[Doktari]

Was wondering if anyone who works with CFI before and since the merger would be willing to share their insights.

Has this merger improved the company?
Have the rates for mileage changed?
Do they still pay the same way? If I remember right, it was hub miles?? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Would YOU apply with CFI today knowing what you know and seeing the changes since the merger?

I've taken a 3 month break from driving an am looking to go back on the road and remember hearing nothing but great things about CFI and was wondering if that was all still true, is it better, or worse, etc. It seems to me, from looking on their web page that they may have changed the pay structure a bit but I can't be sure.

I've basically got my choice narrowed down to Crete but CFI may be a candidate too. I have only a couple minor hang ups about Crete and that is with less than 1 full year exp (9 months) I would still need to go out with a trainer and they drive Freightliners.

Drawbacks with CFI, in my openion:
$25/day orientation (not a big deal but other's pay way more)
.36/mile after 1 year. Was making that with 4 months at Knight. But if it's hub miles.. it may be better actually.
only paid twice a month

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Dok
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[devildice]

Originally Posted by Doktari

Do they still pay the same way? If I remember right, it was hub miles?? Correct me if I'm wrong.

I believe they pay Practical miles not Hub miles.

[VitoCorleone99]

Originally Posted by Doktari

Was wondering if anyone who works with CFI before and since the merger would be willing to share their insights.

Has this merger improved the company?

No noticeable changes yet. We're told we'll see improvements in this and that, but it's all talk so far.

Have the rates for mileage changed?

Up a penny as of Jan. 1

Do they still pay the same way? If I remember right, it was hub miles?? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Practical miles, paid at time of dispatch. We also went to weekly pay as of Jan. 1, so that's an improvement I guess.

Would YOU apply with CFI today knowing what you know and seeing the changes since the merger?

If I sat on the outside, the "changes" would probably make me think twice about it. Actually working here though, it's quite clear that the "changes" are imaginary products of truck drivers with too much time to complain. As with any company, there are positives and negatives. If the situation that CFI offered was good for me a year ago, it would be good for me now. If I didn't think CFI was a good fit then, it wouldn't be a good fit now. It's the same job as before the merger.

I've taken a 3 month break from driving an am looking to go back on the road and remember hearing nothing but great things about CFI and was wondering if that was all still true, is it better, or worse, etc.

Nothing but great things would be a bit of a stretch. Every company has bad things. There are some morons who work here, and that can make the day a long one sometimes. Pet owners have to achieve 6.2mpg to get the penny raise. The trucks are in the process of being turned down to 65mph. We've always pulled a good amount of ConWay linehaul freight, with the 3am wake-up calls and the 250 mile tight dispatches. We fuel mainly at Pilots, which makes it tough to fuel and park at the same place after a long day (tiny parking lots). I'm sure there are other things, but that's a few that come to mind. There are of course a lot of good things, but it sounds like you've probably heard those.

It seems to me, from looking on their web page that they may have changed the pay structure a bit but I can't be sure.

I've basically got my choice narrowed down to Crete but CFI may be a candidate too. I have only a couple minor hang ups about Crete and that is with less than 1 full year exp (9 months) I would still need to go out with a trainer and they drive Freightliners.

Drawbacks with CFI, in my openion:
$25/day orientation (not a big deal but other's pay way more)
.36/mile after 1 year. Was making that with 4 months at Knight. But if it's hub miles.. it may be better actually.
only paid twice a month

.37 now (plus safety bonus) and paid weekly. It's practical miles though, not hub.

I read in the trucker paper recently that they are starting to process of phaisng out the Red Racer trucks as well....switiching everything to Conway color scheme. Article said they are already in the process of painting trailers. Will be wierd in a couple of years to not see the big red trucks.

[Useless]

Originally Posted by Jagerbomber

I read in the trucker paper recently that they are starting to process of phaisng out the Red Racer trucks as well....switiching everything to Conway color scheme. Article said they are already in the process of painting trailers. Will be wierd in a couple of years to not see the big red trucks.

