Ting's be slow raht now.... I be pullin' a food tank for Carry to fill in the gaps.... Recession's SUCK!! But we just got to hang in there and look for the silk lining in the pigs ear....

Sorry to hear this Pete. Good luck on getting back into the business soon. There's no telling how many of us will be in that boat with you before this thing is done. I just sat for 10 days at home waiting on a load, and I fear I'll be deadheading back home after delivery - but as you demonstrate, it could be worse.

Did you try Trimac? They called me Friday about an application I submitted last fall.

Thanks...

Hated to leave; I'm 59 yrs old and had planned on retiring with SPCR. I've actually physically worked out of Kingsport for the last two years since Nashville lost the biggest part of the Dupont Old Hickory stuff. I was originally on the DMT Old HickoryTN/FlorenceSC relay which ran right out of here (Waynesville) with day cabs. We had about 25 drivers here at it's peak and when the bulk of that ended I started back in the system out of Kingsport (Nashville has never had any good freight except the DMT) and commuting the 250 mile round trip. As an aside, they wouldn't let me transfer 'officially' to Kingsport as Nashville is technically still in the same region; dispatched, paid, and truck serviced and domiciled there, but still the red-headed stepchild as far as the big picture went...:confused: but that was their decision...:bow:

So, anyhow, for all practical reasons, I was a Kingsport driver, but when push came to shove last week, Steve Hicks said it wasn't fair to his drivers to keep me when they just laid off 11 drivers of their own 3 weeks ago. As you probably well know, and I'm not knocking the Co, seniority just doesn't mean anything here (and never has) but I was a little surprised Fri by the news as I'm #8, I think, in Kingsport, if you looked at it from purely that angle.

But that's all ancient history now as I file my NC unemployment right here on the computer this morning... wow, things have changed a bit haven't they? They even send you a debit card now for your weekly draw :clap: jeez...I may get to like not working :smokin:

Sorry about the little bit of venting but, for the rest of you at SPCR, hang in there as the Co as a whole is head and shoulders above most of the rest of the tanker pack. I'm sticking to tanks of course, but it just might take a bit of time to get situated again.

Pete C
Waynesville, NC

Had a good driver friend (same town as me) that got fired by Superior last year for one-to-many fender benders (good guy, but always in big rush) that went to work for them and only lasted about 4 months. Issues: low pay, ragged equipment, weeks out at a time, poorly organized dispatch, unscheduled pu and del appointments...his impression: just a total cluster and got on with another tank outfit as soon as they would take him.

I think he only got home 3 times in the 4 months he worked for them.

Pete C
Waynesville, NC

I should add that he ran the system out of the Duncan SC terminal, but Trimac does have a lot of dedicated stuff all over the place and, depending on where you live, that may be an option. I'm only relating his experience.

Pete C
Waynesville, NC

Boy!Things don't look so good at Superior at this time,next time I got home I was going to the terminal in Augusta and see if I could find out anything.I really wanted something that would get me through the house more often,but,I didn't want to sit 5 or 6 days at a time waiting on a load,may have to see if I can find someone that I knew when I was hauling gas,I'll just get on the Harley and check out the fuel haulers around there,must be at lease 10 or 12,at lease that would be local,and I could shower and sleep in my own bed,at home all the time,and if that doesn't work out,then, better be thankful I got a job,sorry to hear about you guys getting laid off,hope something will come thru for you,keep us posted and GOD BLESS ALL.

The ugly untold truth is, it wouldn't hurt Superior to lose about another 50-100 drivers. That would go a long way to balance freight with capacity. Rumor has it that the PA terminal parked all its drivers last week just to keep the rest of the "system" moving.

Don't get me wrong, I love my job, and for the most part love Mother Superior. But we still have warts, zits, and bad breath.

Any bets on the next terminal to get the axe?

I am thinking they consolidate something along the lines of: Auburn,ME/Springfield, MA; Markham,IL/Kankakee, IL; Keasbey, NJ/Paulsboro, NJ. A whittle here and there doesn" seem to be getting the job done.

I don't get down south much. Maybe you guys could add some consolidation optons.

U guys that are moving - be safe!!

PDL,
It is ugly, but it's not untold...Oak Brook has got a tough nut to crack at the moment and they know it. The accountant who's looking at the weekly bottom line probably sneaks in Lin Fletcher's office late every Fri afternoon and puts the figures on his desk and runs as fast as he can out the door.:tears: Being proactive is good, but the for-hire chemical tank business by it's very nature is mostly reactive, and when the Dow's, Eastman's, Dupont's, Rohm and Haas's, etc., of this world aren't forthcoming, or just plain don't know what they are going to do in this wild economy from one day to the next, it puts all of us in a difficult spot, to put it mildly. But, no question that there are just too many drivers at the moment and I do agree with your numbers.

