says. It looks like the "good days" at Maverick are in the past.

 

Mailman, I don't know who you got your information from but it is somewhat incorrect. There is talk of having to match log to q-com but it is not official policy yet I have heard it will take effect anywhere from 2 months to 1 year from now. As for miles I average around 2k. Yes, Maverick has thinned the ranks so have alot of other carriers the " Good Ole Day's " in this industy have been gone along time. However, I am willing to bet Maverick survives this economy the company is well managed despite what you might read on this forum. The empty trucks in Little Rock are 05 models that are due to be traded or sold. Are times different? Yes,But in trucking and most other industry's it is going to survival of the fittest for the next couple of years. In reference to the turnover rate most carriers have had this problem for quite a while alot of it due to people who get into trucking and for what ever reason cannot handle the lifestyle. The miles will come back I don't know when but they will.

 

Well, it has been talk for some time about logs matching QQ's at Maverick Transportation. I think that from what I have heard; many experienced drivers will eventually leave Maverick over this event because, according to their reasoning; they will not be able to earn a descent living.

Any driver will have to account for shipper delays and delays at consignees, traffic and you-name-it including being 30 minutes from shipper or consignee, but you can't get there because ur out of time; all of which eat away at valuable driving time and this WILL cost any driver loads which translates into $$$. Of course, that means that Maverick will not be able to guarantee timely delivery either and this will mean a loss of clients and $$$ for them as well; but this will be a huge gain for OO's who can guarantee on time delivery and will not be constrained by QQ.

Now, I am not advocating breaking the law here in this forum. But, I do not know of a single driver personally, who does not "fudge" their log book from time to time and you can be darn sure that whether you are or ever have been a OTR driver; you have too! It is rare of me to find otherwise.

I recently spoke with a man who knows a DOT officer and his quote to me was that the DOT KNOWS that drivers cheat their log book. However, they still want you to make it legal on your book, legible to read, and abide by the law, i.e, dont speed and follow the 11-14 rule, have your logs up-to-date. Other than that, it's your business and your butt, not theirs.

If it gets to the point that drivers are not able to get descent miles and make a good living, whether at Maverick or any transportation company for that matter; experienced or not, that driver WILL leave and the company will suffer also, no questions asked...

P.S. I bet insurance premiums are much lower for experienced drivers than non-experienced drivers which would behoove any transportation company to do what they can to keep the experienced drivers. Just my 2 cents worth...

 

Dannyboy, FYI O/O will also be subject to the new laws they will be required to have an ECM installed or will not be able to purchase base plates. This is set for 2010 right now but could be delayed again.

 

Not accepting recent graduates as of now. The guy that answered the recruiting phone didn't seem too clued in.

 

JFR,

I see. Well, as of right now, I think that Maverick has about all the people that they can use. However, keep trying because I know that during the winter, they lost a few people and so they may be going through attrition until the economy rebounds. But, I hope that you get in!

 

Maverick is hiring experienced drivers only around 3 to 5 a week.

 

Been working for Maverick for over a year and a half. I stop by North Little Rock, "THE ROCK" everychance I get. Last stop was approx 2 weeks ago. I always talk with recruiting to see what their current status is. As of 2 weeks ago, taking experienced OTR drivers, w at least 1 year OTR. 10 a week.

 

From what I have read the past 6 months, Maverick has really trimmed down, not only in number of trucks, but also in advantages to the drivers. I understand the economy is a factor but the facts speak for themselves. When someone as loyal as notarps leave, that shows the downward spiral of the quality of life for the drivers. I guess the times only make this inevitable for most companies. It is still sad to see a lifestyle change in a negative way, especially for such a good company as Maverick as been in the past. It appears that Maverick might not be the best of choice if one qualifies for something better.

 

As of my last visit to HQ in North Little Rock, last week, 6mos OTR experience