Comcar - CT Transportation Info From New Driver

ESVA_Trucker · Nov 22, 2016

Omar Daxx said: ↑

Does Comcar do background check before you go to orientation?
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yes,

ESVA_Trucker · Nov 22, 2016

Ooops said: ↑

Someone correct me if I am wrong. From what I have read regarding hometime . CT defines 2 days off as 30 hours mol. Get home Friday night and leave home 0300 Sunday
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Since Ive been here always atleast 34 hr reset at home unless you are doing their weekend or road warrior program.

Free32 · Jun 21, 2017

Do they do hair or urine test?

Free32 · Jun 21, 2017

snows said: ↑

I couldn't find much on the forums about Comcar or CT, so I would like to provide some information from a new driver's perspective. I'm currently on Day 3 of orientation, so some of what I'm about to write hasn't been validated personally by me. If anyone would like to chime in or correct anything, please feel free. Although I'm now a company employee, I am not speaking for the company in this post.

CT still has some Mack trucks, but are in the process of replacing all of them with new International ProStars. We're told that new drivers will get 2014 or 2015 Internationals with automatic transmissions, EPU's (Electrical Power Units that operate off a set of batteries), and 56" Hi Rise Sleepers. Hi Rise is actually the mid-roof size. The tractors will have CB antennas already mounted, so the driver can easily install his own CB. Unfortunately, the company does not reimburse for truck washes, so its the driver's responsibility to keep the truck clean inside and out.

New drivers stay 2 to the room at the Comfort Suites, although my roommate was sent home leaving me with a room to myself for the rest of the week. The hotel has an indoor pool, small workout room, and business center. They provide a full hot breakfast beginning at 6:00 during the week and at 7:00 on weekends. Lunch is provided by the company, but you're on your own for dinner. There are a couple of diverse eating establishments within walking distance of the hotel, as well as a small truckstop next door. The company pays $0.20/mile round trip if you drive your personal vehicle, or you can ride the bus. They also will pay cab fare to and from the terminal each day if needed. Drivers of personal vehicles who allow other participants to ride to orientation will be reimbursed extra for saving the company cab fare.

CT's main terminal and training center is about 4.5 miles from the hotel, in Port Wentworth, GA. The building is fairly large, and most of the upstairs area is dedicated to orientation and training. The classroom is comfortable and sufficiently equipped. The instructor is knowledgable and professional, and provides water, softdrinks, and lunch (pizza and subs) each day. Orientation starts every Tuesday and runs through Thursday, beginning at 7:00 and ending between 4:00 and 5:00.

The morning of day 1 consists of some basic company info, a DOT physical (regardless of whether you currently have one), drug screening, and agility and strength tests. If you have high blood pressure, are a likely candidate for sleep apnea, or are unable to complete the agility and strength tests, you'll be sent home. So, if you know you're likely to fail in one of these areas, you should get it addressed before showing up for orientation. The strength tests include lifting up to 115 pounds of lead weights in an egg crate to a table at waist height several times. You can use your body or legs to help lift the crate. Next you simulate pulling tarps by doing something similar to a pullup (must pull 150 pounds on the bar) and by yanking on the bar (must yank about 250 pounds). I'm 5'-10" and 165 pounds and had no problem with the strength tests. Next you climb onto the back of a flatbed trailer 3 times, do 5 squats, and kneel for about a minute. If you accomplish all these tests without your respiration or pulse exceeding a certain number, then you pass.

Also on the morning of day 1 we performed a pre-trip inspection of a truck and trailer, then drove for about 30 minutes. Since I wasn't used to pulling a loaded trailer, I tended to take turns too fast. The trainer wanted to see 10 mph or less in the turns.

The afternoon of day 1 was spent going through more company information and general orientation items.

Days 2 and 3 were similar, with a lot of company policies and procedures being explained. We were given the pay details and insurance information on day 2. Pay is as follows:
Base Pay - $0.28/mile
Availability Pay - $100/week (requires that you be at the customer on time each morning and be available to work all week (Sunday or Monday through Friday)
Loading and tarping - $10
Unloading and untarping - $8
Detention - $9/hour after first two hours
There's at least another 7 different accessorial pay items. A pay increase is currently being discussed and should be announced within the next few weeks. Also, up to $295/week of your pay can be shown as per diem pay. During the first 90 days of employment, if your total including accessorial pay doesn't equate to at least $0.36/mile, then the company will pay you the difference, thereby effectively paying you the equivalent of $0.36/mile. This is less than some other companies, but CT offers two very big advantages over the higher paying companies. First is guaranteed hometime every weekend. The second is a very understanding policy on personal time. If you need to take some time off, just give them a little notice and take the time you need. CT doesn't seem to push its drivers to rack up a bunch of miles. They want you to start early enough on Sunday afternoon to get to your first customer before 10:00 pm Sunday night. You normally would take your 10-hour break at or near the customer, then be available for loading first thing Monday morning. You drive daytime hours all week and return home on Friday afternoon (sometimes Saturday morning at the latest). A very strong emphasis is placed on safety, and the company's preference is for drivers to get rest and not be fatigued.

Normally the company president would come in and speak, but in his absence the VP of Operations spoke to us on day 3. The next 7 days are spent at Savannah Tech for Advanced Driver Training Program. I'll update this section tomorrow.

So far I'm fairly impressed with Comcar and CT. Their orientation program and emphasis on safety rival that of any large company.
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Is it hair or urine test?

Dukes843 · Jun 14, 2018

Any updates with CT? Wondering if anything has changed with them. I'm in cdl school now and they are in my top 3 choices.

Dem0n70 · Feb 10, 2019

Hows pay at CT now orientation next week.

Jgatson · Sep 5, 2020

Any new information on this company? I start orientation Tuesday.

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