Consolidation? I can see it down the road, especially for the terminals that don't have a co tank wash on site or are still being leased/rented eg: Nashville and High Point and some other high dollar properties that are still owned by Archies's heirs (the old Central Transport).

What they could do immediately though, I think , based on my experience with them, is that SPCR should start to rethink it's overall tactics in regard to the system drivers; a centralized 24hr dispatch would work better in regards to moving people around IMO. This has always been a problem ( ever find yourself wondering " how does this place make any money?") and Sup is just the right size to make it work. Letting individual terminals call the shots in regard to outbound freight and driver placement is counter-productive; what worked when freight was over-plentiful just isn't going to cut it today. If one was asked to characterize SPCR management overall, today, you wouldn't be far wrong in using words like 'traditional' 'conservative' 'staid' 'uncreative'....they need to get out of Oak Brook more and see what the battlefield looks like... :usa:

Whew, enough already...
Seadawg you mentioned your Harley and that's what I'm going to do today...go for a nice long ride (on a Triumph though). :thumbsup:

Pete C
Waynesville, NC

Whew, enough already...
Seadawg you mentioned your Harley and that's what I'm going to do today...go for a nice long ride (on a Triumph though).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ain't nothing wrong with that,dropped my load at Lowe's in Statesville,NC a few hours ago,now Im sitting at the Wilco in Troutman trying to get them to sent me on home today because tomorrow is my travel day to go home,rather sleep in my bed at home instead of this truck,now tomorrow they'll have loads going the wrong way instead of going south.

Here in Paulsboro, NJ, Scott just laid off our only dispatcher. It's been really slow here too, but no one has been laid off here yet. I only did about 850miles this week and worked 3.5 days

Ive actually run pretty good this week. Been in a good mood till this morning when I had an unpleasant encounter with a young power trippin, pissed off at the world "securitas" at Dow. First time ive run into someone this disrespectful so far. Definately made for a long day...

You know I ran into a rude and unfreindly waitress this morning at a Waffle House, I thought damn what's up with this usually they are overly freindly to the point of leave me alone and quit saying good morning. I passed it off that the old man must have been terrible in bed last night to her and let it go. Did give me a wierd feeling though, I mean rude waitresses at Waffle House?

Yea it was bad. He was acting like a crazy ex. At one point he told me I need to calm down, and HE WAS THE ONE FLIPPING OUT. He got so power crazy he threatened to not let me load.

I ran alittle over 1700 miles and was home everyday this week so that made me happy.

I agree with what Pete and Ponce say!

From talking with lots of other guys around and with y'all on here, there's entirely way too much sitting around going on for most. I already know a few guys that are looking at leaving and going elsewhere and honestly, I can't say I blame them! As for myself, I've been doing well considering the current state of things, but then again I've been running almost exclusively for Kankakee the last couple of months as well.

Hey Rob, was good seing you again! Thanks for stopping by while I was on vacation and, for the heads up with your "guinea-pigging". My apologies though for the chicken; I still say that I over cooked it just a bit! We'll have to do it again sometime.
:thumbsup:

Y'all be safe and try to have as much fun as possible. More later...

Superior Carriers (January 1, 2009 to March 29, 2009)
Gross Pay: $13,267.34
Hub miles: 26,413 (Avg.: .502/mile)
Days Working: 57 (65%)
Days Off: 31 (35%)

Superior-Nashville
 

I'm layed-off from YRC, I would like to work at Superior or Carry. I have filled out the on-line application and called several times to the Nashville terminal to no aval.

Is the Nashville terminal still in operation?

If so, what is the best way to get noticed for an interview?

If Superior or Carry is not hiring, what do y'all think about A & R Transport?

What dry-bulk carriers are hiring?---If any...

I live 40 miles from Decatur, AL. There are several bulk carriers with terminals in Decatur and I would be interested in any of them.

Thanks for your help and be safe out there.

Originally Posted by pete c
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...

Good luck Mike and thanks for your response. I had been with Roadway (YRC) for 11 years before I got layed-off. I think dry-bulk or some sort of tanker outfit is what I want to do but like you stated it's not looking to good right now. I did talk to Mike with A & R Transport in Decatur, AL and he said call back toward the end of April, who knows. I'm sure he's just speculating about the future demand.

Wonder when the pay cuts are gonna start? It wouldn't take much creativity to dip into our accessorial pay.

Cy are you company or an IC?

Carlo....Thanks for the chicken and all the rest!! It was good, but maybe a minute or two less on the fire would have been OK...:eat: It was nice to meet the rest of the tribe too!! Good to see you again as well, and we'll have to do it again!!

They'll make up for it next week :-(

I think you jinxed me. Rumford is shutting down for a month. Here comes the PAIN!

For now a mere company driver. Depending on how my plans pan out, I may just stay company or may go back to I/C. Never can tell with the way things are going. Just taking it day by day.

