Considering a career with Marten Transport and curious about the realities of working at their Mondovi, WI headquarters? It’s essential to get a real sense of what life is like from someone who’s been there. This review delves into the experiences of a company driver with Marten Transport, offering an in-depth look at the pros and cons, equipment, pay, and overall work environment directly connected to the Mondovi, Wisconsin, hub. Get an insider’s perspective to help you make an informed decision about joining the Marten Transport team.
The Perks of Marten Transport: “The Good”
Marten Transport stands out in several key areas, particularly in its commitment to modern equipment and driver convenience. The fleet predominantly features late-model rigs equipped with either Cummins or Detroit engines, ensuring reliability and performance on the road. While older models might still sport Caterpillar engines, the company is actively phasing these out in favor of newer, more efficient options. Every truck, except for day cabs, is fitted with an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), enhancing driver comfort during rest periods by providing climate control without idling the main engine. While these APUs may not always meet California’s stringent emissions standards, Marten’s newer trucks are compliant with California emission regulations, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to environmental concerns.
The fleet primarily consists of Peterbilt, Freightliner, and Kenworth T-600 trucks. The mechanical issues previously encountered with Volvo trucks have led to their removal from the fleet. Most trucks feature stand-up sleepers, prioritizing driver comfort on long hauls, although some older Columbia models with smaller sleepers are still utilized for specific dedicated or regional routes where weight considerations are paramount. For enhanced load management, the majority of trailers are equipped with air-scales and air-sliders. Although older trailers might lack air-sliders, Marten ensures practicality with fixed fifth wheels featuring in-cab air release mechanisms and multiple safety measures to prevent accidental detachment. Marten also covers the cost of scaling for all loads exceeding 42,000 pounds, and offers dispatch discretion for loads under this weight, further assisting drivers in remaining compliant and efficient.
One of the most appreciated aspects of Marten Transport, particularly from a driver’s perspective, is the company’s strong discouragement of driver unloading. Marten actively promotes the use of lumpers and has established accounts with numerous lumper services. They explicitly advise drivers against negotiating lumper fees and prefer drivers to avoid unloading freight themselves, valuing driver time and aiming to minimize strenuous physical labor. This policy significantly reduces physical strain on drivers and allows them to focus on driving and adhering to schedules.
Operational efficiency is further enhanced by Marten’s terminal network. Key terminal locations include Ontario, CA; Wilsonville, OR; Forest Park, GA; and Indianapolis, IN, in addition to their headquarters in Mondovi, WI. While Irving, TX, and Joplin, MO, are listed as terminals, they function more as fuel stops or private residences respectively, offering limited facilities. However, the primary terminals are well-equipped with showers, fuel, driver lounges, wash bays, and shop facilities, providing comprehensive support for drivers on the road.
Marten’s adoption of technology streamlines administrative tasks. Mandatory trip scanning eliminates the need for physical trip packs unless specifically requested by dispatch. Drivers equipped with laptops and scanners can scan documents directly from their trucks. Otherwise, scanning facilities are available at all terminals and fuel stops. This system ensures that trips scanned by 0100 Central Time on Tuesdays are processed for payment the following Friday, ensuring timely and reliable compensation.
Compensation at Marten Transport is competitive, starting at $0.36 per mile and reaching up to $0.45 per mile based on experience. Regional routes typically offer a lower pay scale, adjusted based on load length. The company offers an automatic Per Diem option, unless drivers choose to opt out, which provides a tax benefit. Per Diem effectively increases the net pay by converting a portion of taxable income to non-taxable income, resulting in a higher take-home pay for drivers.
Marten’s home time policy for Over-The-Road (OTR) drivers is structured to provide one day of home time for every five days on the road, while regional drivers receive one day for every seven. Vacation benefits include one week of paid vacation after the first year, two weeks after the second, and three weeks after five years of service. While home time scheduling is generally reliable, except for uncontrollable factors like breakdowns or weather, Marten compensates drivers for delays in getting home. Drivers receive $50 for each day they are late returning home, provided they return as scheduled after their requested home time. Holiday pay is also offered, with $50 for working most holidays and a significant $200 bonus for working on Christmas Day. Layover and breakdown pay is set at $25 per day after the initial 24-hour period, with a specific provision for weekend layovers, where pay starts from Monday.
Additional financial incentives include a quarterly safety bonus of $200 for completing a safety video and passing a simple test, and a mileage bonus of $500 per quarter for averaging a minimum of 10,000 miles per month within that quarter. Marten also offers a recruiting bonus for experienced drivers, providing $500 upon the recruited driver completing their first load, and another $500 after they complete six months of employment.
