Happy holidays to you!!! How do you sleep in your beds at night, knowing your drivers leave their homes and families in pursuit of an HONEST living; in the end NEVER to receive one red cent and lose personal funds used for tolls and scales that were supposed to be refunded once a receipt was transfloed in. This is my message to you TRADEWINDS...
I was called by a recruiter Rhonda Klingerman that made this nightmare sound like a fairytale. She mention the tractors TRADEWINDS HOOSIERS offered for lease purchase drivers were from 2007 and up, with no more then 600,000 miles on them and also in good condition. Rhonda Klingerman said there was a 3-day orientation which was only 45mins of orientation. I was introduced to their mechanic shop to be offered a broken-run-down tractor from 2005 to 2006 with well over 800,000 miles. I had no choice to take the truck, because after I traveled so far, I was expecting work. I drove the truck for 3 weeks and did not even receive 1 check mailed to my residence; in addition the truck broke down 3 times.
HOOSIER TRADEWINDS say their tractors are D.O. T inspected which is also UNTRUE. The tractor I had was a 2005 with well over 800,000 mile. The issues on the tractor were as follows: Hood bushing brackets where rotted, making the hood shake and come unlatched. The doors didn't open or close properly. The cabinet doors were missing. The seats were ripped up and different color. Water leaked in the sleeper directly over my head, I had to use my jeans to TRY to soak up the water on rainy nights. The ABS tractor brake light was on and leaked air by the wheel. Air leaked in engine compartment. The windshield was cracked in 2 places and leaked water from top and bottom of windshield. The gas gauge didn't work, it read empty when it was full with gas. The driver side mirror was cracked as well. The fifth wheel did not stay unlocked to drop the trailer which made it really difficult to drop and hook.
I reported these issues to Eric Bennsinger (Maintenance Director); unfortunately they were never taken care of. I was informed to come in for service after I dropped my load, only then to be sent out on a new load before I even finished dropping the current load. There was no time for me to now visit the shop. So I never got the time to go back to the shop. They really dont want to hear any of the issues on the tractor. They want you to drive for free till you quit and once you quit they forget who you are.
I call dispatch Brooks Yoder to let him know I was terminating my employment and I was going to drop the tractor off at the shop.in the three weeks I NEVER received a check mailed to my house because they do not do DIRECT DEPOSIT. I asked him if they can get me a ticket back home and he responded "I don't know" and would call me back, which he NEVER did. No one EVER called back and NEVER offered cab fare to the bus terminal or a bus ticket. I mean after 3 weeks on the road I made no money and had no money. I also told Brooks Yoder I wanted to pick up my Check. He said he was going to send someone to pick me up I'm actully still waiting, then he tranfsered me to Jacki Bensinger (Driver payroll acount manger) who never picked up. After I spent the little money I had saved, On tolls and scales with TRADEWINDS, I had to borrow $200 to get back home.
When I called Jacki Bensinger (Driver payroll account manager) and told her I wanted to pick up my check cause I was terminating my employment she gave me excuses. She said it wasn't ready till the afternoon. I waited till the afternoon from 10am-3:00 pm at the mechanic shop where I dropped off the truck. I called 4 times and she never picked up the phone. I also spoke to Amber Pedigo and she said she will find out and call me back. That NEVER happened. Eventually I called back and she said that I owed TRADEWINDS money and I wasn't going to receive a check. She then transfered me to Jacki Bensinger who I NEVER got the chance to speek to because I was told she was in a meeting. I left a message and I am still waiting for a call back.
I drove over 7,000 miles in 3 weeks and never recieved a PENNY, not even a reimbursement of what they say they will reimburse.
Hoosier Tradewinds
Tradewinds
Tradewinds Logistics
What ever they want to call themselves There nothing but crooks robbing drivers for all there money one day it will come to an end.
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