Question:
I'm looking at starting training with MCT in Sioux Falls in April and learned that 70% of their fleet are reefer loads. I would train in with MCT and then be hired by an o/o under contract for 1 year. My question is, if the load is turned down at the delivery point, does MCT or o/o absorb the costs of this, or would I be held liable for the freight? Any risks that I could be stuck with any bills associated with damaged or freight gone bad in transport? A friend of mine mentioned that sometimes when the freight is unloaded, some in the warehouse could intentionally damage the packaging or merchandise, or could refuse a portion of the load. Would I be responsible for that cost? I would be working for MCT as a company driver so not sure who is liable. I'm posting here as I do not want to go by what recruiters might tell me, or not tell me. Thanks for your replies.

Answer:
It "depends' is the answer. It depends on who is responsable for any claims by Recievers.
It depends on Carrier "policy" concerning OSD.
Answer:
I would ask those questions to your employer.. not here in a open forum? There could be more than 1 correct answer. It is best to get it in writing so you KNOW where you stand!
Generaly I would think you could be held responcible for the insurance deductable IF you were deemed at fault?
It's best to ask your individual company what their OS&D (Over, Short, & Damaged) policy is..
Answer:

yep....check with employer.
Here are a few problems working with O/O
Money is often late. I sometimes waited up to a week past payday before I got paid.
Money is sometimes tight ,which means repairs may or may not get done.
Driving on a percentage (% of the load revenue) can be good, and bad. You really don't know what the load pays, and you are relying strictly on the word of the owner. A flat mileage rate is hard to fiddle with, but a rate confirmation sheet can be made to say whatever the owner wants it to say.
As far as haulinf refer, it's pretty easy. Just keep an eye on the unit. If you are able get a temp reading at the doors. A good portion of reefer loads are sealed, so it makes that impossible.
Watch your stuff get loaded. If the shipper won't let you stand on the dock and supervise (some do, some don't) write "shipper load and count" on your bills. You want to look for damaged product.
I haul flowers out of Miami. Expensive stuff, but if you pay attention, it's easy.

Answer:
"hired by an o/o under contract to MCT" or "be working for MCT as a company driver". Make up your mind. I'm guessing you'll be a company driver employed by the O/O who pulls for MCT. BOL

Answer:
I would keep looking.
That is a bad deal you are getting into.
You'll be sorry.

Answer:
If your going to drive for MCT then be employed by MCT. O/O's often have their own set of rules and there's nothiong MCT can do about it, you don't wotk for them.
I hauled a reefer for a number of years. Had a few partila loads rejected and 1 full load of brussell sprouts tossed in a dumpster. Also had a couple Watermelon loads refused. Usually the refused stuff went to some sub wholesaler and I was paid to drive it there. Not once was it ever mentioned I was responsible for the load. But that was a small mom and pop company. I attended Stevens transport orientation and they said flat out the driver would be responsible and it was part of the paper work I was suppose to sign. I left without signing anything. I have no idea if it was legal or not but it wasn't for me. You need to know what your getting into before you gop to work for the O/O or company.

Answer:
I've drvn for both large carriers & small ["Ma-n-Pa", carriers & there was only (1) time that I've ever drvn for a carrier that had me sign something during orientation that stated that (I) would be responsible for any damage/claims brought against me due to (MY) negligence, therfore I'd have to pay the 1st $1,000.
During the time I was with that carrier, I Never had any claims/damages against ME.
I can guarantee one thing...As a company drvr I will NEVER drv for another carrier that wants me to pay anything for damage or claims.

Answer:
the draw backs of pulling reefer loads.
1. lots of waiting at grocery warehouse.
2. lots of multi stops.
3. deal with lumpers and comchecks or what ever banking system ur compay deals with.
4. more waiting.
5. learning sleep with reefer running at night and hoping the guy next 2 u doesn't sneak over and turn ur reefer off in the middle of the night.
6. more waiting.
7. unloading then having to get a trailer wash out 4 next load. (i hated that)
8. pulling heavy loads most of the time.
9. dealing with lumper who don't speak English very well.
10. having to get rid of a rejected load can be a pain.

