Going back OTR after running local for the last 8 months
 

Hi All,

Just a quick refresher to bring you up to speed. I started out back in June 2009 with Swift after attending their Driving Academy. Training went great, and my trainer / mentor was great. I ran OTR with Swift till May 2010 when I was terminated for "Violation of Companies Speed Policy". My home terminal was Sumner WA, but I was in Midway GA when my DM said bring the equipment to the GA terminal and await further word. I tried and tried but could not get any company to hire me OTR, so I took a local job. After 3 months at that local job, I found a truck owner and started running for him. That lasted from September till December when I chose not to run for him because he wasn't paying me. (That guy still owes me $1600 to this day!) When I left that guy, I went back to FL and went back to the local job again.

I have always wanted to get back OTR, and have continued to talk to recruiters and apply to different companies. Recently I have had some luck with a few different companies. I have a date to go to orientation with Knight Refrigerated, very close with JBS Carriers, and just today got information that Schneider wants to talk. I know exactly what I can expect from Knight, and a friend of mine at Schneider is very happy. Everything I have found about JBS is good, but I am a little scared of getting on with a company in CO when I live in FL!

Now I am coming here to ask what you all think. If you drive for any of these carriers, or have in the past, can you share some intel with me? I know the haters are gonna come out of the woodwork, but hopefully I can get some good info from some of you.

It sounds to me as though you need to decide where you want to go. If Knight has you scheduled for orientation, why don't you just go with them? I would think that you could do will with any of them. I would check with them to see if they can get you home. Florida is a difficult place for some carriers to get out. It really should not make any difference where the carrier is based, but where they run.

whats the point? if you didnt get the hint from a broad concensus of people what do u wanna hear? Sugarcoat it a bit for u? If 90% of people call the sky blue- ITS BLUE!! u want to hear someone say its green?
Theres lots of info out there on the cos u asked about.

Schneider has just launched a new program to expand it's Florida presence. They pay more because the driver must leave the equipment at the home terminal during hometime. The catch here is that Schneider does not have a terminal in Florida. The terminal would be in Atlanta, and they pay for the driver to "commute" to Atlanta and back home again. I know that Schneider has older than average equipment, just not sure how well they maintain it. The pay would be higher, but it is an 8 hour commute home from Atlanta. Also, they say the average time out is 3 weeks with 5 days off to accommodate for the extended commute. All that means to me is 5 days down with no pay.

JBS is headquartered in Greeley CO, but they deliver to all 48. The carriers parent company is a major supplier of beef and pork, and JBS handles the transportation of it's product. I originally came across this carrier because I saw them delivering to the local company that I currently drive for. JBS seems to take care of it's drivers and equipment. They have excellent benefits, good pay and some really attractive bonus programs.

Knight Refrigerated would have my home terminal in Lakeland FL, which is only 1.5 hours from home. They are trying to grow the refrigerated fleet based in FL, and although I would be running OTR they would keep me closer to the region. I have been told that the shops do not take care of the equipment unless you are at your home terminal, but every time I see Knight going down the road the equipment looks as though it is well maintained!

If I had to choose right now, I would be leaning towards Knight. Good equipment, great miles and not too far from home. JBS would be a close 2nd because of the excellent equipment, great benefits and the fact that they have a unique business model. Schneider would be higher pay, but I am not sure about the older equipment.............

Good luck.

If it were me I would not want to commute 8 hours each way to get home. Living in Florida, it would probably be easier to get home pulling a reefer. I have a friend who knows a guy who works for Knight. He has been with them for quite a while, so I suppose he likes them. In fact, my friend is thinking about going there himself.

A friend who knows a guy?? Got it. wink wink..............
Refrigerated was my first choice because they average better miles and more available loads. I guess my choice is between Knight Refrigerated and JBS, just looking for insight about them from someone who knows them.

You try doing a search on this forum for "JBS Carriers". The software omits JBS and returns results for Carriers. I am simply looking for information from people with knowledge of the companies I am interested in. Since I posted my question in a Sub-Forum titled "Truck Driving Jobs - What about this trucking company?" where did I go wrong?

