Truck Driving Jobs

Flydragon · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas, NV

I'm considering Arrow but haven't seen any recent posts regarding that company. Any Arrow drivers care to comment on availability of loads or miles/week? I'm especially interested in anyone driving the Western region as I'm out of Las Vegas, NV. The Arrow recruiter tells me they're opening a Phoenix terminal in April, '08 and they're hiring right now.

I'd also welcome comments from drivers of any companies who work out of Las Vegas, NV.

Colts Fan · Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 541 Location: Indianapolis, IN

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=23063&start=90&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=arrow

Flydragon · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas, NV

Colts Fan wrote: http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=23063&start=90&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=arrow

Yeah, I saw that one, CF. That's why I qualified my statement saying I hadn't seen any "recent" posts. That Arrow driver's last post was on Jan 25 '07 and I haven't seen much about the company since then. Maybe it's an ominous sign that I should leave Arrow alone.

LeBron James · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 141 Location: Coolie Campground

Let me ask you this: why pull for a skateboard outfit when residential/commerical business across the country is in the toilet?

Right now, you want to stick with what's known as "consumer staples": food, beverages, paper products, etc. Even tho those are some of the most discounted tariffs in the biz, there's a steady-eddiness to that freight when times are tough. To that end, look to your reefer haulers or companies that pull alot of Proctor & Gamble, paper mill, Nestle, Wallyworld, etc.

When the housing/construction markets start to bounce back, then toss your hat into the flatbed ring.

Forewarned is forearmed
Beware or be square
Hope you take care!

Orangetxguy · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 1505

LeBron James wrote: Let me ask you this: why pull for a skateboard outfit when residential/commerical business across the country is in the toilet?
Right now, you want to stick with what's known as "consumer staples": food, beverages, paper products, etc. Even tho those are some of the most discounted tariffs in the biz, there's a steady-eddiness to that freight when times are tough. To that end, look to your reefer haulers or companies that pull alot of Proctor & Gamble, paper mill, Nestle, Wallyworld, etc.

When the housing/construction markets start to bounce back, then toss your hat into the flatbed ring.

Forewarned is forearmed
Beware or be square
Hope you take care!

While the housing market has hit the skids....new construction has not completely stopped. There are still ton's of motels, malls, c-stores, "Other" business complex'es, plus the infrastructure of the country, that are still going. Arrow's largest comodity is steel. Pipe, plate, beams. Lot's of well casing being moved around the country..with Arrow doing their share.

Arrow has it's problems..just like any other trucking company. There are happy drivers at Arrow...there are un-happy drivers at Arrow.

Being in Vegas...your choices for a company terminaled there are limited. If you have a decent driving record and work history, try Melton. They are one of the best flatbed companies out there, and run that way.

http://www.meltontruck.com/

LJ/CFM doesn't identify (ever) the LTL outfit he drives for.....and even though LTL is in the same rut that flatbed, dry van, tanker and yes..reefer's are in...he continues to promote the greatness of that job.

Flydragon · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas, NV

Funny you should mention Melton. I was just looking at their site when I decided to check back on this thread.

Another company that I've been looking at is Crete. But now I'm wondering if their Western regional fleet is getting enough freight to keep me running. I'd go national but I'd rather be home after 2 weeks than 4-5.

LeBron James · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 141 Location: Coolie Campground

Orangetxguy wrote: While the housing market has hit the skids....new construction has not completely stopped.

But it is slow...VERY slow. Banks are not lending money out like they used to due to the credit crunch which in turn is creating problems for all the building trades. And cities and towns are having problems floating municipal bonds to finance infrastructure projects.

In light of those facts, I personally would not pull for a flatbed carrier right now. But hey, it's your time and your dime and if you want to sit around truckstops waiting for loads all day then go ahead. No skin off my back.

Quote: LJ/CFM doesn't identify (ever) the LTL outfit he drives for.....and even though LTL is in the same rut that flatbed, dry van, tanker and yes..reefer's are in...he continues to promote the greatness of that job.

