Heartland Express?

[P A Frederick]

Howdy all, new here.

I've been out of the truck since August. Looking to get back in. Drove for 3 years. I've been looking at Heartland Express. They are on my super-short list, but I want to know more. Here's a few questions:

*Do you get to pick out the terminal you want to run out of (as a regional driver) as long as you live in the driving range for that office, or do you have to take what they assign you? I'm in the radius for 3 terminals, but I want to drive out of Memphis.

*How are the regional miles out of Memphis? Weekly average.

*How is the equipment? What motor/tranny? Good power? Are they at least half way comfortable?

*How are the terminals? Are they clean and well-maintained? Do they have food services, showers, laundry, etc. I worked for Scheider. One this I liked about them was their terminals. At least you could get a meal and a shower.

*How are the customers? Is it really 85% drop and hook?

*How is orientation? Do you have to pay for the room/meals, or is it on their tab? I don't have a very good job, so I can't afford to spend too much money at orientation. How about transportation to? Bus ticket provided? Rental car? Where is the orientation? Different places, or always in Iowa City?

*How are the majority of drivers at Heartland? Are they professional looking and acting drivers? I don't dress up, but I shave my face and wash my clothes from time to time.

Thats about it for me. I'm trying to make an informed decision. I don't want a big argument going on here about if Heartland is good or not. I just want to know the facts and make my own decision.

Thanks a lot for all your help!!

PF

[belpre122]

I don't want a big argument going on here about if Heartland is good or not. I just want to know the facts and make my own decision.

Thanks a lot for all your help!!

PF

2008 Shaffer-Heartland CHRONICLES


If you haven't already done it, check out this thread by one of CAD's esteemed posters.......headborg.

There is a poster named Twilight Flyer on here. He can help you with anything you need to know about Heartland.

[Jackrabbit379]

There is a poster named Twilight Flyer on here. He can help you with anything you need to know about Heartland.

He's a good driver.

[Twilight Flyer]

Driver? No.

Good? No one better.

BTW, I liked your dancing icon enough to add it to our own smiley catalog. :boogey::boogey::boogey:

[P A Frederick]

I just got off the phone with Twilight Flyer a few minutes ago. I went ahead and filled out the app for Heartland and am working on getting approved and all that. I'm not worried about it. I've got a good history and a good DAC (I think, I've never checked it). Last company I worked for said they'd hire me in a second. But I've moved since I worked for them and they don't think I could get home very often where I live now.

Anyone know anything more about orientation with Heartland? Other than the basic sign your name, take a driving test, etc... I figured every company has the same basic beginners class, but I'd like to know exactly what I need to do when I get there...

Wish me luck. Heartland here I come!!

[belpre122]

Well PA...........in that thread that I directed you to, I remember that headborg also described Heartland orientation. I don't remember much of the specifics other than one, and that is...........Dont' be late!!!

[P A Frederick]

I'm going to try not to be. I'm not starting orientation until the first week of December, so I'll have plenty of time to plan my arrival time. I'm never late if its in my control. Always been like that. I hate people that constantly run late for church, appointments, etc. I understand if you need to deliver and there is 3 feet of snow and you show up late due to weather or traffic conditions out of your control, but it shouldn't happen every single time.

When I worked for Schneider there was a guy who was always late delivering. Wal-Mart doesn't do well with late shipments, they'd rather have it 3 hours early than 15 minutes late. Come to find out he'd have to stop at every truck stop and gas station he could fit into to flirt with the girls and goof off. He didn't last long.

[belpre122]

Come to find out he'd have to stop at every truck stop and gas station he could fit into to flirt with the girls and goof off. He didn't last long.

Heck PA, he should consider getting on a fuel hauling gig. That way he could get paid to do all of the above!

In headborg's blog you will see that he Heartland has 'zero tolerance' for being late at orientation. That's what I was referring to. I'm sure that you will be fine, and wish you the very best. See I told you that Twilight Flyer character would know something about Heartland.

Be sure to keep us posted!

[P A Frederick]

I'll keep you all posted on it. We'll see how everything works out between now and then. I don't think I'll be late. The only thing that concerns me is the Greyhound. It leaves Knoxville 7 mornings a week at 5:30 and gets to Kingsport at 8:35. Now, if orientation starts at 8, then I'm screwed unless I get there on Sunday and sit around all day.

We'll see what happens. I'm waiting for TF to call me back after my application gets approved and we'll see where we go from there. Shouldn't take too long. Hopefully they'll set everything up for my bus ticket, etc.

[Jackrabbit379]

Driver? No.

Good? No one better.

BTW, I liked your dancing icon enough to add it to our own smiley catalog. :boogey::boogey::boogey:

I was hoping that it would have been a while before anyone caught that.

[headborg]

It's been 10 days-- How's Heartland working out for You? Fredrick?

[P A Frederick]

I won't know for a while. I don't start orientation until December 8th. I want to go ahead and finish this semester of college before I go. It'll be over Dec. 3. I'll let you know how things go when I get on the road. I talked to TF and have to call him back Dec. 1. I'll be doing orientation in Atlanta.

[headborg]

I won't know for a while. I don't start orientation until December 8th. I want to go ahead and finish this semester of college before I go. It'll be over Dec. 3. I'll let you know how things go when I get on the road. I talked to TF and have to call him back Dec. 1. I'll be doing orientation in Atlanta.

