Considering a job with Riverside Transportation Inc.? You might want to hear about my recent experience first. Like many drivers, I was drawn in by promises – in RTI’s case, a tempting offer of “10 weeks free” if they didn’t have your preferred truck, or a $2,000 sign-on bonus if they did. Want a Kenworth? Forget about it, those are like gold dust there. I ended up with a 2012 Peterbilt 587 and the “10 weeks free” deal. Sounds good, right? Think again.
The Truck Swap Bait-and-Switch
Barely a month into my supposed “free ride,” I received a text from my dispatcher. Time for a truck swap back in Owensboro. The new assignment? A 2015 ProStar – not bad, especially since it had a Cummins engine, a step up from the dreaded Max Force. However, here’s where the smooth ride turned bumpy: RTI expected me to start truck payments immediately. Wait a minute – I was still owed six weeks of “free” payments! This felt like a classic bait-and-switch.
Empty Miles, Empty Pockets
Even before the truck swap debacle, red flags were waving. I’d raised concerns with Mike, the Owensboro ops manager, about dismal mileage. Barely scraping by with over $500 a week was not cutting it. Initially, they threw me a bone – two back-to-back 733-mile loads. Hopeful? Yes. Realistic? No. It was immediately back to the reality of short hauls: 112, 212, 333 miles. And where were these loads going? Mostly to and from Ragu, practically next door to the RTI terminal in Owensboro! Mike himself admitted their freight was low. Trying to make a $553 weekly truck payment on a $500 weekly paycheck is mathematically impossible.
The Hidden Costs of Working for RTI
My third paycheck was a stark illustration of the financial black hole. A gross of $2,663.00 sounds impressive, until you see the net: a paltry $514.00. The deductions were astronomical. Essentially, I was paying RTI for the privilege of working for them. Luckily, a small mercy – I hadn’t signed a lease agreement. Had I done so, I’d be in a truly dire situation.
Final Verdict: Steer Clear of RTI
My experience with Riverside Transportation Inc. was short, stressful, and financially draining. The promises didn’t match the reality, the mileage was insufficient, and the deductions were crippling. If you’re a driver looking for a stable and fair opportunity, my strong advice is: STAY AWAY FROM RTI! You might find yourself paying to work, just like I almost did.
