Do not work for arnold!

I might have gotten confused by the thread but I did want to point out 3 things.

I drive for Total, just to clarify...not Arnold.

First, we (Total) have been told that we are not to pull empty trailers that belong to USX unless explicitly directed to do so by the terminal manager, and that they are not supposed to pull our trailers without getting the same permission. The reason we were given was because our (Total's) trailers were never available for Total drivers and too much time/resources were being spent hunting them down. Also, there are several places that Total goes that will NOT accept USX's empty trailers. HOWEVER, USX drivers seem to think that they can do...whatever they want, and will grab whatever is available.

My husband was hooked to one of our empties one night and a USX team pulled in and blocked him from leaving until both dispatchers had to be called and the USX team told to stand down because A. it was Total's empty and B. A team was already attatched to it. Their behavior was...unprofessional.

Second, I have met several Arnold drivers and they all agree on two things. They like Arnold, the company treats them well and runs them. The other thing they all agree on, (as well as Total veterans) that the company was better before USX got involved.

Last, Total does tend to run its own show. We do pull USX freight but we never deal (we don't anyway) with anyone that is not "employed" by Total. Total tries to avoid having its drivers pulling another companies empty trailers because they want us pulling OUR trailers. Honestly, in the last year...I can only recall pulling a USX trailer a handful of times and only pulled an Arnold trailer once.

I'm not bashing USX....technically, but they have not really left a great impression on me. I have met several teams and solo's from USX that are very happy with them and will bash Total and Arnold all day long....its all in how you look at it I guess. USX drivers tend to treat those of us working for the smaller companies like we are unwelcomed intruders and it does not do much to foster a "warm fuzzy" feeling.

If we ever left Total, it would certainly not be a lateral transfer to USX lol

 

Apparently there is a definite "failure to communicate" with some of you.

Let me break this down for you; A driver that enters this industry with little to no experience MAY have to begin at a "training company." Those companies are usually mega carriers that are self insured for the first million dollars in liability. Those carriers will limit the pay and benefits being offered to their drivers. In the OTR industry it is rare to find a company that will pay a driver for hub miles. Most will only pay based on a routing program such as Household Movers Guide, or Pc Miler. This equates to drivers being paid for less than the actual miles they drove. This could be anywhere from a 1% to 10% loss. OTR carriers expect drivers to pick up a load for nothing and deliver the load again for nothing. Intermediate stops off might be paid at $15.00 per stop but the first and last is FREE. OTR companies don't normally pay their drivers for dropping a trailer or hooking to a trailer. Then lets consider that many of these mega carriers don't pay breakdown pay. Detention pay might be offered AFTER the driver has given up 2 hours at the customer AND the carrier can bill the customer for the delay. Do you see a pattern yet???

There are better companies available.They offer better home time, better pay, better benefits. If a driver doesn't do some research they will never know they can do better.

Part of being a member of this forum is to offer that information to others. If you are content to work for a mega carrier for less pay, fewer benefits, and in some cases less RESPECT then so be it.

 

Question: Since my company is partly owned by USX, does that mean I work for a "mega-carrier"? Or can I still consider myself employed by a small company?

 

777...Thanks for clearing that up (no sarcasm intended). Unfortunately that sounds like I might be getting screwed a bit...which sucks because I like my company...but again, I did not know anything about this industry when I got in to it. Guess I still don't lol. Wonder what all I am missing here....

 

All this what you mentioned does'nt matter in trucking.If this is what you wanna do,you're going to have to stay out no matter who you drive for.The pay is not good even for the veteran drivers due to the economy.You give me some reputable carriers for the new driver.Drivers that enter trucking are'nt ignoranant ,they just can't handle this type of lifestyle which is not their fault .They decide this is something they don't wanna do and that's ok.You have to have thick skin for trucking and carriers do not have room for ppl that are'nt.

 

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It is not my intent to alienate drivers at all. It is to offer insight to an industry that routinely chews up drivers and spits them out. Look into the companies I have cited. Talk to some of the drivers of those companies to get their perspective. Once you have enough experience (usually 2 to 3 years violation free AND safe driving) apply at the better companies.

Had I been fortunate enough to have this resource back in the mid nineties I would have tried to get on with UPS or one of the other LTL carriers. I am now 43 years old with over 20 years experience and have a pretty good job that suits me pretty well.
My problem is I am a creature of habit. My employer recognizes my ability and I am paid well for what I do. Factor in all the benefits and the fact that if I were to switch companies at this point I would be "low man" on the totem pole, have to start out all over, and lose the benefits I enjoy.

 

patty,

read what some new drivers made their first year at maverick, for example.

40-50K and home on weekends.

if you know wht you're doing, you don't have to settle for crummy companies !

 

I disagree with your premise entirely. There are Line Haul jobs available that get drivers home regularly (some every night, others every other night). There are regional operations that get drivers home weekly. There are dedicated accounts where drivers service 1 customer and are home regularly. There are intermodal operators and port operators that have more home time as well. Find the niche that best works for you.

Being away from home for weeks on end is not necessary. If you CHOOSE to spend all that time on the road away from your family and friends then so be it. Just remember it is your CHOICE.

 

If you're a driver that does your job well even the crummiest companies will take care of you.Good for those drivers at Maverick making good money.Those drivers deserve it too because they work hard.But who says Maverick isn't a crummy company to some other drivers.