Link America.. GOOD

Loaded two picks. Fayetteville, AR then Decatur, AR going to New Braunfels, TX for ASAP drop. Going to swing into Ft Worth to get tires swapped on truck along the way. Maybe I can talk them into giving me another truck since this one has transmission and injector issues.

 

As I'm waiting to be unloaded at a Publix DC in Miami, FL a few days ago a driver walks in front of my truck with his paperwork and he waves at me. I don't know him. But he stops, backs up, and comes around to my door. He says he used to drive my truck. Seeing the expression on my face he explains that he used to work for the company I work for and that I'm in the truck he used to drive.

He asked about the office staff and I tell him they're still there. Then he tells me why he left the company. I tell him that there are still problems in those areas.

After we talked for awhile I asked him if his current company is hiring. I'm close to a year at my company and, to be honest, I 'm wondering if his company is better than mine.

He tells me that his company is hiring and that I should check them out. He points out that no company is perfect, but he likes how he is treated.

My question is about the low CSA score on the equipment. Are they getting better? I hate going through weigh stations and wondering if I'm going to get inspected. But if I'm going to be inspected, I just want to pass that inspection. With Link America, if the lights don't shine, can you get them fixed? (the lights at the top of the trailer...) Are the tires up to standards, even on the trailers?

I may not have looked at Link America except that someone that knew my situation recommended them. I would have passed based on the current CSA score. (the current equipment score is at alert status) But I read this thread and it seems the company is trying to do the right thing.

What do you think? Is this company working to be safe AND profitable? I'm not looking to be a super-trucker. I just want to make a living.

Thanks for you responses.

 

Take a super close look at the score sheet. Before September they were hit all the time. Since then, they are passing inspections. Take that into account when you look at it. It takes three years for numbers to drop. Company was bought out in August 2010. They took over DOT number and cleaned house.

They asked for audit and passed it in February. Their rating is now back to Satisfactory.

Here is how it is now. All equipment must be in working proper order and safe. It must pass inspection when you pick it up and drop it off. You drop a bad trailer and leave for next guy, first time you're charged for it. Second they might fire you. They are not playing around on that anymore.

Trailers older than 10 years are pulled. You pull one into yard with load on, they might pull it off and put it into empty. They are getting rid of them. Problems with your truck, it's in shop. Too many problems, they pull it. They have really cracked down on maintenance. Then again, everyone has since CSA.

I grabbed a trailer that had whole mudflap bracket wire tied on. That's all that held it in place. They had road service come to me, put on flashing yellow warning lights, then follow me like an escort to their shop 1 mile away to repair. Another trailer had light out on top left corner. They had road service come to me and repair it. Breakdown says if you move, ticket is yours. They don't want you pulling any trailer that is bad.

That is my experience with them so far. Did that help answer your questions?

 

Yes. I appreciate the response. It seems this company is looking to improve. I like that the driver took the time to talk to me since he knew what my current situation is.

Hey, I'm in his old truck! So he knows.

I'll keep reading and may apply soon. I like this thread so far.

Thanks again.

 

Well for me not so good. I drop at MO this morning and unfortunately i did not get another load. So i am in an mt parking space and still waiting for a load going se

 

Do you have hours? Call night dispatch for St Louis to Louisiana. Guy I was in orientation with did that run twice. Loads in Louisiana to Lakeland. You might get lucky.

 

Got truck looked at in Fort Worth and I'm told clutch isn't lined up properly. They looked in records and it was just done in Lakeland at Kenworth. So they have transmission on ground and are fixing clutch. They checked steering and found tires to be bad. They swapped them out as well. No trucks available so I couldn't get another. One new truck here, but it's dedicated Lane truck with Lane markings on it so that is a no go.

Hopefully will be back to running load here soon.