Too bad about that!! CFI Trucks were something that any good mega-carrier would be proud of!!

[Doktari]

Thanks for the info gang. Much appreciated. Happy new year!

[Doktari]

Well, it was between Crete (with Crete being #1 on my list due 100% to their pay (which is higher per mile than CFI's)), CFI, and Barr-Nunn.

I'm leaving on Sunday for orientation in Jacksonville, FL with CFI.

Here's what made my decision for me.

Crete gave me a big run around but in a nut shell, they wanted 10 full years fo employment documented. Most companies say they want a 10 year history but only document 3-5 years. I've had 2 periods of unemployment because I just didn't need to or want to work for various reasons. They wanted a signed and notarized statement from someone other than a relative stating the times and reasons for my unemployment. Pffff... not only won't I do that, I CAN'T do that because I don't know anyone who can verify that outside of family.

Barr-Nunn said no because I have less than 1 year experience AND I have a gap in employment greater than 60 days within the last year. Once I have a year exp. driving then I should be good to go if I wanted to try again at Barr-Nunn. I worked for May Trucking for 4 months and then Knight for 5 months. Decided to take a break (big mistake) and now here I am again trying to get on with a company. My advice, stick it out with whomever you're driving for until you get that magic 1 year mark (2 years if you can) under your belt.

So, CFI here I come and I'm happy with the choice.

If anyone new sees this post, CDL students, those waiting for their class to start, etc, take it from me, and I'm sure others will second this, do your research here and on other boards, drive down to the local truck stops and talk to truckers, buy em a coke maybe.. etc.. but do your research, pick your company, and stay with them for a year. If it's really the wrong company then make a switch but please, just once. Stick it out with the 2nd company no matter what.

Thats my advice. BOL to everyone here.

With the price of milk, bread, gasoline, etc going through the roof they give you a whole penny raise...LOL don’t spend it all in one place.

So that’s why Conway bought you guys...they get a rolling warehouse on wheels for $0 and an LTL linehaul driver for 50% of the going rate. Of course, nobody on the other side of the fence has the balls to sign the card and put a cap on outsourcing work to low-paid dwellers. Glad I don’t pull for that $hitbag outfit.

[VitoCorleone99]

Originally Posted by ColdFrostyMug

So that’s why Conway bought you guys...they get a rolling warehouse on wheels for $0 and an LTL linehaul driver for 50% of the going rate. ...

Why bother with reality, right? Just make up some more BS numbers in case nobody noticed the previous 10,000 sets of BS numbers you made up.

And I don't think anyone's jumping for joy about the penny raise, but a hundred bucks a month buys me a few beers so I ain't crying about it either. Milk, bread, gasoline? Price of being in your own bed every night, eh Mug? I put gas in my car every other month. :lol:

Originally Posted by VitoCorleone99

Why bother with reality, right? Just make up some more BS numbers in case nobody noticed the previous 10,000 sets of BS numbers you made up.

The reality is that Conway is replacing some LTL linehaul runs and doling them out to CFI. Do the math: an LTL linehaul driver with full seniority makes .55 cpm compared to your .37 cpm. So that's a 48% savings just in mileage rates right there. Not to mention no delay pay, cheaper bennies. etc. And you guys sleep in your work vehicle for $0 so Conway gets a warehouse on wheels with complementary 10-hour security guard...just like all the other cut-rate dweller outfits. Talk to a Wal-Mart company driver and see what he gets to sleep in his rig: $8.00/hr -that's at least $64.00/day you're pissing away.

The union LTL's have work rules and contracts where they can only outsource so much work to dweller companies. Like I said, glad I don't work for Conway.

Milk, bread, gasoline? Price of being in your own bed every night, eh Mug? I put gas in my car every other month. :lol:

Milk, bread, gasoline...I'm talking in general terms about inflation. No, you might not spend money directly to fuel your car, but when oil prices go up, the costs are passed along in many of the products and services you buy.