Why do you drive for that company?

gotta go · Nov 21, 2009

Starting from the premise that not every driver is looking for the same thing in a company, what is one of the best aspects of the company you are with?

It seems to me that this might give an overview of the positives that outweigh the warts.

Okay, I'll start

I run a solo straight truck with Bolt Express and am amazed by the number of weekend loads that I get. Since signing on in February, I have been under dispatch about 3 out of 4 weekends.

Dakota · Nov 21, 2009

I run a daycab 26 foot straight truck with a ramp and oversized liftgate.
The reason I chose Ceva is because I do mostly local work 100 mile radius of Fort Wayne, In
Which means I am home nearly every night and it's mostly Monday thru Friday work. Although I am not against working weekends!!!
I like being home most nights and probably sacrifice some pay for this perk, but it works for me.
I also run for Towne Air Freight

OntarioVanMan · Nov 21, 2009

Dakota said:
I run a daycab 26 foot straight truck with a ramp and oversized liftgate.
The reason I chose Ceva is because I do mostly local work 100 mile raduis of Foir Wayne, In
Which means I am home nearly everynight and it's mostly Monday thru Friday work. Although I am not against working weekends!!!
I like being home most nights and probably sacrifice some pay for this perk, but it works for me.
I also run for Towne Air Freight

And here I thought it was your other half handcuffing to the house...*LOL*

On topic.....At this time I have no clue why I am on with my carrier....

FIS53 · Nov 22, 2009

I like the smaller outfit as there is more interaction with dispatch, they remember who you are and usually give you a decent run if you've done a favour or had a bad run. I can walk in and babble at the owners one on one if I want which is nice. They seem to care about the operators out there. There are a lot more short runs but overall the miles pay better.
Rob

ebsprintin · Nov 22, 2009

Luck of the draw. I took a one year break from expediting. On my return I had a short list of five companies. All major names, large and small. Turns out only one company was hiring at the time, and it was by chance that they were even hiring. I leaned towards major names, because I wanted a company that had an established system. What I mean by an "established system" is that the companies know how to meet the requirements of a transport business. They aren't meeting requirements by accident. I'm not getting payed enough to have to also worry about what is going on an some unseen office somewhere.

eb

cheri1122 · Nov 22, 2009

I'm happy with a small carrier, cos I just don't do 'corporate' very well.
My carrier doesn't require me to put their name & logo [they don't even have a logo, lol] all over the truck/box, then charge me for being a rolling billboard.
They don't blow smoke up my tailpipe with a 'motivational title'. They may take advantage of me at times, but at least they don't call me Darlin while they're asking me to bend over.
When I get put on hold on the phone, I'm not forced to listen to an annoying advertising loop [all the more irritating as it's meant for the customers!] They use a soothing melody instead, and I'm in a better frame of mind when they finally get around to me.
Most important: they never [well, hardly ever] forget where I am, how long I've been there, and [if applicable] where I need to go. Nor do they penalize me for declining a load - in fact, if they're not sure I will do it, they'll call and ask before bidding. I appreciate that very much.
They sure aren't perfect - but then, neither am I. What matters is that we work FOR each other, and I like that.

jrcarroll · Nov 22, 2009

Love working for a real small company. Owner and secretary.
Dispatch is by nextel or a phone call.
The best is, we get paid address to address, not zip 2 zip.

Jack_Berry · Nov 22, 2009

we drive for e-1 because we know the rate we will get per mile every time, and an over and above fsc. we get tolls and deadhead when applicable and both are reasonable .

nightcreacher · Nov 22, 2009

Why I drive where I do.
Out of the last 25 years,I've been leased to this same company.
Has there been change,yes many changes,some for the better,some not so good.
Does the company care about me,just as much as any other company might.
I don't always agree with what FDCC does,they don't agree with some of things I do either.
All in all,In my opinion,there isn't a better company to be partnered with.
Whats really important,my pay is never late or wrong.

