SuperService

First... a note to the OP. Don't get your feelings hurt by some of the "know-it-alls" responding to your comments... when they see anything from "new drivers", their contempt overtakes any common sense. Too many career drivers on here just don't "get it" as to the utter GARBAGE that newbies have to put up with while putting in their first year... and I AM speaking from one year's experience.

Regarding the "point" of this thread, however... I've been a driver for SUSE for nearly a year now. I would describe the company about the same way that the OP did... they are certainly NOT the worst out there, but they do need some further changes if they expect to retain drivers long term (past a year). Regarding trainers, ie Dana, I can only speak about the SUSE trainer I got last year, Larry H. This guy was terrific and I highly recommend him- he is still there. However, like the OP, I had (three) incompetent, bizarre, and terroristic idiot trainers at CRST and USA Truck prior to hooking up with SUSE (see posts from last year), so I KNOW how strange/bad/worthless many of them can be. It IS a tough job... but as OP said, WAY too many are doing it for the WRONG reasons.

Regarding SUSE equipment... when OP mentions 2012 trucks, realize that many were placed into service around Feb, 2011. The "model years" assigned to the Volvos and Freightliners there seemingly make no sense... how does a 2012 FL get manufactured in Mexico in Feb, 2011? Therefore, the majority of their trucks are actually 3.5 - 4+ years old, NOT 2 years! They ARE adding close to 100 new FL's each year though... and I believe the Company IS well capitalized. The comments about SUSE trailers is SPOT ON... they are abominations, and the majority I'm guessing are over 8yrs old. Again, however, they HAVE purchased over 100 new this year and promise to continue investing in new ones.

The repair services in Somerset and Atlanta (don't know about others) are generally "Band-Aid" fixes... until a given truck has broke down multiple times for the same problem, at which time the often costly "real" fix is done. The problem trucks (ie, 2012 Volvo's with chronic def system problems) are assigned to the newbies, which is why I have spent so much time waiting in terminals for (repeated) repairs over the past 10 months. For the first six months, my income there was below the poverty level... NOT because of unwillingness to drive, but because of not enough miles and breakdowns.

One final negative would be that their terminal accommodations for drivers are pretty bad... except for Grand Rapids where restrooms and showers are cleaner and exercise equipment and more space is provided. I'd rather hang out in the truck with AC running then deal with their lame, unclean driver space.

SUSE is, I believe, an "up and coming" company. They recently switched to paying "practical miles" which, for what I've run, means about 7.5 - 15% more miles for the same trips moving forward. For those wanting over 2000 miles a week as a solo driver, don't expect it until you have paid your dues with the shorter, lower-paying runs for six months. They do offer team opportunities for those wishing to live in TX, and also have dedicated routes for a few big customers.

For a 600+ truck company, I'd give them 60% in there class... better than most, based on stories and some experiences I've had at other companies. Senior management seems to have a reasonable, viable plan for growth moving forward, but I've seen a lot of "dead weight" at the mid-level (yeah, I was a CPA and Senior manager/executive for 20+ years with high growth, publicly traded employers). I will be moving (hopefully) to a much smaller company after my year of service... one where I can be more than just a "number", and be of higher value, but rest assured that being "eligible for rehire" by SUSE is VERY important to me. I have high hopes that, as the industry will force and require, SUSE will ultimately emerge as a "player".

 

Up and coming company !! ??

They've been headed down the drain for years.

Perhaps they'll change names again,

but things will probably remain the same.

 

https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SMS/Carrier/1972877/Overview.aspx

 

SUSE will ultimately emerge as a "player". In what game RACE TO THE BOTTOM "

 

Maybe the trainer avoided going to his house because he didn't like the stench of decomposing bodies.