Indian River Transport

Can’t answer for current. Oddly enough I’m contemplating the same and looking for same answers. I worked there for 4 months in 2014 and actually really enjoyed it so I can answer what I know and what I’ve heard on some of your questions if that helps.


1. What's the avg pay per month and per year?
Depends on miles, last I heard was .41 cpm empty/loaded with variances based on loaded distance. Ie: higher pay for shorter runs.
2. What are the benefits? How much are those for a single guy with no dependents in good health?
I have va so I never bothered to look but what was offered when I worked was on the high side.

3. How much is the sign on bonus? How is it paid out?
Current 2500 when I went through it was 1500 half and half end of first 90 days other 180
4. How long is orientation and where is it?
1 day I was in a truck and rolling the next. Now done online to expidite process. Where you go depends on what terminal your assigned to based off where you live.
5. How are drivers transported to orientation? What are the hotel digs like?
Flown to winter haven, they paid for. Shuttled by irt to hotel, not bad, 2 to a room.
6. Are there any dedicated runs that I can immediately get right off the bat? Can I get a dedicated run in which I run in the west mostly?
If you want dedicated IRT IS NOT FOR YOU. You will run otr when dedicated loads peak out and nothing moving they will keep the truck moving so something to think about and be prepared for.
7. What kind of detention or demurge pay do you offer? How much is it?
No detention. Bulk food grade is a whole other animal BUT once loaded you got miles. Same with tank washes they can take overnight to get done due to being backed up especially McAllen but awesome restraunts and things to do so it’s not lockdown in the truck.
8. If I have to do a 34 hour break away from home, what's the pay on that?
Really? Uh see below about dispatch relationship.
9.. How many terminals do you have? 5 if I’m not mistaken
10. Does each terminal have secure parking and a driver lounge with showers?
Not that I am aware of. If winter haven had showers I never used them. Did have lounge with kitchenette and big screen but I avoided the terminals like the plague. I’m anti social. I was there to drive.

Based off your questions, a lot of them could be answered with simple research and you may have done so since your post but I would say as a prior driver for them on some not all, if those are deciding factors of importance IRT would not be a good fit for you. You have to be flexible, work with your dispatch and be cool or you will get squeezed out. Happy dispatcher, better $$$. It’s the game and gotta know how to play it. That’s anywhere.

 

Did you call the company and ask?
I know they will BS you, but should be able to get some answers.

 

Read a 2018 post stating .44 cpm. Hope that helps.

 

Indian River is a

IRT is a good company to work for. And I've been with 'em three years now. No regrets.

Pay is ruffly .46 cpm with variations for short loads. I don't know what the pay is for short loads since I refuse to haul short loads.

IRT West Coast loads are basically Grandview, Washington to City of Industry, California hauling apple juice.
If I'm fortunate, I'll be sent deadhead from L.A. back to Washington.
Backhaul loads are strawberry purée loads from California's central coast to Salem, Oregon. These loads I hate because strawberries take a while to load and offload.

Detention pay is still a mystery to me even after three years. But this is because I am too lazy to look into it. At certain shippers, we are paid certain amounts after waiting ten hours past the scheduled pick up time. The same applies for consignees. Fortunately, certain most welcome personnel changes at the HQ have restored greater sanity, transparency, and clarity to the enigma of detention pay. As I stated previously, I am a lazy #######, so I haven't bothered to inquire with payroll about the specifics of detention pay.

Please note that my being a lazy ####### means that I don't run as hard as I possibly can or that I count every dime I have ever made. I rarely drive over my eleven hours, and I take ten to twelve hours breaks every day. I also believe in showering every other day and keeping my tractor clean. Unlike these hard chargers that turn their tractors into rolling ashtrays and spit down the door and fairings. But, I digress.

Health care benefits confuse the heck out of me so I cannot address that.

Orientation is is one day. Paid. $100. You have the option of taking a bus or driving your own vehicle to a terminal.
HQ is Winterhaven. The other terminals are in Visalia, California, and Clovis, Nm.
I don't know if orientation is held in Ben-salem, PA or Mission, TX. I was reimbursed for gasoline driving to my orientation.

Dedicated runs are limited to SoCal, as far as I know.

Terminals safe and secure? None have onsite security personnel if that is what you're asking about. But none are in the ghetto, either. Winterhaven has a nice driver's lounge with showers, free laundry, and big screen tv. Visalia and Clovis also have big screen tv's. I dunno about the other terminals.

No extra pay for away 34's.

A few weeks ago, I made $864 for 2100 miles. You can do the rest of the math.
Again, I don't run myself ragged and endanger others by driving tired trying to make everything flippin' dime that I possibly can.

I don't know of any sign on bonus, though there is a recruitment bonus.

IRT will pay for your motel room if you're having repairs done to your tractor or during orientation. One driver per room. But it's not like there are dozens of drivers attending orientation. I can't recall seeing more than three at any one time.

I'm sorry I don't have better detention pay information. I'll have to inquire.

I like driving for IRT because they are easygoing and SANE. Driving for CRST and Welfare Express was like working for the Ferengi.

In stark contrast to W.E. is IRT's breakdown department. No being on hold for an hour and being treated like you're from a high crime neighborhood.
Our tractors are not automatic shut off, so no worrying about being too hot or too cold. Ever. No noisy APU's.

Repairs done at a terminal are usually finished same or next day. And shop personnel doesn't treat you like you're from a high crime neighborhood. Guys who have their tractors taken in for longer term repairs can easily get into another open tractor. Who wants to sit around days awaiting truck repairs? IRT doesn't want you sitting around, either.

New tractors every two years. We run Peterbilt 579's. Tanks aren't replaced every five years like the recruitment ads state. More like twice that. But more new Polar tanks are being added to the fleet. These are excellent tanks.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.