Question:
I have narrowed my list down since I started school and I chose these because I will be home every weekend.
I have my final list down to two companies:
1) Garner Transportation Group
2) Great American Lines
I will try and describe each one for you the best possible. Please give me your input on these two that you see good or bad. I like the way that they both look and its hard to decide. I'm at the point for both that the next step is the road test then on to trainer when school is done and I have my CDL.
Great American Lines-
Haul mainly steel coils.
Paid 26% of load. Trucks average $3500 per week so that would put my gross pay around $910 per week so they say. Training pay is $250 per week for 5 weeks. No raises in pay, everyone gets the same pay.
Benefits are about $90 per week for a family. No dental and its 80/20. Bennies at 90 days.
Assigned Equipment, is a 99/00 379 Peterbilt 425 Cat with 10 speed tranny pulling a Ravens spread axle covered wagon.
Terminal is 1 hour from home.
No Qualcomm.
No Tuition Reimbursement
Rider program-18 years and older
Holiday pay
Vacation pay
Hometime is home every weekend and possibly during the week.
Garner Transportation Group-
Terminal is 2 hours from home. Truck is a 96/96 Volvo for first 3 to 4 months then to a 01 or newer FLD. Super 10 tranny. Pulling van.
$300 per week training pay. Minimum 2 weeks.
$.27 per mile at start
$.28 per mile at 6 months
$.30 per mile at 1 year
Average 2200-2500 miles per week. Practical Miles
Detention Pay
Quarterly Bonus 0.02 cents per mile is Based on Safety, Performance, Customer Service. Paid after each full quarter of service.
Bonus Package
$500 Weekly Minimum Guarantee (Driver must be available for dispatch and complete assigned duties 24 hours per day M-F. Does not apply to holiday weeks.)
Annual Incentive Bonus - $425 (Awarded each November) Must complete 6 months service by November 1, have no accidents over $500 and attend Driver Meetings to be eligible.
Per Diem
Credit Union
Direct Deposit
Student Tuition Reimbursement up to $125 per month of employment $4000 maximun paid after each full quarter of service applies to over the road drivers only. Certain restrictions may apply (Applies to truck driving school graduates hired within 6 months of graduation date.)
Retirement Benefits:
Profit Sharing Plan
401 (k) Plan
Group Benefits:
Excellent Major Medical Coverage. Plus:
Prescription Card, Dental & Life Insurance. PPO Network pays 90/10. House Call & monthly health newsletter. Cost: Single $15.00 per week
Family $39.00 per week
Please note: You may sign up for Section 125, which pre-taxes these charges thus lowering your cost
Optional Supplemental Coverages:
Colonial (Disability/Cancer/Life)
AFLAC (Disability/Cancer/Hospital)
Western Southern (Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Free Training Program for truck driving school graduates. It pays $300 per week (no less than 2 weeks).
Driver Recognition Programs
American Trucking Association Safety Awards
Ohio Trucking Association Driver of the Month/Year
Garner Trucking, Inc. Driver of the Quarter/Year
Open Door Policy - Family owned business with excellent reputation in the industry.
Home Weekly - We travel all states East of the Mississippi - normally within 1000 miles of Toledo, Ohio.
Vehicle Break Down Pay
Vacation Pay
Year Weeks Pay Per Week
One One $500.00
Three Two $550.00
Five Two $600.00
Eight Three $650.00
Twelve Four $675.00
Fifteen Four $700.00
Twenty Four $750.00
Holiday Pay
Full-time Drivers receive holiday pay upon completion of 90 days of employment. (Training not included.)
Year(s) Pay Per Holiday
One $ 70.00
Three $ 75.00
Five $ 80.00
Eight $ 85.00
Twelve $ 90.00
Fifteen $ 95.00
Twenty $100.00
PrePass System

Answer:
#2 Garner
Percentage is great, but you'll find that if you convert it into mileage pay, your pay is quite low. Do not be fooled by the newer equipment. I currently drive a 96 Volvo, and while it isn't the roomiest thing under the sun, it turns on a dime. I can put the 53' trailer of doom anywhere with relative easy. A lot easier than the guys with the Peterbilts can!
#2 sounds to give you an overall better package.

Answer:
Just from reading what you have written because I have no personal experience with either one..
I would have to say GARNER..
Percentage pay is not what it cracks up to be.
you should ask how many miles does the truck have to go to get that kind of money??
And if you stop and look at your own post again..Look how much you wrote about each one..Not to much about Great American
But a whole lot about Garner..
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

Answer:
I guess what Little Red, is trying to say is........
Great American is NOT all That GREAT!
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And I must Agree.
For a Company Drvr, I don't think Percentage is a very good deal.(yep, I HAVE DONE the percentage thing.)

Answer:
Just based on the information you provided on both companies; I too would choose Garner.
Do yourself a favor though. Don't just rely on information stated on the flyer you got with your application (I can tell this because it is nearly word for word with how a brochure is written), do some in depth research on both---you have the internet; use it.
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Cover Your Cans People!!!It's apparent this place is never going to change....then again; why should it? It gets the clientel it deserves.
Bette Midler

Answer:
Originally posted by White Dog:
Just based on the information you provided on both companies; I too would choose Garner.
Do yourself a favor though. Don't just rely on information stated on the flyer you got with your application (I can tell this because it is nearly word for word with how a brochure is written), do some _in depth_ research on both---you have the internet; use it
I have interviewed at both of these places. I have went on three trips with Great American. I have a friend who works for them. I really like what Great American has to offer but for some reason Garner keeps coming out with a slight lead. I think that it is due to the overall package that they have. The 379 Pete is nice but I liked the Volvo too, that I got to see when I went down to Garner. I still have four weeks to decide. My wife also thinks that Garner looks like a better companie because of the bennies and she is probably right. I think alot of it is I haven't been on a trip with Garner and I have with Great American. I just wanna see what it is like when pulling a box. I'll get to see this in school. I'll keep ya posted!
You veteran drivers input is what I need. It seems you guys know best. Thanks