Heartland Express Drivers

[Twilight Flyer]

Arguing with truck drivers is like wrestling with a pig in the mud. Eventually, you find out they both like it.

:P

I was joking, so no one get their panties in a bunch.

8)

But seriously, I understand drivers getting upset about idling, especially not knowing what's going on. Personally, I hate gray areas, but I understand that at times, things need to be gray. What a lot of drivers forget is that companies are trying very hard to balance the whole issue where everyone benefits. It's not a shot at the driver if a company isn't using APU's or inverters...it's simply that the company is trying to come up with what will work best and that never happens all at once, particularly with such a volitale situation that includes wild fuel prices and stupid state legislatures.

[Mr C]

First to all thank you for all the inputs. Big Help.

This Company is on my short list to apply to. I was looking at another company but after learning about thier idle policy , I dropped them.

I won't mention the name but their policy is anything over 30%, no excuses, they are charging the drivers for the fuel used and taking it out of their pay check weekly. Needless to say this hurts many a driver with the income to support their families. I know bottom line is priority to a company, but people are also a companies priority. With out the drivers, there would be no company. Yes there will be some drivers who will suffer just to have a job, but in time that will come back and haunt them and eventually the company. Hard to be in 100+ degree weather, doing a rest, being delayed both loading & unloading for hours on end and not run the truck to be comftorable and also trying to get your ten hour rest / sleep time in when it is 90+ in the cab.. But thats shows the people of that company are expendable.

Thanks again
MR C

[headborg]

First to all thank you for all the inputs. Big Help.

This Company is on my short list to apply to. I was looking at another company but after learning about thier idle policy , I dropped them.

I won't mention the name but their policy is anything over 30%, no excuses, they are charging the drivers for the fuel used and taking it out of their pay check weekly. Needless to say this hurts many a driver with the income to support their families. I know bottom line is priority to a company, but people are also a companies priority. With out the drivers, there would be no company. Yes there will be some drivers who will suffer just to have a job, but in time that will come back and haunt them and eventually the company. Hard to be in 100+ degree weather, doing a rest, being delayed both loading & unloading for hours on end and not run the truck to be comftorable and also trying to get your ten hour rest / sleep time in when it is 90+ in the cab.. But thats shows the people of that company are expendable.

Thanks again
MR C

30%-- sounds like KLLM?

Although, I was told it's charged .01cpm deducted from your pay if your idle is over 30%. But half their fleet has APU. So you got a 50/50 shot at
getting in one. But even without an APU you can still be comfortable and run in the low 20% idle-- if I can do that here at Heartland-- anyone should be able too. The real trick is to turn the key off frequently- like when out opening/closing trailer doors- dropping/hooking.
Plus, get out of the damn truck! stretch your legs, go take a shower, eat. Spend hours on your laptop-- Inside the T/S.

See, TF isn't being straight on the WHY no inverters here at Heartland or the WHY the trucks are stripped down. If you were really comfortable in a Heartland truck-- you'd be idling it! you'd be sitting still in it-- you'd be eating in it. None of these things-- makes the company any $$$$.

You can go right down the street and work for Westside Transport-- they install your inverter for you. NO CHARGE

SRT-- will install your inverter up to 1000watt-- $60.00 charge to wire it up.

There are plenty of companies that will allow the big inverters- only the insist on wiring them up, other's will require you purchase one from Freightliner/ Volvo, etc. Still other companies-- spec their trucks with the wiring for a inverter- or with one installed.
Even KLLM and Crete and other big companies allow the small plug in the lighter socket type. Are they afraid of 'buring down the truck with one of those?" no.

Yes, I agree-- Drivers are dummies generally speaking-- they don't know how to wire one in properly-- and would probably burn down the truck if they did attempt it. So I can meet them half way on that side of things.

