Running with JCT, Part Deux

I'm not an expert on tires. I'm just saying that in three years of driving I've NEVER HAD A BLOWOUT on my tractor. Never. I just had a 2000 dollar blow out and I'm bitter. It could me my fault, so I'm not holding it against JCT. I'm just saying, pay attention to your tires, big time.

 

Yes. No commitment variable lease allows you down time and walk away ability.

Last year I took off two weeks around Thanksgiving and another four weeks after Christmas plus all of my other time off periods. Maybe 8 weeks worth? No hassles.

Truck selection process had me furious....I almost walked.

Two people in the office (dm's) I dislike. They are condescending, rude and arrogent. Neither is my dm and fortunately I rarely ever speak with them but when I do I am polite, professional and hold my tongue. Other than those two everyone else is fantastic!

Cdl since '94. Been here a little over 1 & 1/2 years and don't regret the move here one bit.


Did I spell arrogent correctly? Doesn't look right

 

Any service due is supposed to be done and any service due soon is disclosed. Tires will be at least slightly more than dot legal. You go over the truck before leaving the shop and note ANY problems to be fixed. They fix them then you take off.

Don't worry about a negative maintenance balance if it happens as it will right itself over time...foregoing a complete p.o.s.

Soon after I left the gate (within 6 months) I put 6 tires, a three axle alignment and thousands (yes, thousands) of dollars in repairs/maintenance to get the truck in perfect order. My account has gone negative 3 separate times. I now have over $4,000 in the account.

 

Guess I'm feeling chatty today...

Must have been a drive? $1,300 (with all the added costs) for the tire; $400ish for the wheel and $300ish for the road call. It all adds up.

Either under inflation (preventable) or impact damage (undetectable if internally damaged) were likely causes.

I hate stupid singles....nothing super about them. Nothing "grand" about Grand Junction or Grand Island either.

 

Speaking of tires...from what I've been told, and not 100% it's a fact (so correct me please if this is incorrect), but you're supposed to receive a credit when replacing your tires at Sapulpa based on the percentage of tire left when you initially leased the truck. Meaning if your tires had 70% remaining tread, you should get a 30% discount when replacing that tire. 90% remaining tread, 10% discount. And so on. It was explained to me that way, and one of the reasons the tread depth remaining on each tire is noted on your inspection sheet when you sign for the truck.

 

Feeling chatty because I'm drinking, I chat to myself other times.

Anyways, good to know I'm not alone in the expense category. The maintenance account never dawned on me as being my money until another driver casually mentioned it. It actually is a tax right off, so minus that from gross income.

Speaking of lease operator annoyances, taxes are definitely another annoyance. Double up on that social security because companies match it. I didn't know that. I've felt this entire decision has been a great learning experience.

 

Don't know about the credit on the tires, but EVERY used truck that goes out is supposed to have 50% rubber on them. You may have to call them on that one. If a truck is partway into a service term, then they prorate your 1st service at the yard. That being said, NEVER do a PM service at the yard. It's way too expensive. Much cheaper on the road, especially for an APU service. Now as far as pays go, you can't beat JCT's prices.

 

As mentioned before, the biggest downside I've noticed in all the years I've been here is the initial truck selection.
Yes, it sucks.
Yes, chances are good that you will get a crap truck.
Yes, you will probably struggle to make great money.....but you can still make make money.
Yes, your maintenance account will probably go in the negative.
Yes, you will probably curse JCT, your DM and life in general.
Yes, you will want to quit.

Now the good....
Get a new truck and smile all the way to the bank.
Make great money, take time off, and enjoy life.
Build your maintenance account to over 10k.

Bottom line: If you can survive that 1st truck, everything else is a cakewalk.

 

That's pretty much the truth no matter what organization you go to, teucking or not. Heck, I worked for the FAA for 27 years, 15 of them as a manager; about half of those days I wanted to quit--working for the government hasn't been fun for 15 years or more.

I really appreciate the input, folks. When (not 'if') I make the journey to Sapulpa, I will bring my best truck-evaluating eyes with me. The rest is easy, no?

 

Agree with most of the things everyone else has already stated. I honestly wish I would have made the jump to JCT when I first looked into them almost 5 yes ago now. I have really enjoyed the last year + that I have been here now. I can't really complain about the truck I was able to get. Had 1st selection and picked out a 2014 Evo that only had 53,423 miles on it. Only issue I've really had is my 5th wheel is now acting up and still have the mysterious Freight shaker vibration and rumble under braking. Have had warranty work done to replace and upgrade them but it's still there. Truck now has 212k miles on it. Still running decent though they give me the 1st chance to get out of it I will. Never been a fan of Freightliner. Been spoiled since 2008 and have been in 670 Volvo's until last year. LoL
But all in all this truck has not hurt me so we have a good working relationship. Never came up with a name that fits her though.