Averitt Express Think twice about working for this penny-pinching company Cookeville Tennessee

Gee, Swift and JB Hunt and trash trucks, and all in 20 years, now that is one classy resume. I am a retired police officer and drove for averitt for several years . It was a job I really enjoyed. Everyone was hones, friendly and extremely helpful. In fact I just retired from my second career, teaching, and as of Jan 1st I am going back to Averitt out of Lexington,KY. Judging by many of the complaints, sounds like a bunch of disgruntled ex employees. I would strongly recommend Averitt to any new driver who wants a career in the transportation industry....Think Red

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I have been driving with Averitt for a year now. Never have I been told they would not pay for a repair, towing, or anything for that matter. This is a great company with high morals and a desire to see their employees do well. With that said, no company will ever fit a person 100%. We all have to adapt to the environment we are in. Apparently some can`t and that is fine but do not take it out on a great company with good people at the helm.

I will be getting my cdl this coming fall and have been reading and researching companies to drive for. I still like Averitt and want to drive for then when i finish my training. i have been in my carrier for 35 years and know there are no perfect companies out there. I'm looking forward to stating a new carrier.

This has been interesting, I was looking for info on Averitt because i am getting my CDL this coming fall. I have looked into companies to apply with after i'm done with training and averitt looks good to me still. i have read a lot of complaints on the web about a lot of outfits, but i am 54 years  old and ending my 35 year carrier to do some thing i always wanted to do. there are no perfect places to work any where! Gob bless you all and be safe.

They are the same as all the other crappy bad terrible horrible trucking companies....

I do not believe there is a good trucking company to work for

I worked for these people for one year and all the bad things said are true.

I guess I just dont get your complaint! 

Averitt is a great place to work, no question about that.  As far as all your compliants go, it usually depends on the person.  Ive seen several drivers have the same issues and (depending on their tact), things get handled and taken care of.  I've seen a few drivers walk in like they own the place after only a few months and talk a big game but produce barely exceptable results. Whereas others do a good job, show the proof of their work by positive customer feedback and allow their acolades speak for themselves.  Like I said it depends on the driver.

As far as the trucks being dirty?  Any new truck you get is NEVER gonna be immaculate when you first get it unless it is a new tractor.  Thats pretty common sense.  Drivers who take pride in the trucks take care in getting them cleaned!!!  Its a reflection on the driver.  Ive see that one go both ways. In other words if your personal car looks like a pig sty then your truck will too!  It dont take to long to clean your cab or make it look the way you want.  I'm sorry but I dont know to many drivers who pay money to get them cleaned unless they are clean freaks.

The dispatchers, from what I see are pretty cool, so this comment throws me for a loop.  The again I've seen drivers treat the dispatchers like servants and they get treated accordingly.  So I have to wonder as the validity of that claim

Its ironic though that you go on with all the negatives but not a single positive.  I have yet to meet anyone driving for any company that goes on with so many negatives, EXCEPT, for those who were fired for bad performance or or did a crappy job at doing their job. 

The problem that you totally fail to realize is that every company is penny pinching.  Fuel costs are insane, experienced drivers are going down in numbers, and companies still have the same or increasing routes to do.  I read a report a few weeks ago by the Truckers Association of America, which states that any company that isnt penny pinching through these economic times has either gone bankrupt or has had massive layoffs. 

Baisically its like this... The company is what you make of it. 

Averitt I would not say is one of the cheapest ones, but it is one of the most dangerous I ever worked for.  I've drivin for 20 years.  Worked for JB Hunt, Swift, Transport America, and many others.  I've driven trash trucks, local, flatbeds, and reefers.

Their dispatch is one of the MOST..no THE most ARM TWISTING,,, pressure, treat-the-driver-like a dog that I've ever experienced.

Their Graphics Packaging Loads- cannot be logged, or just barely logged.. that is..if you can use the old "Odometer Log".

Their Electrolux Loads- can barely be logged, and it gets sticky if you load back in North Carolina on the I-40 where you have to drive around the blocked section.  170 miles.  On that load you get really screwed with their HHG "miles".   But this is standard procedure in a industry that is just FULL of rip offs.

The "perfectly legal" dispatches never take into account the weather, the construction out there, or the time with hassles getting loaded..such as getting a good trailer, getting stuff fixed.

HEAVEN HELP you if you pull over due to the weather.  I done this for 20 years and it's the same old stuff.

How I WISH the government would step in... and teach them a 7 or 8 figure lesson as in $$$.  They are in desperate need of getting their pants sued off.

