Heartland,

I will never reccomend Heartland to any driver. Can't say it's really a BAD company from my point of experience ... but I can say that I just ###### HATE IT !!! I'm ready to move on and try to find a team gig like I had before. Run hard all week, 1200 in the bank, and home for the weekend. Its good to have seniority... but it really sucks being last hired.
I signed on with Heartland mainly to get weekends off. I do have a life and still have friends. It's been drive-byes, or No load home. Don't be surprised about sitting at a truck stop all day Friday and Saturday , to get your load home that delivers Sunday morning, then pick up your early Monday delivery right afterward. Or getting your load info late so that you time out and have to shut down an hour away from your home. The 2100 mile average is about the best you can expect . You will be burning up about 45% of your 70 hours just sitting at a dock, and running short loads with 0 to 250 miles pay avg.
You might get at least one load over 500 during the week. Oh..Yes They do use the HHG movers guide to pay you. So factor in the 10-15% rip off on your pay. Yes they do expect you to pick up and deliver loads that pay 0 ...with no pay. No detention dollars in your pocket for sitting at a dock over night. At least you won't be getting any. They have a no idle policy, but NONE of the trucks have APU's. So bring plenty of towels cause you are going to sweat your balls off if you play by their rules. No... that 2100 miles does not come easy at all. Driving both nights and days 200 here 100 there, 65 here ..within your 14 hour stretch. After interviewing several company drivers, I found that my experience is not unique...except they are surprised that I'm getting the 2100 miles already. (might have something to do with getting the loads in early). When I ask " How are they treating you..I have to laugh because I hear the same disappointed grunt from everyone. I haven't been this aggravated since my days delivering cement powder and lime. Average hourly pay ? A few cents better than minimum wage if you factor in overtime.

I would definitely recommend this company if you are homeless.

 

Canyon Laker-wow that bites!
Looks like you are rather new here at TTR-it's a great place to find information, vent or just have a few laughs. Hopefully u will keep everyone updated and GOOD LUCK!!

 

I agree 100%. I work There.

 

So True......all of it.

 

My old co-driver went from CRST to Heartland, because they promised him decent home time every other weekend. He kept telling me how good it was for about 2 months, he almost had me talked into going there. And then all of a sudden things starting changing and he was getting hung out week after week. His tractor had problems from the A/C not working to leaking water to the PeopleNet not working and him loosing loads. He set in terminals waiting for it to be fixed for days, when he got it back it still wasn't right.
He quit about 5 months in, sure glad I didn't jump.

 

Well if we could all stick together we could have the industry by the pants! But nobody will stand together and fight your fellow driver will take that cheap load you won't so the cycle continues. We are our own worst enemies.

 

Yea ive been doin this for 20 yrs.I learned after my 1st 5 yrs to stay away from the large companies.I wont work for a company with over 50 trucks.

 

I too fell for the HEARTLAND Express "smoke", Regional, when I ended up in O'fallon, Mo. watching the ball drop with 5 more of my "new" closest trucking friends...and being there for a total of 5 days then receiving ONE layover pay because 5 days is only one instance....I moved on too...I FEEL YOUR PAIN

 

I delivered into Tampa several years ago and their were 5 Heartland Trucks there in front of me. All were out of florida and 4 were quitting as soon as they got back. The complaint was the same stuff you posted. They were promised .50/mile but were only getting 1200-1300 miles a week. its a game the companies play. Either they promise you a ton of money then don't run you or pay you less and run you to death. All ends out the same.

 

After reading that the question is Why??