Heavy Haul Flatbed Rookie | System Transport - First Load as a Driver and some serious wait time!

[@Overlord3420]

That grade was Cabbage Pass

[@MrByTheMile]

I have loads of flatbed content with Melton truck lines. Lost my airbrakes and a lot has happened over the past couple years. I’m now at an LTL company home everyday, currently on injury workers comp. I get the weekends off, paid holidays off the day of and the day after, I have a pension and a lot more. I got tired of days like these but stayed positive the whole time. I grossed 55,000 with Melton in eight months January through august. I got hired with them august of 2020. Left august 2021 for the place I’m at now. Be safe

[@jaytrucks8329]

Word, that’s what’s up! I’m cuttin my teeth out here, eventually will move on I’m sure and I always keep a look out of what’s out there locally etc but sounds like you found a sweet setup in life man, I’ve thought to O/O but it’s not the right time but always keep my options open (leave yourself an out) would like to be home more due to my family and it’s hard to have to leave say like Halloween, I get to trick or treat for a little bit then on the road.

[@MrByTheMile]

@@jaytrucks8329 saying bye gets old

[@jaytrucks8329]

@@MrByTheMile really does

[@RallyWrex]

How do you like system trans? Is it a good company? Do they micro manage? Im trying to move outta state and that PNW heavy run caught my eye.

[@RallyWrex]

I'm attached to my current job tho it's so insanely easy lol. But I can't find any amazon Runs outside of Washington.

[@RallyWrex]

Do you just drop and hook? My favorite thing ever is drop and hook so stinking easy ... don't have to worry about driving around the city or getting stuck down a road, or dealing with weird docks or warehouse ppl

[@jaytrucks8329]

Some of it is drop and hook and some of it is not, kind of a mix BUT I am no longer with System Trans but they were good while I was there, have heard otherwise since then but it’s a matter of opinion and not much micro managing, I only had issues with delays in loads. Sitting around to hear about my next load while they knew I had asked prior to anything else. Didn’t always have things together but I’m sure it’s changed.

[@JoseAntonio-pb7nd]

I do heavy machinery/specialized freight and I never wait more than 20 mins tops, the company I work for as a owner op makes sure of that or I am heading back.

[@jaytrucks8329]

I eventually moved on, system did well for a little while then it would flip flop between waiting for hours or having loads available immediately - Moved onto to above average hourly doing the same runs everyday 12-14hr days, no slip seating and I bring my truck home.

[@davidmelton6387]

What company do you work for

[@jaytrucks8329]

I honestly don’t disclose it any longer since System mainly because there’s always potential for back-lash or being let go, while I wouldn’t consider my company to care I just play it safe.

[@robertgray9802]

u being a new driver you need to drive during the day that way you can find a parking place driving at night take what's left and sometimes there's nothing

[@Juanwickszn]

Did they give you a couple day notice before you took that drug test ? And where were you at when they asked you about that drug test? @JayTrucks

[@sweetness2689]

Are you doing the lease program?

[@jaytrucks8329]

No I never did, ended up leaving for a local logging company but I’ve heard they fair pretty well against other outfits, is it worth it? I couldn’t say, I think there’s more red tape involved in it all then it’s worth, there’s tarp rental fees, chains and straps you have to buy etc, you get a small discount on fuel but not much, I think the biggest upside is more or less choosing loads, avoid Kalispell MT Lowes loads most aren’t too bad but you learn which ones eventually that aren’t worth the hassles.

[@eldhoxy4lg]

Hallo brother my self mijin mathew i need work like you.. Please i need work on other country 🤗🤝

[@CaptainCave-t3n]

Does this company provide you with GPS or do we buy our own?

[@jaytrucks8329]

Buy your own

[@jaytrucks8329]

I should also add I had to buy my own CB radio. You’ll use it occasionally at some lumber yards.

[@dokkieback4401]

Do you know if they take people with misdemeanors from 30 years ago

[@jaytrucks8329]

Wouldn’t see why not, they’re willing to look at anyone just gotta be upfront with them.