You'll be staying at the Baymont Motel off I-20, it's ran by Pakastanie persons-- and this my sound Racist but the rooms SMELL BAD!
Bring air freshner with you.. also the nearest place to eat is the Chinese Buffet next door... it was pretty good I ate there once- then when I started to finish off my meal with some ice cream, found a dead roach in the big round barrel of ice cream.

[Jumbo]

You'll be staying at the Baymont Motel off I-20, it's ran by Pakastanie persons-- and this my sound Racist but the rooms SMELL BAD!
Bring air freshner with you.. also the nearest place to eat is the Chinese Buffet next door... it was pretty good I ate there once- then when I started to finish off my meal with some ice cream, found a dead roach in the big round barrel of ice cream.

SHHHHH.....Be quiet otherwise everybody is going to want one.

[Jackrabbit379]

You'll be staying at the Baymont Motel off I-20, it's ran by Pakastanie persons-- and this my sound Racist but the rooms SMELL BAD!

They always smell like garlic.

[P A Frederick]

I've stayed in some pretty ratty motels on hunting trips. I'm sure this won't be any better or worse, all part of the job.

I'm surprised at some of these companies. They act like drivers are their #1 priority, then they put them up in a little rat hole motel for orientation. Unbelievable! We'll see how it goes.

I'm going to do everything in my power to make this job with Heartland work out. I don't jump jobs unless I'm forced to. In 3 years of trucking, I've only had 2 jobs, and I left both of those on good terms and eligible for rehire. I'd like to do the same with Heartland. Maybe since you were there they have changed the motel they use, but I doubt it. You gotta watch Atlanta, you can get in some pretty bad neighborhoods in a hurry if you're not careful...

I'll let you all know how it goes.

[P A Frederick]

Here's a quick question I just thought of: Does Heartland's trucks have tape decks or CD players? I was going to get a couple audio books from the library, but I didn't know what format I needed to get them in. When I quit driving in August I cancelled my XM radio. I'll be getting it activated again as soon as I get some money back in my hands.

Thanks a lot!

[headborg]

Here's a quick question I just thought of: Does Heartland's trucks have tape decks or CD players? I was going to get a couple audio books from the library, but I didn't know what format I needed to get them in. When I quit driving in August I cancelled my XM radio. I'll be getting it activated again as soon as I get some money back in my hands.

Thanks a lot!

you'll get a 9400 to start out in...cas tape deck, later IF you're there long enough and get a Prostar you'll have a basic cd player no aux jack--- so really unless you're really fond of FM Modulation to connnect- sat radio, Mp3, mini-disc etc--- you'll be better off with the tape deck- except I head almost all of them EAT the tapes, so better to just use the heads with some kind of adapter and bring your own music player- like a discman.

[BIG JEEP on 44's]

you'll get a 9400 to start out in...cas tape deck, later IF you're there long enough and get a Prostar you'll have a basic cd player no aux jack--- so really unless you're really fond of FM Modulation to connnect- sat radio, Mp3, mini-disc etc--- you'll be better off with the tape deck- except I head almost all of them EAT the tapes, so better to just use the heads with some kind of adapter and bring your own music player- like a discman.

It's 2008 seeing a tape deck in a vehicle today would be like having 8 track players in your car in the 90's...A tape deck that is just so damn cheap it cracks me up .

[headborg]

It's 2008 seeing a tape deck in a vehicle today would be like having 8 track players in your car in the 90's...A tape deck that is just so damn cheap it cracks me up .

Well if that cracks you up-- you'll love this little inside story.

Now, he's already said he's doing orientation in Atlanta- I don't know about Atlanta's orientation- I did orientation in Olive Branch. I head they feed you well-- IF you're attending orientation in North Liberty(corporate HQ).

So here's my story:

Day 1-- one size fits all Subway Bologna sandwich, with small bag of chips, and dixie cup of soda or coffee.

Day 2 & 3--- you go to the Dixie Cafe ( pretty good food actually)

The 4 of us left after the road test- we set down, the waitress brings our menu's and the first thing we're told by Robert ( orientation coordinator ) is-- gentlemen-- we're on a budget. You can only order off the Lite Menu, Soup & Salad, or the Special of the Day.

Hey, at the time I thought-- that was pretty telling about what you can expect in the future from Heartland. Can you image if you were a business man, entertaining clients- looking to build a partnership business relationship and you told your clients THAT!-

Ok, but times are definately HARD they can't afford to wine & dine drivers that might not stay with them more than couple weeks-- and it's across the board. Example: KLLM day one Lunch Menu:

It's catered in- in a styrofoam "to-go" box, while you're over at the Med Clinic with 30 others- when you get back, it's cold. It was-- cold slimy Salibury Stake, cold mash potatoes & gravy, Lima beans, a scope of Nasty
Apple Cobbler. And this is the type of lunch for 4 days!


It was shocking; as I've pretty much stayed with each employer for 3-4 years and honestly haven't been through very many "orientations"-- but, I keep remembering my Westside Transport Orientation experience- Luby's for lunch,-- just sign your signature. And Lunch & Evening Dinner was yours for 3 days, no restrictions, no you can't order off this part of the menu...
But times are HARD!