For those considering a career with Boyd Bros Transportation Inc, understanding the driver experience is crucial. A common question among prospective drivers, particularly those in North Florida, revolves around home time expectations. While experiences can vary, especially for new recruits, insights from current drivers offer a glimpse into what life on the road with Boyd Bros might entail.
One driver’s account suggests that initial home time for new drivers might be less frequent as the company tends to keep them on the road to gain experience. However, this can improve over time. This particular driver, based in North Florida, mentions staying out for two weeks at a stretch, sometimes longer depending on personal appointments. This indicates that while consistent weekly home time might not be guaranteed initially, drivers can expect to get home, albeit potentially on a bi-weekly or longer schedule.
The equipment at Boyd Bros Transportation includes International tractors powered by Cummins 13-liter engines, which are speed-limited to 67 mph due to Cummins restrictions. The company emphasizes fuel efficiency, encouraging drivers to maintain optimal MPG. While this is a focus, drivers report that allowances are made for heavy loads where achieving ideal MPG might be challenging. However, some drivers express concerns about the quality of the International trucks, suggesting they might be considered basic for the demands of the job. Another point of concern raised is the effectiveness of the air conditioning units in the sleeper cabs, which are reported to be inadequate.
A significant issue highlighted is cost-cutting measures impacting various aspects of operations, including tarps, tractors, techs, and straps. This, coupled with what is described as problematic Fleet Managers (FMs) who prioritize bonuses over driver needs, contributes to a high driver turnover rate. Despite these challenges, the driver who shared their experience notes having had a generally positive run over two years, largely attributed to having good FMs who ensured good routes and accommodated home time requests. However, the increasing cost-cutting measures remain a concern for the future.
On the positive side, Boyd Bros Transportation offers a decent starting CPM (cents per mile) for rookies, around $0.40 at the time of the original post. The company also provides excellent benefits, although they are noted as being somewhat expensive. Importantly, drivers appreciate the company’s responsiveness and support when issues arise, such as breakdowns, tire blowouts, or unsafe weather conditions. They report that Boyd Bros is generally supportive in addressing these problems without undue questioning.
In conclusion, Boyd Bros Transportation, while presenting certain challenges like potentially less frequent initial home time, equipment limitations, and cost-cutting concerns, also offers positives such as decent starting pay, good benefits, and a supportive approach to driver issues. Prospective drivers should weigh these factors when considering employment with Boyd Bros Transportation Inc.