[@elimarc3891]

Yes They do

[@69adrummer]

You got any advice for new(er) drivers when it comes to driving on snow?

[@jaytrucks8329]

Yes, be careful and cautious of every bend and even the straight parts, downhill can be scary going down and it all depends really but learn to chain and chain when required, some states have specifics on how many chains and where they want them on the truck and trailer example washington wants 6 so that’s 2 3 railers on the drives and 2 on the trailer. But mainly just keep it slow and use your hazard lights. can’t deliver if you’re not alive. Also consider your weight, lighter has a better chance of sliding or losing control and if you have drop axles just raise them all up so you can direct that weight to your steers.

[@69adrummer]

@@jaytrucks8329 Thanks man! Does SYSTEM have a trainer that could help me through the winter? I do have some driving experience but kind of dodged the winter stuff. That's my weakest part, and that sucks living in Idaho snow country lol

[@jaytrucks8329]

Honestly just gotta ask, will probably have to practice between 10hr resets and 34hr resets. Chaining sucks most drivers try to avoid when possible haha

[@Tammar101]

I'm starting with ST next month. I'm going flatbed regional ID WA OR. Can you please tell me about pay. Recruiter told me. 60cpm for flatbed and average miles per week range from 2200/2500! Can you elaborate please? I wanna hear it from drivers

[@jaytrucks8329]

Miles can be inconsistent, I’d say 80% of it is Washington and Oregon, occasional Idaho and Montana, even less to Wyoming and maybe once a month if that to Nevada. You’ll mostly haul Lumber and Sheetrock. 2200mi/wk would be more accurate, only time I got less than $1,200 for the week was when my truck was broke down - that was as consistent as it got, they upgraded me to a 2021 t680 so can’t complain. .60 is right and more if you haul an OD load but those don’t come often at-least for the rookies lol I’ve had one so far. Basically you just gotta squeeze loads in, if you want to make $900 a week you can, if you want to make $1500 a week you can, my highest one was $1800 so far but consistently $1200 to $1500/wk

[@Tammar101]

@@jaytrucks8329 I appreciate your response Jay. My orientation will start on the 26th of this month, I’ll do my best to keep busy since I’m single with no family here what so ever. I even told them that I wanna stay out for 25+ days then few days off. Again many thanks for the info

[@Ty-tie_FTW]

@@Tammar101 hey man how you liking system? I just talked to Doreen a recruiter there. She told me .60 per mile also, she said I would do a week of orientation, then 5 weeks of training in Longview WA. I'm from north idaho.. do you stay out training for the full 5 weeks if you're training out of town? Or do they let you come home somehow? I do have a family and only wanna do regional out of the cheney terminal.. my wife isn't to keen on me leaving for 5 weeks straight...

[@smithkd0422]

@@Ty-tie_FTW how'd it work out? I'm looking at starting at ST maybe within a few weeks.

[@bigcountry4287]

@@Tammar101 how are you liking it? I'm picking up my first load on Monday

[@jdjds1]

how much do you make per mile being solo?

[@jaytrucks8329]

.60 plus whatever accessorial pay like stop pay, tarp pay, safety bonus etc and anything under like 50 miles you get a flat rate of $75 plus if there’s tarping so like I did two loads of Kaiser aluminum and took them back to the yard. Easy $200 but not totally worth it sometimes, I would have preferred one of those loads then a mileage load.

[@jdjds1]

@@jaytrucks8329 what do you make per month and how much miles you run weekly

[@jaytrucks8329]

@@jdjds1 gonna be honest it really depends on what loads come across depending on where you’re at… currently in Pocatello Idaho and sitting until they can confirm a load from Plymouth Utah so it can vary but I would say on average 5-6k per month some months may be less so expect that. I’d say 2,000 miles per week maybe a little more or less. My last Thursday check was $1,700

[@IBANoBadEyes]

@@jaytrucks8329 1700 how many miles? And how is driving 8axles on the mountains?

