Choosing the right trucking company is a crucial decision for any Over-The-Road (OTR) driver. With numerous options available in the Us Express Transportation sector, drivers need to carefully weigh their choices. This review delves into the experiences of a driver at US Express, offering an insider’s look at what life on the road might be like with this major carrier. Based on 18 months of driving experience post-Arnold Transportation acquisition, this perspective aims to provide valuable insights for both new and seasoned drivers considering US Express Transportation.
Regional Routes and the Northeast Focus
One of the most significant aspects of OTR driving is the expectation of nationwide routes, covering all 48 contiguous states. However, this driver’s experience with US Express Transportation painted a different picture. Despite being hired as an OTR driver, routes became increasingly regionalized, heavily focused on the Northeast. Initial routes, after the Arnold acquisition, seemed promising with good mileage and diverse lanes. However, a shift occurred, leading to repetitive trips to Hagerstown, MD, primarily for Tractor Supply loads, followed by routes straight into Massachusetts and Vermont.
This pattern solidified over six months, with the driver predominantly operating in Ohio and Pennsylvania before returning to Hagerstown. Occasional trips to Texas, Kansas, or Oklahoma were rare exceptions, quickly followed by a return to the Northeast corridor. This experience challenges the very definition of “Over-The-Road,” as the routes became distinctly regional. Even after switching terminals in hopes of diversifying routes away from Maryland, a new regional “magnet” emerged: Tunkhannock, PA, serving Procter & Gamble (P&G). This resulted in another six-week period confined to a region bounded by Ohio to the west, South Carolina to the south, Maryland to the east, and upstate New York to the north. For a driver based in North Carolina, the lack of routes closer to home and the consistent Northeast focus raised questions about whether this regionalization was specific to their location or a general practice for US Express Transportation OTR drivers.
Trailer Quality and Maintenance
The equipment a driver operates is paramount for both safety and efficiency. In the realm of US express transportation, reliable trailers are essential. However, this driver’s experience highlighted concerns about trailer quality at US Express. A significant portion of the trailer fleet was described as aged, often exceeding 10 years, and in poor condition, characterized as “rust buckets, falling apart.” While new trailers were eventually introduced, the driver felt it was a reactive measure, “too little, too late,” implemented only after customer losses due to leaking trailers became apparent. This suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach to trailer maintenance and fleet management within US Express Transportation. While efforts to repair older trailers were noted, the overall impression was that trailer quality was an area needing improvement.
Mileage and Pay Inconsistencies
For OTR drivers, consistent and fair mileage and pay are critical for job satisfaction and financial stability. US Express Transportation, in this driver’s experience, presented a mixed bag in this regard. While it was possible to achieve decent mileage, ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 miles per week with hard work and a good fleet manager, inconsistency was a recurring issue. Furthermore, the use of “Household Movers pay” resulted in load pay reductions of 10-12%. This meant that for an 800-mile load, drivers could end up driving 880-900 miles but getting paid for less, impacting overall earnings. The prevalence of short loads, typically between 400-525 miles, further contributed to potential mileage inconsistencies. Longer loads requiring two overnights were infrequent, suggesting a focus on shorter haul routes within the US express transportation network.
Truck Maintenance and Terminal Access
On a positive note, truck maintenance at US Express Transportation was generally considered well-managed. However, accessing terminals for maintenance or truck assignments could be time-consuming, often taking up to five days due to terminal closures aimed at cost savings. For drivers who prefer automatic transmissions, US Express is noted as a company with a predominantly automatic truck fleet.
