Any info on the new J S Helwig and Sons?

Let that sink in...

 

Didn't notice if anyone had replied to STexans question regarding whether they run California again or not? Also, can anyone tell me average weekly cost of health/dental/vision coverage for driver and spouse?

 

I drive for Helwig. Coming up on a year. Checks range from $900ish to $1200ish bring home after taxes and insurance. No California (for all intents and purposes). We have taken a few loads out there as a favor to a shipper, but those are very, very, VERY few and far between. Mostly TX/KS to NJ/PA also do the I-20 corridor out to GA/SC and back to TX. 65MPH trucks comes with dometic fridge/freezer. Mostly 10 speeds but we have a few automatics and some of the guys with seniority have 13 speeds. One day off for every week out. I'm single with no kids, so I rarely take off. Helwig buys back your off days for $100 each if you would rather drive. If u can roll three months straight, that's an extra $1200 for nothing. Getting a new driver's lounge/showers, etc. Should be done within the month. Very pet friendly.

Unfortunately, the new trucks have driving cameras and the god-awful crash mitigation (radar braking) system. Helwig is a helluva good company. I treat my dispatcher right, and my dispatcher treats me right in return. I've heard there are one or two tough dispatchers, but literally every person I've talked to is super friendly (even the guys in the shop). I'm probably going to gross around $65k this year. After a year, you get a gold ring worth $900 (or so I've been told). The loads are usually 40,000 lbs or so. Mostly firm delivery appointments (no delivery window), so be ready to drive. A lot of hurry up and wait...a whole lot. U might sit for a day waiting for your drop & hook to finsih getting loaded while you hang out at the truck stop (speaking of Dodge City, KS), but Helwig pays $100 layover pay per day. We don't get much layover pay. We usually get assigned a load, deadhead a few hundred miles, wait four to eight hours and haul arss. Better know how to run your logs (electronic logs). On rare occasions you may have to do an 8/2 split. Best week 3562 miles @ .45 cpm. Good company... I don't plan on going anywhere until I get a truck with that irritating crash mitigation system. At that point, I may try to get on at Old Dominion pulling doubles (they also have crash mitigation systems but their pay caps @ .62cpm after five years) or Poly Trucking out of Grand Prairie (3k-4k miles per week 50cpm paid by hub miles but not the most friendly and reachable people from what I've heard)

 

Oh. We also have a nice driver appreciation cook out once a month.

 

There's a video for u to check out so u kinda get the vibe.

 

All true. Wait time isn't but 4-8 hours with some drop and hooks. All loads are palletized or in large bins. We don't haul hanging meat.

 

Serious? 7-11? U must've been in BFE and out of fuel. All of my fuel stops are Pilot, Love's, TA or Petro.

 

My dispatcher is great. Head shop guy is approachable but more business than friendly. All shop workers are easy going and knowledgeable. 65mph trucks... Been here a year almost. Been driving since 2004, and Helwig is not only the best driving job I've had, it's the best job I've had period. If u find an OTR company with a down home feel that pays $900-$1300 net per week, let me know. At other OTR companies, I was happy to net $700 a week.

 

You should look into Poly Trucking out of Grand Prairie. Trucks governed at 68mph, 50 cents per hub mile, up to 4k miles per week on exceptional weeks but required to run at least 2500 miles per week, west coast runs...good company... Maybe the best OTR job I know of, but it's hard to get on over there.

 

No west coast. Helwig doesn't offer health insurance coverage for a spouse (as of this time last year anyways...may want to call to double check).