My journey with Dart

I'll be starting with Dart on Wednesday. Flying to Minneapolis tomorrow. According to my recruiter I will be reimbursed for my plane ticket up to the price of a greyhound which was actually more expensive than a plane this time around. ($115 w/Southwest, $260w/greyhound from Tampa to Minneapolis.) I'll keep you all updated on my journey with them and will try to post as much info as I can along with actual pay.

I have been waiting about 3 weeks for a truck to become available. In the meantime I have read the bad and good about them and spoken to a few drivers and taking all of the info into consideration. Everyone's experience is different.

Yes I am L/P a truck through them and I will post the numbers once I get them in official writing. I've already successfully completed a lease through Prime but it was not a purchase program. I learned quite a bit during my time with them so I know what I'm getting into on the business side and know some of the things I need to correct to be even more successful this time. It's not a job...you have to run it like a business if you want to be successful.

I'll post again tomorrow when I get to the hotel and after my days in orientation.

TTYL!
TJ

 

I know they have older trucks that were available immediately starting at 1k/mo but I decided to wait for a newer 2012/2013 Volvo 630/670 due to increased fuel mileage. They had some drivers getting into brand new Freightliner's and were trading in their 2012/2013 Volvos. It took longer than expected to get some of the trucks in which delayed those waiting for the Volvos. The truck I'm leasing is a 2013 630 with a D11 and I-Shift, 130kmi, 1x 150 gal tank, super singles on the rear, apu. Warranty is 250k on all minor engine and "bolt on" parts, 500k on the engine itself, 750k on the transmission. Not sure how the D11 will be vs the D13. Everyone I spoke with said the 12spd I-shift is spectacular.

TJ

 

They will send you to orientation wherever the truck you select is. They have terminals in GA and IN and TX. My truck just happened to be in MN where the main terminal is.

There are other companies that hire in FL but some of them were not hiring at this time. Local jobs are hard to find in my area and the ones I did apply to had tons of other drivers applying as well.

 

Picked up at the airport from a cab provided by Dart and checked in to the Country Inn and Suites yesterday evening. Real nice hotel which is right across the street from Dart. Cost was covered by Dart and I'll be reimbursed for the flight expense. Breakfast at the hotel in the morning and Dart covered lunch. Dinner is up to you.

Only 3 of us in orientation today besides the Dart drivers just there for the safety class. 1 for the company side (Dartco I believe) and the other was buying a truck from his brother and bringing it on as an O/O. We started in a safety and general DOT regulations class. We were given a copy of the PSP report they pulled on us as well as other paperwork to fill out and bring back tomorrow. (Basic HR, DOT and alchohol/drug compliance papers etc)Today was a shorter day for one due to class size so we didn't have to deal with a lot of questions and the insurance class was moved to tomorrow.

We took a brief break and finished up some additional safety information. Had lunch at about 11:30 and then took a road test. My test took longer because several lights were out on the street Dart was on which also triggered the railroad crossing signal so we had to wait for someone to come and reset the RR crossing. It looked like they were digging near by and hit some type of power line.

Anyway the day was over after the road test unless you needed to take your drug screen and physical which I did and another driver did as well. He lived local so he offered me a ride over. The shuttle will take you there as well if you need it. They will also try to get the drug screen and physical done at an approved clinic near you before you go to orientation but the closest one they had was too far from my house.

We will be taking a general contractor class tomorrow (for those that are under the L/P or are O/O) as well as covering insurance and PeopleNet. I'll be talking with the sales department to go over the lease as well. If you are an O/O you can get your inspection done tomorrow as well. All contractors are required to have their truck inspected every 90 days which is paid for if you get it done through the terminal or approved shop.

I'll post more info as I get it. One more thing on equipment. They phasing out old trailers and have just purchased and put into use 700 new trailers. They have another 1000 on order waiting on delivery. I know I have heard a lot of complaints from Dart drivers and others about the condition on their trailers so its good to see them doing this.