Heartland- Here I Come!

[P A Frederick]

Yeah, thats what I'm thinking. Everyone I talked to at the terminal had been doing pretty decent until the last 2 weeks. I picked a horrible time to start with any company. Christmas and New Years always kills freight.

I'll head down to Atlanta Monday morning and see what happens. If I play my cards right I should be in the breakroom around 11 or 1130 and can go with the mew recruits to lunch. They take whoever is sitting around to Golden Corral on their tab. I know they get it back on taxes, but I don't care, I'll take a free lunch any day!

Things should pick up in a couple weeks. I've still not made my decision about them yet. Everyone seems really nice when you call in, but their being nice and 99 cents gets you coffee at the J. We'll see. I did hear some wild and crazy stories in the drivers lounge for basically 3 days. Man, some of these guys must lie awake at night thinking of new truck driving stories! Everything you can think of man, it was something else!

[P A Frederick]

O.K. I'm home for the weekend and here is my weekly update. For the record, this is the latest I've gotten home on any weekend. I think I got to my house around noon today. I had to deliver about 50 miles from here this morning for a 24 hour open appointment. It took them about 1 1/2 hours to unload me, but they were running a skeleton crew since it was Saturday. I had to wait on 2 trucks ahead of me.

Monday morning head to Palmetto, GA (picked this up in O Fallon, Mo, although I technically ran most of the miles last week, I won't get paid until next weeks check, so I count it towards this weeks paid miles).

Pick up Monday night/Tuesday morning in Newnan Georgia for a Greeneville, TN/ Johnson City, TN load.

Kingsport, TN (terminal) to pick up Wednesday morning to head to Reidsville, NC. At this point in the week I was a little disappointed. All I had done was drive from Knoxville to Atlanta and Atlanta to Kingsport, not great. This is when it picked up.

Reidsville, NC live unload/live load, head to Smyrna, DE (I had never been to Delaware). Get to DE Thurs. Morning (should have been earlier but my unload in NC took too long). Drop/hook in Smyrna.

DH to Dover, DE pick up drop/hook for Columbus, OH (but it wasn't ready when I got there, had to wait 4 hours).

Delivered in Columbus Friday noon. This is the last paid mileage for the week. The Columbus- Dandridge, TN will appear on next weeks update.

Total miles: 2035. Within the 2000 I was promised. Got home for another weekend.

Next weekend I am going to stay with a friend in southern Illinois (that does not have internet) so I will have to report in 2 weeks and give the rundown.

I also met my dispatcher for the first time this week in Kingsport. Since I did my orientation in Atlanta, I never got a face to face. Seemed nice enough. I think the Kingsport terminal has the nicest drivers lounge/showers of the terminals I've been too, but I've not been to them all.

One thing I do like is if a load is not a drop and hook, a lot of times they will have open-ended appointments. These are awful nice. I'm glad Heartland has as many of these as they do.

Thats it for the week. Not much exciting has happened this week other than driving. I hope freight will pick up and I can get a few hundred more miles in the future, but who knows with this economy. We were used to living off about $300 a week, so what I'm making now is much, much better.

Have a good one out there!

[dobry4u]

Thanks for the update!! Hey, sounds pretty decent. Glad things are going pretty smooth for you!

[P A Frederick]

O.K. I'm home, and here's the update:

After I posted last (about 2 weeks ago) things have gone down hill...

Left on Monday- picked up in Vonore, TN and delivered in Huntington, WV for a 7AM Tuesday appointment. Got unloaded by 9 AM Tuesday, next load didn't pick up until 6 PM WEDNESDAY! Yeah, you read it right...

Picked up 6 PM Wed. in Louisville (less than 200 paid miles by the way to Louisville), delivered in Waverley, TN Thur morning.

Dead head to Lebanon, TN pick up for Earth City, MO (St Louis).

Picked up at St Louis (O Fallon) terminal for a Tuesday morning delivery in Louisville (take it home for weekend).

Total paid miles: 1600

Next week:

I got to my buddies house around Noon Friday, and didn't leave until noon on Monday. Nice home time, but you can't make money like that. And I didn't have to leave noon Monday. My appointment in Louisville wasn't until 8 AM Tuesday less than 200 miles from where I was, but I wanted to get a full 10 in before I got unloaded- and I wanted to find a spot at the Pilot in Brooks, KY, so I left extra early.

Anyway- dropped the loaded in Louisville Tue morning (supposed to be live unload at Ford, but it wasn't). No empties, had to bobtail to Seymour, IN to get an empty.

Deadhead (after waiting 6 hours for load info) to Owensboro, KY to load the next morning.

