At Continental Express, a driver-friendly attitude and a responsive, professional management team make all the difference. "The upper echelon of this company allows and encourages driver input," says Donald Whatley, a Continental company driver for the last 10 years who's celebrating 1.3 million safe miles and is one of the fleet's biggest fans.

He says President Diane Miller and her team have a vision for the company and are making things happen — everything from better equipment to easy freight to pride in the company.

"We are now enjoying the comforts of air-ride equipped International conventionals with high-rise 72-inch sleepers, and the convenience of Qualcomm satellite communications. In addition, Continental offers PrePass (weigh stations), Oklahoma turnpike pass, E-Z Pass, and some of the most driver-friendly freight in the nation," he says.

Based in Little Rock, Ark., Continental Express is a privately held, national dry freight carrier that uses only company drivers. It boasts an impressive list of Fortune 500 clients, such as Toys 'R' Us, JC Penney, and a large contingent of paper mills.

Since its founding in 1985 with 20 tractors and 20 drivers, Continental has enjoyed steady growth. Revenues have grown from $6 million in 1986 to $65 million in 1999, with 15% growth expected this year.

Continental operates 550 tractors and 1,000 dry vans and has regional terminals in Columbus, Ohio, Norcross, Ga., Rockwall, Texas, and Moriarty, N.M. It employs 700 people, including 560 drivers. Each tractor in the all-International conventional fleet is assigned, so there are no slipseats; the vehicles are 1997 or newer models, Miller says.

Continental tries to maximize flexibility in scheduling. "We are very accommodating and attentive to personal needs," Miller says. "It is not unusual for us to allow a driver to deadhead 150 to 200 miles to be home.

"I try to know about them and their families. If I have a driver who's at home sick, I call and check on them," Driver retention is good. "We have some drivers who have been here since day one. We have a lot of five-, seven- and 10-year drivers."

Miller says drivers praise the friendly attitude. "They like the fact we are all accessible to them, from the ops manager on up to me. And, they like it that we seek out driver-friendly freight." She and her management team meet weekly to discuss problems, freight and any ideas drivers have presented.

According to Miller, top-producing drivers at Continental make about $55,000 a year, and the average driver earns around $42,000. "Most make 31 cents a mile and average 3,000 miles a week," she says. There is a 5-cent per mile bonus for drivers who surpass division standards.

Continental recruits at numerous driving schools and puts new drivers through a six-week paid training program in one of its 35 trainer-equipped trucks. Eligible recruits must be 21 years old and have either six months of experience or have graduated from a qualified school.

Most drivers run solo, but there are a few teams. One recent recruit was a man in his 70s who wanted to become a trainee and take his wife along. "He said, ‘A lot of retired people get RVs and drive around the country. This way we can do the same thing and get paid for it'," she recalls. Miller expects that with the end of Social Security earning limits, Continental will start recruiting older drivers.

Whatley, who lives in Quinlan, Texas, near the Rockwall terminal, likes long hauls, choosing to run four to five weeks at a time. "I can make a little more money that way, and I get to be off for 10 days when I get back. This company, unlike many, does not draw a hard line in regard to time-off policies. They have always been very reasonable."

The average long haul is 1,750 miles, and the average regional is 900. "Our freight is very driver-friendly, lots of long-haul and very little loading and unloading," Miller says. Drivers may choose long-haul or regional. However, there is usually a waiting list for regional runs because it's easier to get home more often. But Miller points out that drivers can be domiciled virtually anywhere since they can take their equipment home.

"Our goal is to seek the best employees, use the latest technology, out-perform the average trends and utilize every resource to overcome every physical and regulatory challenge that faces our industry," she says. "We have not been stopped by these obstacles in the past, and we are confident of the same for the future."

To other truck drivers, Whatley says, "I'd like to make a personal, heartfelt appeal to any driver who is dissatisfied with his or her current job. If you have been contemplating a career change, but feel unsure where to go, friend, you won't find a better outfit than Continental Express. I personally invite you to come join our team and look me up when you get here."