01/21/10 Update on good and bad at Marten

And starting June 2nd, layover will be eliminated !!!

It will now be called an extended break !!



Just kidding..............

 

No kidding.
If they wanted to take care of thier drivers why is over 750 trucks sit idle out of all the terminals? I was in Mondovi 3 days ago, and Randy Marten was one pissed off person.

 

Before , we got $25 the first day, then $100 a day after that for layover. Are we now going to get $100 a day starting with the first day ? Look for a few more goodies because with the economy picking up the carriers wan't to keep drivers from jumping ship. I have noticed on the "road dog" channel alot more companys advertising with some offering bonuses to sign up. This is a good sign.

 

Randy probably shouldn't have hired that guy from Knight then. The guy brought a bunch with him from Knight and now it's starting to resemble Knight. I've been with Marten for a little over 6 years and my miles have cratered. Was on a dedicated run with a guarantee of 3000/week, now I'm lucky to get 2000. Still pulling out of the same shipper, but now I'm seeing loads canceled at the last minute, back-hauls with p/u times incorrect or just disappearing altogether, and it doesn't seem like the planners/co-ordinators adapt to the changes well anymore. Got a new FM recently so that might be part of the problem, but my attitude is really starting to suck...which is probably not helpful. But it IS frustrating. Not ready to jump ship YET, but not sure how much more I'm willing to put up with out of them. Anyway, maybe I'm just venting.

 

I hear from a reliable source (one of their former 3 million mile drivers who told them to fornicate off) that their turnover is now above 170%. The place is exactly like Knight used to be. Crapping on drivers, constantly reminding them how they can be replaced immediately and they mean NOTHING to the company, or that they're stupid smelly idiots who don't get to HAVE an opinion. Well, now the economy is turning around like I said it would, and they are starting to have trouble getting drivers to sign on. Why? Cuz word got out about what A-holes they are...

 

Been here 5.5 yrs myself. I used to get 3,000 easy each week, before tim kohl came over and pushed us into more of regioanl company. Since he's been here i see miles dropping like flies.
I live out west, when i leave the house, i get one good load back into the midwest, then there i sit running circles of 3,4,500 milers over nighters. All for 2,000,2100 Maybe 2,200 miles a week. More work for less miles.
I tell my dispatcher, her i need more miles, your starving me, with this regioanl crap , foreced perdeim sliding pay scale. And she says well it's not our fault, the customers are going more to a regioanl program, building regioanl Dist Centers , etc. Strange,We still have alot of customers that have otr loads. major customers, mind you.

 

Have been hearing from a couple of the long time drivers here, that Tim Kohl, doesn't think any truck driver is worth $150.00 a day.

Rasing the lay over pay doesn't exactly pay the bills. How about doing away with the forced perdeim sliding pay scale. Granted it may be good for the single driver, with no kids, but married w/ no kids , i will end up paying taxes this year. The only one really making money is the company, since they don't have to pay all the taxes on payroll. And the driver ends up covering what isn't paid.

 

I have worked for Marten for just over 3 weeks. I admit, it's been frustrating to say the least. I came to Marten for the better pay and home time that was advertised. The pay is better, if you can get the miles. Of the 3 wks I've been driving for them, I only have 1 week over 2k miles. Quaalcom responses are very slow, straight answers are very rare and decent miles are non existent, so far.
I have kept notes on my laptop about every problem I have encountered and will continue to do so. My advice to any new driver w/Marten, keep notes, times and dates. CYA is very important. The air scales are the trailers are absolute junk. Matt in the Mondovi tractor shop is rude, obtuse and completely out of touch in regard to handling drivers needs; he always seems "put-out" by having to do his job.
I have not written Marten off as a good or bad company, yet. I have used my notes, gone up the chain of command and have been assigned a different driver manager. I want them to work as hard for me, as I do them. We'll see what happens over the next three weeks! Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!

 

Hey river what was orientation like has anyone been to the terminal in Irving i'm in the jul 6th class

 

The irving terminal is more like a drop yard. It's very small. The room where you do orientation is small and cramped. Bring your lunch, cause ain't nothing to eat there. You do paper work for two days, then take a drive test. Tranmissions are ten speed.