Comments By Frito

I can't say whether dedicated is better than truck load or not. I think it depends on the driver and his/her expectations and the particular account itself.

I had prehire letters from several other companies, some you mentioned, but frankly at this point in the game, and in retrospect, wouldn't work for anyone other than Averitt. After a year, we will see.

Averitt equipment is parked on company property, it's not taken home. 150 miles is a long way and some positions have limitations as to how far away you can live.

Averitt doesn't pay a "per diem".

I was hired as a regional driver. What does that mean? I've been all over the Averitt "map". Wisconsin to Florida, Pennsylvania to Deep South Texas.

Certain shippers that are security sensitive require a TWIC card. I've been to one that required it and since I didn't have one I was led around with an escort.

If it's not drop and hook, yes it's live load or unload. The experience can be quick and painless or a dragged out nucience where everyone seems to be either moving slowly, not at all, or slightly backwards. Invariably I personally seem to arrive at break time or shift change and more often than not it seems the latter. Perhaps you have engaged the recruiter about a dedicated account that is all drop and hook?

Free driving is when the load is going from say Memphis to North Chicago and the "Averitt HHG" miles are 475 and the actual gps miles are 525... You drive 50 miles for free... These are hypothetical numbers but it happens.

Night driving for me has primarily been petsmart loads... Arrive Dallas mid morning with a load... Get a multi stop petsmart assignment with a pickup at midnight with deliveries in south Texas at 3am , 6am, and 8 am ( who knew people unload dog food at 3am?). Procedure: transition to the Walmart parking lot in Ennis Tx near the D/C, reset your clock then start driving at 11:45pm. Sometimes you have to do that which you do not like. Any load could require all night driving to meet a delivery schedule. The benefit... Less traffic and closed weigh stations.

Your statement, "6-8 weeks to learn the route" sounds like a dedicated account... I've had no "route" per say although I've come to the realization that you are in fact running the same interstates when you begin to recognize the animal carcasses you saw days earlier, minus what the buzzards have enjoyed.

As I understand it, and there may be some latitude in this, after a year in a given position as a new hire you can subsequently move about open positions within the company every 6 months. Supposedly current employees are given preferential consideration for an opening. This being said, I was able to change my initial domicile to a different domicile while in training with a single Qualcomm message.

Regarding drop and hook... It happens... Often... But " mostly"? Not in my experience.

I've been with Averitt about 6 months... Here are the highlights of the experience so far: Hired out of CDL school into Averitt truckload. Orientation was organized, professional and informative with paid double occupancy hotel and good food. If I remember correctly they paid about $400 for the several days which included a physical/drug screen.

OTR training is paid at $600/wk for 6 weeks followed by a week of finishing/backing school. I was issued a 2013 international (270,000 mi) that had several bumps and bruises, smelling like a cross between a homeless shelter, a nursing home and an ash tray. I have since cleaned it up and worked out its mechanical issues. I like the truck though it runs heavy on the steers... I'd rather fill up n run but have become careful about fuel management due to weight considerations. All the trucks are automatics with APUs and inverters. I wouldn't have it any other way.

You are issued a transitional fleet manager for a couple weeks to hold your hand ( figuratively speaking) until he/she is convinced you can fly with the group.

Starting pay is .37/mile with typically a $1500 sign on bonus paid in part at 90 days, balance at 6 months. .38/mi at 90 days, .40/at 9 months with further progressive raises. They pay HHG mileage in truckload which in my opinion is a total rip. You drive many miles for free. This will likely be the variable that sends me elsewhere once my year is up unless I find a more suitable position with the organization. Not all positions pay HHG. They have breakdown, unload and layover pay as well as detention pay which often requires weeks to receive. I don't like the delay in detention pay... As I see it I work for Averitt, not the consignee/shipper... If they need to recover funds that's their problem not mine.

I've been averaging about 2000 miles per week, sometimes more, sometimes less, which works out to taking home around $600/ wk after my deductions. Not a lot of money for what really is a lot of work. The benefit package is considered "good". Be ready to drive nights and have disruptions to your sleep cycle. I had a telephone powwow with my fleet manager expressing my frustration with some of the unpaid company sponsored camping trips I've been on ( sitting around). He knows I bust my butt to move this truck and don't stop to fart around at truck stops. My trips have since picked up and have become longer consecutive leg segments. Hopefully this will continue.

