Superior Carriers and Carry Transit

[geargrinder]

Good day yesterday. Went down to Winder, Ga for an interview with Groendyke Transport and got hired. Only knew about the position thanks to a tip from an ex-Superior driver who has been there for about 6 months now. Should start around the 15th of this month when the driver I'm replacing gets transferred to another terminal...go back down the 11th or 12th for a physical, pee test, etc.

Paywise, some things better, some things less, but, overall, should even out to what I made at Superior; the friend who works there has made 19K to the end of april and has been home every weekend lately as things are so slow. I didn't ask about insurance as I'm on my wife's full-coverage policy from where she works and I know we can't get what we have any cheaper through anyone else.

Heavy traffic lanes out of Winder to the upper Midwest and straight back down South again which is what I like to do anyway; when things are running normal 7-10 days out is the norm with more if you want it. One way commute of 148 miles which is only about 30 miles more than going to Kingsport was and, as long as there's no snow or ice, I'll be on my bike so gas is a non-issue for me.

I'll keep you guys posted on how things go.

Pete C

Way to go Pete. One thing I always notice about Groendyke is the condition of their trailers. They are simply immaculate.

Congratulations - Your May Day was answered

[Hicksie]

Congrats on the new job Pete. I like the idea of riding your bike and I am going to do the same on my drive to Chattanooga. Glad to hear you got something. Good luck to ya.

[DDCavi]

Congrats Pete, Goodluck to ya!

[DDCavi]

So I went to a somewhat local (about 35mins away) concrete company looking for a driver or two for mixers. Luckily my mom had caught the brand new listing on a Maine classifieds site. I went in, filled out my app. Brought it upstairs and ran into the whole family. Owned and operated by family, VERY nice people. Met the father, after a few minutes of reviewing my app he asked if I had time for a road test. Took me by surprise, definately wasnt prepared but I wasnt going to say no. So he grabbed his son and he checked my app and next thing you know were in a truck. Sterling with a 380 Benz and I think its an 8 speed, Eaton Fuller. I get super nervous when people drive with me, but I drove that sucker like a champ. Up and down gears like ive driven it before, think he was pretty happy about that (I impressed myself also). So we get back, I park the truck and we go back into the office. He runs in and talks with his dad for a few minutes, comes out and says "Wed like to offer you a job." I bout **** myself. Im stoked to say the least.

So I gotta go take my pee test tomorrow and they want me to start monday w00t! I guess being laid off from Superior was a blessing in diguise. I originally went to school for my B because I wanted to do this kind of work. I ended up getting my A to cover my bases and tractor-trailers were all I could get into at the time, but this is really my kind of work.

[wsyrob]

So I went to a somewhat local (about 35mins away) concrete company looking for a driver or two for mixers. Luckily my mom had caught the brand new listing on a Maine classifieds site. I went in, filled out my app. Brought it upstairs and ran into the whole family. Owned and operated by family, VERY nice people. Met the father, after a few minutes of reviewing my app he asked if I had time for a road test. Took me by surprise, definately wasnt prepared but I wasnt going to say no. So he grabbed his son and he checked my app and next thing you know were in a truck. Sterling with a 380 Benz and I think its an 8 speed, Eaton Fuller. I get super nervous when people drive with me, but I drove that sucker like a champ. Up and down gears like ive driven it before, think he was pretty happy about that (I impressed myself also). So we get back, I park the truck and we go back into the office. He runs in and talks with his dad for a few minutes, comes out and says "Wed like to offer you a job." I bout **** myself. Im stoked to say the least.

So I gotta go take my pee test tomorrow and they want me to start monday w00t! I guess being laid off from Superior was a blessing in diguise. I originally went to school for my B because I wanted to do this kind of work. I ended up getting my A to cover my bases and tractor-trailers were all I could get into at the time, but this is really my kind of work.

Cool. Hope they are busier than Superior up there in Main.

[Hicksie]

So I went to a somewhat local (about 35mins away) concrete company looking for a driver or two for mixers. Luckily my mom had caught the brand new listing on a Maine classifieds site. I went in, filled out my app. Brought it upstairs and ran into the whole family. Owned and operated by family, VERY nice people. Met the father, after a few minutes of reviewing my app he asked if I had time for a road test. Took me by surprise, definately wasnt prepared but I wasnt going to say no. So he grabbed his son and he checked my app and next thing you know were in a truck. Sterling with a 380 Benz and I think its an 8 speed, Eaton Fuller. I get super nervous when people drive with me, but I drove that sucker like a champ. Up and down gears like ive driven it before, think he was pretty happy about that (I impressed myself also). So we get back, I park the truck and we go back into the office. He runs in and talks with his dad for a few minutes, comes out and says "Wed like to offer you a job." I bout **** myself. Im stoked to say the least.

