JB Hunt Orientation Aug. 25, 2014

.41 cents all miles, loaded and empty. Yeah, I am a little skeptical myself, but still optimistic. That's why I wanted to post it here so that I can come back after 28 days and give the low down on their promises. I know how to manage my time and I also know that companies don't always give you the miles they promise. However, JB did guarantee a minimum of 2000 miles a week if you can manage the time properly. And I'm pretty confident in that regard as I learned to do so while at Super Service. It's basically like this: If I'm not seeing the minimum of 2000 miles a week and I'm not getting the .41 cents a mile with the added bonuses, I'll simply quit. I'm not going to stay out 4 weeks at a time and not make the money I was told I'd make. So, I'll give a detailed briefing on orientation as well as company stuff and mileage when I return next month. Til then, cheers!

 

* * * * * UPDATE * * * * * 11/09/2014

Hey guys, just wanted to follow up on this topic as I said I would. I apologize that it has taken me this long, as I have been home a few times since hiring on with JB Hunt, but was heavily occupied with other things. So, I will try answering or replying to every post here with as much detail as possible.

First off, I have to discuss the pay. I didn't start orientation until September the 8th and consequently, had to take the available accounts which started out at .39 CPM. Initially, this had me concerned but I didn't have much problem with it after my first full week, .... 2950 miles. The account I grabbed was the Midwest Regional which consists of everything east of I-35. I have been employed now for two months at JB and haven't seen New Jersey, New York and anything above. I do understand that it may be requested at sometime in the future, but by the averages so far, I'm very happy. The farthest north I've been was Allentown PA. The account I'm on is 12/2 meaning they require you to be out at least 12 days before coming home for 2. Each week out earns you 1 full day OFF the clock at your home or designated area. I stayed out for 29 days and am on a 4 day break as we speak. 4 days is the longest you can take off at a time, ... during your first full year.

The bonus was LEGIT as I have already received $250 on my first check and another $250 after 30 days. As I mentioned when starting this forum, they told me it was 75% drop and hook ... well, it has been more like 85% drop and hook which I'm VERY happy about. To top it off, JB has starting buying lots of new trailers that are so easy to work with. Any driver knows how frustrating it can be to have junk trailers. I.E. Doors not opening and closing properly, tandem lock pins not releasing or getting stuck, etc. I have pulled an average of 50% of the new trailers and 50% of the older trailers. I can honestly say, that the mechanic departments keep the older ones up to par. In 2 months so far, I've only had one problem with sliding the tandems, but it was an easy fix. WD-40 and rocking back and forth a couple times. No biggie. Truck drivers ARE expected to get out and do some physical work from time to time. I remember the last company I was with, ... about 75% of the time, I had some kind of issue with their trailers. Aggravating to say the least.

The biggest excitement during the 3rd day of orientation was learning that we all (4 guys + 2 gals) were getting brand new trucks!!! I couldn't believe it. Then we learned that most all the terminals were getting 15's (2015) delivered before November. THIS IS TRUE. I've been back to Louisville a few times since starting as well as St. Louis, Memphis and Kansas City and have witnessed with my own eyes 30-50 new trucks sitting around everywhere with green stickers (READY-TO-GO). I had to ask ... how come you guys aren't giving these new ones to the guys that have been with you for a year or 10? They told us that some of the drivers opted to get a new one, but most of all of them preferred keeping their trucks and just waiting on the next 3 year model update. JB Hunt has been notorious for Internationals, (some people like, some don't) but 90% of the new trucks are Freightliners. Cascadia Evolutions. I personally prefer Freightliner as I have had International and Volvo so far in my short career and my 2015 only had 283 miles on it when I got it issued. Now it has 23,770.

MILEAGE: I have been consistently running 2,800 - 3,000 miles every week. The only time this doesn't happen is when you decide to come home. That's a given. But, the mileage is up to par as they quoted. I'm very excited about this. I understand the winter will slow down a little. Not necessarily the freight ... but YOU, the individual. No cruise control and 65 miles per hour as usual.

The trucks are governed at 65 MPH, but I heard something the other day to the effect of getting this speed upgraded after so many miles/months/safe driving - no speeding incidents/tickets. I will inquire more on this when I go in for a PM at 30,000 miles. Also, these new trucks have a 1200 watt inverter pre-installed ... FREE of charge.

JB Hunt uses PeopleNet ... versus Qualcomm. Initially, I had problems adapting but now am quite efficient using it. As one driver pointed out to us at orientation, ... "Once you get used to it, you will love it." He was right about that. It has a much cleaner interface, and the pre-installed Navigo program is tied into some of your canned messages (macros). For example, one of them is your arrival at shipper/consignee message. When you enter your destination in the navigation and arrive there, it automatically asks you ... "Have you arrived at the shipper?" It has two options ... YES or NO. You hit yes and that's it. You don't have to fill out the actual canned message. This is just for arrivals, not loaded and unloaded calls. You still have to fill these out. The navigation through Navigo, is free by the way. Last company I was with charged you 3 dollars a week to utilize it on their trucks. And this navigation is the newest form of Navigo with up-to-date directions. I have not been steered wrong YET!

JB just incorporated a new deal on bonuses. There are no longer "fuel" bonuses. There are now "Production" bonuses and in my opinion, they are much more sweeter and easily reached. I have already received one ... $500.00 ... all at once, two weeks ago. Here's how it works:

- 8,000 miles equals .03 per mile
- 9,000 miles equals .04 per mile
- 10,000 miles equals .05 per mile
- 11,000+ miles equals .06 per mile

This runs during a 28 day period and starts all over again every month. I reached the 10,000 mile point and got $500 added on my check when the 28th day passed, .... that Thursday, boom! ... there it was. This is sweet in my opinion.

There are of course, bonuses given for driver referrals and right now, if any of us refers a driver and he/she is hired before December 12th, we get $1,000. This is a special Christmas bonus. Everytime this time of year.

I think I have covered everything so far. Feel free to ask any questions if something comes up that I didn't cover. Thanks.

Preston Hinkle
hinkletransit@yahoo.com

*** I will give you my phone number once you email me if you prefer talking versus messaging ***

 

These numbers are the max amount of time you stay out. Everything is essentially 12/2 .... 12/2 is the minimum stay out time. Most people choose these options because of money. If you are say on a 28/4 account and want to go home after 12 days ... YOU CAN. You just need to let your Fleet Manager (dispatcher) know a few days in advance.