Universal truckload/Uacl leasing on

I’m not looking to lease on but interested in your story.

 

I hope for your sake, they've changed. Last I heard, they had an exodus of O/O's and agents because of their nickel/diming them to death. Perhaps they've seen the errors of their ways, but I doubt it. Keep an eye on your paperwork and money owed. They have history.

 

I was with Pacer with my RGN from 96 until Universal Am-Can (now Universal) bought them out in 09. Stayed on until 2018. Made the move to Mercer. BEST MOVE EVER.
Final straw was when they (corporate) told us our fuel discount was being decreased. we would now get only 5-15 cents off the pump price. Asked why? The reply was that it was decision of Comdata.
Then a video circulated from an agent of the shareholders meeting where it was explained that fuel “expenditures “ were being reduced and the savings rolled back into the dividends. In other words, fuel discount money was being diverted into the stock.
Not at all illegal as they don’t pay for your fuel, you do. So ANY discount you can negotiate is on you. I left that week. As did 8 other guys I had known running for them for a LONG time.

my first year here at Mercer, I made OVER $15k in fuel savings alone above what I did at Universal….same lanes, same fuel.

This was my experience in working with them for 9yrs. I have other stories, but this was the reason I left. Truck # 5304-852 2009-18

 

Were you based out of the Dallas Terminal?

 

When I was with Pacer, yes. Universal bought em and moved over to Balch Springs. I used the dispatch and OD folks there, but my numbers were with west bend WI as I live in northern WI

 

Yep, I started with them after the buy, 2010, Permits guy was Tom, Safety was Jason, at least until I left, Manager was Bob, dispatch was Dave tall, and after him, Dave short. I was a company driver with them until 2014...when I started they were in trailers outside in a yard with intermodal containers off of 310, then they moved to Balch Springs on Peachtree and then to the last one I'm aware of, on Seagoville Road. Left in 2014 after I took a trailer by Corporate to show them why I was quitting for the second time...equipment. Trailer Rub Rail broke loose of the spools and pockets and was preloaded by someone that avoided using those tie down points and didn't get it fixed. It was a Saturday that I picked up from the yard and they, Bob, refused to have the mechanic come out and fix it. I was interviewed at Corporate, since that's where I'm from.

 

My dispatch was David Hollars. Tom was permits as well. Lavonda was my go to whenever I had to deal with those corporate tools in warren. I was all set to buy that 3 axle brown western star they used to move trailers around with sometimes. Offered them $32k They said they would think about it. It sat for 3 more years and I heard they got it out of there for around $5k. Screw ‘em.
They went soooooo far downhill, so fast it was head turning. Most of the agents I used and dealt with for 10+ years are done dealing with their sh it and have left as well.