melton good or bad

Someone at Melton is famous today.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=weather&id=8940439

 

Dont think that back tarp being on top is gunna help him much either......

 

I live just north of Baltimore Md, does Melton handle a good bit of freight in this area ? Is the $50k+ figure a year realistic with them. I know their training is not long do they give you a good manual for load securement and is there available help over the phone if needed. Do they push drivers to be out 3 weeks at a time and do they supply the tarps, chaines and binders ? thanks

 

There is a good amount of freight that goes through your area, yes. I've picked up out of the port there a few times, and also within 100 miles. 50k is realistic, if you're a hard worker. I cleared 50 last year and took probably 2.5 months off. They will put you with a trainer driver for a while, depending on your experience. How long have you driven? Their manual goes over how to secure some loads, but securing a load is mainly taking your time, looking over the load, and figuring out where you need to put your securement. A lot of the places we pick up will have other drivers loading, be it another Melton, or just another flat bed driver, who you can ask for help. I have done it many times, and still do it if I have a load I'm not sure of. All equipment is provided--tarps, chains, binders, straps, etc. You will get 100 bungees free, then have to buy your own after that. Depending on where you live, you may be required to stay out 3 weeks before going home. Some places are 2 weeks.

 

You're in Baltimore. duh...lol You are in the 2 week area...

 

I called them not too long ago, well may 2-3 months ago, and a lady told me they don't have trainers that you go out with, just onsite, and then your on your own. I wouldn't mind training my self after the first year for the extra pay $$$ I was with Prime reefer division for a short time and i am trying to cut down on the 3-4 weeks out at a time.

 

The training program just started towards the end of the year. Depending on how much driving experience you have, you'll stay with a trainer anywhere between 1-3 weeks, mainly just to get securement training if you've driven long enough.

 

My husband works for Melton and really likes it most days, the days he don't is usually driveing through some big city, then it's just plain driveing he don't like. We happen to be in a 3 week out area, but new that from the begining. I ride with him along with our dog.

We have run into very, very few others who will not help when you ask, LOL, or even when you don't. Their are bad apples in every barrel. Not that they were rude or anything, just did not help.

You get the number of a driver mentor that you can call at any time you think you need help, that is if you just don't call load securement.

Gotta go, pulling in to eat, but I and my husband will answer any questions.

Edit: we have had no problems getting our home time and not much getting back out, we live in Fl. We are averageing about 1800 to 2200 miles per week right now. We have only sat idle 3 times for more than one day, once for a 34 hr reset, at Chrismas we stayed out and had 2 extra days on a run from El Paso to Baltimore. The last time was a misunderstanding with a delivery date and our home time, a lack of good comunication with our DM, both our faults.

 

Bigunn had his tarps backwards...........anyone else notice that?

 

Yes did notice that.