So I gotta go take my pee test tomorrow and they want me to start monday w00t! I guess being laid off from Superior was a blessing in diguise. I originally went to school for my B because I wanted to do this kind of work. I ended up getting my A to cover my bases and tractor-trailers were all I could get into at the time, but this is really my kind of work.

Good news man glad to hear it worked out for you. I just left a concrete company here where I live just no work right now. Concrete trucks are a cool job just be careful in turns and watch how sideling you go and you will be cool. A low slump load and a slight lean to the left and over you go so watch out for that. also right turns are worse then left when you are loaded due to concrete riding up left side of drum as it is rotating. All this info is for a rear discharge unit, front discharge is a little differant. Mine was out the back. Good luck to you.

[DDCavi]

Good news man glad to hear it worked out for you. I just left a concrete company here where I live just no work right now. Concrete trucks are a cool job just be careful in turns and watch how sideling you go and you will be cool. A low slump load and a slight lean to the left and over you go so watch out for that. also right turns are worse then left when you are loaded due to concrete riding up left side of drum as it is rotating. All this info is for a rear discharge unit, front discharge is a little differant. Mine was out the back. Good luck to you.

Cool man, thanks for the heads up. Yea these are rear unloads. I guess last year was the first year they had to lay off over the winter, but they dont lay off on seniority. They base it on productivity. So ill bust balls and see what happens.

[Cyanide]

Pete and DDCavi

Congrats to both of you finding other stuff so quickly! Good luck with your new ventures and don't be a stranger.

As I told Geargrinder in another post.....

I'll admit that we're keeping steady at Kankakee but nothing near as good as it could be or rather was a few months ago. Though lately here they've been keeping me busy doing local deliveries next door at Cognis if nothing else is available. But it would be nice to get back out to the open road again soon on a consistent basis. Though allow me to say this, if things keep going downhill I'll be back to the old routine quickly. Believe me when I say I don't want to, but if that's what it takes then I will do what I must. I love time off and all, but I love making $$$ too! And then add in that I do have family to take care of....

It really sucks when I personally know of three individuals (two are very close friends) who are all still plugging away, business as usual with one particular cheap, Florida-based company (and yes, one of the options I have open to me). All are averaging consistent 3,000+ miles a week. Two run primarily short to medium length Midwest milk loads while the third runs the long-distance stuff just as I did at Aartman years ago. Also, all three are very seasoned, experienced drivers who take the bad with the good, they go where the freight goes, and don't b**** and moan when something doesn't go their way, with the exception of ensuring that they get theirdue time off at home.

Now in regards to that aspect of the "game" in food-grade (concerning complaining over what loads you get and where they go), it's a chitty thing to do, but the whiners and complainers always end up getting forced out the door. Usually it's after either getting the worst loads available and/or, going somewhere and then sitting a few days with "no freight available". The f***ed up thing about it, though sometimes in a strange funny way, is that is that will happen in a place where the driver is generally aware there's loads at. And then worse, to see your company's and other food-grade companies trucks rolling in and out like clockwork! And then knowing that getting deadheaded 1,000+ miles for a load is common doing that stuff and it doesn't take long to figure out that you have made someone mad! Saw that happen to several drivers back when I was with Indian River, but strangely enough not with Aartman (CA).

Anyway, back to the land of Superior Carriers... What's funny is that with as many drivers we seem to have on the verge of leaving here because of little to no work, I still run across knuckleheads that will complain about getting a load all because it's going to a less-than-desirable destination! Hell I say give it to the guy who will be thankful to get it and not gripe!!! If someone doesn't wanna take a load somewhere because of the destination then fine, send their sorry azz home and stay put a few days and see how much stuff gets paid then. There's too many drivers who would be more than happy to cover that load I'm sure...

[geargrinder]

Pete and DDCavi


Anyway, back to the land of Superior Carriers... What's funny is that with as many drivers we seem to have on the verge of leaving here because of little to no work, I still run across knuckleheads that will complain about getting a load all because it's going to a less-than-desirable destination! Hell I say give it to the guy who will be thankful to get it and not gripe!!! If someone doesn't wanna take a load somewhere because of the destination then fine, send their sorry azz home and stay put a few days and see how much stuff gets paid then. There's too many drivers who would be more than happy to cover that load I'm sure...

