US Xpress finally buys out Arnold, only Grand Prairie to remain "Arnold"

68 is what is needed to run Texas, at least. Best of luck to ya, sounds pretty exciting for Arnold-GP.

I've got mixed feelings about Jax and Duncan going to US Xpress, but I'm going to stick around and see what pans out. The one thing I will not tolerate is if they try to force an automatic on me. That's where I draw the line and will walk away.

 

Word over there is they are going back in that direction of autos. I don't see US Xpress honoring a SE division. I think the drivers are just going to get tossed in the system and running everywhere.

 

You can only get a Detroit in freightliner or other mercedes product

 

That's what I heard about the autos. And yeah, they'll probably just toss the Arnold drivers in the system and try to run us everywhere like you said. Try they might, succeed with this driver they won't!

 

Yeah, well I saw an E mail sent to our Safety person in Shippensburg, PA and it read that BOTH the Freightliners and Internationals would have the Detroit Diesel engines. I couldn't believe it but there it was in writing, sent from the higher ups. Even had a discussion about it right then and there... making sure to state how much I disapproved of the MaxForce engine... Apparently it was just another case of the higher ups not knowing what they were talking about.

 

So guys tell me what your opinion for working for Arnold for a newbie just starting out

 

I've been there 2 years. Got trained with Arnold. I'd describe the company as forgiving (up to a point), fairly laid back, accommodating, decently professional, good equipment, good maintenance program (if you know how to use the system), extremely safety conscious and DOT compliant, and if you show that you are capable of, and want to run hard, they'll pile on the miles as they take care of drivers who do a good job for them. If you're a lazy driver they'll just throw you bones and you'll be complaining about not getting enough miles. If you have legitimate complaints they do listen and sometimes you can get what you're asking for.

I've had my ups and downs with them and have wanted to quit several times, but overall I've been pretty happy with Arnold.

Of course all of this is most likely going to change now by the purchase by US Express.

 

Is that for the good or bad with the purchase of us express

 

What I got from the whole thing was that this is a way for USX to boost its numbers of drivers. I expect about half of the Arnold drivers to quit. If they wanted to work for USX they would be already.

 

Will USX still be doing payroll and benefits for Grand Prairie?
If I recall, they charge .03mi for the privilege of opting into per diem.