There are many excellent companies in the trucking industry.  Unfortunately, there are also some who apparently do not have the interests of their truckers to heart.  Some quotes from truckers:

Truckers report on a well-known company:

“Don’t work for ?.  Pay is among the lowest.  Miles are inadequate.  The safety department will automatically say any accident/incident is your fault, even if it wasn’t.”

” …They haven’t had a raise in pay in years!  ? is probably the worst company out there in getting repairs done quickly.  It can take hours and even days.”

” …have frequently, had to sit and wait for various reasons not getting paid.  Examples – sent to the wrong destination and the truck breaking down.”

“Their trailers are junk and never get reported for repair by other drivers.”

“Almost every trailer I’ve hooked on to has high point CSA violation potential. It takes up to SIX hours just to get a response via Qualcomm for repair and then it takes up to another SIX hours for the shop to get approval to do the repair. This will happen to you WEEKLY and sometimes several times if you intend to keep a clean slate with CSA.”

“The money sucks. I don’t get any miles I take home average $400 a week.”

Truckers report on another company:

“? does not pay drivers layover for sitting on weekends or holidays.  If their drivers sit all 48 hours on the weekend away from his/her family, they don’t get a dime.”

“… drivers say they have cheated them, ran shoddy equipment, blatantly told drivers to lie on logs, not reimbursed tolls, etc. Recently ? has turned their trucks up to 65 mph to try and plug the hemorrhage of drivers leaving the company.

” …in addition, you must be without a load for 24 hours before they will pay layover.”

Thankfully, these comments are only directed at a few companies.  There are still many companies that treat their drivers as they deserve, with understanding and a good working relationship.

This article is not to discourage people from taking on trucking as a career.  The intent is to put newcomers to the profession on the alert so that they do not become discouraged or wind up working for practically nothing.   Trucking is a good choice but requires people who are aware that there are companies that do not follow through on what they advertise when they are looking for drivers.

It cannot be emphasized enough that a company you are thinking of working for should be carefully checked out.  This can be done by looking at sites such as ‘Ask the Trucker.com” and “The Truckers Report.com“.  There will always be disagreements between an employee and employer however, when one person after another complains about the same company the red flag should go up.

Checking with drivers at truck stops and other locations will also help.  A company’s reputation travels very fast and, as a result, drivers will not work for companies with a bad reputation.  The best offence against being ripped off is to take a defensive approach and know what you are getting into.  These companies are quickly being blackballed by truckers who have become aware of their shoddy treatment of drivers.

The Earl L. Henderson Trucking Company was started back in 1978, in the small Illinois town of Salem, some 70 miles east of St Louis, Missouri, and was incorporated into a limited company in 1981. The company grew rapidly into a fleet operating 87 tractor units and over 140 temperature controlled trailers.  Today, the company boasts a fleet of more than 400 tractor units and more than 550 temperature controlled trailer units.

Henderson Trucking has never failed to collect a customer shipment, nor lost a customer due to a failure in service in any of the last four years.  A record few other carriers can claim.

That is an enviable track record and Henderson proudly points to how it has been able to carve out such an enviable reputation for itself in a highly competitive niche.

Pride Through Performance

Henderson Trucking company motto is “Pride through Performance”, however it is the technology behind that slogan which really shows how the company has been able to deliver such exacting service standards.

The latest technology is used which includes:

Qualcomm In-Cab Communication System – for keeping dispatch, customer and driver in constant contact with each other as well as providing a state-of-the-art tracking system to monitor loads from every aspect of their journey

McLeod Loadmaster 10.0 Dispatch System – for providing the very best in dispatch and fleet management operations on a 24/7 basis, including route and customer load optimization to minimize costs and enhance productivity – all of which is fed into customer performance and costs

Web-based Real Time Load Tracking – allowing customers to see exactly where their precious cargo is at any time the load is under the control of the company

Henderson Trucking also has a very disciplined approach to fleet and equipment replacement and acquisition.  Tractor units are swapped out every 36 months while trailer units are sold onto the used semi trailer market every 48 months.  This tight replacement cycle feeds into minimal downtime due to breakdown and maintenance, which further boosts the company’s service record.

Overall, Henderson Trucking enjoys an operation ratio between 89% and 92% consistently, and is also a nationally-recognized specialist in just-in-time shipments. Customers include Anheuser-Busch, Colgate-Palmolive, Coors Brewing Company, Del Monte, fresh express and Unilever.