I have never turned anything down and believe me I have been to the not so desirable places of NYC, CHI, PHL, LA and remote places fit neither for man or truck.

I wonder how the new logging is going to effect our drivers. I generally keep mine kosher, and generally will become always. We have all had to stretch it a bit to make a PU/DEL - I guess those days are gone. But I know, and every company has them, a percentage of drivers that fill out their logs once or twice a week - whether they need to or not.

It is a quantum leap to go from matching a fuel receipt (some drivers have a hard time with that!) to 100% accuracy. It'll be interesting to how it shakes out.

[wsyrob]

I have never turned anything down and believe me I have been to the not so desirable places of NYC, CHI, PHL, LA and remote places fit neither for man or truck.

I wonder how the new logging is going to effect our drivers. I generally keep mine kosher, and generally will become always. We have all had to stretch it a bit to make a PU/DEL - I guess those days are gone. But I know, and every company has them, a percentage of drivers that fill out their logs once or twice a week - whether they need to or not.

It is a quantum leap to go from matching a fuel receipt (some drivers have a hard time with that!) to 100% accuracy. It'll be interesting to how it shakes out.

Will this apply to the owner operators as well? I have seen guys do things on dedicated runs that can't be done legally. I bet if they are real strict we will see some driver turnover. It sucks to shut down 60 miles from home but you do what you have to do. I wonder how deep they will go into the geoLogic data. Just where you are in relation to logs or flag anytime your speed exceeds 65 mph.

[Cyanide]

I have never turned anything down and believe me I have been to the not so desirable places of NYC, CHI, PHL, LA and remote places fit neither for man or truck.

I wonder how the new logging is going to effect our drivers. I generally keep mine kosher, and generally will become always. We have all had to stretch it a bit to make a PU/DEL - I guess those days are gone. But I know, and every company has them, a percentage of drivers that fill out their logs once or twice a week - whether they need to or not.

It is a quantum leap to go from matching a fuel receipt (some drivers have a hard time with that!) to 100% accuracy. It'll be interesting to how it shakes out.

Geargrinder, sorry I wasn't inferring you as one of those individuals. My sincere apologies. As to logging, I've wondered that myself. Especially since I know other drivers (myself included) who will drive to the destination the night before and sleep there. I'm sure you follow how the rest of this story goes.... Guess a lot of us will simply be screwing up our ten hour break and trying to do split-logging if we don't arrive early enough to get a full ten break before unloading. Either that or, we'll be getting up much earlier to make on-time pick-up/delivery and also cutting into our 14-hour rule, possibly affecting our subsequent reload. Oh well, they want to trim the fat and make sure we're all playing by the rules. Fine by me, but I do see this causing more drivers to depart, especially as what we've discussed about how certain aspects of accessory pay is getting toyed with. All about saving that $$$!

Will this apply to the owner operators as well? I have seen guys do things on dedicated runs that can't be done legally. I bet if they are real strict we will see some driver turnover. It sucks to shut down 60 miles from home but you do what you have to do. I wonder how deep they will go into the geoLogic data. Just where you are in relation to logs or flag anytime your speed exceeds 65 mph.

Rob, yes it will apply to every driver here. They're covering everyone with this. It looks like those tight runs will have to be rescheduled to a more reasonable dispatch. Thankfully I can say that all of the runs I do out of Westville are easily done by the book, and damn how I hope to be running those again soon! But you are very correct in saying that you'll see driver turnover, and I am willing to bet A LOT! As for shutting down sixty miles from home... Yep, it sucks bad but I've always made it a point to bring that up that it screwed me out of starting time off when I supposed to, and I simply get an extra day to account for my trouble. Then again I always stay calm and professional with dispatch when dealing with touchy situations, though we've probably all seen cases where it was completely opposite

[Skywalker]

Will this apply to the owner operators as well? I have seen guys do things on dedicated runs that can't be done legally. I bet if they are real strict we will see some driver turnover. It sucks to shut down 60 miles from home but you do what you have to do. I wonder how deep they will go into the geoLogic data. Just where you are in relation to logs or flag anytime your speed exceeds 65 mph.

You're going to find that **** is going to come to a stop real quick.....unless that O/O does not have a OBC on board....as of May 11, 2009 the DOT is going to use the OBC data in auditing drivers logs......so anyone stupid enough to play games will end up burnt to the ground if they play "junior-chicken-hauler"...... This information is posted on bulletin boards in the terminals I have been in lately.....