I have an app in with Knight as well, but they are hold to get ahold of, everytime i call the recruiter, i get voicemail, and never a returned call..

If you google JBS, you should come up with several news stories about them. Last year they were shutdown for 6 weeks or so, while they had qualcomm's installed in all their equipment and electronic loging programs written and installed. They were one of the first "forced" e-loggers.

Well I have read all of the news stories about how they got fined, and mandated to install EOBR's. I also found a huge thread at another board, nothing at all on here, that gave some great info on JBS. They have gone through a lot of changes, but most of what I read is good. Thats why I am looking for first hand driver accounts on here!

I am officially heading to orientation with Knight Refrigerated in Lakeland FL on Monday morning. Looking forward to getting back out OTR again, and can't wait to start my new career with KNight!

Keep us posted on how it goes. Good luck

Scary start. Yard locked up till 705 with a 0700 start time. Once we get in, the office looks like a converted single family residence! Hoping for something too get better quick!

Monday morning orientation was scheduled to start at 0700. I arrived at 0630 and saw no cars and no activity in the yard. A few tractors and trailers inside a fenced area with a locked gate and access pad, but no activity. I see a very small "building" next to the fenced yard, but no activity there. There are a few of us sitting outside the fenced area with no clue where to go. 0705 a few cars start arriving and going behind the building through another driveway, so we go back there and find a locked door with key card access. Finally got inside the building at 0710, then sat around till 1400 while 1 person at a time did the pee test / hair sample extraction. At about 0900 a driver started doing road tests which took each of the 9 orientation guy's about 40 minutes to complete. Lunch was provided, pizza pizza from Little Ceasar's, and we finally got into a training room at 1400 where we watched powerpoint till about 1545. Pretty generic message from CEO, macro's, sexual harassment policy, drugs and alcohol, and we are issued an employee handbook. Released to the Motel 6 at 1545 and told to be back in at 0800 for day two.

Returned on Tuesday at 0745 for day 2 and found everyone sitting around the "drivers lounge" just shooting the bull. 1 guy is noticeably absent so the recruiter/hr/trainer attempts to call him. Apparently he missed the bus because on Monday the driver said be in the motel office by 0800. He was in the office by 0745, but the bus driver left early and was gone before 0735. So the recruiter/hr/trainer is now running back to the motel to get him while we watch more videos about accident reporting and termination policies. At 1015 we go to a chiropractors office for the DOT physical and fitness/endurance tests. This runs till we go back to the terminal at 1445 where we get some chicken and are then released at 1545.

So after 2 days of orientation all that is left is videos and powerpoint for day 3. The recruiter/hr/trainer is saying that he is going to try and get everyone hired on and assigned a tractor on Wednesday, but it may take some of Thursday to get through everyone. The board shows that 11 people were scheduled for this orientation class, but only 9 showed on day 1. At the close of day 2 it seems that everyone has passed the DOT Physical and I would assume the Drug test since we are all still here and coming back on Wednesday.

So far everything seems to be pretty standard. Since we have spent a lot of time in the "drivers lounge", it's smaller than my Motel 6 room and you all know how small that is, there have been a few drivers coming through. I usually try to stay away from the companies drivers lounge because I get tired of hearing the same old whining about how everyone hates this place. This lounge is no exception and 2 of the 3 drivers that we have had to listen to are griping about what they do to get around the EOBR and how they spend hours on end chasing down an empty trailer! I take these drivers stories with a grain of salt because as we all know drivers love to gripe and complain while not doing a damn thing to fix the problem!

Hoping to get a tractor issued on Wednesday. If all 9 of us get hired they will be a few tractors short. This afternoon I counted 8 tractors in the yard and at least 2 of those have drivers in them. I see a lot of Volvos, 1 International Pro Star, 3 Pete 386's and 1 Pete 387. Apparently they are phasing out the short nosed 386's and getting a few of the 387's. Some of you may recall my experience at Swift once I got into a Pro Star with the stabilitrac malfunctioning. I may just have to request a different unit if they give me a ProStar. I really want to run, not complain and be a good company man, but there is NO way I can be comfortable in a Pro Star after Swift!