This is the first time in 15 years of trucking, that I've been without an Inverter. I have a 1750watt, 1500watt, 1000watt, 450watt, 300watt, 150watt-- all at home. Never burned down a truck-- ever.
First inverters-- I wired in myself(against company policy- at Asche Transfer(out of business):
Installed 1 extra battery in battery box- tied it in to others(with parts from Peterbuilt) wired the up through the floor-- covered them with the proper back wire insulation- installed a in line fuse.

Ran it that way for 2.5 years- before a mechanic finally removed the battery cover to clean the terminals-- and noticed I had 1 more battery than everyone else-- the followed the wires down. They asked how much I had to pay to have it installed/set-up-- I told em the truth I did it myself- they said 'good job'-- but you got to get rid of it next time you're by the shop--- I asked if the Detail Lady would be working that day-- she'll have 1 more to clean. Worked there- 4 years more-- never burned down a truck.

[Twilight Flyer]

Next time you are through IC, Russ, see if you can track Linda down and ask her if she's got any pictures of the trucks we've lost or nearly lost due to inverters, properly wired and not. Just because you haven't burned one down, doesn't mean it hasn't happened. It has here, several times, and that's the reasoning behind not allowing them. The fire hazard and the liability to the company are pretty big concerns.

As far as not allowing them because the driver is too comfortable and sitting in the truck with it not moving? Come on, even you can't believe that one. There's not a lot of drivers that dumb to do that. A driver sitting in a truck not moving is going to be comfortable for a week and then out looking for another job, while someone that actually works will be taking their place. You're right that if a truck isn't moving, the company isn't making any money. But neither is the driver. :rolleyes:

[MARINEDAD]

I drive for Interstate Dist. and all their trucks have 1500 wt inverters in them. I don't understand why all companies don't have them. Well, yes I can as it has been said before companies don't care about the comfort of their drivers. Office people only have to walk a few feet and they have their coffee and microwave right there. Driver wants coffee he jumps off the freeway drives to the truck stop tries to find a place to park walks a few 100ft gets his coffee tries to use microwave walks back to truck has to fight traffic to get back on freeway. When you have a inverter you can set your coffee pot so you have it when you wake up. Throw a breakfast burrito in the microwave and your ready to roll.........Now it's funny that these companies are afraid their trucks will burn to the ground with a inverter in them just think how many of these RV's have inverters!! If it was an issue of safety surely the goverment would step in. That's my 2 cents on this matter

[Twilight Flyer]

Well, yes I can as it has been said before companies don't care about the comfort of their drivers.

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I'd put in more, but I can only have 4 images per post and I need to save a couple for the end.

That's my 2 cents on this matter

You've got 2 cents change coming back.

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I was going to actually reply with info, but I'm not going to waste my time anymore on the inverter/APU discussion. You'll see and believe what you wish, despite the fact that the actual situation isn't even close to what you believe.

[MARINEDAD]

Hey TF this is like the vp debate I'm new like Palin and you're like Biden you have seen the ins and outs of the business. Even though I hav 20 yrs driving exp. only been otr for about a year. And yes we could debate this for ever. Take care

[headborg]

My point about the being comfortable is thus:

If you got an inverter and it's running- the truck will be 'running' too- those 4 batteries won't last very long with a big inverter drawing 250amps constantly. Thus, the company doesn't want them on-board.

Fire hazard! A driver with one of those 12volt 'hot coils' stuck down in their coffee mug- and turning it over-- now there's a fire hazard. Or the driver with the camping stove! There's several 12volt truckpro products that catch on fire routinely-- namely that little oven thing.

What's Heartland going to do when all it's Seasoned/Old School drivers retire, and this New Bread (that can't find their way out the driveway without a GPS) takes over? They all want all the electronic gismo's and playstation, dishnetwork, stuff that you got to have 110v AC to run. When they are all that remain.

Will they WANT to work for HEARTLAND?

