I know freight is getting slow everywhere, LS included. Right now they have all the wind project drivers coming back off of projects and into the system which is adding 100+ drivers to the system till the projects start up again.

As for "keeping meat in the seat", that won't fly with me as there are at least two other companies calling me on a weekly basis. And I might add, they are not driver mills either, they are one's that don't take applications from someone with less than two years specialized experience so the long and short of it, if LS doesn't hold up thier end of the bargain with me I won't be there either. But so far they have done exacly what they said they would do and according to my first paycheck I got paid for everything they said I would.

I have been in contact with a driver that started earlier this year and he said that he has only had to set two weekends since he started. The only real complaint I have heard from other company drivers is not getting home. LS was very upfront with me on that and said that I could expect to be gone for at least 6 to 8 weeks at a time. I have talked to a couple of drivers that have siad they were told they would be home every 2 to 3 weeks and they are not getting there. I don't know if the recruiting line has changed or if I talked to someone different when I was hiring on but it seems like I got more of an honest answer about home time.

As long as they keep me busy and the paychecks keep coming in on time I'll be happy.

 

The bottom line is that you have to be happy in any job or career. I hope that everything continues to work out for the best for you. When I was in orientation, several people that came in and spoke to us, including the head recruiter, all said that the company drivers could expect 3 weeks out at a time. According to some of the company drivers, L.S. has not been true to their word in that aspect as they have been out far longer than that.

 

Quick update........

I've been at home since Thanksgiving just relaxing and chipping away at my never ending "honey-do" list. Over the past week I have been in close contact with Landstar and have been faxing them this and that :roll:. This past Friday I got the call I've been waiting on telling me I've got the green light for orientation . I could have gone as soon as this Monday and Tuesday but decided to pick Wednesday and Thursday instead. This will allow me the chance to tie up a few projects I've been working on.

Mean while, I have been spending money like it's going out of style ......the fan motor that runs the cab heater/ac went out so I had that replaced, my fuel gage has been acting up for the past few weeks so I got that fixed (bad sensor) and got a 3 axle alignment. Unfortunately during the alignment, the 1st bolt that they went to loosen, sheared off. After a couple of unsuccessful hours of trying to get it out, the entire hanger had to be replaced. In addition to all that, I put 8 brand new Bridgestones on my trailer....

So 2 weeks and a little over 5k later I guess it's time to get my butt back to work!!

 

Well after what feels like ages, I am finally here at the Super 8 motel in in Irving, TX and will head over to Landstar in the morning for a 2 day orientation. After 2 weeks off, and now just over 6k (truck repairs, 8 trailer tires & trailer plated & registered in Texas) I am more than ready to get back to work.

 

I hope your changing of companies works out for you.

 

Thanks........I hate changing (this will be my 3rd job in a little over 23 years) especially this time of year so I too hope it all works out.

 

Same here. I hope that it will be a good move for ya, devildice.

 

Thanks!!!

Day 1 of orientation is complete. There are only 5 of us in the class (Well 6 actually as 2 are a husband and wife that own 3 trucks). If was informative to say the least. They touched based just a little on the usual stuff such as how to fill out BOL's, the LCAPP (discounts), how to use the website, ways of getting paperwork in, etc......most of the day was spent going over how to be successful in the business. I never claimed to know everything there is to be a successful O/O, in fact I am always learning something new. A lot of what they went over was just reinforcement of what I already knew and have been doing, however, there were a couple of things that did learn that will help me out.

 

What does Landstar haul? Do they haul just about anything, or do they have specific accounts, etc?
Does Landstar haul stuff for Wal-Mart? Don't know why I thought that, but maybe I heard they did, or something..

 

yes

yes

From what I gathered in orientation, they haul just about anything and everything but do have some big contracts. There was one driver that used to be leased to them a while back and was returning, and he mentioned that he lives near a Walmart DC and would haul out of there all the time.

Rev might be able to answer your questions better.