Author: Drive for Bennett Motor Express

Bennett’s Heavy Haul and Specialized Division consistently ranks as one of the top specialized carriers in the country. One reason owner operators continue to stay with Bennett is because of the diversity in our freight portfolio. With everything from military hauling to wind and energy hauling, this is not your cookie cutter freight, and it’s certainly not an easy job. We talked to some of the folks here at Bennett to gain some insight into how drivers can be successful in the heavy haul division. Here is what they had to say.

Maximize Opportunities

One thing we pride ourselves on at Bennett is the amount of endless opportunity to increase revenue for heavy haul drivers. With a customer base as diverse as ours, there is something for owner operators at every level and skill set in heavy haul.

After 13 years of driving with Bennett, Carl Shifflett has seen his fair share of ups and downs, both personally and professionally. He learned very quickly the importance of maximizing opportunities when you’re in this industry, and putting in the time and the work.

Carl says, “When you work in freight, there are going to be ups and downs, no matter what company you’re with. This month we may be booming, and next month we may be struggling with freight. At Bennett, they try to keep you moving. If they have freight, they’ll give it to you. We have a lot of agents, and although I live in Georgia, I’ve been all around the country. That’s why, to be successful as a heavy haul driver at Bennett, you have to figure out the system and make it work for you. You’ll learn where the freight is, where it’s not, what agents you want to call, etc. One reason I’ve stayed at Bennett is because of the dispatchers. They will help you any way they can. Another good thing is that most of the recruiters have driven themselves, so they know what it’s like out there on the road. If you show that you want to work, there’s always a load to be had, and it could land you somewhere there’s a better paying load.”

Carl’s ultimate piece of advice to drivers considering working in heavy haul at Bennett is to put in the time and work.

“You need to show you want to work, and the people at Bennett will be there for you. They’ll work with you and show you the load board, and you take it from there.”

Utilize Your Network

When success is mentioned at Bennett, one word we hear from drivers again and again is the “network.” Every successful driver at Bennett allows the network to help them. From contract relations to operations and maintenance, the Bennett network understands that drivers’ needs come first. As a family-owned company, we’re large enough to serve but small enough to care.

Danny Dunn has been with Bennett for seven years, and has experienced this first hand. Having been involved with everything from step deck, to 19 axel trailers, he attributes the Bennett network to helping him out with anything and everything while on the road.

“Bennett has a family atmosphere. They know who you are when you call, you’re not just a number. When you’re thinking about going to another company, one thing to ask yourself is, ‘How do you like to be treated?’ If you want to work with an honest employer with good friends and equipment, that has a big operations base as far as terminals go, then Bennett is the place for you.”

Danny’s fiancé, Gretchen Wermuth, has also been with Bennett for 10 years. She escorts him on the oversized loads, and together they’ve gone from one truck at Bennett pulling their heavy haul trailers, to owning 3 trucks and 3 trailers of their own. Gretchen says one key to success at Bennett is keeping an open mind, and being honest.

“If you don’t know the answer to a question, pick up the telephone and call somebody. Utilize the network. The great thing about Bennett is no one is too good to help another driver out. You’re a name, not a number.”

Be Prepared

Lawrence Frye, Director of Operations for Heavy Haul and & Specialized at Bennett Motor Express has been with us for 16 years, and says the key to success for heavy haul drivers is preparation.

“Heavy haul drivers have to be more in tune with the details that go into prep, planning and safety. The larger the load, the more exposure and liability they have out there. Each segment of our business has many procedures to follow, but heavy haul certainly has the most. The nice thing, is that our drivers have a variety. There are some drivers who want to stay within the realm of heavy haul, but aren’t interested in the very exotic and time-consuming loads that take more preparation and planning. But, then we also have guys who haul up to 200,000 pounds. The important thing is, our guys use the system and let the total network work for them, so they never feel like they have to do everything on their own.”

“If you always keep the 5 P’s in the forefront, Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance, you’ll be successful.”

If you know what it takes to run a quality heavy haul business and want consistent freight with full back-office support, consider leasing your truck with Bennett. Learn more about our heavy haul jobs at drive4bme.com or call 888-712-3036.

Six new drivers joined Bennett in our McDonough orientation last week. From left, Kelvin Sledge from Macon, MS; Michael Johnson from Joshua, TX; Marty Roberts from Locust Grove, GA; Danielle and Donald Lee from Forest Park, GA; and Chad White from Blackwater, MO. Michael Durden presented Marty with a veterans deal for his truck in recognition of his service in the U.S. Army, serving a total of three tours in Korea. Michael was presented with a veterans decal for his service as a Marine Korean linguist serving in the Western Pacific and Middle East. Welcome to Bennett everyone. We are so happy to have you. #truckhappy 

When you meet Ben Rhoads, he’s so calm, you wouldn’t think police officer, safety inspector, driver who loves heavy haul loads, or father of six children – including three adopted children abandoned by their mother. He’s so laid back and never seems to get ruffled by anything that he comes across more like a pastor or counselor, somebody who tries to be there for others.