They've fixed that though.. everying with Averitt is "Blame the Driver".  Just like usual.  I'd like to see them get off the road.  That same freight will be there.  Just a different company that can pull it safely. A typical, scab company that is the same as going to a blood bank.  When you are desperate for money, and can do nothing else.. that's what a "professional driver" is.

   I started working for Averitt Express in winchester va. when the service center first opened. I was looking for a place to work that would appericate my skills and performance. During the interview process I was treated like a valuable asset to the company and also at my oreintation. However after working 12 - 14 hours a day for an ignorant redneck terminal manager and a lazy front line leader it seemed no matter how much you did for them it was never enough. Management felt that it was ok to call you names such as moron, stupid and dumb this happened to me on a daily basis in which the service director and myself would argue every day.

If you work for this company and think that you are going to be appericated you are wrong!!! dont waste your time applying. If you like to be stressed out hate your family and like to fight and argue on the job and have zero home time this would be the place for you to work.

Garry Sasser Express is HORRIBLE!!!!!!!

1st and foremost Averitt is a Buddy buddy system. They look out for Tn, Ky 1st and Al 2nd. So if you're a driver from the other locations think of yourself as a step child. As for TL dispatch, they try to work with you (as long as you have no problems). They say they listen to the drivers. but cutting the trucks back to 65 or less won't save fuel. you'll take longer to get to you delivery point and harder to pull hills plus angry other drivers on the hwy when you pass somebody 1 mph faster. Now he is correct you will do a Lot of night driving (but thats the job) the worst thing i saw was that they try to please all the drivers by evening out the miles between everybody (everybody gets not enough). now city driving they try to work you like a dog. pulling a 53' and they have the system set like you driving a sprinter van. a lot of times it's hard to take a lunch (but they always want you to clock out) but clock out for lunch and drive to the next pickup. well all n all for a trucking company I seen a lot worst!

I have been at Averitt for 20 years and couldn't be happier. Your complaint is how the industry works, drive at night and deliver in the morning. Uniforms will be free after your probationary period. The dirty truck you were issued should have been cleaned when it was vacated, but it wasn't so you should have spent a little time in cleaning your new home away from home. Averitt is a leader in the industry for getting us home every weekend, very rare in this industry.

I have been with Averitt four 4 months and some of what you say has some truth to it, But not much. My truck broke down in San Antonio Tx. It was near a freightliner dealer. They put me up in a motel for 3 days , paid me $ 530.00 in breakdown pay and never gave me a moments problem about any of it. Yes I had to clean my own truck, I would want to do that anyway, I like knowing the filth left by the last driver is gone. They put a apu and a power inverter in my truck so now I have a microwave in there and I eat better and for alot less. I don't spend alot of time complaining about things or being a butt to my fleet manager, I treat all people with respect and I get alot back. Sorry you had such bad time, Maybe you should move on, or maybe just take a long look at your self. M:)

I've been with this company for 17 years.There is a uniform allowance of $150.00 per year.It's not like he's digging ditches to wear out this many uniforms.I think the image Averitt demands says a lot about the company.Most companies don't give a rip what you wear because they are not paying for uniforms.If you look around you most of the truckers out there have a wallet with the chain,tattooes,shirttail hanging out.This is not allowed at Averitt and they plainly tell you that in orientation.When you deal with customers first hand they tend to judge the way you look.You will be sent home for not wearing the uniform.As far as dispatchers,It's hard to please everyone.Most new drivers hiring on think they should get the good loads when you have many more drivers with a lot more time at Averitt.If you do what you are asked to do for the first six months you will see that the dipatchers will work with you more.As far as hours available are concerned it is your responsibility to let them know how many hours available you have.If your dispatcher is making you do something illegal,it should have been reported to a higher rank.Averitt doesn't make the rules on hours of service.They have to abide by them.If you will notice on your Quallcomm there is a place for hours.Any company anymore is having to cut costs because of the price of fuel.If you'll notice they are turning the trucks down to 65 m.p.h.I think this is a lot better than laying employees off.Any company that isn't trying to pinch pennies in this time of outrageous fuel prices won't be in business long.

I'll admit my first six months at Averitt was very trying,every Co.has their own agenda,YES even averitt. I started with an older used truck just like everyone else & had to make do and prove to my employer I had what it takes to be a good employee.(on my 4th new truck now at averitt) As far as orientation I drove 650 mi.in my personal vehicle to attend because I knew it would be well worth it. when I started Averitt supplied uniforms(five sets a year) times are alot tuffer these days and uniform allowance is down to $150.00 a yr.now but is sufficent,and repairs on the road we have a great breakdown service besides having national accounts with T/A,Bridgestone & many others.

