Veteran driver Walter Noel is not the norm in the trucking industry. Noel, of Lyons, Ind., has been with the same company since 1974. No job jumping, no company switching, just driving for Atlas week after week, year after year for 26 years.

"That is how much I think of the company. If I were to leave the Special Products Division, I would go with another Atlas agency. There is no reason to switch. I am well satisfied here," Noel says.

Pretty good recommendation in an industry where job shifting is the rule rather than the exception.

Atlas started as a household moving company and has evolved into a major national trucking concern with an annual revenue of over $520 million.

Unlike nearly every other carrier in the industry, its agents own Atlas. The Atlas Board of Directors is made up of Atlas agents, and none of its stock is publicly held. The company is headquartered in Evansville, Ind.

"That means that company decisions that affect Atlas drivers are made by people whose livelihoods depend on the trucking industry. Atlas does not take direction from any large outside corporation," says Dan Godeke, manager of recruiting for the company.

Atlas Van Lines was founded in 1948 in Chicago by a group of 33 independent movers. Over the years, the founding agents expanded their trucking services to include a Commercial Truckload Division and a Special Products Division.

Now in its 52nd year, Atlas is the fourth largest van Line and ranks as the third largest carrier of household goods. It has been the fastest growing van line in terms of shipments in the nation for the past 11 consecutive years. It currently has 407 agents in the United States, nearly 200 in Canada, and a total of about 800 agents worldwide. Readers of Logistics Management & Distribution Report named it in 2000.

Today, Atlas Corp. uses its own drivers. There is some crossover, with some agencies opting to have their drivers take loads in the other divisions either on a regular or an occasional basis.

The Special Products Division handles sensitive items like electronics, medical equipment and other high-value goods. The Commercial Truckload Division handles freight like office furniture and store fixtures.

"The company takes extra measures to bring in and keep good drivers," Godeke says, noting that most of the relationships involved direct lease arrangements.

Drivers who lease to the Special Products or Commercial Truckload Divisions get a sign-on bonus, annual bonus program, and a cellphone allowance. Atlas also has a safe driving program with gift rewards, adjustable fuel surcharge program, tractor/trailer washes reimbursed, uniform allowance and more.

"We feel that Atlas has a very competitive compensation policy that rewards the owner/operator for their work efforts," Godeke said. Top team operators can earn well over $200,000 a year. The SPD fleet average gross revenue should be $138,000 this year for single operators. The single operators average gross revenue for CTD should be $110,000.

"Atlas is proud of its open door policy," he added. "Drivers are welcome to address issues, not only with dispatch but management, as well."

"This is a good company. You can make a good living," says Noel, who typically stays out a month or so at a time in order to maximize his earnings. But it's not a good fit for drivers who want to be home every weekend or even every other week, he warns. "You need to stay out to make the money. Our owner/operators in CTD and SPD are out an average of between four to six weeks. They average 2,100 miles a week."

Another advantage, Noel says, is that he has a two-person dispatch team. "It is the same team you work with all the time and that is good."

"I'll tell you in every company, drivers get disgruntled and jump jobs. But I would say that 50% of the drivers who quit here come back to Atlas."

There is a company-wide annual driver appreciation day in September, called "R.O.A.D. Day" (Recognizing Our Atlas Drivers) when all drivers are invited to stop by Atlas headquarters or any Atlas agency for a treat like a hearty breakfast, barbecue, or entertainment. All drivers get gifts on R.O.A.D. Day.

"We want owner/operators to feel at home here and, we hope, make Atlas their career," Godeke says.

Owner/operators for Atlas must be a minimum of 21 years of age and have one year of over-the-road driving experience. The SPD and Household Divisions also have other criteria that must be met. Atlas prefers tractors that are 10 years of age or newer, said Godeke. "We run late- model trailers, provide all equipment and cover all maintenance costs associated with them, at no charge to the owner/operator."

Drivers can be domiciled anywhere in the 48 states.