Requesting Insight/Advice to make my final decision.

boyd bros. is now owned by Daseke, they own a number flatbed companies.

 

Boyd Bros.
Central Oregon Truck Co.
Lone Star Transportation
& others

 

Not at all Farmboy . I will start by saying that I was extremely sold on them not long ago for a variety of reasons as I was born and raised in Iowa where they have there HQ. I have known people who have worked for them and I even did buisness with them in selling equipment to them for there maintenance shops. So I was always familiar with there equipment the owner and management. Not like friends but a business relationship. I went throught the right channels and got my pre- hire letter from them and actually was going to be signing a sponsorship contract with them at a CDL school they work with....

Then I started looking more in depth as I wanted to know as much as I could about them before I joined the company. While I knew they were a large company I did not consider them to be a Mega Carrier.. I started seeing information on the class size of there orientations and there recruiting practices. Found out that they would have around 60 people on average at every orientation. so every 2 weeks they would have a new batch of 60 people. That sounded a great deal like the company owned cdl schools at the Mega Carriers. Red Flag #1
I then learned that out of the 60 new people by the end of week 1 of orientation that number was reduced by 10-15 people on average by the end of orientation week 2 that number was again reduced by 5-10 people. Now the reasons for the reduction was everything from legitimate such as background checks failed drug tests failed physical and physical aptitude to be able to do the job. But also there were people who were sent home for walking on the grass and not being a good fit for TMC.. I also found out that you could be fired for not washing your truck. I always thought that was a myth and I did know they were very particular about there trucks which I was fine with because I am a bit OCD about cleaning vehicles. But firing someone for having a dirty truck and mandatory truck wash policy every 2 weeks minimum seems a bit over the top..

The last and most concerning thing that made me change my opinion or feelings. I confirmed that they have started putting driver facing cameras in there trucks. What bothers me more than the fact they are putting them in is the way they are doing it. They do not tell you and have instructed there recruiters to not say anything about the cameras unless they are asked. If asked they are instructed to tell people that yes they are putting them in but only in trucks in which the company has a concern with the drivers experience, abilities and when a driver has an incident so they can coach that driver to correct... For me there is no reason to be deceptive about the cameras and I will not drive for a company that has the driver facing cameras. At this time I have that choice. If they ever make it a law then I may have to reconsider if I want to stay in the industry.. But as long as I have a choice I will choose NOT to drive for companies who use them..

Hope this helps and sorry it was so long.

 

thanks I just looked at the link. I was not aware of that although I did know Boyd had bought WTI.. Well then this will require a bit more research on my part. At a glance it appears as though they are all run independently but in trucking that nothing really is at it appears to be. As I found out that a couple of companies I was looking at while independently operated they had partnerships with a Mega career. it turned out that partnership was pulling the megas trailers and loads in many cases, leasing there tractors through the mega. They really were just a different company in name only... Thanks so much for the info as this very well could change my 3 company list to 1 and make my decision that much easier.. I already have eliminated 1 of the 3..

 

WTI, Bulldog Hiway Express, Hornady Transportation, EW Wylie, J Grady Randoph and Smokey Point Distributing

 

I like options. Different freight. Different trailer configurations. Options are good. TMC has the exact same bottomfeeder status as Maverick and Melton and Boyd, however, they expect their driver to do stupid pet tricks. They gave started to remove the super singles from the fleet, but now cameras and automatic transmissions? Industry leader my arse. Every time a driver has to switch trailers, he has to empty the boxes on the trailer? And then their "heavy haul fleet"...the rgns. 5 axle, but they're ' heavyhaul'. How stupid. I was actually surprised that they survived 2009.

Well, out of all the entry level companies, TMC must have the best KoolAid.

 

So after researching more about Boyd being part of a much larger company (Daseke) which has approx 1900 tractors spread out among 9 different flatbed carriers that they own. They are the 49th largest for hire carrier in North America and the 2nd largest flatbed/specialized carrier in North America... So I am presently left with System which I was heavily leaning towards among the 3 anyway. However because I simply want to make the best decision for me in selecting a company I think it would be prudent to research a bit more. Any suggestions or recommendations of Flatbed carriers would be appreciated that hire recent CDL School Grads.

Also @Chinatoown TripleSix Mountaingoat MJ1657 I have submitted all of the paperwork and paid the fees to obtain my own authority. I did this as an option of running my own truck.. Any feed back from you on this I would appreciate as well. I am looking at buying this 2013 Kenworth T660 Studio Sleeper it has 376k miles.
USDOT number
MC number - Interstate Authority
UCR Registration
$ 750,000 Liability insurance and BOC-3 process agent filing
Apportioned License Plates (IRP)
IFTA (International Fuel Tax) License
State Permits – NY HUT, KYU, New Mexico, Oregon

 

I have little doubt that you will succeed in this business, but please be careful with a new emissions truck. I'd let John Kerry have it & pick out a nice new glider. 6nz with full warranty

 

Thanks. As far as buying a truck it really is a back up plan and not high on my list of what I prefer to do.. However I did send in for my authority as I felt that having all of that would not hurt me to have. It also was fairly inexpensive..

 

You need to price the insurance to support buying a truck with no experience. I think you find that it will be cost prohibitive, especially considering the current rate environment.

But more importantly you will lack the support structure necessary to learn how to do the job both efficiently and safely. There are lessons you will learn in your first year that are better learned without the pressure of running your own truck. Having a breakdown department, a compliance department, a dispatch system and yes even a trainer as crappy as they might be.

I am a one truck shop and it can be overwhelming at times.

As a new driver, you need to focus on the day to day job and not on finding freight.

Just my thoughts


Ron