Heartland- Here I Come!

[P A Frederick]

Howdy all. Tomorrow (Monday the 1st of Dec., 2008) I call my recruiter at Heartland (who happens to be Twilight Flyer) to confirm my orientation date in Atlanta for the 8th. I'm looking forward to it. I've read everything I can, checked all the websites, and talked to drivers from lots of companies. I think I will like it at Heartland, we'll see. I just wanted to start this new topic to let you guys know how my progress goes. I don't know if I'll take my MacBook with me or not on the truck. Haven't decided. They make a car charger for it, and then it lasts 5 hours when fully charged, but I don't know. My wife won't have a computer here at home then... Difficult decisions. I'll definitely post when I get home about how the miles, equipment and pay are doing.

The reasons I picked Heartland are simple. First, the equipment. Seems like they are well-maintained tractors and trailers. I'm not too worried about having a TV cabinet, or a place for my X Box. I don't have a TV that works in the truck (I only have one in my house), and I don't even own an X Box, or any other gaming system. If you like to pass your time that way in the truck, go for it, it just haven't made it a habit as of yet. Although, I would like to get a PSP before too long... AND, they are IH trucks. I'm tired of living in Freightshakers. Both companies I've worked for have had them. I hate 'em. A lot of guys love them, not me. I've always been an IH man. (well, they're not technically IH but rather Navistar International or something, but you get the point) I love the looks of the ProStar, but I know it'll be a long time before I get one (unless I grease a few palms TF?? LOL!). I'll be happy with the 9400.

Second, the pay. Without my Haz-Mat (which I didn't want to go through the headache of getting) I'll start at 41 cpm. Not bad. I looked a company closer to the house that guarantees 2500 miles per week, but they would start me out at 34 or 35. I'd have to run 2500 with them to make what I'll make at Heartland at 2000. What if I have a good week at HE? I'll have to run a lot more miles to cover at the other place. Work smarter, not harder...

Third, the Haz-Mat thing. Sure, I'll probably get one someday, but I've driven professionally for three years without it, why not try to keep a streak like that alive. I just didn't want to fool with it right now. Maybe in a couple months I'll get it to give myself a quick raise or something, but not now.

Fourth, 85% drop and hook. From what I've heard from previous drivers (even if they didn't like HE), this seems to be pretty close to fact. Just makes your day so much brighter.

Fifth, insurance. Rates seem reasonable from what I've heard. Where I'm working now as a security guard, insurance in $585 a month (for a family of three). At a $9 an hour gig. Give me a break! They'd have to be pretty good to beat Schneiders insurance, though. I'll give it to them, they had good fairly cheap insurance.

Sixth, home 3 out of 4 weekends a month. My wife is having our second child in February. I want to be home as much as I can in the world of trucking right now, you know? Its hard enough being gone with a wife and a little boy at home, let alone a pregnant wife and a little boy.

I think thats about it. If I think of anything else, I'll put it on here. Wish me luck! I really want this to work. I'll do everything in my power to see that it does. The ball is in their court. I do know TF is a heck of a nice guy, and he didn't try to blow any smoke when I talked to him. He told me the deal straight-up as far as I could tell.

Anyway, I'll let you all know how it all works out in the wash. Like I said, I want this to work and be great with HE, and I'm expecting it will be. I'm as excited as I can be right now with a family at home. You know how it is. I'm excited, but not like when I was first married and had no kids and the road was an adventure.

Keep the bugs off the glass and the bears off your......

[Rev.Vassago]

Tell TF that Rev says "Hi".

Best of luck!

[GMAN]

You should be able to earn a decent living with Heartland. Keep us posted on your progress.

[Bug]

Good luck and keep us posted

[P A Frederick]

Well, here is how it stands at this point.

Talked to TF just a few minutes ago. Had to set up my bus ticket for orientation and such. Not much to report. I leave this Sunday for Atlanta.

Basically, its about what you would expect getting ready for orientation. What documents to bring, when to get on the bus, who to call when you get off the bus in ATL. Wish I could be more exciting, sorry.

I'm looking forward to getting started anyway. Its been a month since I started looking at companies (when I decided to go back to driving), almost that since I've been in contact with Heartland. I figure I know what to expect from orientation, its all about the same. Going over their Qualcomm info, going over paperwork, when we'll get paid, etc. Then we get to watch safety videos with truck wrecks in them. No other industry has safety videos that are this exciting. Be thankful.

I should be back by the house Wednesday night to pick up my belongings next Wednesday afternoon/evening. Hopefully I'll get to post on here when I get my stuff picked up. I doubt I'll be able to spend one last night in my own bed... Thats asking too much.