Actually, he’s pretty much all of those things.

Ben’s the type of guy that is always looking for opportunities to help others. He started out his career in law enforcement, but his heart always brought him back to driving. His love of children led him to take on the challenges of raising and loving three damaged children. At Bennett, he is a Safety Road Team Captain for Bennett’s Safety Team, a role that involves inspecting the trucks of Bennett drivers he may encounter while on a route. He cherishes the role because he sees it as service to the drivers “to help them be more cautious and avoid violations,” he says.

Ben grew up in a family with nine children, which he credits for his ability to get along with people. Ben started driving brokered heavy haul loads for Bennett as an independent driver before becoming a company driver in 2014 hauling big loads for oil rigs for a Bennett agent. Then he got the bug to have his own business again, bought his own truck and leased on as an owner operator. He has a good reputation with Bennett’s operations managers who view him as reliable and competent, a driver they can really trust.

Ben says that flexibility has helped him go the long haul in professional life, including getting the kinds of heavy haul freight jobs he likes best.

“When I came on, I tried to stick to oversized stuff,” he says. “I like to do heavy haul loads, but I was willing to do anything. I try to be flexible, and that has gone a long way in helping me to get some great freight opportunities.”

5 Flatbed Owner Operator Tips for Being Flexible

Ben shares how to be flexible:

• Be willing to take on loads you don’t want. If somebody asks you to do something, even if it isn’t what you want, look at it as an opportunity to help and you may get a call down the road for a load you really want. Ask yourself, is it really going to hurt me to help with something that I’m not that excited about? You may realize that it will actually help you!
• Look for opportunities to help others, especially drivers. If you’re flexible and help somebody else, you could end up with opportunities you’d never even know about. If you’re going to be a part of the Bennett family, being willing to help each other out sometimes can help you get on someone’s good side. That person may have great loads you know nothing about, some really great freight.
• Be willing to break even every once in a while. Being flexible might mean taking on loads where you just break even, but it can get you to a place where you can get the freight you really want.
• Work with others. In this business, it’s not just about you. If you want good jobs, you need to learn to work with others. Give a little, take a little.
• Be business smart. Being flexible doesn’t mean that you have to sign up for everything that’s tossed at you. You’ve got to be business smart too and not let people take advantage of you, but if you look for ways to be of service, the good jobs will start coming your way.

Ben’s service record of flexibility and willingness to help speak for themselves. When he was still a company driver, a customer told him that he coordinated the smoothest oil rig move (58 loads in four days) that she’s ever had and even asked Ben to run her job site. He was one of the drivers to help out with FEMA loads after the hurricanes and was really there for Bennett when they had a driver in a pinch.

Driving for Bennett

Ben was a heavy haul driver at other companies before coming to Bennett. He didn’t stay long at those companies because he didn’t like how they treated drivers.

“You were pretty much a number and that was it,” he says. “They weren’t thinking about the driver. But here at Bennett, they take care of drivers. They treat you like you’re a human being, not a number. I can talk to anyone by phone and they talk to me by name. Miss Marcia is a sweetheart. I love that woman to death. She has always treated me and other drivers with respect.”

If you’re looking to make the change and drive for Bennett, or if you’d just like more information, visit drive4bme.com, or contact one of our recruiters at 888-712-3036!

We would like to welcome the newest members to our prestigious President’s Million Miler club. From the entire Bennett family, we thank you for all that you do and all the sacrifices you make.

CEO Marcia G. Taylor recognized Bennett and Ace Doran’s 2017 Women Drivers of Excellence, President’s Million Mile Club Members and Bennett’s first Highhway Angel, featuring remarks by Nashville Recording Artist, Lindsay Lawler. There were lots of awards at Bennett’s Driver Appreciation Celebration, including recognizing the efforts of our drivers in the hurricane relief efforts for #HurricaneHarvey and #HurricaneIrma. While giving out rewards, Lynnette Mathis remarked that while thousands of Floridians were traveling north to get away from the danger, our drivers were driving right into the heart of the storm with relief supplies, putting their lives at risk, to help those in desperate need. Drivers, you’re our heroes! We appreciate everything you do to keep our lives going. #BIGDA17 #Truckers

Nashville Recording Artist, Lindsay Lawler puts on an exclusive concert at Bennett International Group to celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2017. Her set list includes trucker songs “I Drive” and “Highway Angel”, as well as a Michael Jackson cover. As the Truckload Carriers Association Highway Angel spokesperson, she also honored David Begley, Bennett’s first Highway Angel.

Bennett is excited to welcome three new drivers to BME and two new van drivers to Ace Doran. We’re glad to have you all and look forward to working together. From left, Michael Thane (ACE) from Lynn Haven, FL; Silke Paterson (BME) from Jensen Beach, FL; Ibrahim Sheikh Ibrahim (ACE) from Lithonia, GA; Raymond (“Bert”) Walts (BME) from Collinsville, OK; and Beinvenido “Joe” Jorajuria from Miami, FL. #truckers #trucking