chefdennis · Nov 23, 2009

The people 1st...from Anne and Mark, to the Diapatchers and Load Planners, the the office staff, and the guys in the shop...all are top shelf....then, no one trys to tell me how to run my business or even try and get me to take what turn down as far as a bad load..yea they will ask way, but there is no argument..its my decision....But mist of all its the "people"...money isn't even a factor. that comes with running the loads....So "Thanks" to the People of "Bolt Express"..and to "Gotta Go" for askin.....

geo · Nov 23, 2009

ceva is a petty good company to work for
being home every night and help's
90 percent local 10 percent away
only 6 nights away this year is nice
and making more than running over the road
bring my lunch saves alot

JBCarroll · Nov 23, 2009

I've drivein for a national well known company till the work ran out and my boss pulled me in to run local. Well he has since went under to.
I do to be very honest miss being out on the road, living and working out there.
I now work for a small company. 5 drivers, the Boss, and our secretary. The work is steady, the pay is great. Couldn't ask for a better boss. And we deliver for a dedicated account.

Wingnut · Nov 24, 2009

I love Tri-State because they treat everyone like a human being instead of a number AND you can talk to everyone there...even the CEO... if you have a problem, concern, question, etc. They do NOT hide behind their phones like some companies do.They also truely care about their drivers & owners.....it's NOT just talk. I'm going thru a real bad crisis right now & people from Tri-State have called me every day to see how I'm doing and to see if there's anything they can do. How many other expedite companies do that?

piper1 · Nov 25, 2009

I chose FedEx. While they are "big corporate", it also means everything is in writing, the dispatchers have rules to follow as well so they behave pretty much the same every day, everyone treats you with respect, pay is on time and always correct, what I get paid is all upfront so I always know what a run will pay and if it makes sense for me.

True, FedEx is a big corporation, but if you understand you are a business doing business with another business it makes life pretty easy here. If you want to believe in any way that you are an employee, FX ain't for you. While I'm sure CEO Virginia Albanese is a nice lady, I have no desire to walk in and talk to her. My relationship is all spelled out on paper and I agreed to it, they hold up their end and I hold up mine.

smokn72ss · Nov 25, 2009

I run occasionally for Straight Shot Express....... not often enough and not enough miles ..... its a on call thing and just not enough freight ..... IM me if your curious why I sit home for a week to week and a half at a time..........

eggd1ver · Nov 27, 2009

I'm hearing alot of good things about companys here that's a good thing to read because you hear more of the bad things then this. Me and wife have been out here since june 09 we found a very good owener to drive for and he is with panther corp. We like because my wife work for bank of america for 12 years so she is use to corp. she like's every thing on QC she writes every thing down with QC# so nothing can be change after load is takin. So far we have done very well with them with a little help from our owener. All companys have there pro's & con's but we feel it's what we make of it since were self employed drivers at 60/40 we like it this way because we manage one of the most costly things in this biss. We hope that if every thing goes well in a couple of years or so we'll buy our owen truck and take on that part of the biss. Good luck to all that trys this biss.

RICK & IDA
PANTHER DRIVERS

asjssl · Nov 28, 2009

I'm w/ bolt I like them for keeping me movin they find loads in the deadist areas and living in sw mich I get home alot

smokn72ss · Nov 30, 2009

oh yeah .. I am "driving" for straight shot to pay my child support and that is the only reason .... well right now they aren't doing too good on that one lol .... but thats why I took the job seemed like a good company told me they would keep me busy ..... should have known .. just a drug test and I was in .. lmao good things don't come easy. I guess good company but puts their eggs in one basket and its not working so well.

Tennesseahawk · Nov 30, 2009

I drive for C&M because:

-They keep me busy.
-There isn't a better dispatch in the biz.
-Cal isn't too high and mighty that he won't man the phones.
-Cal isn't too high and mighty that he won't have a drink with his drivers (off duty, of course).
-They'll never lie to you to get you in the door.
-They don't just take "anyone"; and aren't afraid to let the bad ones go.
-Professional, yet friendly.
-Cal is fighting to keep rates up in the industry.
-Pay is better than average.