[@jaytrucks8329]

Roughly 560 miles at .60 for 5 days comes out to roughly 1,700. It’s good, can be slow since you’re running much more weight then most trucks on the road, cornering is pretty good too but pretty standard.

[@shadoy6095]

Whats the name of that GPS system you using?

[@jaytrucks8329]

Garmin Dezl OTR700

[@erazco6568]

Park at the TA no I’m good unless they want to give me $21 for overnight parking other than that I’m gonna go park where I wanna park

[@jessevasquez8762]

So my question is? Is system transport worth working for? I'm a recent grad and was looking into getting into flatbed. Is the pay worth it? Being away for 2 weeks at a time. The recruiter said I'll be avg 1500 a week gross pay

[@briancurtis3398]

i just got hired on with these guys as a rookie...57c a mile as otr starting, talking to a few of the other drivers the average 3500+ miles a week. have'nt been with thema a long time but so far so good man. regional starts at a little more pay per mile but get less miles average. hope that helps.

[@jaytrucks8329]

It can be worth it, I did enjoy it but ultimately it’s something to get adjusted to and if you don’t enjoy it you can easily move to something else, it’s great experience at the least, 1500 a week gross is on par, I would expect 1100 to 1300 in your pocket but you gotta run hard for it and get your destination, it’s not swift where you get an extra day to deliver, sometimes it’s next day am offload - it’s can get chaotic sometimes but I enjoyed my time and cut my teeth hard on it, makes me appreciate where I’m at now. I say do it and enjoy the experience!

[@jessevasquez8762]

Thanks guy's. The offer me the same 57cpm be gone 2 weeks at a time and cover the whole west coast since I live in Ontario California. The downside is the first 5 weeks since they pay very little and my rent is over 2k

[@jessevasquez8762]

@@briancurtis3398 how is everything going so far with system transport?

[@jaytrucks8329]

@@jessevasquez8762 yeah I feel that one, hopefully you got that squared away and be on your own truck soon. If it’s an older truck check it over and have them fix any issues right away. Mine had air leaks seemingly everywhere which should have been dealt with before they gave me the keys.

[@mattm3436]

Work for Waste Management and make 1500 a week and be home every night.

[@jaytrucks8329]

I agree, I’ve been looking around seeing what my options are - I’m native to Yakima WA so looking for something around there but since I got my CDL with a manual restriction I’m looking to find something while I can get that removed - Mainly looking to get into heavy equipment hauling with a local company.

[@robertallred2368]

I worked for System, but left because my DM was always expecting me to fake my logs.

[@jaytrucks8329]

Yeah that’s not right, I have noticed a turn over in the office and a lot of the DMs have never driven before so their conceptual understandment of the process is skewed, they just want the load to get somewhere without realizing that ultimately us as drivers are responsible for every movement of that load, I received a lot of that in my corner too which became part of my deciding factor to leave.

[@mitmaks]

Sucks to work for system. Get some experience and gtfo

[@jaytrucks8329]

Curiosity what’s you’re view point on system? I’m tied up until my tuition is paid and who knows where I’ll go from there.

[@Bigrawr2]

You probably just didn't make any money is why you don't like it here. This company is like any other its what you make of if. Don't let your bad time here ruin it for someone new

[@Ty-tie_FTW]

@@Bigrawr2 im looking to get on at system. Talked to Doreen, a recruiter and she said I could do the maxi fleet out of the cheney terminal. But I would have to go to Longview for 5 weeks to do my training.. not knowing who the trainer is and being away from family for 5 weeks for a company I don't know about is kind of a hard choice for me right now... I hear good, but then I hear alot of bad about system... sounds like you like them?

[@Bigrawr2]

@@Ty-tie_FTW the training is short term. And necessary. It won't last forever, and you're in a hotel on the weekends. I'd say to embrace it and get it done. Starting at 0.60 CPM as a rookie is a good place to start

[@Bigrawr2]

@@Ty-tie_FTW and the haters here are the ones that don't want to put the work in and make the money, in my 2nd year here I'm gonna be grossing over 80k. Its not a bad company if you don't mind doing the work