We are not in the same boat as flatbed...our freight mix is much more diversified. With flatbed, there is too much reliance on contruction. All transport companies are feeling the pinch right now...some more than others. In this biz, you've got to learn to pick your horses if you want to run. And that's the bottom line.

blackwolf07 · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Indianapolis

I made the choice to go to Koch Trucking out of Minneapolis, after firing off 120 applications over a weekend, and only getting three possibles. Koch was the only one to take the time to call me. The company is well diversified, with their fingers into leasing, freight brokerage, OTR, regional, local, LTL and several other ventures, They only have 700 tractors, and seem to keep them busy, with clients like Kmart, Sears and Best Buy, among others.

The home time policy is 7-14 days out, 3 days at home-if you want to run more you can. They also offer a monthly bonus of $300, split into 3 segments of 75, 75 and 150-the bonus seems to be very easily achievable. The equipment is all air ride trailers, and 05-09 Volvos with about 50 09 Internationals-all the 05s are leaving in the next month.

So far what I have seen shows promise, but I'll know more in a couple of weeks.

Good luck in your search!

Flydragon · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas, NV

blackwolf07 wrote: I made the choice to go to Koch Trucking out of Minneapolis, after firing off 120 applications over a weekend, and only getting three possibles. Koch was the only one to take the time to call me. The company is well diversified, with their fingers into leasing, freight brokerage, OTR, regional, local, LTL and several other ventures, They only have 700 tractors, and seem to keep them busy, with clients like Kmart, Sears and Best Buy, among others.

The home time policy is 7-14 days out, 3 days at home-if you want to run more you can. They also offer a monthly bonus of $300, split into 3 segments of 75, 75 and 150-the bonus seems to be very easily achievable. The equipment is all air ride trailers, and 05-09 Volvos with about 50 09 Internationals-all the 05s are leaving in the next month.

So far what I have seen shows promise, but I'll know more in a couple of weeks.

Good luck in your search!

Thanks... BTW, did you land that job with Koch right out of school? I thought they required at least 1yr of experience?

Orangetxguy · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 1505

LeBron James wrote: Orangetxguy wrote: While the housing market has hit the skids....new construction has not completely stopped.

But it is slow...VERY slow. Banks are not lending money out like they used to due to the credit crunch which in turn is creating problems for all the building trades. And cities and towns are having problems floating municipal bonds to finance infrastructure projects.

In light of those facts, I personally would not pull for a flatbed carrier right now. But hey, it's your time and your dime and if you want to sit around truckstops waiting for loads all day then go ahead. No skin off my back.

Quote: LJ/CFM doesn't identify (ever) the LTL outfit he drives for.....and even though LTL is in the same rut that flatbed, dry van, tanker and yes..reefer's are in...he continues to promote the greatness of that job.

We are not in the same boat as flatbed...our freight mix is much more diversified. With flatbed, there is too much reliance on contruction. All transport companies are feeling the pinch right now...some more than others. In this biz, you've got to learn to pick your horses if you want to run. And that's the bottom line.

My nephew Anthony, made commison's of $10,800 in January, $7,900 in February, and $9,300 in march...he works in the realty/mortgage trade. They are still making mortgage loans. They simply are not loaning out money, to people whom have a poor credit history, like they used to (one part of the reason we are in the mess the country is in).

My bottom line last week...after fuel, insurance and taxes, was $7890. This week won't be so good...only $2700 net...but then I had a 4 day week end in there.

blackwolf07 · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Indianapolis

Nah-I have 2 years under my belt-did my first year with Schneider, then made the switch to SRT for a year-now I am with the company I plan to stay with a while.

davemaes · Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 69 Location: Cadillac, Mi

Flydragon wrote: I'm considering Arrow but haven't seen any recent posts regarding that company. Any Arrow drivers care to comment on availability of loads or miles/week? I'm especially interested in anyone driving the Western region as I'm out of Las Vegas, NV. The Arrow recruiter tells me they're opening a Phoenix terminal in April, '08 and they're hiring right now.

I'd also welcome comments from drivers of any companies who work out of Las Vegas, NV. I worked for Arrow about a year ago and I wasn't impressed with the miles. I did a lot of log " LAUNDERING" to even get close to 3000 mi. I heard things have changed since then but, I would ask a driver at a t/s somewhere before I made a decision. Ask about the garage, and if it still takes 2-3 days to get through for inspection!