You should take a poll. Heartland already leads the industry with CPM, driver friendly freight, drop & hook. And I guess for some (excluding Hillbillies from the Ozarks) great home time. You're addressing the junk truck problem. But the QUALITY of life issue is still a big factor in why MANY go the other way before considering the bus ride<<that too being a quality of like issue. Roehl & Crete and a couple other's will spring for Rental cars( of course, if you quit before 90days-- you get YOUR LAST CHECK DENTED FOR THAT) But with the LARGE paychecks normally paid out-- surely it would cover the expense?

[Voyager]

So headborg, based on everything you've said in this thread and others, would you recommend Heartland? And TF, what are the parameters for idling besides percentages. I've heard about companies that have policies in place stating you can idle for comfort above 80 degrees or below 30 degrees. What does Heartland consider a comfortable temperature? If I keep my house at 68 degrees, and especially if a company keeps their offices at 68 degrees, than I want/should be able to keep my truck at that temperature as well, regardless of what the outside temperature is. FWIW, 65-75 degrees is MY comfort threshold. Outside of those temperatures I won't get proper rest.

[headborg]

So headborg, based on everything you've said in this thread and others, would you recommend Heartland? And TF, what are the parameters for idling besides percentages. I've heard about companies that have policies in place stating you can idle for comfort above 80 degrees or below 30 degrees. What does Heartland consider a comfortable temperature? If I keep my house at 68 degrees, and especially if a company keeps their offices at 68 degrees, than I want/should be able to keep my truck at that temperature as well, regardless of what the outside temperature is. FWIW, 65-75 degrees is MY comfort threshold. Outside of those temperatures I won't get proper rest.

#1) I'm not a recruiter or driver/recruiter-- I find I sleep better at night, without my conscience bothering me that "Job Blow" driver might have quit a better job and followed my 'embellishment" and is now about to lose his home & wife & the kids are hungry. I also don't have to worry about running into said driver- after he's made the jump. Also, thus far-- Not a single Referral $- has ever made it's way "mysteriously" onto any of my paycheck. ALL you- Lurker's out there that are reading this- that must mean you never mention that- Headborg(Russ- Tractor XXXX) with that thread over there at CAD.

That being said: If you live where I do-- No I wouldn't suggest/encourage you to sign on here-- If home time is a major Factor. I'd say-- take a look around your home area-- Look for Heartland Trucks Parked on the Weekends-- If they're there-- Good sign YOU should be able to get home too.

As for $$$ and Freight, Yes- CPM+ good freight. So that's a Plus.

Now, the Rag Trucks Issue- 1600 new ProStars coming within the next 12 months. 3500 trucks total fleet-- but they are having a recruiting drive- to keep these extra not yet retired International 9400's in service-- Need Butts In those Seats. Now Note: THEY SAID THEY WERE ISSUING THE NEW TRUCKS OUT BASED ON SENIORITY. LAST THURSDAY- RAN INTO A DRIVER WITH ONE, FUELING AT N.L.--- Got to talking with him---- asked "how long" he's been with the company. Answer: 6 years. My point being- just 2 weeks earlier-- they bussed 8 drivers in from Atlanta to pick-up their NEW PROSTARS. Shop man pointed out when I asked- if those were "new hires" getting those new trucks i.e. "foul play"-- he said ever one of those 8 men-- had more than 10 years with Heartland. So in just 2 weeks-- they've worked their way down the seniority list from 10year drivers to 6 year drivers.

The perameters for Idling are a "gray area".

Don't worry about it-- be comfortable, do a good job and you should be fine.

1)shut the truck off if you're not in it.
2) progressive shift( or learn) i.e. never over tachometer the engine( above 1600 rpm- it's just wasting fuel)
3) cruise control
4) run with the flow of traffic just a little slower -- so you don't have to break and lane change so much- wastes fuel-- you should be able to just glide through traffic.
5) Buy a Fan- hell it's Fall who needs AC this season.
6) Bring a blanket from home-- it's not winter YET.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST -- TALK TO AT LEAST 10 HEARTLAND DRIVERS to every 1 recruiter.
Make up your own mind. The economy is bad.. hard times everywhere you go.

[MARINEDAD]

Good post headborg. Thx for the info