Overall a good company.....

Worked for them from 2004 to 2006 running reefer.

Good points:

Late model PB379's and KW's - It'll take a while to move up to the newer equipment. I was in an older PB short-nose with chronic electrical problems that never quite got resolved.

Pay was always spot-on. Reimbursements for scales, lumpers, etc. paid with no hassles. Detention paid automatically - never needed to ask.

Good DM's but coverage was a little spotty on weekends as there was only one person handling everything.

Breakdown is good - will get help to you without a lot of delay.

Maintenance was above average once they got rid of the drunk - they actually have a tire crew that will spot-check your rubber and if it even looks like it's going flat, they'll pull you around and change it right there.

No truck wash but they contracted a portable wash crew to come and do exteriors on trailers but they would wash your tractor FCFS.

27-3000 miles/wk.

PrePass

Good terminals but with limited facilities at some (Shower, shop, etc)

They have a very good community-college driving school affiliate that can, but does not train exclusively for them. Will train and employ noobs - good starter company. Good trainers. 6 week minimum with trainer.


Not-so-good points:

CA I-5 - OR I-5 - WA I-5. Had the occasional fish load SEA/WI or divert into PHX for Sara Lee but LA to Seattle was the norm.

Tight loads. Fine but towards the end of your 70 they "push" you to get it there, do "whatever" you have to do...real bone of contention.

95% heavy loads with a heavy tractor. Lots of running on 1/4 - 1/2 tanks and lots of refueling.

Home time is great (and they will eventually get you there) but if you don't live close to one of the terminals or yards (Spokane, Pasco, French Camp or Fontana) or somewhere on the I-5 corridor, it can be a hassle sometimes.

Orientation 3 days - very tedious and structured - lots of videos and it is presented by a crabby individual who has been there for years and really doesn't like his job..or so it seems..

If you are a left-coastie and especially if you are starting out, you really could do a whole lot worse.

 

I'm not sure what they offer right now, but in '04 it was well above average .28 to start - It's probably in the mid-30's by now.

Not sure what training paid since I never did it. But I never heard many complaints concerning that...

No slip seating -assigned tractors - Petes and KW's - smaller sleepers on the older equipment - I believe it's '05 and above now..

If you are interested in running flats, they have the blue side of the company, System transport which is 48 state. They have pretty good no-tarp boat and forklift divisions in which the boat div runs WA to FL and back..

They are listed as Trans-System on the web.

They have their particular issues but as I said before,starting out you could do a WHOLE lot worse...

 

Heard thru the grapevine that freight is down for both sides - but they always did encourage/point/command you to go System if you are a new driver...

But I still see lots of their flats all over the country so it can't be that bad..