Thanks for the kind words. I'll let you know how it all goes. If I keep track of my travels, I'll put them on here, too. I hope to stop at more Mom and Pop T/S's when I have to stop. See a little more this time than last. Last time it was all fast-food and Pilot's. I didn't gain any weight cause I hardly ever ate I got so sick of the crap I was getting. Maybe this time I'll be better to myself.

See you all down the road!

[Jackrabbit379]

Tell Twilight Flyer that I said Howdy.

Best of luck. Hope the best for ya!

[headborg]

So you're going with the "Regional" gig?

Now, what exactly are your "expectations"/requirements-- when they say-

home 3 out of 4 weekends?


Other, than that little bit-- and the idea that you actually prefer a International 9400 over a freightliner century or columbia--- looks like your

reasoning & expectations are pretty "realistically" grounded.

How about the "regional" driving, when they dispatch you on that first load that goes to Mn, Wi, NY, Maine just 3 days prior to you expecting to be "home" that weekend-- the question is-- do you run their "soft" region or say-- no thanks? Living in Knoxville area should be great for "getting you by the house" both on North/South and East/West runs.

By the way, after orientation-- their might not be an available truck right there in Atlanta-- they may bus you/ have you ride with another driver to Olive Branch or even Iowa to pick up your truck... so be prepared... orientation/ lack of $$$$$ might stretch 4 or 5 or even 7 days.. before you're in a truck making $$$$$.

[P A Frederick]

HB, I know I might have to go somewhere else to pick up my truck, that was told to me up front when we started talking about orientation. What's new in trucking? Seems like they would have the trucks at the terminal they need them, but it doesn't work that way. Guys quit in the most unhandy of places. This means they need to get their trucks "home" somehow, and the closest terminal will do. I was also told I will get paid a small amount if I have to go get the truck. At least its something for my inconvenience.

First starting out, the "soft-regional" thing will be o.k. with me. I need the money, so I'm not going to complain about the miles. You have to do these things sometimes. I don't care if I take out of my region every week, as long as I get home when I need to.

What I am expecting with the weekends is simple. I plan to be home 4 times a month. Hopefully for at least 34 hours each, possibly more. I'm not going to moan and whine if I don't get home on the weekends if I'm home throughout the week. I worked for a year and a half where I got every Tuesday and Wednesday off. I don't have to be off on Saturday and Sunday. My wife doesn't work, my son is too young for school, so it'll work if I'm here during the week. Plus, more businesses are open during the week if I need to get anything done.

Also, I'd like to know how me liking an International over a Freightliner is "unrealistic?" It may be silly or lame or dumb, but not unrealistic. I'm not saying I wouldn't drive a Freightliner, I just prefer IH. Might as well drive something you like if you can. If I found a better company to work for that had Freightliners, I wouldn't waste a second even thinking about it. I'd go. There's no way I couldn't.

Here's something not related to HB's reply, but something I forgot to mention. I'm also looking forward to Sunday because I actually like (yes, LIKE) riding Greyhounds. I know, I know, its dumb and no one ever says it, but I like that mode of travel. I've not done it a lot, but some (on some decently long trips). Someday I'm going to take about a three week vacation and just criss-cross the country on a Greyhound, seeing everything I can from that little window.

[headborg]

I hope it all works out for you... and I hope those 3 out of 4 weekends ARE at least 34hrs long... not just 10hrs or so-- then gone again.

Do keep us posted...


Yes, you're insane-- you like riding a grayhound ... ok, yeah I too thought the International would be fine-- for 5 or 6 days work between those 3 out of
3 weekends at home... then it turned into 7 days, 10days out-- 10hrs home, 18hrs home... I've seen Nicer International 9400's-- but these Heartland rigs are completely Basic-- no power windows, no power mirrors, no power period-- jump seat is no air ride, there's no air dump for suspension- no cab curtain, not even nets to keep anything IN those 2 little cubby's-- no inverter
period( of any size )

[P A Frederick]

HB, didn't you account not getting home to being in a soft area for Heartland? I hope this area is better. I live not 5 miles from I75, and its just about 10 miles from here is the I640 bypass around Knoxville (and since I40 is shut down for the time, you have to take it). I would think this is a prime area for freight going through.

I'll let you know how it all goes. I've heard the new ProStars they are getting have the better interior package in them. I know it will be a long time before I get one, but maybe they are rethinking their stripped down trucks.