Henderson Trucking has also recently placed an order for 183 new Freightliner cascade tractor units, and recently opened a new facility in St Louis, MO, and looks set for another 20 years of growth and expansion.

Henderson trucking Company Contacts:

Earl L. Henderson Trucking
#1 Industrial Park
Salem, IL 62881

1-800-447-8084Toll Free:
1-618-548-4667Telephone:
1-618-548-6204FAX:

Bryan Henderson

Executive Vice President
of Sales

1-800-447-8084 x3133

Cell: 618-292-5824

Clayton Cameron

Vice President of Sales

1-800-447-8084 x3120

Cell: 618-315-0563

Flatbed Trucking Companies

No matter what kind of work you do, who you work for makes all the difference, and the trucking industry is no exception. Though truckers get longer hours on the road and away from their bosses, who’s in charge is still a large factor in determining whether they’re smiling or groaning at the end of the day. Many factors contribute to an excellent working situation—benefits, regulations, personnel, etc. Websites like classadrivers.com provide searchable databases, so flatbed drivers can find the job that best fits them, but before burying yourself in the research, check out these top five flatbed companies.  

1. Crete Carrier Corporation

A good reputation and detention pay after two hours is what put this company on The Trucker’s Report list of good trucking companies. But a combination of extensive benefits and a slew of on-the-job perks make working for Crete different from the rest. The company offers major medical, dental, and vision insurance, a company matching 401K plan, profit sharing, and the opportunity to choose between national, regional, and local hauls. According to truckergeek.com, the company is debt free, so layoffs and pay reductions are less likely. And when it comes to fun on the road, Crete has few restrictions—allowing spouses and children on the road. While more and more companies are banning pets from cabs, Crete says bring Fido along!  

2. Maverick Transportation

Drivers are getting good vibes from this company, and spreading them over the internet! Chat rooms from Yahoo to The Trucker’s Report have mostly good things to say about Maverick—useful paid training, professionalism, good equipment, and respect for drivers among them. Classadrivers.com give the company an above-average rating in every category from pay to benefits to home time. According to the company website, 90% of flat bed drivers are home for weekends, and programs are available for family ride-alongs. Profit sharing, 401K, and full benefits are available, and the company offers programs both for company drivers and owner-operators. With a $500 sign-on bonus and $550 orientation pay, this company at least promises a little cash before you hit the road.  

3. Estes Express Lines-Estes Air

In Logistics Management’s list of the top 50 truck companies, Estes Express rates sixth. In fact, Estes Air, the flatbed division of the company, was responsible for the transportation of the Super Bowl stage this year! As far as working benefits, Estes offers full medical benefits, in addition to extras like college scholarship opportunities and a safe driver program. Additionally, working for a leader has its perks—a good reputation depends on what employees are saying, as well as customers.  

4. Swift Transportation

Named among America’s best large companies in 2006 by Forbes, Swift offers a variety of options for flatbed drivers, depending on many factors, such as how often drivers want to be on the road and whether or not drivers are operating as a team. With 16,000 trucks and thirty-eight terminals in twenty-seven states, the company offers a variety of opportunities, an extensive benefits package, and the best 401K in the industry, according to classadrivers.com. Another one of the few companies that allows pets in the cab, Swift requires a $500 deposit. The company offers training, and also has one of the least restrictive age policies for workers, hiring drivers at just twenty-one-years-old. 

5. Landstar Transportation

Another large, international company, Landstar was named to Forbes’ list of most admired companies, and is also on Logistics Management’s list of top 50 companies. Only hiring owner-operator flatbed drivers, Landstar is a bit more exclusive in who it recruits. According to its website, the biggest incentive to work at Landstar is the freedom for drivers to determine their own criteria. Because the drivers own the trucks, Landstar has rather loose in-cab rules, with no age restrictions on children and the option for pets to ride along. Traveling to 48 states, the company promises variety and the ability to exceed as a business partner, not employee.  

Whether you’re looking for a national company or a smaller establishment, a company that promises high pay or one that allows for more time with family, the list of great flatbed trucking companies is extensive. Web search engines and chat rooms are making the process of finding the right company for the right driver easier, but by checking out the top five companies listed above, you have a better idea of the different perks offered by different companies. Who knows? Maybe you just found your dream job!