Pilot/Flying J Fuel Hauler 1 year Review

Discussion in 'Hazmat Trucking Forum' started by Whiteout out West, Jun 4, 2024.

  1. Whiteout out West

    Whiteout out West Bobtail Member

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    Haven't seen any recent posts about the company so figured I would put some fresh info out there. Been with PFJ for a year. Overall, it's been a good experience, especially considering the previous gas company I worked for which was horrible.

    The Good:
    -Hourly pay (varies by region but Im at $30) with overtime (1.5x) after 40 hrs, I've grossed around $120k since starting, with about 10 or so of the last 52 weeks of working my full 70 hour clock
    - Decent benefits, we're paid every monday, 401k w/ 6% match, family Health Insurance is $75 weekly, vision/dental is reasonable
    - no micromanaging IF you do your job and show up on time, I rarely talk to my supervisor or manager
    -very easy job IF you pay attention, plenty of room to move around, etc.
    -you usually can work up to your 70 if you want the extra $$$, normally I'm around 55-60 hours per week
    -They give you an extra $100 per week for working sat/Sundays and 1$/hr differential for night shift

    The Bad:
    -pay raises are not guaranteed and are mainly based off how many people leave for competing companies
    - Night shift, I was on nights until about a month ago, I managed but I was on the verge of taking another job for a dayshift (for several different reasons)
    -working weekends
    -dealing with Truckers who parked on your fuel drops then fell asleep :mad:
    -hauling gas (we mostly do diesel) through crowded metro areas where people can't drive

    Overall Rating: 7/10
    I was aiming to originally get on with Gemini (Loves) but they were not hiring at the time and they currently have a 7-10 year wait to get onto dayshift (or so I've heard). I plan to stay at PFJ for the foreseeable future unless another company offers me a promotion/significant raise/better hours within the next year or two.
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2024
    Rodeorowdy, user10130, lual and 15 others Thank this.
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  3. FFL Trucker

    FFL Trucker Light Load Member

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    I've always wondered about the 401k with pilot flying j since they aren't on the stock market with Buffet having full control after the buyout.

    Do you get pilot flying j stock?
     
  4. Whiteout out West

    Whiteout out West Bobtail Member

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    It's not an employee stock purchase program, it's just a normal 401k with a match.
     
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  5. Ccsolem

    Ccsolem Bobtail Member

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    May 10, 2024
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    Did the pilot 401k contribution change recently? I thought they were doing 3% match at 100%, then 2% at 50%. I'm looking at an area that seems to have trouble hiring, might make the switch from reefer.
     
  6. Whiteout out West

    Whiteout out West Bobtail Member

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    Truth be told I haven't been using their 401k yet, been paying off debt so I don't know for sure. They just advertise it at 6% match, which they don't match it until after you've been here a year.

    That being said they just changed the weekend differential pay, which for most drivers here will be a pay cut. Pilot does the bare minimum to be above the average in the fuel industry, no guaranteed pay increases.

    I'll be looking at moving to a better carrier after my house is built next summer/fall. I'd look closer at Loves or other companies in your area if you want to be treated the best but otherwise not a bad place to get fuel experience.

    We have a decent amount of turnover in any competitive market. Denver for example has had high turnover since I started here last summer because pilot pays among the lowest of all fuel hauling companies and they drag their feet to give raises.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2024
    user10130 Thanks this.
  7. user10130

    user10130 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 11, 2024
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    Most of the jobs posted on Pilot's area advertise pretty low pay (like 23-26/hr even in really big regions) but a lot of drivers for PIlot say that they make 30/hr. I'm not trying to say you're lying or anything but I was wondering if the pay they advertise is incorrect or if something else goes into the pay.
     
    James j Thanks this.
  8. Whiteout out West

    Whiteout out West Bobtail Member

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    The lowest starting pay I'm aware of in like the Midwest is $26/hr, it wouldn't surprise me if it's lower in other areas but again i don't know cause I'm in the Rocky Mountain region and the cost of living out here requires them to be higher ($30-31/hr).

    If they list a range its usually only a $2 dollar difference, the higher amount is a night shift. There are probably better employers in your area to go for such as Loves or Sheetz.
     
    user10130 Thanks this.
  9. Cali kid

    Cali kid Road Train Member

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    IE, CA
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    The cons listed are 99% of all fuel hauling especially in the big city.
     
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  10. Whiteout out West

    Whiteout out West Bobtail Member

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    There's been a few other negative developments since I wrote the original post two months ago. Not the end of the world, still a decent company but not top tier.
     
    REO6205 and Cali kid Thank this.
  11. ajax1337

    ajax1337 Light Load Member

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    Apr 27, 2018
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    Man 26/hr is ridiculous, I was making 34/hr driving a yard hostler and that was before OT. Every other company around me was paying 23-25/hr to do the same job. Hopefully you can find something higher paying.
     
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