Smith Transport Flex Fleet

I have just finished my 1st week on the road as a driver for Smith Transport on their flex fleet.

I'm staying very busy; I'm running my drive clock down to well within the last hour most days.

I've done 3 T-calls in the last 2 days, which is fine with me.

The pay is good, the equipment is good. Interesting point about the tractor that I've been assigned... I'm driving an International LT. I had only driven an LT once before this and it was a disappointing experience at that time.

I think maybe the tractor the LT tractor that I had before might have had some issues; it had a really rough ride and it was otherwise pretty good but that rough ride on that 1 was horrible but this one doesn't share that problem.

So far the load planning and dispatch are quite good, and I'm happy to say that I'm getting along with my manager very well.

We both make mistakes and we both understand that we're both human so it's working out quite well.

 

Loaded in York, PA today, headed south to NC.

Took US 30 to I-81.

Went right through the Gettysburg battlefield, and it made me sad.

Edit to add:

I truly hope that we, as a nation and as a people, can come together and learn to respect one another, before we irreversibly destroy the unique gift we've inherited.

 

I know there are a few companies that have pay plans similar to what you describe. BarrNunn for example also has a similar plan, it's discussed elsewhere in this forum.

Edit to add: JB Hunt also has a very similar pay plan for some dedicated/regional runs.

 

Doing some more sleep schedule juggling for JIT t-calls.

 

I can definitely see why some drivers might not be happy on a fleet like the one I'm on right now.

There's a lot of sleep schedule adjustment, so you can drive during the day or at night.

I'm doing a lot of T-calls, which I know some drivers hate doing T-calls; I don't have a problem with it.

I do a fair amount of waiting on T-calls, they usually end up havingsome wait time.

And there's a lot of hurry up and wait but that's part of the job; I was definitely told that waiting would be part of the job when I took it and I'm fine with it.

We're considered to be a utility fleet; it works out for me, but I can see where some drivers would not be happy with this; they would be offended by it perhaps.

I'm loving it.

This International LT tractor is really turning out to be a pleasant surprise. It's got a 10-speed AMT and the clutch is worn a little so I get some jumpies when I first get started sometimes but other than that this tractor actually is pulling pretty good. It was kind of weak when I first got into it but it it had been sitting for a few months so maybe it just needs some cobwebs blown out of it or something I don't know but it's it's pulling pretty strong.

 

I'm out 2 weeks, 2 days home.