Branco Trucking, LLC Completelt Misleading Organization Scott Louisiana

 My name is Alec G, and I give my name so there may not be any misconceptions of who I am or whether this actually took place. I began my lease contract / work with Branco in July of this year. After an awkward discussion with Kathy (Part Owner), about a lawsuit I'm involved in with a previous company. They were hesitant on beginning a relationship with me for fear of being sued also....lol .. My response was, "'If you intend on robbing me or otherwise being dishonest, then be afraid. Otherwise what's to worry about?'"

They were worried because past Owner Operators were suing them for what they called "Frivilous" reasons.

As stated I began to work for them. My first load was to a junk yard!!!

Never in all my years had I had a load to or from a junk yard, but I'm a professional and I put the same level of professionalism into that load as I had with all the loads in the past.

I took my truck and NEW Transcraft Flatbed to work with them. The trailer had been purchased brand new in May of 2013.

In August I took a load from them picking up from a local business.

It was from one of the owners "good" customers. I was picking up a load of Valves and carrying them to Houston.

I arrived at the pickup site in Lafayette to and the owner's brother began loading my truck with these valves and no packaging. Just bare metal on the floor of my trailer. I asked about this and told them we needed to get this stuff properly packaged but Cory insisted they were on a time crunch and didnt have the time to find packagaing equipment get it all done before tomorrow (Monday), when the customer needed the equipment.

Long story short they put 3 wholes in the floor of my new trailer. I brought this immediately to the owner's attention who's wife actually witnessed the incident, as she was on the bed of the trailer helping with the loading.

I halted the loading to take pictures and discusss hwo things would be taken care of concerning the damages. I then contacted Branco, who assured me they would handle the repiars as this was one of their "Good" customers.

After 30 days with no word from Branco on my trailer I took the trailer to a reapir shop and got an estimate. Branco will say that they sent me to some company which I did conatct and is no longer in the business of reapis to trailers. Branco will also say that they requested I forward them an estimate of the repairs which I did. They will again say that they requested I find another cheaper place to do the repairs.

What Branco Trucking will not say is that they conatcted me for a load and I asked about my trailer repairs. Word for word what Paul the owner said.... Alec, don't worry about your trailer, I promise we'll fix your trailer. It's nothing to worry about!

After I submitted the estimate of repair, and mind you this is only an estimate to weld the holes. I felt that since Branco didn't actually cause the damage I would accept the minor repairs from them and go after the customer to replace the damages parts. So the estime was only about $500.

I called them the day after I sent them the estime as I hadn't heard back and the response I got made my mouth drop to the floor. They wouldn't pay for the repairs in whole. They would give me my $150 in escrow I had paid to them back and contribute an additional $100. Total they would pay was $100.

So I asked him, Al the Terminal manager, what happened to all the we're gonna make this right and don't worry about it?

I was also dispatched TWICE on runs which upon arriving at site or already in route for 2 hours, were cancelled. Branco refused to refund me for fuel or pay for a false dispatch. Like I said 2 hours there and back and all I got was I'm sorry we're not gonna pay for it.

Bottom line is the company does not care about drivers. ANy favorable thing you see online was never done by any owner Operator but by Branco.

Branco has been shut down by DOT for multiple violations.

The company handles the worst loads, paying the lowest rates.

Yes, you have a choice to decline or accept any loads you choose, but after fueling up your truck to make a run and driving to site who is gonna say no to a load that's not right and be out of pocket the cost of the fuel to site and back home and wasted time driving. Branco sure will not reimburse you.

Branco will dispatch you on loads which may cancel leaving you high and dry.

They offer a $1500 sign on bonus which no-one has ever received. I began looking for work elsewhere after not being paid for the 2 false dispatches. One a day after the other. It was funny how I asked how much I would be paid for them and the Terminal Manager said he'd get back to me on it and when pay day came it was a fat zero.

They'll call you (use you) until you tell them I'm done.

They offer no benefits whatsoever, and want you to pay for the GPS they want to install in your truck. The GPS is to keep you honest....lol

I'm currently suing their customer for the damages to my trailer. I've asked my lawyer to look into suing Branco also  since I have documented proof of them accepting liability.

Do yourself a favor. I wish I'd listened to my friend who told me they were gonna mess up my new equipment hauling garbage. He called it they day I told him I was thinking about signing with them. Robert Veal told me when I got my stickers they were gonna mess up my new trailer, and boy I should have listened.

Stay clear of these people!!

Kathy, and Paul I'll see you in court! When I do I want you to tell me just how I shouldn't have worried.