Anyone have any Feedback on Smithway

I had a flat 7/01/09 out side the shipper after I was loaded. This was at 1530 hrs. It took until 0930 hrs. the next day before I could get someone in breakdown. I followed all the procedures like I was supposed too. My driver manager couldn't even get them. Nobody could. So I sat on the side of the road. Now to be completely honest they did pay me for layover even though policy states they dont have to. That still doesn't make up for ther actions or the amount I could have my by making my app. time and hauling a nother load. Good luck to the rest of ya'll SMX drvers. I have found employment else where.

 

SMX was a wonderful company BEFORE the merger with Western. We had decent loads and great communication. It wasn't anything for my hubby to get breakdown on the phone.. or any other department.

THEN the merger. In the last 4 months that Western has totally taken over.. we have yet to have a paycheck come to us right. Every week we are on the phone with payroll with missing miles, tolls not reimbursed (the last one was the turnpike and now its 5 weeks and counting.. still nothing). Tarp pays missing. All we here is "we'll fix it.. no problem, it'll show up next week". Yeah, and the check's in the mail.

They have told us the 2.50 a week for driver services is for the EZPass and for trip packs. You've gotta be kidding me. EZPass saves the COMPANY money!! They get reduced toll fees!!! And they no longer use trip packs.. but the fee is still there going strong to the company.

As to ethics? There are none that I can see. They nearly demand that the drivers run off their books. Its either sitting still, little less than 100 mile runs, or runs that are impossible to do legally. Very little middle ground. Pre plans are almost unheard of. Lately they've told us that they don't even look for another load until the empty call comes in. Then your sitting for 5-6 hours hoping that the 14 hour rule doesn't kick in and you're facing another illegal run or fighting with the dispatcher that you can't possibly take it in.

I am the wife of a trucker, but I'm also his secretary. I keep all the books with the numbers and all the transfloed sheets just for the next time they screw up. Wish I could hold down a job like their payroll does where I could be wrong 80% of the time with no consequences. Must be nice. No one answers the phones and they MIGHT call you back 3-5 hours later if your lucky. Messages, same thing.

I applaud the truckers out there. Before I got married, I had no idea how much went into this job.. and it can't be easy. I just hope we find something else soon, before I have to make a doctors appointment for the ulcers he's GOTTA be developing!

 

I worked for SMX from 3/2006-thru-12/2007.. My 1st 3mnths was great then the dispatcher(Dennis R.) starting trying to run me illegal 40% of the time.. My last 4mnths thier "Right after the western take over" I was east coast. Maine to dc..

They suck stay away from them.....Everyone...

 

Well, for the last two months or so it seems like all I do is fight for decent loads. Yes, I am still at Smithway. The truck is paid for and I am just waiting for the title. A week and a half ago the S*** really hit the fan. They threaten to shut me down, fire me, and fire my dispatcher over log pages that were sent in twice by transflo a week prior. The only reason I didn't tell them to go F*** themselves is I didn't want my dispatcher, who is a really good guy, to lose his job over this BS and I was scheduled to pick up a load that allowed me to give a good friend a ride home. This has become the most anti-driver company I have ever dealt with.

DRIVER BEWARE.......and go flip burgers at McDonalds.

 

SMX WAS a great company. However; once Western Express took it over it went to the dogs. Western Exp could care less about any of their drivers and I personally cant wait to find another job and get away from there

 

.36 is not good, TMC has always paid more than that, so does maverick.

 

SMX? Been thier done that and wouldn't do it again! Worked thier from 3/2006-to-12/2007 (no accidents or log viol. while there). My last 3mnths there was "ALL" east coast and never got home anywhere close to my hometime.
Tolls, tolls, tolls, lumpers, lumpers, lumpers....$350 a wk paychecks for 3 mnths....I never complained, just ran the loads.

Then 1 day i decided to call my dispatcher and I asked him
"Hey, dennis buddy how you doing? haven't talked to u by phone for about 3mnths. Hows it been going ? I have a little question I would like to ask you?
Have I been changed from a midwest regional driver to a dedicated eastcoast driver? I'm just asking because these cash advances I'm taking out for lumpers and tools r really killing my wkly paycheck buddy????"...

His reply! " Just between me and you. "And" I like you, you never complain, your a runner thats for sure (BUT!) I cannot get these western xpress guys to Ok a load for you west of PA (I live in Ohio, and dispatched out of altoona,IA). I have been trying!"

"And, by the way we are going to have a really hardtime getting you home for your xmas time off that you have been banking your timeoff for and have beed out for the last 5wks straight."

"I'm sorry! If you find something better i would understand..."

I told him that if it was alright I would like to get home soon and I would like to take my time off now to b with my family if I'm not going to be able to use my (scheduled time off) for what I wanted it for then I better use it now...If thats ok with you?

He said sur i'll try to get you a load near home, No problem...

1hr later I got a load to ashtabula, Ohio. (At this time I had a total of 6days off saved up)

So, I stopped at the T/A truckstop in Newjersy at the columbia T/A on I-80 and exit 4. And wrote up a nice,short but sweet 2wk notice letter and sent it certified to the fleet manager in ft.dodge,Ia's address...got home. parked my rig and over the peoplnet I sent my 2wks notice text to dispatch. asked them were do they want thier rig dropped of at/Returned.. I then Cleaned it out!! "And I mean really cleaned it good almost brand new looking".

1week later>I drove it to altoona, Ia. And took the bus home...The end....

 

My man and I ran team flatbed with SMX, we got a lease purchase truck under the impression it was SMX. After signing papers we were informed they were "merging" (they sold out) to Western Express. We loved SMX, the bonus programs and all the fun BBQ's and prizes for showing up to a safety meeting were all lots of fun. SMX was the best company out there in my opinion, but western fired everyone quickly and we are one of the few left to be in a lease purchase, and now under Western Express we are the LAST ones to attemp to finish out our contract and we have a blue pete. woot. BTW. We are making great money with western express, and have no intent on leaving after truck is paid for.