I will keep you all updated on day 3, and will give my honest opinion of Knight Refrigerated!

Day 3 was some EOBR instruction, all via Powerpoint and absolutely no hands on with a real Qualcom unit. Next we watched the standard Smith System video and were split into 2 groups for Smith System practical application in a Dodge Caravan. This took up the remainder of the day and everyone was released at 1500. I was pulled aside at the end and informed that "we did not collect enough hair". I keep my hair very short and apparently when they collected the first sample they did not take enough. So this time they took body hair from my forearm.

I told the collector to get all he needed, I got nothing to hide! He got a big ball from both of my forearmes and sent the sample in to the lab in Indianapolis. He said it would be Friday morning before we get the results. So Thursday was a really long day of just sitting in the Motel all day, with a few short trips about town. Friday morning the recruiter calls back and said he still didn't get enough hair! I report back to the terminal where the recruiter tells me he needs another sample, but has the ok to hire me on and get me in the system now. Of course, if anything comes back on the test............ I assured him again that I am not worried and he said neither am I!

So this time we take all of my underarm hair, as well as a chunk of chest hair. After about an hour I have my Drivers ID, badge, Comdata card and my DOT Physical. Now there are no trucks available for the refer division in Lakeland. The 4 drivers for the refer side are flying to Phoenix AZ to pick up new Volvos. The travel agent is arranging for airfare, but we will not leave out till Monday am. The DM and Recruiter send us home, or to the hotel and tell us they will send the flight confirmation as soon as it comes in.

So I take the 2 hour drive back home for the weekend. Need to repack for a flight now and decide what I can and can not take! No flight confirmation comes in on Friday, so Saturday morning I call the DM who informs me that he is not getting me a flight until after the drug test results come in. I tell him that this is not what I was told on Friday, and he explains that the company is not gonna spend money on a flight till they have the results!

So, I am getting a good run around. Probably won't get the hair test results till late Monday or early Tuesday, so looks like I am sitting till at least Wednesday!

I really want to get started here, because I really do think that Knight Refrigerated is going to be a good fit for me............

Ya shoulda dropped yer draws and said ...take all ya want!!

They sound like a screw up company from the start. They can't get a drug test done correctly, and they are already lying to you.

Hair sample? really? wtf? And i thought companies requiring a sleep study for sleep apnea was intrusive...

It is more difficult to fool the lab with a hair sample than urine.

I don't have a problem with the hair sample, and I know for a fact that other companies are doing this as well. This is a new program for Knight, apparently they started it last month.

As for the company lying to me, I think it's a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is saying. The recruiter got everything cleared with HR in Phoenix, but apparently the dispatcher didn't understand that.

Got an email from the Recruiter this morning saying that the drug test / hair sample came back clean, as we knew it would, and that I would be hearing from my DM soon. Talked to the DM a few moments later telling me that he was looking for a truck. They are expecting some more new ones in Phoenix soon, just not sure when. So now I need to sit and wait.......

I did receive the "orientation pay" direct deposited into my bank account, so at least I know they are on top of that!

Finally got a call from my DM @ 0830 Monday morning. "We will have a truck available in Lakeland between 1400 and 1500". So I was able to load all my gear that I unloaded when I was packing to fly to Phoenix. Arrived in Lakeland at 1430 and was given the keys to a 2011 Volvo with 18,450 miles. The pig that just moved it's gear out left it filthy. My DM sent me over to the local detail shop where I was able to get it cleaned pretty well.Spent the next few hours loading my gear, installing my XM, and getting things organized just right. He had already dispatched me on a load for 0700 Tuesday in Clearwater FL, about 60 miles away. So here I am at Good Humor Ice Cream getting loaded to go north to Indiana.All said, I am happy with Knight Refrigerated so far. Obviously I wasn't happy sitting at home for a week waiting for a truck, but I can understand the reason. Now I just need to learn all these new macro's and get accustomed to the EOBR.