Live load Wednesday morning (supposed to be drop/hook, but they didn't have enough empties). Take to Newport, Michigan (south of Detroit).

Deadhead to Bolingbrook, IL (CHI) to load, take to West Branch, IA (about 20 miles from our terminal in North Liberty). This is the last paid load I got this week.

Had to get inspected Friday morning, they tagged me for an A service and 8 new drives, and brakes. Took them almost 8 hours to get all this done. Finally got it out of the shop- my load was ready on the yard. Pick up in N. Liberty, deliver in Atlanta by 11 PM tomorrow (Sunday). I'm barely going to be home 24 hours before I have to leave again- then I'll probably sit 2 days in Atlanta waiting for a stinking load.

Miles this week: 1450. Yeah, fourteen-hundred-fifty.

I'm looking for something else. I need more miles than this. I've had a total of 2 weeks where I got over 2000 miles. My wife and I got used to living on next to nothing when I worked security and was out of work, so we're doing o.k., but I need more than this. I'm trying to pay off school bill and my wife's van. I'm trying to get to the point where I can find a home daily job and go back to college. if I'm going to stay with Heartland, they need to up my miles greatly and quick.

I have noticed one thing I don't like, too (though I wouldn't quit over this). Everyone in the offices and the people on the phones are really super-nice, but the guys in the shops are mostly JERKS. The guys who do inspections in Kingsport and Columbus are pretty decent guys, but everywhere else it is a pain to go into the shop.

Well, thats it for me. I'll let you know what happens next.

[kentucky24]

Hey PA fred

sorry to here its down.. but thats about everywhere right now. You might want to consider TANK or Hopper bottom work ..

Look into Superior Carriers looks like you may be close to them and they pay very well.. I am going with them. I talked to you about Henderson back a few months ago and decided to go with Superior. Benefits and pay there web says make up to 72k and most driver are about 62-65k home weekly paid restarts if you have to once and a while check out my post on the other foreum

FROM WALMART PRIVATE FLEET TO SUPERIOR CARRIERS LTD

I have outlined pay etc for superior

CYANIDE has a post here called SUPERIOR CARRIERS / CARRY TRANSIT some good info there

WSYROB has one one the other foruem he updates allot and is a good read also
FROM SCHOOL TO SUPPERIOR CARRIERS LTD

Ithink you would be happy I am and I drove for WALMART for 4.5 yrs so you know what I expect in a company .

PM me and if you want I can fill you in more on the phone

Good luck man ....

[kentucky24]

I knew you lived in TN now from chatting before but ...

Superior has a TERMINAL IN KINGSPORT right near you so it will work out good .

Google them on the web SUPERIOR CARRIERS or SUPERIOR BULK LOGISTICS they dont have a recruting dept and turnover is VERY LOW you will need to check the website and call terminal direct and ask for the terminal mgr.

They have an 1-800#### that say recruting but its not it is the HR dept in OAK BROOK IL at corporate but he can put you directly in to the terminal manager if you want to go that route...

[P A Frederick]

Thanks man, I'll look into this. I'm looking into getting into hopper bottom work right now, trying to find a company to work for. I'll check out Superior, maybe they will have something that will work out for me.

Thanks again.

[headborg]

Living where you do. Consider looking into:

Dillon
FirstFleet

I know you probably don't want to do Reefer/Produce but consider:

Purdy

Since your miles are down/hometime is beginning to be Rationed(usually starts about this long into your stay at Heartland) consider switching to System a.s.a.p. At least this way, you'll be making more $$$ per mile/ the total miles won't really change-- it all comes from the same freight pool. You just won't be getting home each and every weekend.

Yes, freight is tight-- the other night in Milan, NM the Petro was dead empty on a week night-- it's getting BAD...BAD.. out here. Sticking with a large carrier like Heartland with lots of freight + benifits is still smart thinking.
But wages are about to start backward-- we're all going to have to get used to the idea of having to work harder for less for the next few years.

[belpre122]

A (company?) that requires an employee (driver) to sign off.....the farm.....
No thanks.

Aribitrary access to my personal bank account? You must be nuts!

Tell us that this is not true!!! Explain this entire concept to the unititiated?

Headborg....as a service to the new folks contemplating revealing their banking numbers to Heartland (less)?

[kentucky24]

Thanks man, I'll look into this. I'm looking into getting into hopper bottom work right now, trying to find a company to work for. I'll check out Superior, maybe they will have something that will work out for me.

Thanks again.

