Request info on reefer companies

[waynesigmeister]

I am a newbie who retired from a government job and looking at getting into trucking. I live in the Los Angeles area and have looked at three refer companies that offer training. They are FFE, Southern Refrigerated and KLLM. I would like any information on any of these companies or recommendations. Thank you. Wayne

[Capt._Chaos]

I drive for Crete Carrier, and they have a refrigerated division known as Shaffer Trucking.

We have a drop yard in Fontana, CA, and Stockton, CA.

If you graduate from a PTDI-certified driving school with a score toward the top of your class, Shaffer will probably hire you.

www.shaffertrucking.com

[Foxfire]

This is strictly a personal opinion here but I'd say RUNNNNNNNNNNN from KLLM. I came from a little town in Mississippi and I have never heard ONE good thing about them. If any here drive for them let them give you their input.

[Capt._Chaos]

Don't know much about Southern Refrigerated, but FFE is one company who tries to get every driver into "Lease-Purchase".

[Admin]

Did anybody look at our sponsor?? CST lines

[HSLD]

I'm not sure that I'd go the FFE route. I've heard that LTL with them pays ok, but TL rates suck. I was @ US Foods Houston Thursday, I overheard heard an FFE guy say that doing TL was liking doing it for free compared to the LTL rates. Him and another FFE driver were also discussing the sorry upkeep FFE does on it's trailers and how they try to stay under the same couple of trailers all of the time so they know what they're getting for a wagon.

Also, I've heard people recently speak of their fellow FFE drivers with a long time with the company (10+ years) that have gotten hosed and are actually making less $$$$ than they "newer" hires are. :wtf:

I've also recently heard two "local" FFE guys that were supposed to have dedicated local runs that ended up being dedicated to more than just them. :wow:

v/r

HSLD

[sweet_whiskey]

Like Harry mentioned, look into CST. I've heard fairly good things about them. Now if you are just starting out and you have no driving experience at all I'd do some major studying.

SRT is what I consider a outlaw company. They expect your logs to be legal but they also run your back end off. I use to know a dood who drove for them and they also did alot of Canada runs.

Pay is alright I think. Other then that I'm not sure. I'll keep my eyes open for you.

[HSLD]

SRT is what I consider a outlaw company. They expect your logs to be legal but they also run your back end off.


I'd believe that. When they put the trailers they own up for sale, they're fairly new trailers age wise that look like they've had the dog run outta them with lotsa unit hours.

v/r

HSLD

[waynesigmeister]

Thanks for the info. I live in Los Angeles, CA and CRT hires only within 100 miles of Wausau, Wis according to their website, so they are not an option. KLLM, FFE and SRT are the primary refer companies I have looked at. Gordon offers refer positons, so I may check into their program. IN addition I have looked at some of the lower paying companies and have chosen to stay away from them, they are MCT, Prime, England. I will also look into Shafer to see what they offer.

[sweet_whiskey]

Well.......There goes me telling him to look into WSE. :wtf:

Not that I'd tell you to look into them or anything, but WSE does alot of California and recently have a regional run up and down the I5 corridor. It's actually been regional for a while now, I just forget about it.

Schaeffer is a good idea, they tend to do alot of the northeast if you like to be stuck over that way. That's like any bigger company that does alot of candy or frozen food loads.

Are you sure you looked into CST?

It's not CRST if that is what you were thinking.

[saddletramp]

waynesigmeister,
You may be interested in checking into Systems-TWT out of Spokane, They run alot of I-5, So.Cal and Phoenix, mostly western states; apples south, produce north.
Long established company, been around since the late sixties. I had a truck leased to them in 76-78. They were small then as compared to now, but they have alot of long time employees.
Check them out at
www.trans-system.com

[tommy]

Did anybody look at our sponsor?? CST lines


if they do not hire in your area try Marten, they do alot of midwest now and I think Jack5 works for them and loves it..

[Jack5]

I am leased with Marten for about 3 years now and so far they have had
a pretty good freight base. They have automatic detention pay which I
rarely had to claim and do about 70% drop and hook. So far this has been my experience with them. Unfortunately like every other carrier
they have a few bad dispatchers within the company. So far my experience has been good. Shoot me a P.m. if yoy have more questions.

[hywayjunky]

I'm a company driver with Marten and Love it! I'd seriously suggest you give them a try. Seeing how you live in LA, you might even be able to get on some Regional deal if that's your cup of tea, as its mine. MN/WI to IN and right back.