System Transport, Spokane Washington

Pappax, I was just at a meeting in late Sept. When Williams (Jr.) said they'd had a 35% slowdown in overall freight. This reflects industry-wide stats, it's not peculiar to System.

Also your experience is hugely controlled by the fleet you're on and the dispatchers you work with. Dallas, Phoenix, OTR and poles all seem to be pretty happy and busy. NW regional can't keep drivers because the pay-scale for the loads they give you frankly sucks, and the home-time is terrible.

I did 6 1/2 months with system and was very happy there. Found greener pastures for me, but like I said, anyone telling you freight has gone UP is full of scheise. GL at System. For me, it was a pretty good deal and no complaints. But stay AWAY from the NW regional fleet. They can't keep drivers for a reason.

 

Thanks I appreciate it.. I will be going in OTR out of there Kansas or Indiana terminals..

 

Hey All,
I was looking to start with System so good information is appreciated.
"But stay AWAY from the NW regional fleet."
Does that include the Western MAXI Regional?
What is the Pole Fleet running if not the Argosy?

 

Maxi seemed happy last time I talked to anyone there. Poles is 48+ Canada and probably the best dispatch team you're likely to find anywhere.

NW regional is it's own beast.

Edit: NW promises you lot's of hometime. First, this only counts if you live in Spokane or very close. If you live anywhere else, it's 3 weeks out, three days hometime and you'll fight to get even that.

Second, NW regional has you delivering loads Spokane to Seattle non-stop, which when you account for wait times and securement times, equals no miles and crappy pay.

 

First off thank you for your response and your in depth and candid account of your time at System, very helpful! Glad you were able to get a local job.
I figured the NW Regional might be that way, but I couldn't see how MAXI could escape the same fate. I'm most interested in the Pole Fleet currently, but I'm not sure what they're driving these days...? Does the Pole Fleet ever haul anything else? No tarping?

 

Pole fleet is very busy. LOTS of tarped loads. This is more general freight than just poles. Lots of miles IF you are willing to run them. If you aren't, look elsewhere. They EXPECT 2500+. They also expect minimal driver screwups or hassles, so have your Sh** together.

This is, unless you live in Dallas or El Paso, the best fleet System runs. So treat them right and you'll get the same.

 

I have a pre- hire letter and will be heading to system in January. I have no home time requirements and am coming to system because they are 1 of the few companies to not force home time on a driver. i have a home but being divorced and having grown kids I don't spend a lot of time there. I was looking at the 200 fleet as I had heard they run a lot of miles. Is that the same as the pole division

 

Just did my re-cert class last Saturday and one of the inner office guys was throwing out the same growth figures. I doubt anybody is lying about it... but you can spin numbers to say anything you want.

I do know they were bringing on a lot of new drivers all summer long.

 

I think they must be including TWT in those numbers. KI have no idea what TWT is doing, but it's at least plausible that they've experienced a lot of growth. That could account for the "company-wide" numbers.

I saw guys sitting in the Spokane yard a LOT all spring and summer waiting on a load, and then boatloads of freight System brokered (from what I "hear" so perhaps not accurate) is that they brokered the loads because they were going places System couldn't get back-hauls on.

Poles always kept me busy. I know a couple guys on the OTR fleet who said they were pretty happy and guys who work Phoenix and Dallas fleets who also seem happy. NW regional seems to be having a lot of problems and as you know, they closwed the French Camp yard. So it may be a case of some fleets having issues and others not. Frankly I'd love to see old man Williams come on here and explain it. It's probably a pretty simple answer, but corporate communication is not one of System's better points.

 

Thanks I am heading to System in January and everything they have told me from Management to drivers has been straight forward.. It is 1 of the things I really like about them. They just don't regurgitate bs to convince you. I have heard the good and the bad but all of it has been just matter of fact . Just confirms for me they are the right choice for me.. Thanks again @FwL