CRST Malone (Flatbed Division) SUCKS!

Just finished orientation and am about to pick up my first load.
Pros: I have retained much of the control over my little business.
Seems I have a pretty solid dispatcher.
Load board has actually provided me with a couple of loads with a fair price point ($2+ to the truck).
Cons: Lady doing orientation is an idiot.

 

How is it going so far?
I am supposed to be going to orientation on Monday.

 

I honestly can't complain. I have a great dispatcher who I just text every other day and let him know where I am and what I am doing. I set my own schedule and just do my thing.

 

Do you have to get loads only from the CRST board or can you use other public boards such as DAT or truckers edge for example?

 

So far I have only taken loads from the CRST board (found some great stuff). If I am in an area where they don't have freight, I am free to look elsewhere. Don't rely on the boards, call the agent in the area that you are heading to. They have stuff not posted and can really work with you.

 

You got it right. Buy your own truck and find your own loads. If you're gonna drive their truck and rely on dispatch you're really just a company driver. I've leased 2 trucks to Malone both of which I paid cash for and both of which made back their purchase price in 3 weeks gross revenue. I have agents calling me nearly every day offering loads half of which I turn down. Malone doesn't do sh@t for me. I use them to run my business.

 

It doesn't take long to build up a reputation. If you manage to build a solid one, they will call you just like Daywatchman said. Do not be afraid to negotiate a rate that will benefit YOU. If a solid agreement cannot be reached, turn down the freight. Plan ahead most of all, learn where the weak markets are. I surprised my office when I said I don't go to Chicago. They said "everyone else goes there". That is exactly why I don't, it is flooded with trucks looking for loads. The more trucks there are in a particular area, the lower the rates offered.

 

Hey are yoi still at malone..if so how has it been??

 

No, I left them at the end of August. I got tired of cheap and heavy freight. I went to a small carrier and couldn't be happier.
I would not recommend MALONE to anyone.