Melton Orientation Date Set

Hello Folks ,

Updating for anyone interested . I had a pretty close call with Richard Carrier Trucking here in New England , based in Skowhegan , Maine and running 300+ tractors in NH/VT/ME and the South Eastern Provinces of Canada . I was tipped off to a flatbed dedicated from Henniker NH to Canada daily which offered home most nights and every weekend and it was too much good not to try but currently they can't get a new driver through insurance . They have in past and will in the future but it was not meant to be this time . I guess I won't be adding 'off road' driving to my resume anytime soon . These Log/Chip/Mulch/Flatbed companies in NE are sticklers for time driving in the woods .

I just got off of the phone with Melton and my orientation start date for is May 19th . It was the 3rd call I had with them , and I finally pulled the trigger and set a date .

Orientation , which has been 4 days for years apparently has been changed to 8 days involving additional hands on securement training than they have previous offered , which I like . There is some yard time practicing maneuvers and I was also told that during the 8 day on site orientation there is actually an on road delivery or two so I will load up/secure and deliver even prior to going OTR with a driver mentor . Orientation for Melton is now entirely in Tulsa OK for anyone interested in keeping track of company training . They no longer train at any of their other facilities , this was a new change also from what I had read last year . OTR with the driver trainer/mentor is still 3 weeks . Pay during orientation is $500 and 3 wks OTR with mentor is $70 a day . Starting pay is $.33 and $40 tarp pay . It's should be no surprise but layover and breakdown pay is almost not worth mentioning considering the down time needed to qualify for it . Trucks are KW T660's Eaton 10 Speeds , APU's and 1500 watt inverters . Melton is a 14-21 out 2-3 days home company but since I am closer to Canada than the nearest Walmart I am told 3-4 wks out 3-4 days home .

~S~

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APU's:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I have found them to be a great company. They keep me moving, the pay is good and everything I was told in orientation they have followed through with. Follow their rules and procedures (it is their company and equipment, after all) and you will do fine. Welcome aboard and don't hesitate to stop and say hi if you happen to see truck 9118.

Congrats schism. Everything I've ever heard about Melton is if you have work ethic it's a fine company. If you can't work, good luck. I'm sure you'll be fine. In about 8 yrs I wanna see your million mile truck!

No problems with the work ethic required by the trucking industry . I had almost 10 years with the company I was working for in southern nh before I moved north in 2012 .

I didn't know you could move in New Hampshire without riding a moose

Schism, there's no reason why you can't succeed at Melton. They will do what they say and give you the tools you need to succeed. You've just got to take the bull by the horns and show em you're the man for the job. Best of luck to ya! Keep us posted.

Schism,

Congratulations on pulling the trigger and setting a date with Melton!

I have spoken with Elizabeth at Melton several times now, very informative and pleasant. I really like that company, they are sitting in the number 2 spot right now, my first pick is TMC...just can't decide. (I am really liking those black and chrome trucks!!)

I'm still in school ATT the moment, entering my fourth week tomorrow, graduation date is June 13th; both of these companies have scheduled me for June 16th orientation and I have the pre-hire letters from them. They are just waiting on the final confirmation call a week prior to graduation.

Best of luck and much success to you with Melton!

Jim ,

I might have gone with TMC had I been in their hiring area . From the topics I have read online about them they appear to be slightly more rigid with their training and their company policies than other high profile Flatbed outfits that hire new cdl's . This is not a bad thing in my book . I spent 3 years in the Army and feel there is nothing wrong with companies running relatively militant as it tend to set a good example for employees and the end result it typically a higher quality service overall .