Kivi Bro's Open Deck done Right

some of already do

 

How is it going, is Kivi keeping you guys busy?

 

Yeah it’s been fairly consistent, all things considered, I don’t know how closely you follow the thread but overall money is still out there and most of our large accounts have steady freight.

Some nervousness about what may come with the fall, but for now things are OK. Hey the checks are still cashing and we’re still hiring, not growing as hard as we’d planned, but still moving forward.

 

How often do the Alaska runs come up? Do they have a list of drivers who want to go up there or is it seniority based? Thanks

 

They are fairly consistent and you need to have a passport. It’s often being someone trustworthy who’s in the right place at the right time. It’s always your choice to go there or Canada.

 

Just crossing the border now back from my second trip to AK since I have been with KIVI. From what I see it's an opportunity for drivers that have proven to be reliable, competent,safe and compliant . KIVI makes it known during orientation , that your past is great and all, but they can only go by past history so much. You hire on here, and you start day one showing the company who you are, what kind of driver you really are.
Driving up to AK can be tough for a seasoned veteran, plus having all your prerequisites, Passport and all in order, TWIC and HAZMAT and Tanker endorsements recommended just in case a liquid load pops up, or a military load pops up that requires a TWIC, saw several truck loaded coming down the ALCAN with a full load of oil totes that required Tanker endorsement for flatbed due to quantity. I have gotten a couple of oil totes loads when in a bad freight area because I had all my endorsements as well.
This last load came available as I was planning to head home, they seem to come without much notice, so it's another consideration. If you need to be home every 2 weeks, an Alaska run is 1 week up 1 week back down. I hope I have answered your question regarding Alaska.

 

With 2 weeks out, do you think someone could gross 75-80 a year?

 

I have gotten bombarded with "number" questions and it's exhausting. It's all hypothetical, been talked about again and again. It seems like I give straight up honest talk, but drivers are fishing for the Magic Answer. So many variables. but in my opinion, 75-80 gross in 2020 would command running ALOT of miles and staying out for longer intervals. There are drivers that aim high, but I like a life with balance. Typically, I like to run 3 weeks out, 1 week home. 2020 has been unique, that when the Covid hit in March, I literally stayed out 7 weeks straight, for fear of the unknown. So, I'm now in a 4 week out, 1 week home schedule, hopefully 2021 brings us back to some normalcy.

 

I’ll second that, making big money in 2020 means a lot of time on the road, I’m likely to be in the low $60K region after all is said and done and I go home every three weeks.

Don’t however forget that we are a percentage paid company, and all those AK runs really pad your pay. Also after being with the company for a couple of years, your annual safety increases start to make a difference. Our max percentage payout is 30%.

I enjoy the flexibility we have at Kivi, so long as you’re willing to work you have some level of choice with how you run and can come up with a pretty nice work/life balance.

 

Is it easier to live near a terminal?
I live about an 1.5 hours from Cloquet. AND, right next door to 2 major flatbed shippers. That I seldom see KIVI at.