Answer:
Reefer business can be tricky.. Youcannot be charged for somthing you have not signed for... So "getting charged by a shipper" is not entirely accurate..
If you follow a few guidelines, and listen to what the trainer is teaching you about running a reefer you will be fine.. A few rules to know:
1. BUY A GOOD PULP THERMOMETER AND USE IT LOVE IT LIKE IT CALIBRATE IT AND KEEP IT CLOSE AT ALL TIMES
2. Take a pulp temp of your load before it is placed on your truck and during loading to check that ALL the load is the same temp.. In example.. if a load is frozen and says maintain 0 or below.. you check and it is +30.. You had better NOT sign those bills that the load was received at 0...
3. A reefer is NOT a refrigerator.. It is NOT ment to freeze or bring down the temp of a load.. A reefer IS ment to MAINTAIN a already achieved temp!
4. Know your unit.. if it is a older unit.. how low will it go? DO NOT load a load of ice cream if you know your unit struggles to maintain +10.. or +20
5. PRETRIP YOUR UNIT... it has a motor, and needs servicing, oil, belts, filters, battery terminals..
6. COUNT YOUR FREIGHT, You are responcible for the count lots of times... Shippers WILL try and short you.. Try and lose a case of lobster meat, or somthing.. that could be 100's of dollars!
7. DON'T SIGN anything if you are not positively positive.. that it is correct.. temp, weight, pallet count, note damage while loading whatever.. if shipper tries to BS you and say that you can't sign bills "shipper load and count" and he did not allow you to watch the loading of your trailer call someone.. don't sign till you call your boss..
8. DON"T let a shipper RUSH you. That load is your responcibility once you sign for it... (I was in KC in the caves... 1 day.. pulled up for my load of peas.. the shipper pointed to the row of pallets on the dock in a puddle of water..
I got out my handy dandy pulp therm. and stabbed a couple of cases... Hmmmm 30 deegrees cases say ZERO...... or below... Guess what I'll sign bills for 30 ONLY... Shipper had to put all pallets away and pull new ones out of freezer.. He tried to rush me.. I looked like a kid.. but, when I would NOT budge.. he knew he was wrong)!
I did reefer for years but now prefer to stick with my drop deck.. different set of challenges, but I like it a LOT more..
Answer:
the draw backs of pulling a dry van.
1. lots of waiting at grocery warehouse.
2. lots of multi stops.
3. deal with lumpers and comchecks or what ever banking system ur compay deals with.
4. more waiting.
5. learning to sleep with reefer running next to you at night and hoping another one doesn't park on the other side.
6. more waiting.
7. unloading then having to get a trailer wash out 4 next load. (i hated that)
8. pulling heavy loads most of the time.
9. dealing with lumper who don't speak English very well.
10. Sweeping out a filthy trailer you just picked up, doing it for free also.
There isn't much difference in either one.

Answer:
Dry van : 5 stops can be done in 1 day with 1 hand tied behind your back
Reefer : 5 stops 2 or 3 days
I know I have both

Answer:
Yup.. I agree, get used to waiting...
My record was 3.5 days for a load comming out of Friona, TX meat packing plant.. That was the last straw.. I got $500 detention (As a O/O....) Last time I ever pulled a reefer (That was when I was w/ FFE I lasted a whole 6 months with those jokers..)

How unfortunately TRUE!!!
Answer:
Many Owners use Driver Services to pay the drivers at MCT. This is operated by MCT and makes sure all monies owed to the driver are paid. If I recall correctly, they pay every day Mon-Fri.
Some owners still do their own payroll, but those owners seem to be pretty decent about paying on time, etc. All owners have the option of MCT's health plan, too.
Some people knock MCT, but there are over 1000 drivers there and many that leave go back. They are safety conscious and treat drivers with respect.
MCT is a good choice for a starting position.
Answer:
I've done 8 drops in a day on many occasions with a reefer. I've even done 8 pickups in a day so I could take the 8 drops to their location a couple days later. My hands weren't tied because I had to drive. But, just like a dry van it all depends on where you go. I've sat for hours waiting to load rt unload a dry van and I've sat for hours looking for a dry van load to take some where and sit for hours. I've had multiple dry van drops that took 3 days because of the where they are. It's the same either way dry van or reefer. It all depends on where you go, who you run for and who is their customer base.
As a newbie for any training company your not going to get those easy loads that are nice and quick. You'll get the crap the drivers who have been around a while won't take. I wouldn't start thinking one form of trucking or another such as dry van or reefer will be better because it won't be for quite a while.
MCT is just another COMCAR company. Might as well go with Willis Shaw and get the company benefits with no middle man.
The below link has the companies available to drivers new and experienced.
http://www.comcar.com/companies.cfm