Do it legal.....of forget it!

[Skywalker]

For those of you who pay attention to this thread:

1. The DOT can access PrePass info, they can access EasyPass info, the can access Comdata info.....and they can run your logbook against a program like PC Miler.....so don't waste your time "bull****ting" yourself about how "stupid" the DOT is......one helluva a lot of them are "former" professional drivers"..... and believe it or not...they don't wear tinfoil hats....

DO IT RIGHT, OR DON'T DO IT AT ALL!!

[Cyanide]

For those of you who pay attention to this thread:

1. The DOT can access PrePass info, they can access EasyPass info, the can access Comdata info.....and they can run your logbook against a program like PC Miler.....so don't waste your time "bull****ting" yourself about how "stupid" the DOT is......one helluva a lot of them are "former" professional drivers"..... and believe it or not...they don't wear tinfoil hats....

DO IT RIGHT, OR DON'T DO IT AT ALL!!

EXACTLY!!!

[Skywalker]

EXACTLY!!!

We be hangin' at duh motel fo' Karns City....did y'all get my reply fo' duh voice mail vis a vis Balto?

Whoooop, duh, whoooop.............whooooop?

[geargrinder]

For those of you who pay attention to this thread:

1. The DOT can access PrePass info, they can access EasyPass info, the can access Comdata info.....and they can run your logbook against a program like PC Miler.....so don't waste your time "bull****ting" yourself about how "stupid" the DOT is......one helluva a lot of them are "former" professional drivers"..... and believe it or not...they don't wear tinfoil hats....

DO IT RIGHT, OR DON'T DO IT AT ALL!!

DOT can access PrePass records, but PrePass doesn't timestamp - it just records the date. Which really doesn't matter becuz the "Eye in the Sky" tells them EVERYTHING. I'm not sure a 12-gauge shot gun to the "bubble" will kill the thing.

It's a whole new BALLGAME.

I have been in this racket less than 5-years. So I kind of cut my gears doing it legal.

But to paraphrase Otter, "The issue here is not whether we broke a few rules, or took a few liberties with our female party guests (log books) - we did. ....

[geargrinder]

We be hangin' at duh motel fo' Karns City....did y'all get my reply fo' duh voice mail vis a vis Balto?

Whoooop, duh, whoooop.............whooooop?

Karns Motel? What did they open up the bunks downstairs, or let you pitch a tent out back? KC could stand to upgrade a bit. To their credit, they are about the only terminal that has towel service.

No if they had a water source besides the sink next to the urinal. Kind of yucky.

[Cyanide]

.....but PrePass doesn't time stamp - it just records the date.

Actually they do time stamp. When I was running my own personal PrePass at Aartman and again here as an I/C there were several times I had to call PrePass to straighten issues out and ask questions, and they were able to confirm with me exactly when I had rolled over the road sensors and/or passed by the pole-mounted transponder by time and date. Same applies to my Norpass.

If they (D.O.T.) want to obtain the info bad enough for whatever reason they will get it. 'Nuff said!

Speaking of good old Karns City, PA, I'll be up there myself later tonight to grab a load in the a.m. since Baltimore has nothing. And as usual, Grandpa is running away since he left out earlier today. Getting scared of those 3" hose overhead presses aren't ya! We can always just grab a wheel like back at Garden City in the early days and do that since it's a lot lighter...

[Skywalker]

DOT can access PrePass records, but PrePass doesn't timestamp - it just records the date. Which really doesn't matter becuz the "Eye in the Sky" tells them EVERYTHING.

Unless PrePass changed their invoice format....it not only shows the date, but the hour and minute as well. When I paid for my own....each and every use of the transponder was shown on the invoice, as well as the location.

It's a whole new BALLGAME.

Yep it is....

[Skywalker]

Karns Motel? What did they open up the bunks downstairs, or let you pitch a tent out back?

Actually...the motel is down in Butler...about 13 miles away. Not a bad motel either!

KC could stand to upgrade a bit. To their credit, they are about the only terminal that has towel service.

Towels are nice.....but I wish the freakin' satellite TV was working....and the wi-fi router seems to linked to a phone line that is slower than dry concrete.....

No if they had a water source besides the sink next to the urinal. Kind of yucky.

That is true....

Just remember....don't go after anything moving around the yard in the dark.....it could be a bear, as in the "four legged kind"....