Keep me posted..
If u got any pay questions just ask

Like I said they don't have a recruiting Dept so please don't think I am giving u a line I get nothing $00.00 no nothing except satisfaction a good driver got a good job.

[headborg]

A (company?) that requires an employee (driver) to sign off.....the farm.....
No thanks.

Aribitrary access to my personal bank account? You must be nuts!

Tell us that this is not true!!! Explain this entire concept to the unititiated?

Headborg....as a service to the new folks contemplating revealing their banking numbers to Heartland (less)?

????? I admit-- I'm in a Motel tonight- so maybe if I hadn't already had 3 Coronas from the local mexican restraunt/ bar I might have understood better..

Hmmm, are you referring to the interesting little-- Direct deposit setup that Heartland has? The "special" form you fill out- giving Heartland the ability to REVERSE a direct deposit FROM your account??? Yeah, that gave me moment of pause during the Orientation session. So I took it back to the Hotel room that first evening , claiming I didn't have the account number available at the time. Had the wife call our bank to see if this was "on the up and Up' our bank had never heard of such-- as only the Government can REVERSE a direct deposit. Chalked it up as just another "scare tactic" used by Heartland.... but I opened a new seperate account- just in case- that way I could use it as a temporary "holding/lobby" account and then transfer the funds quick to my main account-- that way there would never be any money left for them to REVERSE.

could be worse! this little company I'm working at now-- required Me to open up an account at a local Granite City, Il bank-- and they physically deposit my check each week- it was that, or-- mail the check to my house!
but so they don't even have Direct Deposit! But yes... WARNING WILL ROBINSON...DANGER....DANGER... when you go signing all those forms when you start at company X. READ before You Sign and ask for copies of everything you sign. Most of them are B.S. and if you had legal counsel they'd be laughing their butts off-- just because you sign it-- don't make it legal. Truth is-- you signed most of that stuff under duress-- if you didn't sign you get a bus ride back home. There should be a law-- before you get on the bus to go to work for a company-- they should send you copies of all the B.S. they WILL require you to sign before you travel out of state for the "opertunity" to "interview" for the position... after all, you're not actually an employee until they hand you the keys or you start to roll or pay you $1.00 U.S.

[P A Frederick]

Well, I'm home again. I got here Thursday night (but had to deliver Friday morning about 40 miles from here). Gotta go this afternoon and pick up my loaded, then head out tomorrow morning early to go to PA before midnite.

This week I got close to 1850 paid miles, but this includes all my milage from Iowa City to Atlanta. I left Iowa Friday afternoon, got home Saturday afternoon, left Sunday afternoon for ATL.

Took 10 hrs in ATL. Deadheaded Monday night from ATL to Red Boiling Springs, TN to pick up. Delivered that Tuesday midnight (Wednesday morning) in Alpharetta (Atlanta), GA.

Took 10 hours in ATL AGAIN... Then sat all day Wednesday in the yard. Was supposed to get an oil change done, but they couldn't get to it, so I had to wait till Thursday morning. No big deal... They didn't have a load for me anyway.

Picked up in McDonough, GA Thursday for Friday morning delivery in New Tazewell, TN. Came home empty after I delivered.

This sitting is about to kill me. Sat pretty well all day Monday in Atlanta, then sat some Tuesday morning in TN before picking up, then sat waiting to get unloaded in Alpharetta, then sat all day Wednesday and 1/2 the day Thursday in Atlanta AGAIN!

I'm looking for something different. I can't sit all the time and make money. They have been giving me some "Heartland Cares" money for sitting, but its nothing compared to what I could make running.

I'll let you all know what happens. I'm looking around here for a smaller company or a tank or hopper bottom or something.

[Rev.Vassago]

There should be a law-- before you get on the bus to go to work for a company-- they should send you copies of all the B.S. they WILL require you to sign before you travel out of state for the "opertunity" to "interview" for the position...

You have the right to review any contract you are signing, as well as the right to have it reviewed by legal council. Most people don't bother to ask, though.

after all, you're not actually an employee until they hand you the keys or you start to roll or pay you $1.00 U.S.

That's not true. You can be hired at a company, never do any compensated work for them, and be terminated. You were still an employee.

[chris1]

As soon as you show up for orientation/drug test you're considered an employee.

[dobry4u]

As soon as you show up for orientation/drug test you're considered an employee.

I know this is a Heartland thread, but we weren't "drivers" for Swifty until we were assigned a driver code. Employee yes, driver, not until we had a code/number. Perhaps this is the case with Heartland.

[belpre122]

This sitting is about to kill me. Sat pretty well all day Monday in Atlanta, then sat some Tuesday morning in TN before picking up, then sat waiting to get unloaded in Alpharetta, then sat all day Wednesday and 1/2 the day Thursday in Atlanta AGAIN!

