Grand Island Express / good or bad

I'm sorry for your discs, nekiteflyer52... and I understand you missing the road... But good to know your company took care of you...
You know, I haven't been on the road for 3 weeks now cause I am looking for another company. And I miss the road a lot... And miss the truck... Why I would want to stay 2 - 3 months on the road??? Because I LOVE THE ROAD... After 5 yrs living in a truck, I feel that's my real home. I am a "homeless" truck driver... And I like that way of life I know, most folks can't understand... But that's ok...
So, you guys have your own customers or do you also use brokers? Just curious... Please stay in touch if you will and keep us posted ok? This is a great forum, great folks, great place to hang around, share info, know people, have fun, vent, learn, help each other, etc, etc. Wish you the best!

 

I worked for Gix 65 mph glider freightliner Columbia pay scale killed me hhg miles and a lot of nyc jersey ton of east coast overall dispatch is great people you work with are. Great I just couldn't make it on the pay other than that I would stay they also do not want you on toll roads they also do perdiem so u can't at end of yr there profitable and smart business good luck and enjoy

 

Hey Roadhammer - Welcome aboard! Here at GIX, I'm the voice on the other end of the line when you need anything at night. I work 10pm to 6am. If you have any questions at all, feel free to give me a shout. If the phones aren't driving me crazy we can #### chat.

 

I also forgot to mention that everyone I met that works at Gix had a fun sense of humor except Andy not sure what happened with him.. anyway they are fun and treat you well they did me the pay was why I had to go.. they usually are always cooking good food around there too...

 

You're right about the food! I trained there in the office for a month and gained umpteen pounds! What was it about the pay that didn't work for you?

 

We have our own outbound customers. Inbound it's a mix. We have a couple of "homeless" drivers just like you. You'd fit right in. Like I said - I'm the night shift dispatcher so call me if you have any questions. I do miss all the hiking I used to do with my dogs. Lord! I could tell you some stories! Like the time my chocolate lab saved me from a bear! And others! WHY have you been unemployed for three weeks? Somebody should have scooped you up by now! LOL

 

Hey nekiteflyer52, I am not sure your comment is referring to mine or not.... it seems to be but not sure... Please use the person's name when making a comment so we know who you are "talking" to.

WHY I have been unemployed for 3 weeks? Because it's been very difficult to find what I want. Yes, there are many companies that would love to "have" me. But they are not set up for folks like myself and don't have what I want. I have been doing a very thorough search and it seems that there's always something that I can not negotiate. These are my main requirements:

Company with good and well maintained equipment (I have been checking FMCSA for companies' records)
No NYC and vicinities or Canada period.
Truck speed = 65 mph or higher
High roof with 2 bunks (guaranteed after orientation)
No automatic transmission (guaranteed also)
5 - 7 days off "hometime" near company terminal and company must have place for me to park their truck during my "hometime" cause I don't
95 % - 100 % no touch freight
I will not try to lift 75 lbs off the floor during orientation
Dry van only, no reefer, no tank
If company uses elog, want to be allowed to use pc (personal conveyance) without having to ask for authorization (I hate micro management)

These are the main things. But there are others such as, my residency situation, the address on my driver's license, company's terminal location, etc...

I rather find something that I will enjoy and stick with it for at least a yr than go anywhere and then repent... I would be better off if I bought my own truck but this is not a choice at this point. So, I'm taking my time here and hopefully will find a good match.

 

Rocks - We do reefer 99%. But what I like about GIX is -they pay detention after 2 hrs and our shippers and receivers don't argue. As long as you are on time for your apt, you get detention. As for the elogs - you are allowed to use pc only if you are NOT under a loaded trailer and only if you have the hours avail. in case the feds say it has to be reversed. as for the home time, your truck would be used by casual drivers for the week that you are off. It has expenses attached to it that have to be met whether you are the one driving it or not. Of all the times my truck was used in my absence, I never once had a problem - For example, I do not smoke. I abhor cigarette smoke so they made sure, whoever borrowed my truck during my home time did not smoke also. I also made sure I removed from the truck any small electronics that might tempt an otherwise honest soul. Like my gps, for example. It went home with me. As for the physical acuity test - You lift what you can, I was at 60 percent and they still accepted me. I NEVER once had to fingerprint a load. NOT once. They pay for all lumpers. In fact, they INSIST you get a lumper. They do not want you wasting your 14 hour clock on unloading. Except for your comment about reefers, we would be a good fit for you. Trust me - I had bad experiences with reefers in the past. This company is refreshingly different. So where is the home address on your license? As for our Safe Stat scores, We are among the best. I get a green light at the coops every time unless they are on some kind of a special enforcement project where everybody goes around back. ALL of our trucks are less then 18 months old and most of them are less than a year old. My truck had FOUR miles on it when I got it. Another thing - ALL of our trucks have APU's on them. Which is nice because the APU helps mute the sound of the reefer running. You should keep looking at GIX. I think you would be pleasantly surprised. Hope this helps.