Driver Treatment and Company Priorities
A recurring theme in this review is the driver’s perception of US Express Transportation’s priorities. The impression was that the company prioritized new driver recruitment, potentially driven by government training subsidies, over retaining experienced OTR drivers. The high turnover rate was seen as contributing to a “revolving door” of drivers, with new recruits often assigned to demanding Northeast routes until they also experienced burnout. Despite company rhetoric about driver care, policies and actions suggested a greater focus on cost savings and profits at the expense of driver satisfaction. OTR drivers seemed to be positioned lower in priority compared to Dedicated, Teams, Training, and Owner Operator divisions, often receiving less desirable “scrap” loads to support these other operations. This perceived prioritization may explain the prevalence of shorter loads observed by the driver.
Hometime Policy and Flexibility
Work-life balance is a significant concern for OTR drivers, and hometime policies play a crucial role. US Express Transportation’s hometime policy of one day off for every six days on the road was described as “just plain cruel” due to its inflexibility. While the 6:1 ratio is standard in the industry, the “use it or lose it” approach to earned days off, capped at a maximum of five days, severely limited drivers’ ability to plan personal commitments. The requirement to clean out trucks after five days off further emphasized the company’s focus on continuous truck utilization over driver needs, making it exceptionally challenging to plan for events requiring extended time off, such as attending weddings.
Pay Practices and Incentives
Concerns about pay extended beyond mileage inconsistencies. The driver felt US Express Transportation actively sought ways to minimize driver pay. While a bonus of 3 cents per mile after 30 days on the road was offered, a problematic policy loophole existed. Running within 50 miles of home could trigger a computer system error, requiring fleet manager intervention to prevent the system from incorrectly registering “home time” and forfeiting the bonus. The burden was placed on the driver and fleet manager to correct potential pay errors, suggesting a system that was not driver-friendly. Past experiences, such as increased waiting times for breakdown pay eligibility, further fueled the perception that pay incentives were subject to change, often to the driver’s disadvantage.
Idling Restrictions and Comfort
Idling policies directly impact driver comfort, especially in extreme weather conditions. Previously, the driver could idle the truck above 72°F and below 27°F. However, a change occurred after a truck service at a terminal, restricting idling capabilities. This change, implemented without driver notification, was viewed as another instance of US Express Transportation prioritizing cost savings (fuel) over driver comfort and well-being.
Weekend Dispatch and Load Availability
Weekend dispatch was characterized as inadequate, with limited load options and a perceived lack of urgency from dispatch personnel. The driver noted a tendency for weekend dispatch to prioritize personal time over finding optimal loads for drivers, potentially resulting in significantly reduced weekend mileage. Despite this, taking a 34-hour reset over the weekend was seemingly discouraged.
Breakdown Procedures and Support
Breakdown support was consistently described as a “nightmare.” Long wait times to reach breakdown assistance, often 35-50 minutes, were attributed to understaffing, a problem reportedly unresolved for over three years. While macro messages could be sent via the Electronic On-Board Recorder (EOBR), this process was also time-consuming. The combination of difficult access to breakdown support and delays in repairs was seen as contributing to the poor condition of trailers, as drivers were disincentivized from reporting and addressing maintenance issues promptly. The closure of terminals further exacerbated repair capabilities within the US express transportation network.
Conclusion: Is US Express Transportation Right for You?
In summary, this driver’s experience with US Express Transportation portrays a company with significant operational and driver-related challenges, particularly for OTR drivers. While acknowledging that conditions might be worse elsewhere, the review raises serious concerns about regionalized routes, trailer quality, pay inconsistencies, driver treatment, and inflexible policies. For new drivers entering the US express transportation industry, US Express could serve as an entry-level opportunity. However, for experienced OTR drivers seeking nationwide routes, consistent mileage, fair treatment, and work-life balance, this review suggests that US express transportation options beyond US Express may be more suitable. Drivers interested in dedicated routes or team driving might find a better fit within US Express Transportation, as these divisions are reportedly prioritized. Owner-operators may experience better mileage and load selection flexibility, but their overall satisfaction remains uncertain based on this OTR driver’s perspective. Ultimately, potential drivers should carefully consider these points and conduct thorough research before making a decision about joining US Express Transportation’s OTR division.