Oh I almost forgot,I think it's safe to say most drivers are required to drive mornings & nights is that not our job? Averitt has a strict VOS (virtual hours of service)program, and yes the dispatchers them EVIL people that force you to work??? we have a great bunch of fleet managers at averitt,I like when they make me work"DUH" that's what I'm there for >>TO MAKE MONEY

You can look at any driving company right now and you will see that penny pinching is all they can do to try to overcome fuel cost.

I do agree about the dirty trucks when you start. Mine was filthy aswell with no way to clean it but to get a bucket of water and some soap which i had to provide. Yes that part did stink. The last time I counted the terminals we had over fifty. Sevral with truck washes and they perfer you to wash the truck after you fuel at the service center, but the thing is if you can drive your truck to a terminal why wouldn't you. If you've seen how much companies like TA and Petro's charge wouldn't you want your company drivers to go to the terminals to get the truck fixed?

Orientation, they do treat you like a king. Dispatcher problems happen when a person can't get along with another person. Yes some dispatchers should be navigating childrens baseball games and not semi trucks, but they needed a job too. Averitt allows the dispatcher to take drivers out to lunch anytime your in Cookeville and work out your problems and yes thats hard to do if you live in another state but I lived in cookeville and couldn't eat with my dispatcher but one time. They promote communication. The owner of the company has an open door policy. So if you can't get what you want you didn't try hard enough or your just lazy.

When you get a truck and another driver has used it, it is the law for the company to furnish you another mattres, but you have to refuse to drive the truck until it is replaced.

They told you upfront that you do not drive the trucks home. If you ask your fleet manager to take it home once and a while they will let you.

The rules of Averitt are this: one time-verbal warning, two times- written warning, three times your like a base ball hit by babe ruth your out of there. And by the way the night time dispatchers are no good for the most part. They are overloaded with drivers like the man said at night and need to hire some more dispatchers.

You were not forced to drive at night, unless your dispatcher sat there with gun up to your head while you drove. You also said they took you off the load, get some sleep and start over in the morning. Whats the big deal...

The company is just another company, they have their problems but who don't. I like working for this company. And the uniforms are not out of your own pocket, there is 150.00 allowance given to you for cintas uniforms once a year. If you paid for the uniform call cintas and Averitt and demand your money back driver.

You can look at any driving company right now and you will see that penny pinching is all they can do to try to overcome fuel cost.

I do agree about the dirty trucks when you start. Mine was filthy aswell with no way to clean it but to get a bucket of water and some soap which i had to provide. Yes that part did stink. The last time I counted the terminals we had over fifty. Sevral with truck washes and they perfer you to wash the truck after you fuel at the service center, but the thing is if you can drive your truck to a terminal why wouldn't you. If you've seen how much companies like TA and Petro's charge wouldn't you want your company drivers to go to the terminals to get the truck fixed?

Orientation, they do treat you like a king. Dispatcher problems happen when a person can't get along with another person. Yes some dispatchers should be navigating childrens baseball games and not semi trucks, but they needed a job too. Averitt allows the dispatcher to take drivers out to lunch anytime your in Cookeville and work out your problems and yes thats hard to do if you live in another state but I lived in cookeville and couldn't eat with my dispatcher but one time. They promote communication. The owner of the company has an open door policy. So if you can't get what you want you didn't try hard enough or your just lazy.

When you get a truck and another driver has used it, it is the law for the company to furnish you another mattres, but you have to refuse to drive the truck until it is replaced.

They told you upfront that you do not drive the trucks home. If you ask your fleet manager to take it home once and a while they will let you.

The rules of Averitt are this: one time-verbal warning, two times- written warning, three times your like a base ball hit by babe ruth your out of there. And by the way the night time dispatchers are no good for the most part. They are overloaded with drivers like the man said at night and need to hire some more dispatchers.

You were not forced to drive at night, unless your dispatcher sat there with gun up to your head while you drove. You also said they took you off the load, get some sleep and start over in the morning. Whats the big deal...

The company is just another company, they have their problems but who don't. I like working for this company. And the uniforms are not out of your own pocket, there is 150.00 allowance given to you for cintas uniforms once a year. If you paid for the uniform call cintas and Averitt and demand your money back driver.

You can look at any driving company right now and you will see that penny pinching is all they can do to try to overcome fuel cost.

I do agree about the dirty trucks when you start. Mine was filthy aswell with no way to clean it but to get a bucket of water and some soap which i had to provide. Yes that part did stink. The last time I counted the terminals we had over fifty. Sevral with truck washes and they perfer you to wash the truck after you fuel at the service center, but the thing is if you can drive your truck to a terminal why wouldn't you. If you've seen how much companies like TA and Petro's charge wouldn't you want your company drivers to go to the terminals to get the truck fixed?

