I haven't posted much lately, but I've been back at W.S. Thomas Transfer in Fairmont, WV since last August. Just found out that our company has been sold. We won't know anything about the plans until Saturday (6/22/13). There's been a lot of speculation as to who did the purchase, but drivers have said they've seen vehicles with Indiana tags running around the yard for the past couple of weeks.
While they drive me insane at times by not paying attention to our hours of service, I absolutely hate to see a company that's been around since 1899 and literally started with 2 horses and a wagon go under. They've been in Fairmont since 1907. Looking at the old photo's, it amazes me at the equipment they've had. Everything from Model T Ford's through our 2013 Volvo's. The original founder of the company came to the Fairmont area from Pennsylvania in 1907 during the Monongah, WV coal mine explosion (360+ people killed). He hauled bodies from the mine entrance to the "morgue" in town, then the caskets to the graveyard they had to build. There's a few photo's of his wagon loaded with caskets.
I won't post anything as far as who I *think* is doing the buyout until after our meeting. But, I will say that I researched them a little last night and I think they'll be good for the employees. I was talking with one of local drivers last night. He's really worried because of him working local. I'm sure the OTR guys will be fine. The shop is worried because no one knows whether they'll keep Fairmont as a terminal or not. They have 4 other terminals in WV, spread through the state, and, to me, seems like keeping Fairmont is a no-brainer. Anyway, time will tell on that. After talking to pretty much every driver we have over the years, I can say that a lot of them will have a hard time adjusting to a larger company attitude and to driving by the books. I'm estimating 25-50% of our drivers will walk on Saturday.
I asked my dispatch yesterday if he knew what was going on, but, of course, he couldn't say anything other than, yes, we're working Monday (I'm picking up my load today that delivers Monday). I'll post more once I find out the full details.