ATS/school

Thanks for the heads up, but I got one a while ago! And you are right, there is a lot of good info in their. Heck, just having the sunrise and sunset times is worth the cost. I just delivered generators to D.C. for the big event, then spent the weekend in northern VA. now I load in NJ in the a.m. to deliver to the Detroit area. Siiiiiigggghhhhhh, so much for a trip to the southwest!

 

A brief update, those of you in the biz already know that freight sucks! And flats are even worse. This isn't an ATS problem its industry wide. However, the company is cutting back BIG TIME! They already let between 2-300 drivers go(depending on who you talk to)€, as well as several FM's and other support staff. I have survived this round but I expect there to be others. But my miles are way,way down. Last weeks pay check after taxes, ins. Etc., was a whopping $1.95! And this week will only have one very short run on it. I had to cash in all my vacation pay to get something home for next week. So much for using it for Christmas! I don't think ill make it much longer on these miles.

 

How about calling the DOT? I doubt the trucks are fully compliant if they keep the rates in the cellar. Be nice to hear of the DOT doing something FOR us instead of just looking for revenue. Worth a shot anyway, especiallybsince you can make it reeeeaaaaallll easy for them. Loading times, shipper, prob even the make and color of the truck?

 

Venison, it definetly adds credence to the rumors that they are trying to get some more people to quit! Not likely to unemployment if you quit, but no money going home is really no different. Personally I am gonna stay as long as I can. Not many people out here are very busy so I'm not convinced a diff co would be better. Although refer should always be pretty safe, people gotta eat! I'm getting things in place just in case.

 

Ok, time for a brief update. Freight has picked up a bit but miles are still

down. And unfortunetly other things have gotten worse here. We are now tracked CLOSELY on pur route. Any out of route miles need to be explained. Addee to this hassle we now have our fuel cards "closed" ie we can only fuel at designated stops. This may npt spund bad but ake ths load for example. I was routed on US59 out of St. Louis all the ay down to Houston. Problem? We have NO fuel stops on that route! So I obviously had to go "off route". They ae still letting folks go for any reason. One friend just got let go for an accident when someone cut him off in traffic. I know th first response is "of course". But this guy has been here for over 4 years, has a million miles under his belt, and just recently got a pretty nice award from a customer AND the company for a dedicatd act he ran for over a year. Plus he was a lease driver so it nas all his insurance! I would now have to advise caution with this company. They have changed for the worst in the last 6 months, DRASTICALLY! They are quickly becoming just another big company. They haven't reached th status of J.B. Hunt or CR England yet, but are running full speed down that road. I am actively looking elsewhere. I do not like the recent changes here at all. And don't want to wait to see how bad it will get.