Even though we were not one of the teams contacted to write something positive about Expedite, we still have a few things to get off our chest.
1) It is true that you do not see a contract until after you have completed training. We do believe that if more people read that the first day, they would not sign it. As it is, you get it after training and if you choose to walk after that, you must still pay for ALL the training, per the contract. This could be changed to cut down on many drivers feeling they were taken advantage of.
2) We have never had a problem getting our equiptment fixed. However, we were told during training and it is written in the contract that all work done must be approved prior to going to a shop. The times we have had trouble iwith our equipment was generally fixed in a timely manner. However, WE do not think that a team should have to pay for fuel to drive all the way to Indianapolis to get tires fixed. When we brought this up we were told that it was "just a business expense we would have to absorb, sorry."
3) The training is one thing, but actual business practices are another. That is the major problem with the company. There has been a lack of consistency from day one. The only reasons we are even aware of is that DRIVERS TALK. For instance, in training we are told that if you get a load that takes you out of the primary area, Expedite will pay up to half of the cost of fuel to get you back in it and that is the advantage of working for such a large fleet. However, when push came to shove that was not always the case. WE DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM when we first started, but began to hear from other teams that it would be better to just stay in the primary and not take the risk. Is this true or not? Call some of the teams, even the more POSITIVE ones and see what they tell you.
4) Then, there is the ever famous, "Why can we never get paid on time?" (or, at all?) Most of us still do not have the answer to this question. Well there is an answer, but we will not say it. You just have to ask yourself. How long does it take for an owner to get paid? All of these RUMORS and QUESTIONS float around TRUCK STOPS daily when people see our truck. Even teams that we have never met before seem to have a bad feeling.
5) Also, there is the case of money. We cannot lie, the more you work, the more you make. We ran into a team that did not understand some of the 55mph and fuel conservation taught at Expedite, but the teacher who did such a great job teaching that is no longer there. I would say that if you have questions about how to be more efficient, talk to other drivers. No offense to them, but most of the people in the office have not been on the road, there are MANY ways to make your dollar stretch. We were able to keep our home just by the grace of God and I tell you it was b/c we budget and make our pennies cry! But yes, there is great money in this business. Note: the money is never good when freight slows down.
What we tell teams, after all of us share our stories and cry about our contract is, bottom line, we have all signed a contract with Expedite Solutions. We also tell the teams no matter how bad you current situation with Expedite may be, do not under any circumstances, quit or the situation will get 10 times worse. Neither us, the other teams, nor Expedite Solutions can change what is. All you can hope for at the end of the day is that you did right by the people you run for, and that the company does right by you We believe you reap what you sow.
Futhermore, wecan honestly say that even though we would NEVER under ANY circumstances sign another contract with Expedite Solutions, I reallly do hope that the company can work through whatever it seems to be dealing with now. Not just for the sake of the owner and the families of his employees, but also for the sake of the drivers.
0 comments