Has Freight Picked Up? Or,
 

have I just gotten lucky? The last couple weeks have had me running like a maniac. A ten hour break to the minute and blast down the highway. Last week was over 3300 miles and 4 deliveries.

Anyone else notice a freight uptick?

Believe me I'm not complaining. Just wondering if it's been the luck of the draw, freight has really picked up, or if consignee's have depleted inventory so much that everything is needed yesterday?

What's been your experience?

Hey Ponce, Didnt you say you ran out of the Atlanta Term. I might be mistaken if so, Sry. I ask because I am trying to get my foot in the door and have talked to them once and waiting to call back. Said frieght was slow and to try back in march. So I was thinking about calling back mon. Im really hoping to come to work there. If you are not the Atlanta Guy opps my bad and I'll go back and read again till I get it right. And nice to see you are running hard and making The green:clap: Im out

I don't believe Ponce runs out of Atlanta, but BHG and I do. As far as freight goes I'm getting a good week followed by a slow week. I'm delivering in Memphis today then headed for the barn, where I'll expect to sit for most of the week based on recent experience.

It sure can't hurt to call Ken to see what your prospects are. He's the dispatcher and certainly knows whether business can support another driver out of Atlanta. You'll eventually be speaking with Barry, the terminal manager, who is a real nice guy. He moved into that job just as I came on board with the company last May.

I came to Superior straight out of CDL school after reading Carlo's posts and deciding that this would be a great place for a first job, if you could get in the door. I took awhile for them to find an opening for me, but I believe I'm with a very good company. I'm just hoping freight continues to recover in the next few months, I went through a real slack period from November to January.

If you have any questions about running out of Atlanta I'll try to field them.

Phil

Thanks for the reply PD. I have my ap in and have talked to Barry already. Yeah he seems to be a super nice guy. I dont wanna bug the crap out of him but I do wanna Keep my name out there for him to remember. And it is nice to see that they are not like most crap companies and keep on hiring even if they dont have the loads. I am sure I will have some questions as I get closer to my goal, But untill frieght comes up im just going to call and keep checking in. One thing, What is the normal time out for the Atl. drivers. I dont mind being out, In fact it would be to my benifet to be out for a bit because im around 135 miles out from Atl. and home everyday or every other would suck. Again thanks for info and When I think of anything I will for sure shoot you a PM. Be safe out there. Chris

When freight was good, say last September and October I was typically out up to two weeks at a time. Presently if I can stay out 7 or 8 days I'm thanking my lucky stars. I prefer to stay out in the system at least 2 weeks at a time but lately that hasn't worked out. The veteran drivers tell me they are out sometimes 4 weeks at a time, but it's their choice to stay out that long.

I am having very good luck in the system

Three good weeks in a role and freight seems to be on the upturn or so it seems where I have been. I stopped by Atlanta but not for a dispatch.

I have great luck out of

Memphis, Augusta, Greer

Leave out tomorrow again on a hot load after 1 day home pick up ST Louis to Augusta from what I have been told and seen things are starting to pick up a bit but maybe not all over just yet.

I heard you had a business get near Atlanta and are hiring a few real soon ...

Harley Pipe

If I knew your truck number I would have stopped over and said hi.. in AUGUSTA. the other day when I got there everyone had curtains pulled at 1030 pm So didnt want to work the parking lot to find you...

Cyinade told me you were there... before I arrived

Get my cell # from him give me a shout ...

I'll get it next time I head out. 3320 is my truck. We are going to be a little slow this week from what I heard so I'm going to take the week off.

Seems to be up and down with us lateley. We picked up a couple of new shippers but really hasn't kicked in. We supposedly hired 2 or 3 new drivers so it better kick in. I was running pretty good all last month so I'm up for a little R & R.

I got a High Point NC to Carlsbad Ca run last Wednesday so I have been running good through the weekend. Delivers Monday and they will probably head me to Pasadena Tx.

One thing my dispatcher told me to do is always call him if another terminals dispatcher deadheads me home. A couple of times they have had a load they were holding for someone else. Its supposed to be first in first out but politics happens. I have found if you want to stay out they will let you to a point. The layover pay and hotel costs needs to be less than the cost to deadhead home though.

There has only been a few times where I was able to stay out. For the most part, after I drop the dirty tank I'm sent to either NY. or ME.. I'm told they have route me back, I've yet to come across 1st in 1st out.

Well I talked to Barry in Atlanta again today and was told the same. Slow, slow, slow, Said he didnt wanna bring anyone in to sit. Had a nice chat and I told him I would check back in a couple weeks. <sigh> gotta find me something tho. You guys got any ideas of who might be wanting drivers. I have seen a couple of places but have been weary of them. If I could find a place to get my feet wet pulling a tank I would be thrilled to do that till I can get on in Atl. Well all for now you guys be safe out there.