The Averitt service centers are great. Some are bigger/better/cleaner/friendlier than others but rarely if ever do I go more than a day without a shower and have only fueled off site a few times. The mechanics are generally accommodating/competent and efficient.

There is a lot if trial by fire, frustrating and criptic Qualcomm communications, sometimes less than helpful/informed weekend/evening dispatchers and absolutely no consistency in the security operations/procedures at the various service centers but all in all I think Averitt is a decent company to start out with and perhaps for the right person to make a career with. They have done essentially everything they've told me they will do. They work hard to see that you get some weekly home time which I know is important to many. You need to be a self starter, an independent and confident thinker and a hard worker and you should be fine here. All in all I'm happy with my decision to join the company and will be glad to answer any further questions.

Beginning on Thursdays it is both my understanding and general experience that dispatch begins working hard to start routing drivers towards their home domicile for their weekly home time. So yes, I was afforded the opportunity to get home each weekend during training. This being said, there were times where a Sunday departure was necessary or times where I preferred to stay at the truck on the home yard rather than drive the 1.5 hour home. Again, this was my choice. Further, your home time will likely be determined to a degree by your trainers choices... Perhaps he doesn't want to be home each week. I see that as unlikely. Speaking of the home yard and the Averitt service centers, I have yet, after 3 months, to fuel, shower, sleep or hardly step foot into a traditional truck stop with the exception of paying for a scale ticket. All the above has taken place on company property which is typically gated and secure. There is some variability in the sparkling cleanliness of some of the facilities but all have been acceptable. My truck is currently suffering a major malfunction some 1200 miles from home but I was promptly offered a comfortable hotel and $140/day. I'd be happy to answer any further questions either here or via PM. Again, best of luck and have fun.

Having completed orientation with Averitt in October, I think you will find you have made a good decision. The experience in Cookeville was well organized, welcoming, professional and fairly comprehensive. The food provided was great and the hotel accommodations were adequate and clean. I had a great OTR trainer that made me feel at home and comfortable in his truck. The backing/ finishing school at week 6 was helpful but maybe could have been made a bit more challenging. I would encourage you from at least day 3 or 4 of OTR training to ask your instructor to allow you to make all the real world backing maneuvers regardless of how challenging or long they take. It will build your confidence. Overall my personal experience with the company has been positive. There is some trial by fire to be had as a new guy and you will have to be a self starter and an independent thinker in many regards (some qualcomm messages are nothing short of criptic and dispatch is not always the comprehensive, quick and efficient source of helpful information in my view they should be) but it's my belief the company wants you to succeed and with some resourcefulness on your part will provide you with the tools to do so. Relax, have fun and enjoy. Averitt seems to be a good organization to work for.

I've been driving a very lightly loaded trailer across the open roads of Texas the last few days, areas with wind advisories for high profile vehicles. What 90 degree component/ velocity do you experienced guys see as becoming unsafe? Nothing about this was discussed in training. Gusts to near 40 in narrow construction zones with that snug concrete barrier beside me was kinda harrowing. There has to be a point where it's just best to stop. What does it take at 90 degrees to turn one of these things over?

I don't see how you could possibly sleep... Bad lane control and poor eyesight. I considered teaming early on and quickly came to the conclusion adequate rest would be next to impossible for a variety of reasons, the inate desire for self preservation first and foremost. I see a new team driver who you trust implicitly as the only true solution. I don't care what they pay, ending up in a pile of twisted metal and fiberglass isn't worth it.

In mine with the truck turned off and APU off the inverter converts d/c battery power to useable a/c to run the fridge. When apu senses low battery it starts to charge them. Start the apu manually when main engine is shut down to run heat or A/C or if in " comfort mode" it will start on its own. Once you start the truck, the apu shuts down automatically and engine driven alternator charges batteries, effectively taking over where the apu left off.