calling all maverick drivers-looking for advice

[BigDumbDog777]

I just got my CDL, and will be applying to maverick after doing my research into the company. The recruiter I talkrd to asked me about which division i would be interested in.

Flatbed regional, national, or covered wagon.

He did explain the basic differences but I guess I'm looking for insight from people who have or are doing it. I live in the Chicago area, weekend hometime would be nice but not a deal breaker. If I went with their national would I see much of the west or still pretty much concentratedin same area? Also any additional insights into the divisions would really be appreciated since i have no real knowledge to make a decision on this. Thanks guys.

[redsfan]

It's been a while since I left Maverick, but I still have several friends there and it doesn't sound like things have changed much.

Regions don't really mean much there and, unless this has changed, the only options to you would be Covered Wagon, US Division and Longhaul. Covered wagon would be great for your hometime because you will spend the vast majority of your time in IL, IN, OH & PA. You will occasionally run down to Fort Smith, AR, but for the most part get used to I-80, I-90 & I-70. A whole lot of running back and forth between Gary, IN and Pittsburgh.

The US division is general flatbed that takes you pretty much anywhere east of I-35. This is where I was. I would usually start out my week by delivering somewhere close to home in OH. Then I would load and head south. Then I usually ran across the south on I-40 or I-20 and then I would head back north around late Thursday or early Friday. Occasionally I might unload in OH. head to TN then down to TX and then back up towards home for the weekend.

Longhaul covers about the same area, but they do get the option of running farther west when Maverick has loads going out there, which isn't too terribly often. The biggest difference between Longhaul and US is that Longhaul guys aren't supposed to get home every weekend so they don't have to worry about routing you home come Wednesday. Most that I knew got home every other weekend or every third. Honestly, I never met many Longhaul guys at Maverick. I'd be shocked if the had 100 people in that division.

They also have the SE, SW and RAT (Regional Atlantic) divisions, but those probably won't be an option to you.

Then you've got the Specialized (or Glass) division. They don't get home as much, but they make more per mile. It is a lot of drop and hook and most loads are pre-tarped, you just have to button them up.

For me, the US division is the best, but that might not be the case for you. I liked the mixed bag that it had to offer. It's nice to haul lumber from time to time and sling straps instead of chains, but all in all, Maverick is still primarily a steel carrier. You'll learn to love securing and tarping coils, at least I did.

Getting weekends home won't be a problem for you. It's one thing that they pride themselves on and they do a great job at it.

Good luck.

[Jay B]

Dog,
I've been in a maverick truck for about 2 months now in the RAT division (regional atlantic.)

Sounds like you live in covered wagon steel belt territory to me, but if you don't care about every weekend home you should ask about glass hauling. It pays 4-5 cents more then flatbed.

[motozeke]

ive been in the steel belt route for about a month now and I get home every weekend I drive a covered wagon which means not having to mess with lumber tarps and no junk hauls only steel I short hop down south and I love those home hauls from fort smith I start my week with a 1000 miles. I dont know why someone who dosnt have would want to fold tarps in the rain and snow and spend hours yes hours tarping for 20 bucks I think its some kind of macho trip but id rather just throw on my hoops and tarp i n a few minutes down the road o by the way hows it goin jb and cruzin coyote I made it im out here now

[Darin Younce]

Hey Moto , glad to see you are doing good.


Moto wrote:
" I dont know why someone who dosnt have would want to fold tarps in the rain and snow and spend hours yes hours tarping for 20 bucks"

Yep, that was what I was talkin about back when me and you exchanged post about Maverick a few days before you wnet to orientation.. But you know some guys love it and are very successful . Anyway , glad things worked out for you.

[wild bill]

motozeke
I see you are driving a covered wagon, and I think I read a while back that you lived in michigan. I live in SE mi. just north of Detroit. Do you know if I am in the hiring area for covered wagons?
Just curious,
Thanks

[motozeke]

yeah I think you are but call gary terminal and ask
(219) 944-6754

im sorry not to get back but ive been on the road and concentrating on the job im getting pretty good with the wagon I gotta lot of tricks and im getting faster at getting out of the mills its going real good just wish freight was a little better. Got my benefits now and found out I have to wear glasses I tell you when i was in saukville wi(suck-ville) it was -31 and we loaded and chained outside it was nice to just throw the cover on and go I felt sorry for those guys tarping for an hour in that

[Jay B]

Zeke, glad it's going good for you. I am still figuring out how to maximize my miles and home time at the same time. The tractor they gave me is a piece of crap and cost me a bunch of breakdown time, but I think all the bugs are out of it now. If it breaks again I am going to have to tell them to give me a ten speed. Those Eaton autoshifts are junk.

I am getting pretty quick on securement and tarping most loads, it is the union steel mill bulls*** where they make us wait 5 hours to load to show us who is boss that makes me crazy and costs me driving hours. Maybe I'll get a teamster sticker for my truck and see if that helps.