STI, Ft Wayne, In; .88/mile loaded,forced dispatch

Exactly right. A couple guys posting here don't quite get it: North American Van Lines tradeshow/electronics was bought out by STI who was bought out by CRST. You don't sell a profitable business. Allied van lines is yet another VL that was just bought out. "Bought out" is often really "going out of business." STI drivers pull CRST trailers with that ridiculous "Hows my driving?...Call 800"... on the back of their trailers.

 

You mean you don't see the massive change in what you call "exhibit hauling"? 30 years ago it was 99% van lines at the shows, now most show freight is hauled by general freight companies, like, well, CRST. Read the writing on the wall, my friend. Show freight and electronics being hauled by van lines is going the way of the dinosaur. Otherwise all the van lines trade-show and exhibit fleets wouldn't be going out of business. And yes, I have worked for 3 major van lines including STI, which slowly became a complete joke.

 

True. And on top of it, STI holds back some of your pay every week until they have amassed several thousand dollars of YOUR money so when you quit, they keep it like they did me. The contract is lengthy and purposely convoluted.

 

A profitable business is worth more and will sell easier than an unprofitable business. Just like anything else, you buy low and sell high. Some people make more starting a business from scratch or turning around a failing business, making it worth a lot BECAUSE it is profitable, then selling it to someone who wants a long-term investment or finds their joy in running the business.

 

The only reason a company can legally withhold your escrow is IF there were outstanding items you as the contractor were liable for...tickets, damaged equipment, IFTA, etc...and then they are to provide a written statement of what was paid and how much.

 

You are correct that a lot of the van lines are getting out of electronics. That being said I run for an agent that dose a lot of specialized medical equipment that no way is going on a freight truck. A lot of exhibitors are using freight companies to cut cost, but again you get what you pay for. 30 years ago all the exhibits were pad wrap too.

 

STI cons you with a contract that "says" you will make the "accessorial" charges in addition to mileage, but since CRST bought STI those charges are often eliminated when you drop and hook. Since STI more and more uses the endless supply of CRST trailers, you now drop and hook a lot, which means you don't get the load/unload charges. You're paid directly by CRST, you pull CRST trailers, your comdata card says ONLY CRST, and the company is now called CRST Specialized Transportation. So STI has EVERYTHING to do with CRST. And remember, the best trucking companies DON'T pay any sign on bonus because their driver retention and reputation means they have many more applicants than they can hire. Stay away.

 

If you choose to accept a drop and load run
then that is on you. But dont forget to mention the extra $70 you get. $35 for hooking up to a loaded trailer and the $35 for dropping one.

Most runs if they have a drop are only on one end or the other.

As I said before I prefer percentage pay, so I run for a different company. But I do no if you go there thinking like a freight driver (miles, miles,miles) you might not do to well.

Better to go exhibit fleet and get $30 a hour to sit.
Or another fleet and make that extra $588 per load. Often to watch the fork lift man do the work($294 load $294 unload)

The $50 per month for just for having a cell phone, is nice.

I am reasonably happy where I am. But if I leave unigroup that is where I will go.

I no to many successful guys at United, Mayflower, Sti, Atlas, Allied. The OP's problem I believe was. He needed an experienced mentor. To tell or help him.
(A) he didn't handle his business, like going over his statements.
(B) most likely just took whatever they offered.
(C) did not no how, or didn't do his paper work. And thars where money is made or lost.