Hoovestol

[m3sews]

Anyone work for them? Know anything about how they treat their drivers?

[mlayio]

I knew 2 of their drivers a few years back they had the mail contract from springfield ma to buffalo ny and further I think. I never heard any complaints from them they pay good but unless they have other work in a different related field. There is no benefit pay just a little more per hour. If you need medication for different things or family does it can be kind of risky w/o health insurance.

[Joelstfr]

I have been a commercial driver for over 30 years. I have been a company driver, and have also been a successful owner/operator with my own authority. I am quite satisfied working for Hoovestol. I've been with them for over a year now and have no complaints. Management is fair, honest, and easy to work with. One of the best things about working for Hoovestol is that you don't have the boss or a dispatcher breathing down your neck. You are pretty much left alone to do your job, as long as you do it right. You get lots of miles, which of course means lots of money. Only thing is, if you want to work for Hoovestol, you have to be steady and dependable. We work in relay teams carrying the U.S. mail.

About the pay and benefits... For me, this is the best part. Rather than offering a benefits package, Hoovestol elects to pay drivers an amount for benefits that is determined by the USPS to be fair. This works out great for someone that is covered by a spouse's insurance, or if you are like me, single with no dependents. You might get the benefits you want through OOIDA. Or, consider starting a health savings account in conjunction with Blue Cross / Blue Shield.

[mlayio]

Driver that sounds like a pretty piss poor health plan I would rather have what most drivers have in this country which is not that!!!

[OleGuy]

Originally Posted by mlayio

Driver that sounds like a pretty piss poor health plan I would rather have what most drivers have in this country which is not that!!!

He could be onto a good thing. My experience with any government pay for me is low... (I.E. $78.00 starting pay per month as a gun toting soldier)
But, a few old post office hands I know seem to have made out like bank robbers on retirement and continued benefits.

True, they were Post Office employees, but if the $ paid him is based on the cost of their coveage, it could be pretty hefty.

A whole lot of drivers in this country don't have any health plan. If one is offered it is sometimes a very skimpy verison and very difficult to collect on.
Run a thead on it and see the response.

[Joelstfr]

Responding to Mlayio:

I have done a lousy job of expressing myself. Sorry. I'll try to be more clear.

The point I was trying to make is that with Hoovestol, you have a choice. Let's say that you have a spouse that gets insurance through his/her employer. If that is the case, and if all else is equal, would you rather have a job that pays $20/hr with benefits that you neither need nor use, or would you take a job that pays $25/hr with no benefits? (This is approximately what Hoovestol pays.) Or, if you are single with no dependents, wouldn't you rather get the $800 to $900/month to buy your own choice of benefits and pocket the extra cash, or put it in your IRA, or your health savings account which by the way can be converted into your IRA when you retire?

And one last point, Oleguy is right. We get, in dollar value, the same deal that postal employees get, but more importantly, we get cash. We have the choice of spending the benefit allowance as we see fit, even on beer should we so choose. I agree with Oleguy. Do your homework. Shop and compare benefit plans, what they cost, what you get. I think the best option out there is to have a health savings account in conjunction with a good high deductible insurance policy. If you stay healthy, you will have a nice chunk of change to transfer into your IRA. If you don't stay healthy or have an accident or injury, no worry. You're covered. The difference is that if you stay healthy and accident and injury free, as most people do, (that's why insurance companies make so much money,) you will make out like a bandit.

Choice... What a concept! (I guess it's not for everyone.)