Flydragon · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas, NV

davemaes wrote: Flydragon wrote: I'm considering Arrow but haven't seen any recent posts regarding that company. Any Arrow drivers care to comment on availability of loads or miles/week? I'm especially interested in anyone driving the Western region as I'm out of Las Vegas, NV. The Arrow recruiter tells me they're opening a Phoenix terminal in April, '08 and they're hiring right now.

I'd also welcome comments from drivers of any companies who work out of Las Vegas, NV. I worked for Arrow about a year ago and I wasn't impressed with the miles. I did a lot of log " LAUNDERING" to even get close to 3000 mi. I heard things have changed since then but, I would ask a driver at a t/s somewhere before I made a decision. Ask about the garage, and if it still takes 2-3 days to get through for inspection!

Thanks... I'd heard miles were difficult to come by at Arrow, but I haven't heard anything current about them. They pay pretty well, especially for a regional gig. But that's pretty meaningless if you have to sit around a lot waiting for a load.

K9 · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 21

I'm an Arrow Driver. Finished with my first year and I'm ready to give them back the keys to their truck.

Previous driver wrote:
Quote: Let me ask you this: why pull for a skateboard outfit when residential/commerical business across the country is in the toilet?

Arrow has plenty of miles. Residential freight? What?? We haul a LOT of different things ... from hay and Peat Moss to steel, pipes (lots of pipes), and aluminum rods.

Arrow makes a lot of its money with new drivers. The newer you are, the less they have to pay you for a load. But I've seen some smart young drivers who aren't afraid of work make some really good money with Arrow. They learned Arrow's system .... which is Regional, "Local" (picking up a local load and tarping and chaining it), OTR, Heavy Haul, and of course, Lease Option. (The Lease Option sucks ... but if you know how to run it and work the "political side of it, you can make paper.)

I came to Arrow as a new driver. I needed training to be "real." Arrow taught me that. Flatbeding can be some dangerous driving ... and they taught me how to keep that skateboard on the road (wheel-side up) and how to do my job. That's the good side. If you look at them like that, you won't have anything to complain about. They'll teach you some high quality loading and securing techniques. You won't have any problems getting a job with another flatbed company after Arrow.

Now ... lets get real about the "other side" ... I'm quiting because:

They cheat us on miles. Book miles instead of actual miles. Plus the book miles are always short.
They will run you 'till your toungue hangs out. Don't expect to get home much. One day earned per week and they act like they're doing you a favor if you ask for it. (Well ... that depends on your DM ...)

Load Planners are ditzy, unhappy women who don't care about you. In fact, misery likes company. If you stop for breakfast, and get another quick meal throughout the day ... and take a crap, then you're late for the load. That's day-after-day-after-day.

Give up the idea of taking a shower. No time. Just haul butt to the shipper, load, unload, and re-load. Do it again and "quit yer whinning ... trucking ain't fer sissies ... what do you need with a shower anyway??) NOTE: Take a look at some of those guy's teeth! No time to brush I guess?!?

They make a lot of money on tarping (but you're not going to make much money). Tarp damn near everything. That means $30 for tarp pay ... $15 to tarp/$15 to untarp. The tarps are old, dirty and HEAVY. So when you're in the snow or extreme summer heat, that little $15 dollars for 3-4 hours of hard work won't feel like much.

They're having a upper management turnover of some kind. Getting real chicken $&!+. They don't care if they run a driver in the ground or not.

They say run legal ... but they'll push you so hard that the only way to make it is to run illegal.

The benefits suck ... but you pay good money for them.

In short, I'm not sure if Arrow is all that different from most other companies these days. They're working us like servants and the have no respect for anyone they feel is dumb enough to work for them. They'll pretend they do ... but actions speak much louder than words.

I'm tired. Real tired. Time to find one of those vans that pay by the hour.

Flydragon · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Las Vegas, NV

Thanks for the info, K9. I was wondering if an Arrow driver would step up and tell us how it is. I appreciate your candor. Sorry it's not working out for you.

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