Last company I worked for had their trucks stripped way down, I doubt Heartland could do more than they did. The solo's had flat top Freightliners. Just like old days, right behind the seats was your mattress. The only curtain they had was between the mattress and the cab. You had to put your pants on lying down. The only type of storage you had was a U shaped bar that hung over the passenger side of the bed. This was so you could hang your clothes up. No power anything (except passenger side window), no extra readouts, bolt down jump seat. The only positive side was the APU on every truck. They were Carrier units, you had a 120 v plug that worked while the APU was running. They also had vinyl seats. That was tough. One thing about Schneider, their trucks were set up pretty nice. Power everything, two deluxe seats. They didn't want too big of a inverter either. Like I already said, I don't need an inverter for anything, so I think I'll be o.k.

Not too much longer now! Have a good one.

[ronjon619]

How would they know you are running an inverter?

[headborg]

How would they know you are running an inverter?

Well One way:

Your truck is in the shop in North Liberty( corporate headquarters )--

Example: Russ- the owner came out to the shop and climbed in my truck and two others and went through our personal luggage, clothing, bags, etc looking for "anything" I guess--- then he asked/told/ordered a mechanic to "pull the idle time on Unit XXXXX", not my unit but someone elses-- I suspect, he found something he didn't like in that man's truck-- then he wanted to know if the guy was wasting HIS fuel or not... the deciding factor as to "giving the guy the boot"..... but that's just speculation....

but having the owner search your personal effects in your sleeper would be disagreeable to many drivers.... but it happens at Heartland.

[Phreddo]

while it may be their right to do that stuff, it sure isn't a good way to build trust.
treating your employess like suspects is a great way to drive off the good people.
what i like about driving a truck is that as long as i do my job, they leave me alone. if they start tossing my truck for no apparent reason, that's when i start dusting off the resume. I prefer to work for a company that doesn't hire people that need watching.

[P A Frederick]

Does anyone know the address for the terminal in Atlanta? I wanted to look at it on Google maps, maybe even a street view, but I can't find it on Heartland's website. The address Yellow Pages gives me is for a Family Dollar in a residential neighborhood. I doubt that is the terminal very much. The road its on though has a good sized Petro right off the interstate. It may be the right exit, but not the right address.

Thanks guys. I'm getting ready to pack up. Leaving tomorrow about 1 PM for ATL.

I haven't heard from anyone else on this board or others who are going for orientation this week, either. If you are, let me know. Maybe I'll make a few new friends while there.

[ronjon619]

Example: Russ- the owner came out to the shop and climbed in my truck and two others and went through our personal luggage, clothing, bags, etc looking for "anything" I guess--- then he asked/told/ordered a mechanic to "pull the idle time on Unit XXXXX", not my unit but someone elses-- I suspect, he found something he didn't like in that man's truck-- then he wanted to know if the guy was wasting HIS fuel or not... the deciding factor as to "giving the guy the boot"..... but that's just speculation....

WOW to this paragraph........

[P A Frederick]

My theory on the truck-checking thing is this- its their truck, they have a right to search it. My parents weren't on this new-fangled "kids need their personal space" idea. They would check my stuff and my room if I gave them a reason, but they never did.

As long as you're not doing or hiding anything wrong, it shouldn't be a problem. Its not for me. Some people don't look at it this way, but I do. As long as they own the truck, they have a right to look in it. If they find something I shouldn't have (drugs, alcohol, company-banned items) then they might have just saved themselves a lot of money by firing me.

Most guys scoff at the "no-inverter" policies of many large companies, but I've seen trucks that have burnt down when an inverter isn't used correctly. A lot of the danger could be resolved if the company would just put the inverter in themselves (or factory-order them), but they aren't going to spend the extra money.

I think more companies ought to be getting APU's on their trucks. That would keep the driver more comfortable, kill the idle time to '0' and with the Carrier APU I had, it had a 120v plug right in the sleeper. The APU had to be running, but thats when you need the inverter in the first place, isn't it?

I'm not worried about most of the policies I've heard of so far. I go into a company looking at it like I'm borrowing a truck to drive. If you look at it that way, its easier to remember why they want the idle down, no inverters, etc. I'm not saying I have to be HAPPY about it, but I understand WHY they do it.

Getting stuff packed up now. Looking forward to the Greydog ride tomorrow!

Still looking for the address to the Atlanta yard. Thanks!

[Baldy]

Getting stuff packed up now. Looking forward to the Greydog ride tomorrow!
Still looking for the address to the Atlanta yard. Thanks!

Here you go. The 3350 Bankhead Hwy NW address was confirmed by calling the Phone # listed on google maps. You really gotta love google maps!! Best of luck.