Still slow in Maine. Our achilles heel is we rely on paper mills which have been hurting bad recently. Im still doing the same work I was in a day cab, but atleast I get more naps in the sleeper. Running to Dow in CT tomorrow which is a great load for us Mainahs.

Been reading this thread for quite some time now and have decided I want to go back pulling tanks,pulled gas for a year back in 2006/2007 out of North Augusta,SC,and I'd like to get by the house a little more often than 3 weeks.And would love to run out of Augusta,do they have any local runs out of Augusta?Anyway I've decided to try and get something local and get off the road,I've read lots about Superior and Carry and think working for either one would be great,be safe out there.

Seadawg, I would call Traci in Augusta and ask her about that (800-358-7727). However, be forewarned that when Harley and I were in there last Thursday together, a driver called asking if they were hiring and she told him to wait til the middle to end of this month to call back. Just wanted to let you know you may have to wait a while to apply that's all.

It is a great place to work at, regardless of the politics and b.s. (I personally experienced this issue in a very bad way this past weekend) :pissedoff:

But, before I leave the S.B.L. companies I'll just simply explore other options within our family before ever applying elsewhere! :thumbsup:

From experience, we at Superior are usually a lot more laid back as far as our pick-up and delivery schedules go, whereas Carry is more rushed and time-sensitive due to transporting corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, sucrose, etc. However, Carry drivers also seem to have more of an opportunity to be home on an almost daily basis, depending upon the terminal the driver runs out of, and how far away they live from there. It's just a matter of personal preference. I know that there have been many runs my wife has done that blow away any kind of pay we get at Superior; try a 54-mile round trip that pays $85! Gotta love those flat-rate and/or percentage loads!!! :clap:

On the other hand, if a driver isn't wanting to hustle and run locally/regionally hard all of the time, then on average a Superior driver will make more income over the course of the year. Again, it's simply a matter of personal preference. Anyway.....

I'm still alive and well out here, just ready to get down to FL and take some much-deserved time off with my son in the nice weather. Seems I've caught every storm that's blasted the Midwest this year. Still running halfway decent myself, though changes may be coming in the future. But at this time I will not go into this, just remember what I said above.

;)

Superior Carriers (January 1, 2009 to February 22, 2009)
Gross Pay: $8,278.50
Hub miles: 16,678 (Avg.: .496/mile)
Days Working: 36 (68%)
Days Off: 17 (32%)

Care to elaborate?

Cyanide,thanks for the info,I'll be home this week-end(I hope) and I might just head over towards the terminal in Augusta,weather is suppose to be too nice to let my Harley just sit.Unless I find something I can't let pass,I don't inteand make a change til May or June,about due for my bonus and I'd hate to leave that money sitting on the table,I'll keep up dates and let y'all know,be safe out there.

I over heard yesterday were taking 4-5 trucks and about 6 trailers off the road...

Sorry to read this DDCavi. I hope you are
safe.

No, there's nothing to elaborate on. The situation was taken care of. It's done and over with. What could've been a situation was handled professionally and as it should have been.

:thumbsup:

Man that sucks!! We are actually hiring 2 or 3 drivers. I saw our trainers out with some guys. How come you guys don't get more of the DOW runs that we get. From what I understood, we were doing them because your terminal couldn't keep up. You know how info. from drivers goes. Your not losing drivers are you. I'm in Markham now and was talking with a Sarnia driver. They are down to 8 drivers from 20. Those blokes are really hurting.

I know, I swore an oath of secrecy to protect the identity of one of our most esteemed and respected members here in the Superior family. But the pressure, the burden is simply too much to bear any longer and I hereby give to you..........

SKYWALKER REVEALED!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...82029-Copy.jpg

:nana:

Markham seems to spin us out of there a lot quicker than they used to. I can't seem to latch on to one of them Salt Lake City runs! This ***** is all a roll of the dice. I'll book 3K this week and be in the "system" monday. Come Friday the 13th I would like to be home through St. Patricks!

I don't know if it means squat but I don't get a motel for layovers and I get around Markham off the toll roads.

I kind of run superior like i would my own, why pay a toll if there is free road, why stay in a motel when I have an rv, I'm cheap!

Don't get fat and happy - think production, cost containment, and customer satisfaction.

