Mcelroy Truck Lines
 

Any information on this company would be welcome. I'm currently slated to start their training program but thought it prudent to at least ask those on the street what the word is. I don't see much "chatter" regarding this company.

I have talked to several of their drivers lately and none of them really had anything bad to say. The only negative I heard was that the miles were really slow right now 1200 to 1700 a week, but none of them were planning on leaving because of it.

Thanks for the reply. I had heard it was slower because of the nature of the business-building products. I'm hoping that it won't get much worse. Looking forward to getting out there regardless and getting some experience under my belt.

Once winter starts to pass, flatbedding will pick back up. It is always slow in the winter since most construction slows down due to bad weather. The only side that moves consistently is reefer with groceries. Everyone needs that all the time, it never slows but the dock people you encounter are pain in the rear's, plus you can sit at the dock for hours on end.

That's kind of why I chose flatbedding. I looked at the pros and cons. "Down" time at the terminals as one of the cons. The biggest pro I saw was not having to rely on others to keep me moving . Also dispatching-from what I'm reading, a dispatcher can either make you or break you. After researching some of the flatbedding companies (Maverick, LJ Kennedy, Melton) McElroy seemed reasonable (weekend guarantee). I was actually rejected by Maverick because they are particular about work history. I had 4 employers in a 3 year history. Kennedy-need 3 years experience. At this stage of life, I would rather sacrifice quantity over quality and get that critical one year of experience with a company willing to invest it's time in a rookie. In the Northeast I'm at the mercy of mother nature-also the economy right now. Both should get better : > )

I've been seeing McElroy hauling coils thru Birmingham the last couple weeks....

Got a 42,500 lb coil on my trailer right now. Picked it up Friday at SeverCorr in Columbus,MS, drove home to Huntsville, AL, deliver Monday morning to Acworth,GA. McElroy is the "in-house" shipper for this steel mill. Business has been picking up on the steel side, thank goodness, as it has been DREADFULLY slow in the building products side.

reddragon, you said your in the NE, have you talked with Melton?

I did consider them.(Melton) They had a flyer at our school but did not send in a recruiter. I had asked the school's director about them and he kind of swayed me against them since he knew I was looking for some kind of home time on a consistent basis. With McElroy I know what I'm getting. I don't know much about Melton but would be happy to hear what you have to say. I was told to expect 10-14 days out with them.

So THAT'S where ya'll are coming from! (I'm in Florence)

Didnt Mcelroy completely cut out coil hauling at one point? Seems that when i was in school (almost 3 years now) their recruiter told us they cut that out because they had a problem with rollovers or losing loads with new guys on those heavy things at one time...Am i just dreaming this or did they really stop hauling those for a while?

They did. But we're back at it. I run out of the terminal in Ennis, TX, and we don't haul the Big Coil, (skelp), we only run wire coil, (slinkies). I believe the Cuba HQ drivers are the only ones back running the big stuff, but I'd like a shot at it... ;)
As far as I know, all the Big Coil is running across the SE with some of it coming out of the ports in TX but going back east. The Texas Division doesn't really get much past I49, but we run TX, OK, W LA, and up into AR for wood goods. We're getting our SE drivers in here now to 'share the down' but the Goode Times get 'shared' too. When it goes back hot n heavy, I'll see more o the SE in their territory. :)
Things are slow all over but for some reason we're not as slow as a bunch of others right now... I've seen harder times when everybody's in a choke about this current state o bizness.
That said, hey, the next weeks may go straight in the "terlit".. LOL
It's a Circus out here. And the Ferris Wheel still goes up and down. ;)
I came from ranching - I'm used to "cycles".. If you look at the Week without looking at the Year, you're gonna miss The Big Picture - and possibly the Boat.

They did cut it out, for several reasons, but as far as one of those reasons being rookie drivers' mistakes, they musta changed their mind. Several of their newest drivers with no other experience driving whatsoever are hauling coils. SCARY!! When I joined up with them 6 months ago I was told only the experienced drivers were gonna get them, then all of a sudden BAMM, coil production at the mill TOOK OFF, so whats a carrier to do but send whoever is the closest? I have yet to hear of a rollover by a McElroy with a coil since I started with them, keep ur fingers crossed!

Never heard of them.

But, my experience in the industry suggests they probably:

Care about their drivers.
Have great pay.
Have great benefits.
Have great hometime.
Have great equipment.

:wink:

If your looking for hometime then Melton wouldnt be the place for you. I ran for them loved them and would go back in a heartbeat if I was wanting to pull flats again. They got me home when I wanted to be I was through the house more than I was actually home (actually home like once a month or so) spent a month on th west coast with them. I always had great loads, great miles, great dispatcher. So dont let anyone sell you short on Melton, they are a great company but not for a homebody.

Well I FINALLY did it!!! That's right, I QUIT!!!!!! Of course I did so with my new employer ready to send me on my first load the very next week!!!!!! Gonna work for a company that manufactures and ships their own products from right here in Huntsville,AL!! Leave out loaded and ALWAYS back empty, paid same loaded & empty, tarp pay/ detention pay guaranteed, MORE MILES than hauling for McElroy, (esp. since 95% of McE loads are housebuilding supplies, and with the housing market in such a SLUMP and projected by ALL the experts to slide about 15-20% more in 2008, and get THIS, I will be the SOLE driver for this location!! Their previous driver of 5+years had to pee in the cup and LIT IT UP, so bye-bye he went!! Bad for him, GOOD for me.. Now, some would say that this is a HUGE risk being in such a tiny "fleet", but ya know what, ANY company can fail at ANY time. ANY job can dissolve before your eyes OR behind your back!!This is a stable company that fills a need, and fits what I WANT in a job, so HOORAY for ME

Congrats to ya DM...if you hear of another one of those over there give me a yell...!