Crete, Heartland, or Melton?

truckinusa · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 03:14 PM

Any ideas where I should go? I have narrowed down my decision to these three posibilities. If you have a better or different idea great!

Cerberus_Kelpie · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 04:06 PM

If you like Canada then Heartland is forced dispatch according to a recruiter.
I haven't heard or read anything negative about Crete and there are freight options.
Don't know about Melton.

truckinusa · #3 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 04:16 PM

The only thing I didn't like about Heartland is that they make you have a health exam card before they will hire you. Most companies pay for this at the time of hire. Seemed like a bunch of cheap a**es to me. Since I know nothing about them.

Cerberus_Kelpie · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 04:23 PM

There are actually quite many companies wanting one (driver) to verify that one has a valid Health Card.
I think charging them for a copy is acceptable since they never paid for it originally therefore they do not get the top copy. It's MINE, I get the original.
Some companies have required (in addition) a MVR record as recent as 60 days or less because these companies seem too lazy to look it up.

LOTS of new requirements in OTR trucking along with the NO IDLING or we'll charge you stuff as well as lowered benefits, lowered CPM, etc.

truckinusa · #5 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 04:29 PM

I never thought about the idling thing. I guess you drive days and sleep nights? Maybe sweat your a** off too at night!

Cerberus_Kelpie · #6 (**permalink**) 03-31-2009, 04:44 PM

Some companies had started charging drivers for Idling ($3.00 an hour) when Fuel was outrageous and have left the charges in place.
Some companies have an Idling % and anything over it (in traffic, coops, fuel lines, etc.) regardless is charged to the driver.
There are so many regulations in states dis allowing Idling FOR HEALTH REASONS that driving OTR to me seems a waste of time and money.
So many fines, penalties, etc., in the last few years AGAINST Trucking as if Trucking is the only reason for Smog.

It's a tough business I well know yet charging or penalizing drivers for doing their jobs is insane and will cause many more to leave the Industry therein causing more gaps in available/qualified/safe drivers.....or maybe not with the influx of Foreigners who will work for much less than we will accept.

I cannot sleep well in Summer when at all when the temps INSIDE a truck are 20 degrees higher than outside and the same when temps are reversed in Winter.
One cannot rest well when one is challenged in such ways.