Ok Ok, how do I read through all the B.S.?

Glad you enjoyed it. Right now with my experience I would refuse to transfer to a DG account. I want more practice backing and making sure my tandems are where I want them to be first.

I actually enjoy the work of unloading the truck myself. I don't understand why guys whine about it. I've had drivers ask why I picked to run for jcp, as they use pallet jacks and have to unload copious amounts of hanging clothing. I'll always tell them that it's a chance to get off my ### and do some real work. And using a pallet jack ends up cutting down the work anyways.

Stein Mart is very similar to DG, nothing is on pallets and at some locations you do use hand trucks, others simplified the process and have rolling racks or rolling conveyors.

I'm glad you enjoyed the DG account though, I think most don't realize how much work it is until it's too late. I still plan to caution newbies about them though... Just based on difficulty with some locations. In my case, I can't go a day without backing at least twice.

One thing is for sure. Many drivers I've seen, and I'm guilty too, need to get off their butts and out of the cab.

Best of luck to you and thanks for your comment!

 

all I gotta say is

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/werner-trainer-craps-himself.39618/

 

Ah... Our age old dump on Werner thread. Still alive and kicking.

It's a good read, written by a driver that started for Werner.

 

my favorite thread of all time lol

 

I second that.!!!

 

thanks... I am like you... I not only enjoy physical work but need it to stay sane and in shape... I did flatbed for awhile and liked it.. and right now, I am enjoying my TowTruck gig...

yeah.. I was already fairly good at backing as well as running back roads and two lanes highways before I got onto the DG account... and for a new driver the driving and backing challenges would be more taxing a stressful...

Same with the unloading... you have to get a system that works for you...

the thing with DG type accounts.. is the faster you can get to each store, back in and unload the more money you can make... but if something slows you up.. be it backing or unloading then the less you make...
Which is why some drivers average $20 or more an hour and others are barely making minimum wage... if on loads that technically pay the same... simple example a $100 load being done in 4 hours verses 8 hours, the driver who did it in 4 will make twice as much as he or she is already headed back for another load..

now, I will admit.. I made great money on the DG account... but, I did also color outside the lines... meaning, I didn't log it as I was doing it.. I wouldnt even start my 14 hour clock until I was pretty much done unloading
my first stop... and so it would match with DGs computer log.. I would pull all my toppers and stage my rolltainers.. then have them unlock and start their log... all I had to do was roll the rolltainers in and the u boats.. then toss on my dunnage and zip to the next store...

back at the terminal to get my next load I had discussions with other drivers complaining how they were not making money.. and when I would tell them to hold off starting their clock they would always chirp off witn they aint working off the clock...
but what was always sticking them, was running out of hours and having to reset.. where I always had an extra hour or two to get down the road and often grab my next load... so by the weeks end, I would have two sometimes 3 more loads that week then them.. my thinking was different then theres.. I am gonna be out here all week.. I might as well make as much money as I can...

they had me ride along with one guy who was struggling and making no money... and wow, were we day and night.. the amount of wasted time in the way he ran was crazy.. he would stay at a truck stop about an hour or so from his first stop, wake up and do a pre trp.. then go in and have a sit down breakfast.. while his clock was ticking away.. he was slower than molases, and took rests ofen during the unloading.. then stop for lunch on the way to the second stop.. long sit down lunch.. get to his second stop and run out of time to make his third... so it would take him two or three days sometimes to do a loaded trailer... when I showed him how much I was making compared to him.. he stepped it up a bit for about two days.. then back to slack...

everybody different.. everyone wants a big paycheck.. but how much they are willing to work for it varies...

but.. I guess in fairness.. I am lucky that I enjoy physical work and pushing myself... when I was younger I pushed myself in sports... now, I push myself in work...

I dont complain about not making money.. or how to stay in shape..

now, after you get experience there are better opportunities... better companies, better gigs.. but still, you gotta do the work... no company is gonna pay you well to be a goof...

 

I disagree. The government hires goofballs and goof-offs all the time!

Yeah. I know what you mean. Starting out while I was still getting my bearings wasn't that great a check, but it wasn't terrible either. This week was a rare, but very lazy week. Seemed like there were no good assignments when I was available. Ah well, #### happens. Now though, I can't believe what I slowpoke I was.

Do the work and you'll get paid. That's the truth. Flatbed seems to be what I'm looking at next, but I'll likely need somebody to help show me the rope...err...straps.

 

I would cross western express and Werner off your list. Don't know about the others.