At Cannon Express, they don't just talk about getting you home - they are serious enough about it to have a specialized routing department that is designed just to get drivers home.

"We have developed the routing department, which handles getting our drivers home in a timely fashion," said Dean Cannon, President of the Springdale, Ark., general commodities carrier.

"Every day, our routing department looks at all of the requests from our drivers for legitimate home time and begins its daily process of attempting to make it happen for you. Whether it takes splitting off a load or switching it, we are committed to the needs of our drivers and our customers," Cannon said. "Couple this with our pay scale and our equipment, and the company looks very attractive.

"Cannon Express is a publicly held company, trading on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol 'AB.' It doesn't stand for anything in particular. We just couldn't come up with something that wasn't used already or reserved by someone else," he said.

Cannon opened for business in 1981 with five company trucks and began to expand dramatically in 1982, under the direction of Dean and Rose Marie Cannon.

Today the company operates in 48 states, Canada and Mexico, and has grown to 900 trucks. It also offers a lease-purchase program and has the distinction of being listed in Forbes Magazine's Top 200 companies in the U.S. for two years running.

Cannon said the three main operating principles are good freight and freight lanes, excellent equipment and professional drivers.

As far as equipment, Cannon's no-slip-seating policy is a strong plus, and the company tries to get the best, most driver-friendly equipment it can find.

"We try to make your home on wheels as comfortable as any place you'd ever want to live," he said. Company trucks are 2000 and 2001 model International conventionals. The company chose conventionals because of the smoother, more comfortable ride they offer drivers. The trucks come with International's Eagle trim package, which is a plus to drivers and offers a nicer interior with more storage room and larger closets.

"Our freight is 90% driver no-touch and 40% drop-and-hook," Cannon said. "We also offer a half-cent pay raise every six months. With our lease program, you get two weeks each year without a lease payment."

"They are excellent people to work with," said Darin Kelbaugh, a lease driver who runs about 3,500 miles a week for Cannon Express. "They will work with you, and they will keep you moving."

Kelbaugh, of Maryland, has been driving for eight years. He's been at Cannon for the last five and said he stays because he makes a good living. "If you want to work, this is a good place. If you want to sit, I wouldn't do it.

"We go to all 48 states, and I'm usually out 21 days and then three or four days home and then back out. You can take up to five days home if you need to," Kelbaugh said.

David Geiger is a company driver and driver trainer who has been at Cannon since he started driving three years ago. "I really recommend this company. The solicitors keep us loaded and moving, the safety people keep you posted on everything you need to know, and the dispatcher gives you all the information you need along the way.

"It also feels like a close-knit group," he added. "They are very understanding and accommodating as far as drivers' needs go."

Geiger said he makes a good living running 48 states, plus doing some training. "They understand that unless the truck is rolling, nobody makes any money. We turn a lot of miles.

"They also know that a happy driver is a productive driver. All of our trucks are up to owner-operator specs. They are all new, 2000 or 2001 models. We probably have the youngest fleet in the industry. I don't see myself working for anybody else. I was blessed to find a good company the first time around," Geiger said.

An average hard-working driver would earn $40,000 a year or better with the carrier, said Cannon. The company can tailor a benefits package to a driver and his or her family. Cannon Express has medical, dental and vision insurance; a week's paid vacation; a 401(k) plan; a safety bonus; and a $200 driver referral bonus.

The lease-purchase program is attractive to those who want to become owner-operators. It not only allows a driver to get into a truck with no money down, but also includes a business assistance program, along with perks such as fuel cards, paid fuel surcharges and paid tolls.

"We pride ourselves on our integrity and on being driver-friendly," Cannon added. "We pay on time, honest and up front from day one. We get the driver home regularly.

"We provide the professional an opportunity to drive good equipment, get good miles and get home. We treat them with respect. The driver comes first at Cannon Express."

For more information about Cannon Express, call (800) 845-9390.