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Total Transportation?

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by huckstah, Nov 21, 2012.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Nov 21, 2012 #1
    huckstah

    huckstah Light Load Member

    270
    68
    Oct 25, 2012
    0
    Hey guys, just wondering if any of you out there has worked for Total Transportation in Jackson, MS?

    I'm thinking of going there directly out of CDL school, and I have a few questions.

    1) The website states solo drivers get an average of 3000 miles a week. How true is this? I've read a few posts saying that Total has left drivers sitting around a long time, waiting without pay, and that even 2500 miles a week is hard to get. I'm a bit hesitant to believe some of those negative posts I read since once of the drivers admitted to turning down runs, and and another driver admitting to constantly being sick. I find it a bit hypocritical to complain about miles when youre turning down runs and constantly having medical problems, so I'm trying to find fresher advice from current OTR drivers working for Total.

    2) How does the staff treat you? Despite being bought out by U.S. Express, I've heard the terminal and the managers treat the drivers pretty good. As a rookie getting his CDL, I want to make sure the first company I choose treats me fairly. How would you guys rate the way Total treats its drivers?

    3) How many CPM for new drivers? Some of Total's advertisements claim "up to 50 cents per mile" on solo dedicated runs, but I find that a bit hard to believe. I'm personally wanting to drive OTR, and I can't find any info concerning how many CPM they pay. Anyone know?

    4) Whats the deal with their "Rider and Pet Program"...particularly, what riders qualify? Your spouse, your girlfriend, your best friend, a total stranger? I'm not married, but I do have a dog and a girlfriend and I'd like to take them with me on some of the longer runs.

    5) What are the truck restrictions? Do they allow inverters? What speed is the engine governed at? What sort of computer and gps system do they use?

    6) I'm attending CDL school, and I'll be a rookie driver. I have no obligations back home, and I plan to live on the road as much as possible. Can Total keep me on the road, or is there simply too much waiting and not enough loads?


    Looking forward to hearing some info from you guys, thanks!
     
    huckstah, Nov 21, 2012
    huckstah, Nov 21, 2012
    #1
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  3. Nov 21, 2012 #2
    slowlane

    slowlane Light Load Member

    67
    28
    Jan 15, 2009
    Crystal River, Florida
    0
    I was at U.S Xpress when they bought PST Vans, Victory Express, and JTI out of Nebraska. If you think Total will go on as an independant carrier, you're probably wrong. After each of the previously mentioned takeovers, there were plenty of pissed off drivers. U.S Xpress sucked for solos when I was there. You had to train or team to make money.
     
    slowlane, Nov 21, 2012
    slowlane, Nov 21, 2012
    #2
  4. Nov 21, 2012 #3
    Jorihe84

    Jorihe84 Road Train Member

    2,763
    1,333
    Sep 1, 2010
    North Florida
    0
    I don't know what they pay for newbies but it will not be .50cpm. That's team pay with hazmat. You can expect 30-33cpm. They ran me good. Lot of drop and hooks and a lot of FedEx and Conway loads so you will run hard. Your also not forced dispatch if waiting on a load while at your home terminal. Your actually able to choose your load (from the available list) while at your home terminal. Equipment comes from USX so a lot new maintained equipment. You can also use all of the USX and Arnold terminals as well. You can actually meet your driver manager face to face at Total, unlike USX, where everyone is kept in corporate away from the drivers. Your allowed up to a 1750 inverter, they have Elogs thru the driver tech system and also built in GPS on the system. They allow riders immediately but the paperwork is quite annoying.
     
    Jorihe84, Nov 21, 2012
    Jorihe84, Nov 21, 2012
    #3
    The Challenger, g.o.a.l and huckstah Thank this.
  5. Nov 21, 2012 #4
    huckstah

    huckstah Light Load Member

    270
    68
    Oct 25, 2012
    0

    How long have you been with Total? Are you still driving for them?
     
    huckstah, Nov 21, 2012
    huckstah, Nov 21, 2012
    #4
  7. Nov 21, 2012 #5
    Jorihe84

    Jorihe84 Road Train Member

    2,763
    1,333
    Sep 1, 2010
    North Florida
    0
    I'm.not with them anymore. I worked there for 9 months. If I wanted to drive OTR again I would easily go back.
     
    Jorihe84, Nov 21, 2012
    Jorihe84, Nov 21, 2012
    #5
  8. Nov 21, 2012 #6
    vaughncanter

    vaughncanter Light Load Member

    53
    11
    Jan 21, 2010
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    i was at us when all this happened,i may know u ,it was all down hill after that,i was a solo,but i ran fontana all the time,but that changed after buying all those companys.
     
    vaughncanter, Nov 21, 2012
    vaughncanter, Nov 21, 2012
    #6
  9. Nov 22, 2012 #7
    Cutty1107

    Cutty1107 Light Load Member

    169
    38
    Sep 16, 2012
    Columbus, Ohio
    0
    I had a good friend of mine worked at total for some years when it was really good, he left right before us bought them out and from folks that's still there its not the same..
     
    Cutty1107, Nov 22, 2012
    Cutty1107, Nov 22, 2012
    #7
  10. Dec 11, 2012 #8
    vaughncanter

    vaughncanter Light Load Member

    53
    11
    Jan 21, 2010
    0
    i 'm thinking about going with total,they have already approved me,they r starting me out at .38 cpm,is that top rate or what,i was at usx for 7 years,they had the fuel here and get 50 gallon and go down the road and get 50 more gallon,that sucks,total said they do not do that ,is that right ? how r the miles,do they run the northeast alot,i see they have a terminal in kearney,nj.
     
    vaughncanter, Dec 11, 2012
    vaughncanter, Dec 11, 2012
    #8
  11. Dec 12, 2012 #9
    Tennessee Trucker

    Tennessee Trucker Heavy Load Member

    922
    385
    Aug 17, 2011
    Winchester,Tn.
    0
    they did when I was there in 2004, especially out of the Loudon Terminal
     
    Tennessee Trucker, Dec 12, 2012
    Tennessee Trucker, Dec 12, 2012
    #9
  12. Dec 12, 2012 #10
    vaughncanter

    vaughncanter Light Load Member

    53
    11
    Jan 21, 2010
    0
    did what,run jersey a lot,or do the stupid fuel thing.
     
    vaughncanter, Dec 12, 2012
    vaughncanter, Dec 12, 2012
    #10
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