Baldy.


heartland express atlanta ga - Google Maps

Heartland Express Inc‎ - more info »
3350 Bankhead Hwy NW, Atlanta, GA‎ - (404) 696-0834‎
exit 12 off I-285


to: 232 Forsyth St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 - Google Maps

Greyhound
232 Forsyth St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

[harleypiper]

while it may be their right to do that stuff, it sure isn't a good way to build trust.
treating your employess like suspects is a great way to drive off the good people.
what i like about driving a truck is that as long as i do my job, they leave me alone. if they start tossing my truck for no apparent reason, that's when i start dusting off the resume. I prefer to work for a company that doesn't hire people that need watching.

Amen to that- I started right out of school with Superior Carriers pulling a tank, though they do have their problems with some drivers, they are give atleast 3-4 chances before they are let go. That doesn't account for laying one over or some real obvious F.U. One of the best parts about this company is they have never questioned anything I have done, checked my truck, gear or personal effects. They ask me if I have everything I need, and the mechanic assisted me in hooking up my inverter. Have you thought of pulling a tank their baldy, though you will need your HazMat and start at 41.5/mile. BOL to ya

[ELGAUL]

boy pa for somebody that doesn,t even work there yet,you act and sound as if russ wanted your first born you would give it to him and tell him your parents didn't raise you to be greedy!! can't wait for the post's in the future when you QUIT because it wasn't what you were promised,that's if you'll eat crow and admit it.worked there myself years ago for nine months, the longest in my orientation class,their trucks were so stripped down that the floor gave my wife's feet blisters from the heat because the padding under the rubber floor was not there!! oh ya,go ahaed and not care if you are home tue or wed,you will find out in orientation that if you are home on a wed,they keep enough money out of your check to go recover the truck from your house if you quit,you will get it back on the next check,but you will be making Soooo much money that will be quite alright,RIGHT??? good luck at heartless express.

[P A Frederick]

Thank you for that enlightened, educated post there ELGAUL. You really have a way with words... But apparently not with the 'shift' or 'enter' keys.

Listen, I have no allusions about Heartland. For them to live up to what they promised, it would not have to be much. My recruiter didn't tell me I'd be running 4000 miles a week or that I'd be spending every night in my bed. He was honest, believe it or not. Didn't sugar coat a single thing. You probably can't believe anyone could be honest in a trucking company, could you? I don't have to explain myself to you.

You're right, I might get mad a quit, but I've never done that in the past. Things have gotten bad at past jobs, but I don't just up and quit, I find something else to do first. I already said I was going to do everything in my power to make it work, and it was in their court. What does that mean there elgaul? That means if it doesn't work- IT WILL BE THEIR FAULT!

As for the searching truck thing... I never said I liked it, I said I understood it. Every company you work for, somewhere in the paperwork you sign will have a truck search policy. I guarantee it. They may never, ever, ever use it, but its there just in case. They have to cover their butts, too. Even if they don't search the truck, the DOT can anytime and you can't do squat, even if you own it.

Also, if you read real, real careful you will see I don't plan on being at Heartland the rest of my life. My recruiter knows this, and so will my dispatcher. I am going back to college to be a Pastor. Driving a truck is fine (my dad has done it for 25 years), but I don't want to do it the rest of my life. The job I have now (security) I was lucky to bring home $600 every two weeks, so yeah, Heartland is going to be a step up in pay. I'm taking a semester off so I can pay off last semester, pay down some bills, and hopefully save a little money in the process. I looked at all the companies around here (with my qualifications) and Heartland was the best choice. I talked to drivers (some of whom I've known a long time), I've looked at all the posts on all the message boards, I did my research.

Bottom line is this: they didn't work for you and they may not work for me. Thats as honest as I can be. But on the flip side, I don't hijack a guys post so I can say 'good luck, NOT!!' like a moron, so maybe I will have a better attitude going into this than you will. And maybe, just maybe, I'll do o.k. Might not, but right now I'm sitting at a 50/50 shot.

Baldy-- Thanks for the address. I looked it up on Yellow Pages and the address and number were wrong. Thats just great, ain't it? I think my motel is somewhere close to the terminal, but Headborg would know better than I. I know I got a cab companies # and an account # to get a cab from the Greyhound terminal to the motel. Never rode in a cab before... Could be interesting I guess. But, I'm also 24 and have never been in an airplane or helicopter in my life either... I'm from a small, small town in IL.

Just for the record, I wish all of you luck, in whatever you are doing. Including you ELGAUL. I hope you all have a wonderful day. I'm going to do my best to make sure mine is!