A Positive Note

[raceman]

I saw a POST that was positive about a carrier the other day and it was so refreshing I thought I would share a story with a positive tone as well.

Many of you know my background and also know that I recently left Express-1. I first just pulled one truck out of E1 and put it on with a small company here in town that better fit my personal needs but also kept me from going all over the country.

I recently pulled my second truck because the driver quit to go with another owner. Let me first say I am paying a fortune to have that truck put back into a condition that someoen else will at least get in it. He ruined the inside of the cab a sleeper. That is for another post but I will say, Why can people not respect the property of others. I can not believe he lived in there but more importantly, I cannot believe he brought it back that way.

In any case, I have been with a few carriers and when leaving it has been a big deal to get final settlements, Escrow account, and so on. I want to point out I have always been a supporter of Express-1 and the people who work there but I am an even bigger supporter now.

I have only been gone about two weeks and I already have all money due me from Escrow type accounts, final pay for loads and I have my fuel tax summary and the couple times I have had to call them, they helped me right away. They even handeled the deletion of my insurance and a refund I was due.

The bottom line is I always thought they were a class act but by leaving them I assumed I would see the bad side. Not at all. That is a class operation and I wish them continued success. I want to thank them for the time I ran for them. I also hope they continue to treat people this way. They were and are great.



Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[Glen Rice]

I have had the opportunity to meet a few of the upper management of Express 1, and got the same impression. They are above board and they showed it how they handled your departure! Two thumbs up for Express 1!! You know it's funny when we are surprised when a carrier does the honorable thing. Great job Express 1.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

I had the same experience when I left them. Panther removed their equipment for me and boxed it up, and we happened to drive by Express-1 while on a load. Larry Pickles was extatic that I brought the qualcomm in and told me he wished me the best. They do make you feel like family there, I only wished they fit my needs. I hated to leave them.

Race... if the truck was a shambles inside, I could imagine the neglect to engine. I hope you don't hafta go thru an overhaul like you did your other truck. Have you decided if you're finding another driver yet?

T-hawk

 

[raceman]

THawk, I am still considering options. To be honest I am so sick of people just simply trashing my equipment, running when and how they feel, wondering if they are taking care of the engine and so on, I just do not know what I am going to do.

I have got to find a good driver who is also a good person before I put that truck back on the road. I am doing Okay simply driving mine so other than a truck sitting empty and needing a good clean up, things are pretty good. I am not getting rich but it is sure good to just simply drive. No other worries.

Keep your eyes open out there. I yell at every P2 trucking looking for you. I am leaving in the wee hours of the morning for Bluffton, Indiana. My CoPilot Truck is coming tommorrow so I am excited about that. It would come the day I will be leaving. I hope to install it over the weekend if I get back in.

Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[geo]

good to here good things about express one
a friend of mind had samething happen to him but had to go to tx to pickup the truck and before he could run the truck had to get fix
and had to have fedexcc find the truck for him
and this person treated his drivers like family if they were close to his house go pick em up and have m over to house for shower home cook meal etc, always made sure they had no problems with anything
and person tried to go with someone else and they were upset that he would not sign a relesse from the truck
said the only thing he would sign is a warrant for his arrest for stealing the truck

 

[LDB]

I had a similar experience with Express-1. They gave me a hard time for a few minutes because they didn't want me to leave but as soon as they knew I wasn't going to change my mind they couldn't have been better. They treated me like family while I was there and also when I was leaving. I don't think a better group of people could be found at any other company. It just wasn't the right time for me to be there.

As to the truck issue, I've been thinking about another truck now that I've learned from the one I have what things I want different. If I do get another and put someone in this one I'm going to hold escrow out of their settlements to cover clean up/repair if it isn't returned as picked up.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[geo]

if you put someone in the truck make sure you put everything in contract so they know what is what and what they are do for you and what you will do for them, so later on their are no problems

 

[davekc]

Amen!

 

[raceman]

I have written contracts for everyone of my drivers. Bottom line is that if they are stand up people they just walk away without a care in the world. My cotracts clearly state that the vehicle is to be returned to me in the condition they picked it up in. The cotract also lays out, via an attachment, every little thing wrong with the truck when they picked it up. Example would be paint chipped on right rear corner of box.

This guy even drilled a hole in the roof for coax. I have pictures that clearly show no hole in that roof yet he denies he did it.

Without turning a lawyer loose that contract is worth very little with people who are dishonest to begin with. He has nothing to go after he lives from paycheck to paycheck so what do you do. I have explained to him that the better half of his last pay is being used to repair the truck. I should have kept it all but I had paid him half before I saw the truck. I was trying to be honest and he did have money coming to him. If I would have saw the truck before transferring that half, he would never have gotton it.

No matter. I sleep at night because I don't crap on people and I don't tear up the property of others and I very much believe that will pay off for me in the end. Good is better than bad no matter what anyone says.

Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[Broompilot]

When talking with them when I made my change, Scott H was very helpfull and sincere. He was dissipointed I did not sign with them but understood and even thought I was making a very, wise move. I was extremely undecided in the whole process, with knowing so much more.

I would not hesitate to call them if things changed at my current carrier. (I do not forsee this) I was told that the management knew of me thru this site and were willing just as my current carrier to take me on even though I did not have the 6 months or two years expierence that is normally required.

I truley appricaited that. The following are the companies that in my travels I hear that drivers are most satisfied with are my carrier first C&M, Express 1, Eppes, and Landstar and in that order. My personal view point is Panther is a good company but I have no expeirence with them, I hear differet oponions but really wonder if it is more the drivers and not the carrier

 

[TJ959]

My exprerience with Express-1 was the same as yours. I really wish things had worked out with them. You really get the feeling that you're more than a number with those people.