For toll management, Marten utilizes EZ Pass, which is widely accepted across the Northeast, excluding Ohio. The company provides specific toll routes and prohibits the use of the Chicago Skyway to manage costs and optimize routes. Pre-Pass is available to drivers as an optional, driver-paid service, allowing drivers to utilize systems like Oregon’s transponder, which is compatible with PrePass and NorPass, offering flexibility in weigh station and toll management.
While Marten provides chains for winter driving, their policy emphasizes caution and discourages their proactive use. Chains are intended for getting out of challenging situations, not for venturing into hazardous conditions. Accidents resulting from the use of chains when chain laws are in effect can lead to termination. Marten prioritizes driver safety, expecting drivers to停工 (shutdown) when weather or road conditions exceed their comfort and capability levels, ensuring job security and support as long as drivers communicate their situations to dispatch.
Benefits at Marten are industry standard, including comprehensive insurance options (life, health, dental, and vision), 401k plans, and stock purchase plans. Marten is self-insured for health benefits, with Blue Cross Blue Shield managing claims. A comprehensive “Cadillac” plan is available, albeit at a cost, and the 401k plan includes a company match of 50% on up to 6% driver contributions, encouraging long-term financial planning. The company also maintains a relatively liberal passenger policy, requiring low-cost insurance even for short trips, facilitating driver companionship on the road.
Navigating the Challenges: “The Bad”
Despite the numerous advantages, working at Marten Transport, like any trucking company, presents certain challenges. A significant drawback for many drivers is the strict no-pet policy for company drivers. This policy is absolute, with no exceptions, primarily due to customer restrictions and past abuses of pet privileges by some drivers. While owner-operators are permitted to have pets, company drivers must adhere to this rule, which can be a major personal issue for drivers who wish to have animal companions on the road.
Shop facilities at Marten terminals, while available, often suffer from being overworked and understaffed. Limited facilities can lead to delays in scheduled maintenance and necessary repairs. While drivers can attempt to schedule maintenance during home time, this is not always feasible, and delays can impact operational efficiency and driver schedules.
Fueling predominantly at Pilot Travel Centers presents another set of issues. Pilot locations are frequently crowded, offering limited parking, often poor food choices, and long queues at fuel pumps. This can lead to significant time wastage and frustration for drivers needing to refuel and take breaks.
Marten’s shift away from pre-planning routes, except for ensuring drivers get home, can be both a positive and negative aspect. The current first-empty, first-reloaded system aims for fairness and efficiency, but it can also lead to uncertainty in trip planning and potentially less desirable routes at times.
While Marten operates on a forced-dispatch system, drivers are not obligated to swap loads. This policy, while providing driver autonomy, can be detrimental when drivers are trying to get home and rely on load swaps to move in the right direction. The lack of mandatory load swapping can sometimes create friction and hinder drivers’ ability to efficiently manage their home time.
Addressing the Realities: “The Ugly”
Certain less appealing aspects, categorized as “The Ugly,” also exist within Marten Transport’s operational environment. Load locks are not reimbursed for most drivers, excluding rail drivers, due to past abuses of the reimbursement policy. This necessitates drivers to personally invest in and maintain their own load securing equipment. Furthermore, load lock theft among drivers is a growing concern, highlighting a lack of trust and security within the driver community. Investing in robust, weather-proof locks is highly recommended to protect personal equipment.
Security issues are a regrettable reality. Personal experiences of truck burglaries at terminals, even in view of other drivers, highlight vulnerabilities in terminal security and a lack of community intervention. Theft can result in significant personal losses, as experienced by the reviewer who lost thousands of dollars’ worth of medical equipment and personal belongings.
Office politics at major terminals like Mondovi and Forest Park, even extending to mechanics, are cited as a negative aspect of the work environment. Engaging in office politics is perceived as childish and unproductive, leading some drivers to avoid these terminals whenever possible to mitigate exposure to such environments.
A prevalent issue is the lack of basic vehicle inspections by many drivers. This widespread neglect results in trailers frequently being picked up in filthy condition and requiring immediate repairs. The severity of this issue has led to the implementation of a Qualcomm macro specifically for reporting trailer problems, indicating a systemic issue requiring ongoing attention.
Parking at the Ontario, CA, terminal is notoriously problematic, even under normal conditions. During holidays, finding parking near the terminal becomes virtually impossible. The situation is exacerbated by drivers parking indiscriminately, further reducing available space. The terminal’s policy requiring drivers living within 75 miles to park their rigs there during home time intensifies the parking scarcity, creating significant logistical challenges.
In conclusion, Marten Transport, headquartered in Mondovi, WI, presents a mixed bag of positives and negatives, typical of many large trucking companies. Understanding how to leverage the company’s strengths and navigate its weaknesses is crucial for a successful and satisfactory experience as a driver.