I dont see how we couldnt keep up, we have the man power. At this point im guessing it has to do with money. Much cheaper to send you on a 1.5hr drive to Dow compared to the 4hr drive for us. Still no driver layoffs, one mechanic was let go but hes been saying for months hes moving to Florida in june. All mechanics and wash bay techs are on a STRICT 40 hours only a week. Another problem we have up here is H.O Bouchard. They haul for nothing, theyre straight out all the time.

No Carlo..... I'm better looking than that. Here's what I look like....

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/q...ipsouth010.jpg

It was a rather cold day...right before a gale hit on the Chesapeake Bay, Nov 24, 2007......

"Handsome", aren't I?

:moon::D:p

I am surprised they let you in and out of ports. You have that terrorist look about you.

He must of had his TWIC card on him... :)

Not trying to hijack post, but I put in an application online today. It didn't give me an option which terminal to send it to or anything. Charlotte would be closer than High Point, but I'm willing to go to either.
My question is, should I call recruiting or a terminal? (it lists to recruiting # as 800 655 0688) Or should I just wait to see if they call me? And is there a chance they are hiring?

I believe the email gets forwarded to your closest terminal. It never hurts to call and see if the application was recieved. On the hiring note, I couldnt tell you that but im sure one of these other fine drivers may know. But if you call you can get a straight forward answer within mins.

PS Cant highjack a thread when your question refers to the company the thread is about.

Oh, I guess it wasnt a hijack then. So it would probably be a good idea to call terminal?

Itll only benefit you.

Hey married I did what you did with putting it in online. I also called the number they have on site and discused terminal options with them. He then contacted the terminal manager while I was on with him so that I could talk to terminal manger. So far all the folks I have talked to have been super nice and very helpful. Im just waiting for frieght to pick up and then my shot at geting in at the Atlanta term. Even tho im in NC im closer to Atl then Charlotte or High Point. 2 hr drive to Atlanta verse 3 to 4 to those two. Hope you get on I sure am trying.

:lol::lol::lol:Well, when I went past the Navy's big boats there on the ICW in Norfolk....the water cops watched me pretty close...... but then they watched everyone very closely. Had to run at "idle" speed....just enough power to maintain steerage with no wake..... Didn't want to get "boarded" and get a speeding ticket...:lol::lol::lol:

Trust me....it was cold as well diggers %$#...out on the Chesapeake....it snowed in Annapolis the day after we left...... And it was cold until we hit Florida!

Actually, I didn't....but it would have probably been a good idea to have it with me. Have to remember to take it in the future...:whistle:

Everybody must be running too hard to post lately. I have had a pretty slow last 10 days. Making up for that west coast trip I guess.

I sure wish that was the case, but sadly no. I've averaged about 1200 miles per week so far this year running out of Atlanta, with 25% of those being empty. Too many weeks have consisted of one run out and back, then home for four or five days waiting on the next one.

I was a new driver when I hired on with Superior last May and believed then that this was one of the best companies, especially for a newbee. I still believe that, so I'm determined to stick with them as long as they'll let me. I doubt that I could do any better anywhere else.

Come on economic recovery!

I was running back and forth to Qc. this past week. We still keep busy with those runs. Seems I keep more busy with that than getting out in the system lately. 2 weeks I went to Ky. and dropped the drity tank at Cinci. and sat for the day. Then to Ill. and sat for 1.5 days. Back to Cinci sat for another day then took a load to NY. Didn't do alot of running for 8 days out. Off. to Va. Monday so we will see what happens from there.. But for now, the sun is shining, the Harley is getting an oil change then off to chase some Gray Goose. Giddy Up.

The last two weeks were good, but that was because we had 2 drivers on vacation each week. Ive been warned its going to be reeeeeally bad this week.

Seems it's all hit and miss. One week i'm counting 10-hour breaks to the minute to make a pick up/delivery on time. The next week I'm running hard to see how much layover pay I can get on a 3-day, 800-mile run!

All and all it's been pretty steady. Look at the bright side... A slow week at Superior is spent at home. A slow week at other companies is spent at a truckstop.

This is one of the main reasons I'd like to be on this team,I'll run as hard as anyone,but, if there's no freight,let me sit and wait at home instead of at a truckstop.I keep following this thread and I'm waiting to see when a good time will be to put in my application.

Don't apply to Nashville then...they closed the terminal Friday morning and let the last of us (13 plus 1 mechanic) go. No transfers to Kingsport, Memphis, Greer, etc., for the guys who were willing, either.

On the phone all Friday afternoon with most of the tank outfits that have a terminal within about 250 miles of me and got the same reply: "hiring freeze" "..check back in a couple of months" "...no, not hiring" etc., etc...

Unemployment office Monday morning I guess...:(

Pete C
Waynesville, NC