First off, I never planned to file a report on this website about Covenant. I went to work for this company with high expectations of having a long and successful future with them. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked out. And, the fact that it hasn't worked out isn't due to my "screwing up". I'm leaving them on good terms, but not without some disappointment. So, I just thought I would share my experience (s) with others to provide a snapshot of what to expect should one choose to get on-board with this employer.
The main reason I am leaving is that I am simply unable to support my family from the relatively small amount of money this company pays to new/recent grad drivers. I already understand all too well about starting off at the bottom and working my way up. But, I didn't spend $5000 for CDL schooling so that I can be on the road for 3 weeks at a time (away from family), putting my life in danger, being responsible for anywhere from many thousands of dollars to over a million dollars worth of merchandise (in a loaded trailer) while earning only $300-$450 dollars a week. I can earn that at home (minus alot of that responsibility) working at a 7-11. Its not so much the cpm pay scale (although that does factor in), as it is the number of miles each week one is given.in my case, normally 2500-3200 (and I was teamed).
There is no uniformity in training requirements (for upgrade) among their various terminals. Many avoid upgrading in Chattanooga (due to the hassle), to the point, that now, drivers needing to be upgraded are turned away from other terminals for no apparent reason other than to simply force them to upgrade in Chattanooga. Such was the case with me. The safety director on duty (at one of their other terminals) either could not or simply would not give me an answer as to why he was turning me away other than "he was told not to upgrade me". I don't understand that reasoning. I'm not an ogre nor do I have a "problem" with other people. I was just trying to do the next right thing in order to move ahead and further my career expeditiously. I walked away feeling disillusioned and baffled by his lack of reasoning and refusal to cooperate.
So, I finally "upgraded", A COUPLE WEEKS LATER in Chattanooga.
Also, in Chattanooga, expect the "upgrade criteria" to differ from what is currently being published on their Website for new/recent CDL graduates. There will be more tasks involved in "testing out" than what they are currently purporting online. I believe that is why many avoid Chattanooga. According to one of the safety instructors I spoke to "on the hill", they now have about a 50% first-time fail rate. It is not uncommon, while talking about this to the more experienced full-time regularly employed drivers at Covenant, to be told by them (being a widely-held belief) that this fail rate is intentionally encouraged by Corporate to sharply leverage bonus monies paid to Trainers. First time go = $600 bonus, Re-Tries = $300 is paid to Trainers contingent upon their students success. I"m not making any of this up nor am I exaggerating.in the meantime, you are getting paid
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