SPD (Smokey Point Dist.)

There’s a progression system ??? My first two loads were OD. Since then only one. Not complaining though.

Top solo did 175k miles last year but scuffed side of truck so....

You guys do work that should be respected by all that drive here ( just don’t ask me to say it that loud)

Bottom line is it’s a good gig that someone can make a great gig if they choose.

 

The SPP or level pay plan is great for new guys with the company so you know at a minimum what you are making. After a year you will know whether to stay on it or go to a mileage based pay.

 

The vast majority of our flats and steps have sliding winches on each side. Typical 11 on each side, some have a few less on one side. our double drops have no winches at all. You are issued a few hand ratchets and if you pull double drops a lot you can get more. I have 7 2” straps and 12 4” hand ratchets at the moment.

Fixed winches suck for anything but lumber in my opinion.

Our typical flat or step is a 53’ trailer with a sliding rear axle to be Califorina legal. Our stretch flats are sliding tandems.
Recently we started to try some other configurations of trailers out so we have a few flats/steps with regular sliding tandems like a typical van.

Ask away!

 

I was wrong on the top solo mileage. I was using numbers from our awards ceremony, those drivers are the ones that had zero accident claims.

 

Thanks for the info. As to the ones that don't make the minimum, would you say it's mostly due to personal performance, dispatch, maintenance issues, or a combination thereof?

The company I'm with currently has me averaging 2,800/wk, with upwards of 3500 on the odd week here and there throughout the year. But, it's reefer, so it's all sitting and I'm just packing on the pounds. The point being though that I'll drive what I'm dispatched and optimize my time. I just want to make sure the miles are sufficiently dispatched to keep above the 118.8k required if I'm willing to work.

 

Personally I’m on mileage and I think lack of miles is a little of both. Not dispatched and don’t wanna work syndrome which may be because they are getting set paycheck.

 

Tough to say.

Smokey Point, as it has been described to me by a handful of our team and long-time solo drivers, is very “feast or famine.”

I’ve had weeks where I cannot deliver fast enough to get my preplan loaded up and then spin around and head back across the country. But, I’ve also had plenty of weeks where I’ll get empty in SoCal on a Monday after a fresh 34 restart..... and I’ll sit.....and sit some more. Maybe get a reload on Wednesday for the Seattle area — and I can’t drop it till Monday. That’s a 1,200 mile week? Miles be ######.

Those weeks will happen here as a solo OTR driver. The guys getting the top mileage are almost all dedicated — or so I’d imagine. I’d love to know what our top solo non-dedicated driver did last year.

 

Well, unless something changes between now and then, I've scheduled a tentative orientation date of the 24th, so not quite the two weeks I would have liked to be able to give my current employer, but I've got to ultimately do what is going to be for the best, and it was highly suggested to get it done before months end due to how the pay system works.

Fingers crossed everything works out for the best.

 

I arrived in Arlington Friday afternoon and have been relaxing at the BWP for the past couple of days. The hotel is pretty great. Omelets made to order and plenty of variety... It's hard to complain. I walked to Safeway and Walmart to get some groceries and supplies, and have seen a couple of SPD trucks roll by here and there. It's been a very pleasant experience overall, and I'm looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow morning.

How in-depth is the PTI gonna be tomorrow? How's the driving test? I always get nervous when going somewhere new and just like to prepare as much as possible.

 

They want to know that you can inspect a truck and drive it down the road — don’t overthink it.

Show them what you know and don’t fret if you missed something.


the little BBQ joint by Starbucks ain’t too bad. They won’t win any awards out in Kansas City but it’s better than all those chains near ya.