CORALVILLE IA. ?June 6th 2006? Heartland Express Inc. of Iowa (www.heartlandexpresscom) widely considered the leader when it comes to driver pay announced that they are raising pay for their Jacksonville region drivers!  Heartland is raising the top pay for company drivers to $.43 per mile.

Michael Gerdin President of Heartland Express states ?We were given a direction by our Chairman and CEO to move driver pay higher.  This certainly does that in the Florida market.  We believe this raise increases our leadership position for driver pay in the state and we are committed to getting all drivers the pay that they truly deserve.? 

Heartland recently increased driver pay for those drivers who hold the hazardous endorsement on their license by a penny per mile for all dispatch miles hazardous or not.  This was believed to be an industry first.  They are also increasing their OTR driver pay by 4 cents in 2006 making the top driver pay $.50 per mile.  Also Heartland Express was the first to develop a pay program called GREEN MILE$ which pays even more for those miles run in the northeast area of the country.  Drivers running there can earn as much as $.54 per mile. 

John Cosaert Executive Vice President and CFO commented ?We believe that our drivers are the best in Florida.  This pay raise coupled with the weekly home time or more that these drivers receive truly exemplifies just how important it is to us to offer more to our Jacksonville drivers.  Because of our growth in the Florida market we are looking for more drivers; the best drivers.  To get the best you must offer the best!?

Heartland Express operates nine regional terminals including the one in Jacksonville FL.  Jacksonville regional drivers typically haul driver friendly freight in the state of Florida and surrounding states for some of the best shippers in the industry. 

Heartland Express is an irregular route truckload carrier based in Coralville Iowa serving customers with primary shipping lane east of the Rocky Mountains and the southwest United States. They offer long-haul and regional opportunities for solos and teams.

Any professional driver interested in getting more information about Heartland Express can call them at 1-800-441-4953 or access the company website at www.heartlandexpress.com.