Covenant Transport Group Are Drivers Your Number One Concern? Chattanooga, Tennessee

To begin here, I was prepared to start telling potential drivers just exactly how this company operates, but what does that accomplish? From what I hear, not only from other company drivers and even some anonymous interdepartmental staff, this was a decently operated company who did show concern and appreciation to their drivers at one time.

From what I'm seeing, it sure doesn't appear that way now! It almost seems as if moving that freight at whatever thecost is the company's number one objective. Since Covenant Transportation is a training company, their objective, in my opinion is to get as many new students through the orientation and training process as is humanly possible. What was the amount again the company receives from the government for graduating a student? Is it $5,000 or $10,000 per student(multiply that by an average class of 50-80 students per week)?

The main thing I see going on with this company is a major lack of communication, not only among fleet managers and drivers, but among the different departments. At times, it seems the right hand doesn't know what the left one is doing. This is no way for a company to operate, period. I do understand that since we have been in a slump for some time with the economical situation being as it is, that any company has to reevaluate it's current situation and take necessary steps to stay afloat. That is only good business management.

I want to commend (for the most part) those who do their job and do it well and show respect to their drivers and treat themas human beings and not just a number on a board. To some of the rude, snotty, arrogant managers and planners who work the night shift and weekends: folks, we as drivers do understand that you are a skeleton crew with your workload far exceeding what should be expected, but we, as drivers shouldn't have to deal with this kind of behavior from you. It is not only non-professional, but tends to put your drivers in defense mode really quick. Respect is a two-way street.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is with the fleet of trucks that you, as a company, have on the road, it cannot be run as a Monday-Friday 9-5 company. We are out here doing our best running days, nights, all kinds of weather, etc. That is just the nature of the beast in moving freight.I'm not looking for sympathy here because this is the profession we, as drivers, have chosen for ourselves for whatever reason. This is something I personally enjoy doingand take pride in my work and always have.

What I, or any other driver should expect from you is whenever there is a problem that needs to be addressed, then the necessary procedures be taken to address the problem and work to correct it, not to be blown off by some rude, snotty employee of yours. Like I mentioned earlier; respect is a two-way street. I will always be courteous and respectful unless treated otherwise. At that point, I will become obnoxious and treat you with the same attitudethat is shown me. That is definitely very un-Christianlike on my part, but if you want to say that you are a Christian-based company, then I think you need to send some of your departmental personnel for some social grooming.

I do understand your wanting phonecalls limited on weekends to a minimum/emergency situation only due to your limited staff and prefer to keep all communication kept between drivers and staff on the qualcomm. If you need this, so be it, but if we need an answer, I don't want to be sitting for 1-2 hours waiting on a simple answer. Now, I don't really think any of the drivers are asking too much. Maybe so. I can only speak from the situation occurring on this truck.

Next, we have the breakdown department issues. Let me direct this question to the breakdown department. We were told by dispatch that you DO have access to T/A addresses, phone numbers and such since we are either routed to a T/A or one of your company terminals for needed repairs/ maintenance. Some of the dealings with this department on nights/weekends has just been attrocious. We, as drivers, after being in these trucks for weeks at a time, do have an idea of what is going on with them. Please listen to your drivers when they tell you there is a problem with the truck and work with them to get it corrected in a timely fashion.

Sitting along the road for up to seven hours due to poor judgment call is NOT in a timely fashion. Lots of the issues have been overlooked and not even dealt with time and time again when these trucks are in your shop. What do you deem as necessary repairs? Is it the bare minimum needed to keep your trucks running the freight or is it to help the drivers be as comfortable as possible while living in this box for weeks at a time? You know what, we are good as long as this truck is moving under a load. It is the down time between loads that is a problem.

We lose all power(lighting included)on this truck with the exception of the bunk heater, can't even run the cooler to keep sodas and lunchmeat cold unless you keep idling the truck. Then we are monitored and scolded for high-idle times at which Covenant(at it's descretion) can deduct $20.00 a week for unnecessary fuel consumption. Problem solved! Either keep the truck running or fix the problem. I don't know about other companies, but we are monitored by GPS, monitored for over-idle, over RPM, and over speed.

Since you governed back the trucks and are in the process of getting around to all the trucks in the near future, the fuel consumption on this truck has gone from lousy to worse. Is the reduction in mph really going to save that much in fuel costs in the long run? These trucks(Cascadia Models) don't pull worth adamn anyway. Now, it is even worse. Without a load, pulling an empty, these trucks bog under the slightest incline. Now, add 30-40,000 pounds of cargo and I don't think I have to say more.

I don't know about all the drivers for this company, but it seems the veteran or dedicated drivers seem very satisfied with their jobs. I(we) have spoken to several company drivers during our time on the road and there seem to be some very helpful, concerned and satisfied drivers willing to help you out and offer suggestions. To those, I appreciate you very much and you are truly the "cream of the crop". However; there are also other drivers who are experiencing the same issues as we are.

Covenant, you can brag and boast all you want about being ranked statistically higher categorically wise(dollar wise) as far as freight moved compared to other companies and that you offer more miles to your drivers than many of the other companies promise and then actually deliver, but bottom line is your pay scale is pretty much at the bottom of the scale. I sincerely don't think you can dispute that. If so, please correct me.

I am NOT completely dissatisfied with this company and it does have potential to be a very good company to work for. Dispatchers hanging up on your drivers and dealing with rude, snotty personnel IS the problem. You know who you are! There is no need in belittling anyone by naming names and I refuse to stoop to that level.Also, for future reference, I believe I could rely on a respectable reference from any one of my past employers as a reference, so let's not go in the direction of "just a disgruntled", spoiled employee who cries when he(she) doesn't have things go his(her) way. I am too old to put up with this kind of behavior and old enough to have been many of the personnel's parent at this company.

I think I have addressed some of my concerns about this company and have tried to be as objectionable as possible. I sincerely hope someone from the company reads this and can respond with a respectable answer as well and not some "smug" smart-a** answer. It not only belittles you, but the company as well.