celadon

Ummm, no it doesnt!! There are about 20 different "key codes" for every model....call Freightliner and ask for a key to be made and they will either need YOUR key or the VIN to make the correct one

 

collect 'em all

 

You know that statement alone shows you have no clue in what you are saying. Ive driven for a couple companies that run freightliners....whether classics, century class and even cascadias and coronados...those keys didnt unlock the same trucks of the same make n model as the whole fleet. Its hit n miss if your keys will do it with most non local bigger companies. Now your smaller companies that may be true incase someone locks themselves out of their truck. General statements saying what you said is as bad as the people you are talking about 'who amaze you that they dont know one key in freightliner will open all of the same make n model'. I even drove locally n had 30 trucks n that didnt work. So 9years exp I think someones exaggerating. Just sayin...

 

As far as celadon is concerned, I was only there for one month as a company driver. They could never seem to be able to get me home on schedule. My base pay was supposed to be 41cpm but they would always tell me two weeks after the fact that the miles that I drove did not qualify for that rate. Of course they never mentioned this either at orientation or when they dispatched me on unqualified miles. Thirty days was twenty eight too long. I should have ran for my life during orientation when it sounded like a swift operation that you have to get everything preapproved to include buying enough fuel to deliver the load and a long list of charge backs. I left before they could try any chargebacks on me.

As far as the key situation is concerned, I have been at more than one company that had only one or two different keys for all the trucks in the fleet. It is very common for carriers to do so and not inform the driver. After all, you are just the driver/steering wheel holder and do not need that type information.
Anyone considering celadon should put swift, werner and schnieder at the top of their list also.

 

Correct! Why would a company want you to own your own truck? It is as mentioned, a way to let the driver pay for THEIR truck. And, once you get locked in, you are obligated to work for them. This is one of the key componets of lease scams- a way to keep drivers there. Before anyone ever leases like this lady's husband, take the contract to your lawyer (money well spent) and have him/her point-out all the flaws in it that would affect your income etc.