DriveCam....

If my company ever tried this they would get a daily view usually seen only by proctologists until I could get a job set up with another company. If you put up with this in your company shame on you. Ask yourself, what's coming next?

 

Ive had the cameras in the truck for about 3 months now. Have not heard a word from anyone since they were installed. Is it making me a better driver, not sure about that but it does make me more "in-tune" to my actions and surroundings. Not happy they are there but it doesn't say "Baritone" on the door so I learn to accept it.

 

I have recently been looking at Millis in my research for my first company and/or school and the drive cam subject is about the only thing I can really find that I'm not sure If I would necessarily like. Does anyone have a definitive answer as to how these actually work? Does Millis as a company who employs hundred of OTR drivers, really expect their driver's to not drink something while driving, change a radio station, or speak to someone with a hands free device?

 

You guys are pathetic and weak willing to do whatever they say so whens it gonna stop? I turned down going back to venezia cause I found out they have dash cams just wondering when people are gonna start to fight for their freedoms this is the land of the free or it use to be.

 

As I have posted before - had the cameras for almost 3 months and have not heard a word from them and there's been times they should have said something. Ive heard many stories about drivers being let go due to loud music, drinking something while driving, etc, - all of which is not true! We did have one that was told to stop texting while driving and didnt stop. So they were let go - and I am glad they did.

That actually made me laugh - thanks for that!

 

Thank you for responding to my post Baritone. As I said earlier I am researching a ton of companies and am very aware that coming in brand new to the industry it will be more what I can do for my company than what they can do for me. With that said, Millis does look very attractive so far from what I've seen. I have mainly used truckingtruth.com and this site for my research and information and I must say that the Truckers Report forums can be a zoo a lot of the time. It seems at times that only the most disgruntled minority of each company chooses to post here. Anyway, could you or any actual employee tell me the real story about the little things with Millis. Are these drive cam's standard now on all trucks? What exactly do they do and when? Policies on Hands free devices to make and receive calls from back home? Also, what are most rookies being issued as far as trucks go when their training is done. Millis seems to have very nice equipment. It was them and Steven's Transport that always seemed to catch my eye with how nice their rigs are. I know a lot of companies tend to issue their oldest and/or road weary rigs to newbies and for good reason. Also, can you actually give a straight answer as to what exactly is Millis's idle policy concerning heat in the winter and A/C in the summer. I have seen pay scales and they seem to be all over the place as far as new drivers with no experience. Any info on this as well as if you think the benefits are decent and of a good value. Thanks for any help you or anyone else would care to share. Stay safe on the road and take care.

 

Excellent post! I too have been researching and throwing around the idea and you brought up some very good questions I would like to know as we'll as far as the hands free device, idle policies and what kind I rigs the newbs tend to get after training.

 

I just went solo July 8 so I can answer a couple of these. I do not have a drive cam. I'm fairly certain they are only currently installed in 100 (of 800+ trucks) on a trial basis.

I was issued a 2012 T700 with 250k miles on it. The guy who had it before me was clearly a windows-up chain smoker, so it took a couple days and lots of scrubbing to defunkify it. I'm making 29 cents/mile (without performance bonuses), with the first 10 cents of every mile non-taxable. They are keeping me rolling, so when I get over 3k miles in a week, my take home is at least $850. And the only times I didn't hit 3k is because I had stuff previously scheduled that I had to come home for.

A couple of times I have sat waiting for loads that were WAY late. Both times I was offered decent detention pay without asking. I think they're even going to give me something for sitting at a shipper for 3 hours last weekend. Again, I didn't ask; they asked me to confirm my in & out times, so I'm just assuming there might be some det pay in it for that particular pickup.

I have yet to hear any Millis driver complain about not being able to stay warm enough in the winter or cool enough in the summer, so I think that's just a 'use common sense' situation. Same with the hands free phone stuff.

I have not yet had any inkling that I picked the wrong company to sign on with...

 

I understand it's an information overload - let me see if I can break it down for you a little. Also - look for my thread "My Millis Experience" and most of this is answered there also.

q.Are these drive cam's standard now on all trucks? What exactly do they do and when?
a. There are about 100 trucks with the camera's in them. Both regional and OTR trucks. There are 2 camera's (1 facing forward and one facing drivers compartment). Camera's are activated by (hard braking, swerves, hard acceleration) however they (the camera company) do monitor the inside of the cab during operation looking for driver not paying attention/phone use etc. As I have posted prior - I have had the camera for 3 months and to this day have not received one message regarding any issues at all. I too do talk on my phone with a headset. Word on the street is all trucks will have them over time. I have no confirmation of this from anyone with the (inside track) only what I am hearing. Remains to be seen.

q. Policies on Hands free devices to make and receive calls from back home?
a. Millis has an (unwritten) policy against using any phone during operation of their equipment. Do we use them, yes we do - just use your best judgement related to time on the phone and understanding the times when not to ever be on the phone....i.e heavy traffic, inner city, construction zones etc.

q. what are most rookies being issued as far as trucks go when their training is done.
a. Our fleet has just about been completely updated. We dont have any OTR trucks that are more than 2 yrs old. You will not be assigned a brand new truck but will get either a 2012 or 2013. Which could be a T700 or Cascadia. All have refrig/freezer and bunk heaters.

q.Also, can you actually give a straight answer as to what exactly is Millis's idle policy concerning heat in the winter and A/C in the summer.
a. Idle policy is simple - do your best to keep it below 40% no matter what the weather. It will go up when in hot climates due to running the a/c. If you can keep it lower then you will receive an Idle Bonus each month. Summer - it's very hard to meet this goal and they know that. Learn to turn the truck off when outside the truck and you'll be fine. You will only need to idle in the winter when the temps are below zero to ensure fuel doesnt jell or if loaded with beer it doesnt freeze. Other than that you have a bunk heating system that will keep you toasty warm in the winter - trust me!

q. I have seen pay scales and they seem to be all over the place as far as new drivers with no experience. Any info on this as well as if you think the benefits are decent and of a good value. Thanks for any help you or anyone else would care to share.
a. Pay really depends on you/family needs. I am on per diem and have had no ill effects from it at all. Many will try to tell you otherwise but most of them have never been on it. Yes it's a benefit for the company - but it also works well for me. I am on my fourth year with Millis and have never seen any issues thus far with pay or tax implications from being on per diem.
Insurance is not the best - cost is about the same as most companies out here. But I have seen much worse. Take advantage of the 401K match and the Health Care Spending account also.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Dont forget to ck out my thread and it should also help.

 

Thanks for the very informative reply Baritone. That definitely explained alot of questions and also was detailed.