Orientation, they do treat you like a king. Dispatcher problems happen when a person can't get along with another person. Yes some dispatchers should be navigating childrens baseball games and not semi trucks, but they needed a job too. Averitt allows the dispatcher to take drivers out to lunch anytime your in Cookeville and work out your problems and yes thats hard to do if you live in another state but I lived in cookeville and couldn't eat with my dispatcher but one time. They promote communication. The owner of the company has an open door policy. So if you can't get what you want you didn't try hard enough or your just lazy.

When you get a truck and another driver has used it, it is the law for the company to furnish you another mattres, but you have to refuse to drive the truck until it is replaced.

They told you upfront that you do not drive the trucks home. If you ask your fleet manager to take it home once and a while they will let you.

The rules of Averitt are this: one time-verbal warning, two times- written warning, three times your like a base ball hit by babe ruth your out of there. And by the way the night time dispatchers are no good for the most part. They are overloaded with drivers like the man said at night and need to hire some more dispatchers.

You were not forced to drive at night, unless your dispatcher sat there with gun up to your head while you drove. You also said they took you off the load, get some sleep and start over in the morning. Whats the big deal...

The company is just another company, they have their problems but who don't. I like working for this company. And the uniforms are not out of your own pocket, there is 150.00 allowance given to you for cintas uniforms once a year. If you paid for the uniform call cintas and Averitt and demand your money back driver.

You can look at any driving company right now and you will see that penny pinching is all they can do to try to overcome fuel cost.

I do agree about the dirty trucks when you start. Mine was filthy aswell with no way to clean it but to get a bucket of water and some soap which i had to provide. Yes that part did stink. The last time I counted the terminals we had over fifty. Sevral with truck washes and they perfer you to wash the truck after you fuel at the service center, but the thing is if you can drive your truck to a terminal why wouldn't you. If you've seen how much companies like TA and Petro's charge wouldn't you want your company drivers to go to the terminals to get the truck fixed?

Orientation, they do treat you like a king. Dispatcher problems happen when a person can't get along with another person. Yes some dispatchers should be navigating childrens baseball games and not semi trucks, but they needed a job too. Averitt allows the dispatcher to take drivers out to lunch anytime your in Cookeville and work out your problems and yes thats hard to do if you live in another state but I lived in cookeville and couldn't eat with my dispatcher but one time. They promote communication. The owner of the company has an open door policy. So if you can't get what you want you didn't try hard enough or your just lazy.

When you get a truck and another driver has used it, it is the law for the company to furnish you another mattres, but you have to refuse to drive the truck until it is replaced.

They told you upfront that you do not drive the trucks home. If you ask your fleet manager to take it home once and a while they will let you.

The rules of Averitt are this: one time-verbal warning, two times- written warning, three times your like a base ball hit by babe ruth your out of there. And by the way the night time dispatchers are no good for the most part. They are overloaded with drivers like the man said at night and need to hire some more dispatchers.

You were not forced to drive at night, unless your dispatcher sat there with gun up to your head while you drove. You also said they took you off the load, get some sleep and start over in the morning. Whats the big deal...

The company is just another company, they have their problems but who don't. I like working for this company. And the uniforms are not out of your own pocket, there is 150.00 allowance given to you for cintas uniforms once a year. If you paid for the uniform call cintas and Averitt and demand your money back driver.

I am a driver with Averitt Express.
Prior to joining the company, all employees are informed that Uniforms must be worn. It is similar to many other companies. Ever seen a UPS driver wearing blue ? Of course not. I find that uniforms are a benefit, not a detriment.

All drivers know that trucks are not to be driven home. They are parked in a Service Center which is an advantage because the trucks can be serviced over week ends when drivers are home.

If there is something wrong with a truck, and it can be driven, there are morer Averitt Service Centers in the Averitt Region than there are Petros and TA's combined. What's the problem ?

When a load is delegated to a driver, that driver informs dispatch how many duty hours remain on his 14 hour clock. When the 14 hours are up, a driver takes the mandatory 10 hours in the bunk. If the complaining driver is tired before his 14 hours are up I might suggest he's in the wrong job.

Averitt Express will NEVER knowingly allow a driver to exceed mandated hours on duty. I have been questioned when it looked as though I did not take my full 10 hours in the bunk.

Every driver I have ever met on the road has had less than desirable experiences with a dispatcher. Sometimes my dispatcher doesn't give me what I want. Most times it's because the dispatcher can't please all of his drivers all of the time.

Judging by the unwarranted complaints I read here, no dispatcher could hope to satisfy this driver.

As an employer, Averitt Express enjoys one of the best reputations on America's roads. Just ask a professional driver who has been on the road for more than a couple of years.