Quick pic
 

Here is a pic of my new truck!

HEY! LOOK!! They got a ramp there for doing the "Redneck" thing!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Weeeeeee!!! :p

The drivers that were bitching about having to find empty trailers were spot on! That was one of my major gripes when I was with knight(2 years). I hated drop and hooks because I never would have a trailer at the drop and then would have to spend 3 unpaid hours looking for one or the DM would route me to one and then 4 other trucks would show up, each claiming it was his.. I was very lucky my final year with as I had a dedicated run but the first year was hell! I hope the refrigerated treats you well!

Well Ford390pwr how has the first 2 weeks gone? Getting miles? What about finding empties?

I am loving it! Had to make some real short runs during Irene, but still got ok miles. Again, I am on the Refrigerated side, and have not had any problems getting a trailer. Matter of fact, I have only had 3 trailers in two weeks. That being said, I am getting a lot of detention pay on these live loads. I am finding that I need to be on top of the things that I am getting paid for. So far they have not put the detention on my check, but when I tell them about it they have been able to figure it out.

I am loving this truck. It sure is nice to be running equipment that isn't falling apart! I have spent some time waiting for a load, but not too terrible. Most of the appointments are late at night or early in the morning, with a few runs that pick up, need to run all night, and deliver in the morning. That seems to be pretty common for refers since the grocery DC's receive early.

My DM is finally getting me away from the East Coast! After all the short 300-400 mile trips, I am going on a 2083 mile trip in the morning. That is my reward for putting up with all the crap during Irene. Had a really fun time delivering to a Food Lion store in Easton MD at 1800 on Saturday, right in the middle of the storm. That Bay Bridge was really scary with the high winds, and pounding rain. They had a weight restriction saying you had to be over 64,000 lbs. Of course I was not that heavy, and Food Lion got an exemption to get the trailer into Easton. When I went back over the bridge again on Sunday at 1800, it was a gorgeous ride.

So here is a break down of my last 2 weeks:
Week 1 was 08/15/11-08/22/11, and I ran a total of 2,749 paid miles.
Week 2 was 08/23/11-08/30/11, and I ran a total of 2,661 paid miles.

Again I have sat at a lot of shippers and receivers where I have gotten detention, and this has all been short trips on the East Coast.

So, to answer your question, I have had a very good first 2 weeks. I love being back out on the road, and I am very happy with my decision to drive for Knight Refrigerated!

Hopefully things stay good for you at knight

You would think companies would put their best foot forward during orientation, bad sign when trainers don't show up on time... 3 tries for a hair test is crazy, probably left you as bald as, well, me :) are all companies doing hair now, is this a new dot policy? long wait for a truck, but very nice ride! Glad the first 2 weeks have gone well, hope they keep it up and you enjoy your work with them.

Good to hear things are working out ford390pwr, I hope it stays that way and keep us updated. Be safe driver.

Wow, I'm going to have nightmares thinking about that one. I HATE that bridge on a clear, sunny day.

It's nice reading about somebody having a basically positive experience for once. It sounds like you're doing OK for yourself.

Please call W H Smith LLC in Atlanta GA. Have three trucks and need one driver. Pay is .30 per mile and deadhead pay after 70 miles per trip.

Must have clean record, no drugs or alcohol use.

Email [email protected]. Phone 678 464-8804.

Things are going really well with Knight Refrigerated! My DM does a decent job of keeping me moving, and home time has been about every 3 weeks. Been out 3 weeks as of yesterday and getting close to WA State where I asked to get a few days to see my kids. Miles are decent, and the equipment is awesome! The EOBR is not as bad as I thought it would be, even though it has changed my duty status willie nillie a couple of times.
I have figured out to stay away from the "Terminals" unless absolutely necessary. They are basically a parking lot with a shop, small drivers lounge and usually 1-2 showers.

All in all I am still very happy here.