Carrier of choice

[Greg]

What I like about Load One is the many ways [large and small] they differ from every other carrier I have been with, or read about. The CEO sets the tone, and ours supports our success, and treats us as if we are part of his, too. Little things like a free truck wash, shower, laundry facilities, and big things, like being involved in community and national projects that 'give back' to the community and nation that support us, make a difference to me.
I switched because I admire what Load One does, and if I'm going to serve as a 'billboard' for a company, I want it to be a company I can be proud of.
Oh: D unit, solo, HM.

What a great picture you paint. Awesome depiction. Load 1 just went up a notch in my book. You just don't hear drivers saying they admire or are proud of their carrier much anymore. Thanks for the great reply.
Side note: Kudos to everyone at Load 1 , sounds like everyone is pulling in the same direction.

 

[Greg]

Tri State has a nice drivers lounge in Toledo. Reds a cool color so my stickers on the side are awesome. No cat head(s) on the side. Cheap insurance rates since I'm on their policy. I can talk to my fleet manager or the other fleet manager anytime during their normal work as long as they're not already on the phone. Michelin tire discount. Most of the dispatchers are helpful and at least give the impression they either are helping to get you a load as they can bid on load boards or care about seeing you succeed. I got a sign on bonus which probably doesn't count but $750 is $750.


Are they perfect no, are there things I wish were different yes but compared to other companies I've worked for Tri state is by no means the worst. Probably closer to the top of good.

Sounds like you found a good fit. It is a big plus when the carrier and/or dispatchers care about your success too. Carrier and driver success work in tandem, IMO

 

[KickStarter6]

Sounds like you found a good fit. It is a big plus when the carrier and/or dispatchers care about your success too. Carrier and driver success work in tandem, IMO

If only they paid better I'd be set lol

 

[Murraycroexp]

If only they paid better I'd be set lol

The market is really tough right now. Not making excuses but I'm guessing most drivers lament about "the good ole days."

 

[OntarioVanMan]

What a great picture you paint. Awesome depiction. Load 1 just went up a notch in my book. You just don't hear drivers saying they admire or are proud of their carrier much anymore. Thanks for the great reply.
Side note: Kudos to everyone at Load 1 , sounds like everyone is pulling in the same direction.

WE have our faults as well.....every carrier does.......it is the kind of faults and what you can tolerate that make the difference.....if you are young and want to grow...Load 1 is the best choice in my book....an owner who's ear is open to your suggestions.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

The market is really tough right now. Not making excuses but I'm guessing most drivers lament about "the good ole days."

it doesn't matter Murray....drivers would lament if they were making $4,000 a week.....a bunch of grumpy ole men like me.....LOL

 

[jelliott]

I think the industry has a number of good carriers to work for. One size does not fit all in this business. I think you really have to look hard at a carrier before making a choice. In my opinion too many drivers jump without doing the proper research. I personally think talking to drivers and reading on EO are two of the best sources of information out there. Talking to the people that do this day in and day out is easily the best source versus an advertisement or website. Most companies look good in controlled published information. Talking also helps to draw comparisons between that carrier and the former carriers a driver may have worked for.

Thanks for the nice comments. No carrier is perfect by any means. We have our warts as I have always said. A good carrier listens and works to fix and improve them. I also think sometimes the simplest thing is a one team mindset. I believe in mutual pain and mutual gain such as a percentage pay plan for instance. These things only help to reinforce that everyone is on the same team.

 

[Turtle]

I think the industry has a number of good carriers to work for.

True. I've worked for three. But only one of which I put their logo in my EO signature (and for that matter, had the large lettering on the sides of the truck). There's a reason for that.

 

[davekc]

As a fleet owner, it is about the money, and the least amount of bs. Transparency is the other big one. Just don't have the patience for a bunch of foolish game playing. Kinda sound like a old fart.
With that said, we have a great group of folks so it is my job to present the best available options to the people that contract with us.
I don't settle for second rate and I don't expect them to either.

 

[DollarSign]

For me I was with Nations Express. I've got a sprinter that I was lease on with. Nations has great people and it wasn't that bad of a company. I just wasn't getting the amount of runs that I was needing. Not saying its there fault, but I was just getting by.
I had a wreck in Oct last year, hit and run and I was out for two months. Come close to having everything gone. Had to go back to work for a company and being a employee again. I'm not liking it one bit so I've sold my rental property and selling my house and I will be in OH in July and getting into expediting.
I would go to OH on July and looking around!

 

[Bruno]

As a fleet owner, it is about the money, and the least amount of bs. Transparency is the other big one. Just don't have the patience for a bunch of foolish game playing. Kinda sound like a old fart.
With that said, we have a great group of folks so it is my job to present the best available options to the people that contract with us.
I don't settle for second rate and I don't expect them to either.

I feel the same way you do DaveKc. BS is not on my happy meter.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

True. I've worked for three. But only one of which I put their logo in my EO signature (and for that matter, had the large lettering on the sides of the truck). There's a reason for that.

There ya go....10 brownie points and 1 honourable mention.....LOL

 

[T270_Dreamin]

This is a great thread in the making! Gotta get my battery charged up

 

[davekc]

I feel the same way you do DaveKc. BS is not on my happy meter.

We have enough headwinds in this business. A carrier that is strictly operating on the bean counter mentality is not a carrier that is deserving of our group.

 

[davekc]

For me I was with Nations Express. I've got a sprinter that I was lease on with. Nations has great people and it wasn't that bad of a company. I just wasn't getting the amount of runs that I was needing. Not saying its there fault, but I was just getting by.
I had a wreck in Oct last year, hit and run and I was out for two months. Come close to having everything gone. Had to go back to work for a company and being a employee again. I'm not liking it one bit so I've sold my rental property and selling my house and I will be in OH in July and getting into expediting.
I would go to OH on July and looking around!

Bad things happen to good people. Very tough situation that many find themselves in when things go south. Part of the reason I post a lot of the stuff I do about being capitalized correctly when doing this. Accidents, repairs, slow carrier, economy, health, can all put a squeeze on what one might think is a stable situation. And then...something happens. Hope you recover quick and make it back.

 

[DollarSign]

Thanks Dave. Yes you are correct, bad things do happen to all of us. I do enjoy reading what you post and everything. I wasn't upset,mad, ect. Just one of those things. I will be in OH July 25&26

 

[davekc]

That would be a great place to start up again. If you need anything along the way, you got a lot of people willing to help you including myself. No one truly knows success unless they have endured a failure or two along the way.

 

[cheri1122]

You just don't hear drivers saying they admire or are proud of their carrier much anymore.

They're not saying it because they're not feeling it - and I think that's a terrible loss for everyone.
Companies that believe they can buy a good reputation with advertising & PR are only fooling themselves. Why they'd rather budget for that than all the people who work for them is a mystery to me, but we see them doing it every day.

 

[littlejoe]

Grumpy old men.......Speaking for yourself I hope OVM.... I haven't made it to grumpy yet.

P'O ed .....but not grumpy yet

LOL

Joe

Sent from my QMV7A using EO Forums mobile app

 

[Dynamite 1]

Making the choice of carrier to partner with is the most important in this business. From that choice other choices can be made to better your business. You must have trust and a good relationship with your choice before doing so. Rather you run a single vehicle or have a fleet, the choice is a risky one. We would rather risk that with a carrier we trust. Hence, why we chose Load One and why we have chosen to build a fleet here. There is trust and workability and a good business relationship.