J Grady Randolph....my journey thus far

So there's not a whole lot up here on Randolph but I've noticed they've started posting ads here all around the internet looking to get drivers in. After talking with a driver awhile back I decided to make the jump and must say my experience with them has been excellent. Now I can't say that you can come here and it would be great, for instance if you don't like to work and throwing straps and chains isn't your thing this is not the place for you at all and you'll just be one of the bad statistics that complains about all these companies mistreating you. Now not to be bouncing all over the place but from the beginning now. When I decided after speaking with recruiting a couple times this was my choice I arranged to get a ride down to Greenville SC, they do offer the oh so luxurious Greyhound but I'm sure we've all done that at least once or twice, once you get down here if you come in on the greyhound there will be a company car waiting on you that you'll use during the week(may be shared if there's multiple guys without transportation).Once you check in to the hotel, oh yeah private rooms too by the way, if you haven't already received your application in the mail it'll be there for you to fill out (yes old school not done on the computer) I suggest you fill it out that night so you don't have to mess with it Monday b/c I can get hectic even though normally there's only 4-6 of you there. Orientation consist mainly of 1 day in the office getting to know the company, watching some out dated videos, and of course going over to get another physical and drug screen, from then on out you spend Tuesday through Friday with a trainer during the day doing local deliveries. The main freight they have here is pre-stressed concrete and Metromont is there biggest customer, aside from the concrete we do run coast to coast and Canada with majority of our freight being oversized but general commodity flatbed stuff will be pulled. That's the beginning I may have missed some stuff feel free to send questions I'll answer them the best I can.

Now moving on, I got my truck an older one in the fleet but by older I mean 2013 only downfall is it's a ProStar Maxforce, not a huge fan of them but it's the upgraded package and gets the job done, majority of the fleet here is equipped with APU's and by next year the few that don't have them will be gone and everything is getting replaced with the T680's to the looks of it all specd with APU's, inverters, fridges, and option for DirecTV.....So theres a little on the trucks.

The runs for me I love them I'm regional so most the week I run out of Spartanburg, Charlotte, or Greenville and run out and back to either job-site or drop yard, some days getting two runs in then Friday get the early run deliver and head home for the weekend, couldn't ask for much more.

The company thus far has been amazing, it's a small family based company, and yes was purchased by Daseke but still run by the family, just mean more benefits to the employees now. They work with you any way they can and are real easy to talk to and deal with and seem to stay on top of things. An awesome perk over here is company paid health insurance, yes life insurance too, but Blue Cross Blue Shield paid 100% for the employee, now they do have options for spouses and families and it's about the same cost as anywhere else but if you're single you really can't beat it. They shops here seem to be on top of all the maintenance and will do what they can to get you on the road fast if something comes up.

So I'm going to leave it at that for now but for everybody wondering about the company there's a little insight to my view, if anyone has questions I'll do my best to answer them.

 

So it's been a couple weeks and things are still great for me, they moved me up to our Richmond, VA terminal and running out Metromont up here able to get 2 loads in a day when we're busy enough and getting home every Friday afternoon around 1, aside from being home every day I must say it really doesn't get any better. I've had no problems with management, or payroll, all my settlements have been what I expected and in my bank every Friday morning. So anyone looking to come over I would suggest it, just be ready to work our majority of what you'll haul is oversize pre-stressed concrete so you'll be chaining and unchaining a few times a day but well rewarding.

 

@Maurice Hudson Sorry for the delay getting back to you, if we have a project we're working on in the area Friday you'll deliver then head to the house with your empty, if we don't have anything in the area 90% of the time they'll bobtail you home from the plant and I say 90% of the time b/c they don't have to but if they don't they put you up in a hotel generally we don't work on Saturday's but every once in awhile we'll have to due to deadlines on projects.
While I'm here I'll do a quick update. I still love the company they've been great to work for, the money is still good, and I'm home every weekend no questions asked. The fleet is being updated they didn't go with the T680's instead added a new fleet of 2016 International 10 speed with the Cummins 65 on the pedal 68 cruise. All equipped with APU's refrigerators and tv mounts. I've transferred up to our Richmond terminal which works out a lot better for me as it's only just over a couple hours away. I have seen several new guys come and go in the past couple months, this job is not for every body there is a lot of work involved and we're dealing with oversize loads on a daily basis.