Giltner/Progressive Logistics Inc

My husband has been driving for Giltner/Progressive Logistics since 2012, and everything started off very well. They kept him running, gave him time off when he needed, and his pay was always as it should be. Lately, something seems to have changed, or perhaps it's because I'm onboard that I notice it more. Giltner does what they say and keeps you running consistently with all of the time you can handle; BUT, the payroll department appears to find some way to hold off paying until you acknowledge they messed up. I am onboard with my husband, and with his keeping track of what he SHOULD be paid, we are finding inaccuracies each week. This has resulted in difficulties paying bills on time. The more seasoned dispatchers like Dave fix any load/driving problems fast, whereas the newer ones seem on a power-trip and want to tell you where to go without properly logging in your miles or start point. The company recently tried a policy where you can only get fuel when you are loaded...well, that died fast becuase most often, you bust your butt to reach your destination, and are running with minimal fuel to avoid being overweight while passing through the weigh station. Thankfully, Giltner's higher ups realized that one quickly. The safety manager Dustin has always been very helpful in resolving problems, and is very lenient with hours of service overages, since he understands how hard the dispatchers can push you. Another problem is when you ask for time off. You give a month notice, and when you remind them three days prior that you are checking to make sure you will be in your home city for time off at a certain time...so you don't miss your mother's birthday, they suddenly forget that you asked time off! In an office, you COULD and should at least be running Microsoft Outlook which has a calendar and...Oh look!! It gives you pop-up alerts to remind when an event is going to occur! Wow! Those geniuses at Microsoft and their oh-so-useful software that most offices use, but evidently is neglected by a company who keeps their trucks and trailers in excellent condition. It honestly mystifies me as to how the office is actually run.
That being said, if you want a company who keeps you running, has new trucks, good equipment, and minimal delays, Giltner excels there. Unfortunately, their office administrative staff (ESPECIALLY payroll) leaves something to be desired.

 

I am looking into Giltner as I type this and how much of a problem or how much on your payroll approx...i am having the same problem at current company and that is why I am looking into other companies...There is alot of reviews that state there equipment is junk, pay is low etc but I blow most of those posts off! Your post is very informational and i appreciate the insight!

 

The equipment at Giltner is far from junk.

 

i figured as much....How are they as a whole to run for, are there any surprises i need to be aware of, how long do you need to be out before you ask for home time...Can you park in your hometown if you have secured parking...

 

It is what you make of it. Above average pay, you stay out 10-14 days. They allow you to take truck home.

 

sweet, recruiter 3-4 weeks out, i like the idea of 10-14 days, better home/career balance that way. I am debating between Giltner and SLT...SLT is team driving due to high security loads, not to hot on team driving...spay is good there but out 3-5 weeks.

 

When I say their equipment is junk its only because they wont fix thieir equipment if something breaks.

When you have breakdowns they fix the absolute minimum to get the truck rolling, no more. I had dangerous brake and suspension problems, as well as a bunk heat they would never fix. Since the truck wouldnt idle over 15 degrees, no bunk heater and no APUs, you had better get used to extreme cold weather survival.Giltner leased the APUs just as they lease the trucks and trailers, so they could care less what shape the equipment is in when they trade it in for another one. Giltner has changed dramatically over the years, now being run by the owners daughter Brandy, who has no trucking industry experience or desire to run a trucking company. They also have gotten much more into multiple drop loads since they pay the carrier far more than they pay the driver. Every check was short something and now when you call he new girl in payroll,(not kris) they have no power to pay the driver anything significant, and they just state she will get with dispatch for approval. Nothing happens. Its just a way to get you off the line and hope you forget about it. Good luck.

 

Many 3 AM deliveries at walmart DCs without a reload for days if you deliver on the weekends. They shave miles big time if you compare with your cell phone navigation. Many multi-stop pickups in the same city, yet often days apart in pick up appointments. I have several examples of them wanting me to do multi-stop pickups in southern california over several days to pick up and deliver! Total of 80 miles over two or three days during the week! Giltner doesnt own trucks or trailers, so they careless how or if they are maintained, including oil changes. Even with severe safety and mechaincal truck/trailer problems that should be fixed immediately, they will try to get you to wait until you get back to their joke of a shop in Jerome ID, to be fixed by wannabe auto-mechanics laid-off from the local speedy-lube, which could take days.

 

So true. Giltner is being run out of business by the .25 cents a mile carriers like England. One of the last good accounts they have is Sysco, which used to be drop and hook. Now, you just drop, but since no trailers are available, you just wait around until your trailer is empty the next day. Since the trucks and traillers are leased, they are turning in more and more trailers. Many 3:30 AM deliveries at walmart DC on the weekends, where you just wait 2-3 days for reload. My fuel card stopped working more & more at fuel stops in the fuel island. The only way to leave the fuel island when that happens, is to use a TCH check, which of course is deducted immediately from the drivers pay. On more than one occasion, giltner payroll has claimed they didnt get my original fuel receipt, so we end up being charged for fueling giltners trucks as a company driver when we quit. They dont say anything until you quit, then they with hold your last check and deduct fuel which totals more than your last check. When I demanded payment for their fuel when I quit, they put a negative mark on my DAC report claiming I owed THEM MONEY for thier fuel! Thats very hard to refute with DAC and is making it difficult to get another driving job.