Celadon

Been with Celadon for about 3 months now.

Drove for Schneider for a few years, and drove locally for a year when my wife was sick. Came back to OTR with Celadon.

So far (for past 3 months) they've been good to me. My DM is awesome; always answers my qualcomms and calls, always tells me what I need to do, and what she'll do in return.

They pay EXTRA for HAZMAT (.03cpm), and will pay for you to get your HAZMAT (I already had mine when I came here). I don't get too much HAZMAT, but it's no big deal when I get it (usually Class 5 stuff).

They pay a $1000 bonus + 1 week's vacation for every 30,000 miles driven, and I've made that already and then some.

Anytime you're at Indy (the headquarters) you can stop in and see your DM just by walking in to the door. No guards, metal detectors or card keys. You can stop in to see anyone you want in any department.

Once (and once only) I was shorted on payroll. One call to payroll depatment, and the difference was put onto my ComData Card in 15 minutes (I normally have direct deposit).

I've AVERAGED 3400 per week consistently, with only one NYC run. I've spent a LOT OF TIME in Texas, but I don't mind Texas for driving. Midwest, Southeast and Texas seem to be the norm. I've had a "light" week this week at 2400 miles, but I'll still have 10,000 miles for the month. I had 14,000 miles last month. My average run has been 1000 miles.

BE PREPARED TO BE LEGAL: Celadon take legal seriously, and the company WILL charge you with a log violation if they find one, even if you got a clean bill from DOT. But they slap your wrist and tell you not to do it again.

The NEGATIVES: Every company has them.

1) If you get stuck in Texas after midnight on Saturday, you're going to sit until Monday. Last weekend I did a load to Laredo, and there were 158 drivers waiting for loads. To be fair though, I had a load on Monday evening, right at the tail end of a 34hr restart.

2) They don't like 34hr restarts as a rule. Which is fine with me, because I never took restarts unless I HAD to. I did 3700 miles with Celadon when I hadn't had a restart in 2 1/2 weeks...LEGALLY...so it's possible. Of course, if you end up in Texas on a weekend, you'll get a restart anyway.

3) Maintenance couldn't find their arse with a flashlight and a search warrant. They maintain thier trucks VERY well, but it will take them 3 days to do it. I spent 14 hours in a shop for a routine overhead. And immediately after leaving the shop, I got a qualcomm that my truck had to go back for something else. To be fair though, when I ignored a qualcomm about a PM (because I dreaded the shop), they ROUTED me to a Speedco for a PM.

4) They don't believe in EZPass. They have PrePass, but NOT EZPass. To me this is insane, and has no logical reasoning. While they DO reimburse for all tolls, I one time forked out over $140 for tolls in the NE of my own money before reimbursement. To be fair though, they will "front" you the money via ComCheck if you ask. But you have to know what the tolls are going to be beforehand.

For the tricks: VOLUNTEER, and keep your Macros current. I volunteer for HAZMAT, and take the loads that other people refuse (which is how I got my ONE NYC run). My Macros are always in on time. I don't complain and am pleasant to every department I deal with when I have a problem. And my DM takes care of me.

 

I don't take 34's unless I'm out of hours and I have to sit for 34 anyway. I've heard a lot of comments that you can't stay legal without a 34...THAT'S NOT TRUE. Someone tell me WHERE in the FMCSA it says you HAVE to take a 34? It says it's an OPTION.

And in all fairness, I've only sat in Laredo a long time (more than 24hrs) once. THe other times, I've usually had a load out in 2-4 hours.