Carrier Profiles
RJR Transportation Services
RJR Transportation Services is an international carrier which provides service between Canada and the United States with domestic service in each country.
This family-owned, private company, which was founded in 1981, handles automotive and general commodity freight with a fleet of independent contractors who operate in cargo vans, straight trucks and tractor-trailers.
With office, terminal and warehousing facilities in Windsor, Ontario, RJR specializes in expedite and J.I.T. services and also offers its customers both Long-Haul and LTL services.
Although the company's fleet is authorized for all 48 states and Canada, RJR's primary service areas are in the Midwestern states, including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan and Illinois. The southern U.S. states including Florida are an expanding area for RJR in addition to Laredo and other Texas cities along with occasional west coast runs.
The Canadian lanes include "Toronto down the 401 corridor". The company does not service Montreal, Quebec.
Neither does the company actively pursue freight that is destined for the U.S. east coast and so loads headed north of the Carolinas are infrequent.
Employment opportunities for both Canada and the United States are available. The company is currently seeking owner-operators with vans, straight trucks and tractors who are domiciled in the Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky areas.
Because of RJR's increasing presence in new areas of the U.S., the company is exploring the feasibility of opening terminals and warehouse facilities in selected U.S. locations.
Paul Lane is the recruiter for RJR and he has a background in trucking that began many years ago: "I started in trucking as a driver in the 1970's before moving into dispatch "and sales.
What kind of mileage can an owner-operator expect to see with RJR?
Lane says, "When I talk to 5-ton (straight truck) owners, I tell him that he can figure on 2,000-2,500 miles a week. For a cargo van owner-operator, I tell him that the company average is around $1,500.00 per week."
He states that the keys to success for an owner-operator signed with RJR include: "Being available, being ready to drive and put in a lot of miles (safely and legally)".
He explains, "When I sign a driver on, he can choose to run hard and make good money or he can take it easy and just generate a so-so income. I'm looking for contractors with a good work ethic, excellent communication skills and a professional image and attitude."
CDL's are required for all truck sizes and the company will provide Haz-Mat training. Lane adds, "I can have a U.S.-based driver signed on within probably a day and a half."
The company is seeking both single and team operations and Lane tells us, "Because of the Hours of Service regulations and how it effects solo drivers, team operations are doing very well with RJR."
Regarding the company's equipment needs, he says that straight trucks with 24 foot boxes are preferred. "It’s best to have that 24' box because some customers are shipping 12 skids, or if they're stackable, 24 skids."
For tractor owner-operators, trailers are provided.
The company requires that straight trucks and tractors be sleeper-equipped. "RJR does have a significant number of long hauls and in the event a driver has a load taking him to Laredo, a day cab just won't do it," says Lane.
RJR uses a first in-first out dispatching protocol and dispatch stays in touch with the fleet by satellite and owner-operator provided cell phone (not mandatory, but strongly suggested).
Lane says that the company is always alert to double-loading opportunities - it's good for the company and good for the owner-operators.
The benefits of leasing with RJR Transportation include:
*All loaded and empty miles paid
*Paid Tolls/Bridge Crossings
*Paid Faxes
*COMDATA Fuel & Cash Cards
*Weekly Settlements
*Direct Deposit available
*On Road emergency PO's
*Permits Paid
*Trucking and Cargo insurance paid (owner provides bobtail insurance)
*Home Most Weekends
*Fuel Tax Reporting by company
*Fuel Surcharge - 100% Paid Weekly to the owner
Driver requirements for U.S. drivers
*No DUI's
*Will need a current (two months) driver's abstract (MVR) or Canadian (CVOR)
*Good Looking, Well Maintained Vehicle
*Valid ICC Medical
*Police Visa Clearance Search
*Past 3 Year Verifiable Work History
The RJR story is a continuing one of corporate growth and expansion, of a company maintaining the core values that engendered its growth while exploring new technologies and practices in a new century.
For more details about the RJR opportunity, call Paul Lane at (800) 265-9613 ext 222, or use the RJR online application.