I'm looking for something different. I can't sit all the time and make money. They have been giving me some "Heartland Cares" money for sitting, but its nothing compared to what I could make running.

I'll let you all know what happens. I'm looking around here for a smaller company or a tank or hopper bottom or something.

Well that didn't take long. Your candor is appreciated.

Now that you have cleaned your spurs off, start pounding the pavement for something local. Get back to the wife and life. BOL.

BTW, if you don't already have them, now is the time to be sure that you have all endorsements HAZMAT, Double-Triples and tankers........

[zipy46]

Ask other drivers here at the forum....then compare what they say with what the recruiter has said.

The only trouble i ever had was when i left the smaller carriers (750 units or so) to go to a LARGER carrier.

Smaller carriers are usually liquid and mentally stable....they are'nt riding sinking ships

[ELGAUL]

Yeah, I was wondering if anyone one would dare discuss the "HOLD" Money policy at Heartland. Yes, they THREATEN you at orientation about going home during the week( at/on day prior to payday) about them "making an error on that paycheck-- an error that works out to be $1.00 per mile for every mile between your hometown and the nearest yard.
I was home twice during my 4 month trip through purgatory. It never happended to me-- I was looking for $220 bucks worth of "payroll error"-- but never happened-- so I chalked it up to "discouraging" the slaves from taking hometime during the week... after all, it's illegal . Funny, how there's that old "double standard" there again--- you must be honest, and do everything legal--- but we'll threaten you with an illegal practice. Even tell you-- you'll never get management or anyone in payroll to admit they are "holding" money back.

notice the msg i put here telling of the hold money policy that you responded to headborg has disappeared? i guess batman got his cape ruffled,thought this was an open site.sounds like a conflict of interest to me...

[Rev.Vassago]

notice the msg i put here telling of the hold money policy that you responded to headborg has disappeared? i guess batman got his cape ruffled,thought this was an open site.sounds like a conflict of interest to me...

Twilight Flyer is no longer active on the site, and hasn't been in 2 months. The last time he even logged in was over a month ago.

I know I didn't delete any posts in this thread.

[P A Frederick]

ELGAUL, I haven't been back through the posts to see its gone. Wish they hadn't taken it away. Funny thing is, they barely mentioned it in orientation. Kinda like "Yeah it happens if you go home Wednesday, so don't go home through the week" kinda deal. Kinda crappy deal, but I was too far gone to stop then.

Belpre, I said at the beginning of this that I was going to be totally honest with what was going on, period. I've not had any fights with anyone in the company, I've not been lied to by my fleet manager, I've never been reprimanded for anything, its just not working with the miles they've been giving me.

Some good things about Heartland, though: Everyone I talk to on the phone is super nice, I mean really good about stuff. My dispatcher is a great guy, night dispatch in Kingsport is good, too. Everyone from breakdown to fuel is nice, even to the FedEx/Automotive lines. Even the people at the terminals are pretty nice and good about stuff. The only problem I've had as far as from people is with some of the personal at some shops, mainly O'Fallon, MO and Iowa City. Those guys are grade A #1 *****s. But the guys at Kingsport and Columbus are nice as they can be.

They aren't too afraid to pay you. So far, I've not been shorted on my pay, but I'm sure this happens sometimes, but it happens everywhere. They also pay the Heartland Cares money pretty good, but that might be my dispatcher. I've heard other guys say it was like pulling teeth to get any from their guys. The money isn't enough, but at least they pay it.

Equipment is kept up good. My 05 (or early 06) International (with 409,000) runs, drives and rides great. They just put on 8 brand-new drives and new brakes. Most of the trailers are good and pull good, but you do get your outlaws once in a while. When I drop a loaded I always look for the newest trailer I can possibly find. Its usually a 16 thousand series, maybe a 15 if it comes down to that. Of course my HEAVY loads will be loaded on a 4-digit trailer... Good upkeep is the good part of inspection lines, bad part is sitting in line 3 or 4 hours waiting for it... That sucks...

Thats what I've got now. I'm leaving tomorrow morning for PA. Maybe I'll get a good week in here. I applied for Bulkmatic today, so maybe I'll get that. I've heard some good things from some of their drivers and they have a rail to truck site in Knoxville. Maybe that'll work out.

Well, I think I'll go to bed. I figure as soon as I get in PA my wife will go into labor. She is due February 20, so if she goes into labor now they will let her have it... It'll be fun trying to fly home at 64 1/2 mph!