:thumbsup:

Superior Carriers (January 1, 2009 to April 05, 2009)
Gross Pay: $13,712.83
Hub miles: 27,240 (Avg.: .503/mile)
Days Working: 60 (63%)
Days at Home: 35 (37%)

Hey Carlo! How ya making it? Sorry haven't been in touch, keeping pretty busy up here. Our busy season with the band now with parades and competition and all that crap that goes with it.. Piping at Arlington Cemetary this weekend.. In June I'm taking Harley to Key West so maybe on the way can plan a meet. I'll give you a shout.

Make it good!! :D


And thanks for doing it!!!

:bigclap: :bigclap: :bigclap:

Just saw a memo this afternoon. Insurance charges are going up single $18 to $24/week. Family $37 to $55/week. Sucks but our insurance was dirt cheap for the coverage we have. My wife works for Blue Cross Blue Shield and it was cheaper for me to put the family on SPCR's plan than to do it through her policy and she gets a discount. Have to revisit that now.

Yep, that was my welcome home after a rough week. 1.5-days and 900-miles. Outside of the money, I'm not complaining. Two weeks in a row with no TA showers!

What a humbling expierence. Man the funerals went from 8 am to 4 pm.. with a min. of 3 month waiting list. So much history there I got to go back and play tourist. Not that I want to play for anymore of our soldiers but I would do it every chance I get.. Thanks for the applause Orange but for something like that no thanks necessary, it's the least I can give for what they gave.

HarleyPiper,

Thank you for your patriotism. I'm sure that it meant alot to the families of the fallen service members. There are very few that can play the pipes well and I realize that it must have taken years to acquire such a skill. I have always found the pipes to be a very emotional and appropriate send off to the departed who served so honorably.

Once again, Thank you for doing this. I'm sure that it was of some comfort to the Service member's families, knowing that a "stranger" and fellow American valued their sacrifice so much that He would take the time to provide such a fitting tribute.

Safe travels,
Baldy

Crime in maine, didn't they just shut down for a month a couple months ago?

Thanks Baldy. It is a funny instrument. I've been at it for 13 yrs now. I am in 2 pipe bands and one being the Coast Guard so we get called for these once in awhile and my first time to Pipe at Arlington and what an honor to be asked and it really makes it worth all the effort when you see the expression of thanks from the family and how much they appreciate it.. when it really comes down to my appreciation for what they have done for the country. Cheers Man

That they did. I believe once they come back online, theyll be shutting down for another 2 weeks after a 2 week run. I guess it really doesnt matter now because we lost the Dow account. QC has their hands on it now. I dont understand how or why, I know we were keeping Sappi very happy. QC and their 40000# rigs were only pulling 35000# of latex compared to us with a minimum of 47000#. They better be running just those Mack Visions and not the Petes...

Ouch. It's just been brutal. But, Superior is the best part time job I have ever had:confused: Too bad I need fulltime loot:cry:

Thats the most accurate statement ive seen in awhile. I havent been assigned a load since last week, luckily Ive been called in twice. I got a call today to pick up a load of caustic but I was out fishing. Its a double edge sword, I either sit home all day alone and hope for a call or go out and not be able to do the load if I get a call....

Hang in there, DDC. being unemployed and hunting for something else just absolutey stinks. :badmood: It's very depressing.

I was lucky in that my wife has a management job with one of the big box stores and, by nature, her and I live pretty simply, so when things got slow last fall we were in good shape; I could have gone on as a 'part-timer' for SPCR for awhile and survived OK but....:deal:

Anyhow, just wanted to poke my nose in and tell you I hope things start picking up again soon.

Pete C

Hey Pete C. We just had a driver trainer who transferred in from Kankakee last fall leave last week to go flatbedding so he can take his wife along. They upgraded me to his truck. Don't know for sure but there may be an opening in High Point. Give Mac a call if its not too far away from you.

THANKS!

I'll give him a call Monday....you don't think he'll remember me doing a few favors for him over at Sherwin Williams, do ya? :cool: lol

Even though I was technically a Nashville driver, I worked out of 064 for the last two years and had a 130 mile one-way ride to work so the commute to HP would be feasible for a system driver.

Thanks again...I'll give it a shot.

Pete C

Forgot to add that I'm in Waynesville, NC ....so about 190 miles away.

wsyrob,
Just got off the phone with Mac and he's going to run it past his boss later today.:thumbsup: I owe you one buddy! :cheers:

I could tell he didn't remember me, but he did recognize my employee # when he pulled it up on the computer as it's one of the old Central Transport numbers and I originally hired in out of High Point anyway, so some common ground with him anyway.

I'll let yo know how it goes, too...

Pete C

:thumbsup:

Good deal! Hope it works out for ya Pete.

Wsyrob, how the condition and mileage on that old FLD you got out of? :roll3: