truck driver

local driver

dock worker

delivery driver

route driver

AAA Cooper Transportation

P&D
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*WorkDay*

Show up to work at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time; this is posted on the wall every day at the end of day. Ask the dispatch team if your run is ready or if they need help on the dock to get you ready. Pre-trip your truck and hook up to your assigned door and gather your equipment that you'll need for the day. [Pallet jack hand truck electric jack etc.] Gather your bills and verify your stops in the order in which they are loaded on the truck. Deliver the freight in a safe and timely matter and keep good communication with your dispatcher so they can more efficiently carry out the tasks needed for the day. Call and verify your return back to the terminal when all of your assignments are complete and if you're finished for the day post-trip your truck and go home. 

*What did I learn*

I came to Cooper with no P&D experience and little knowledge of the cities that I'd be operating in so I learned a lot. I learned the importance of being a well-kept customer facing employee is every bit as important as being a courteous driver. I also learned that most drivers don't take care of their own equipment so unless you're willing to risk the engine blowing or popping a tire as soon as you leave you need to be doing your pre-trip especially if you're slip seating a tractor. If you don't have a good work ethic you will be a burden to the company as well as your fellow drivers because our service is the only face time that the customer will get with the representative of the company they're paying for the service from. P&D is the worst idea for a newly graduated CDL holder, you will destroy your Career before it even has a chance to begin. 

*Management*

Truth be told, all the managers just want good employees. Having them on your side and having a good relationship with them not only makes them feel validated and important but also makes you feel important too. Each one is unique in their own way in Jacksonville none of them bad in my personal opinion. I feel like our drivers put a lot of unnecessary stress on them because of their unwillingness to figure things out for themselves. The workflow management could be more efficient and problemsolve the issues leading to late loadout times for drivers as well as be more fair on the workload of each individual. I have personally learned though that the power of our service center management team is somewhat lacking though due to corporate changes and policies and that makes passing assigned blame and responsibility to an individual difficult. Micromanaging happens all the way down the chain leading to a lot of confusion and frustration such as having to fire employees they don't want to and being forced to keep those they don't. 

*Hardest part of the job*

This all depends on what kind of person you are.  If you're a brand new driver, navigating the truck is going to be hard in the city for you. If you're not in the best of shape, the physical workload might prove to be too much. If you have a low work ethic you might find yourself on the receiving end of backlash from the management team. If you're an experienced driver, then your biggest issue is going to be learning the practices of all the businesses and figuring out who to talk to for each issue at the terminal to get issues resolved and not just addressed.

*The most enjoyable part of the job*

A place is only as good as the people you know at it and if you can find a few co-workers that you get along with it can make the place a much less dark place to have to spend 10 hours a day at. 



When i started here things were pretty much good. Not perfect but couldn't complain to much. Long hours (12+ most days) and rushing across town, thats just the industry. You do what you can. I don't know what happened, over the last year or two it just seemed to all fall apart. Departments not doing there jobs, half the trucks were broke down out of service, a lot of the trailers were pretty beat up too. Old equip and constantly trailers from other terminals would come in loaded like s***. Freight spilling everywhere inside the trailers on a daily basis, if it came from memphis its 100 percent garanteed your gonna be picking things up and restacking skids for the next hour at least. You cant say no and you just gotta work as fast as you can.

The other dock shift is lazy as h***, they don't care about securing freight or if they break something or if several skids on one bill are placed in the same area in the trailer. OSD is constantly full and I dont know which shift fills it up faster. The management knows about these problems and just seems to shrug it all off. Then get mad when the driver complains about it or if things need to get brought back at the end of th day because of issues when it was loaded. Everything seems rushed and the quality level has dropped to zero from when I started everything was almost good.

I know long hours are normal from truck drivers but D*** they do everythuing they can to keep you out as long as possible. You'l get back at the end of a run as the sun is going down and get sent out again to do a swap  45 miles away most times. Like yes Im hourly but I also want to have time to make dinner right?? It always feels like we have more freight than we can handle. So many drivers and dock workers have left since I've been here it's crazy. And you get harassed about why this or that thing didn't happen and it's like dude I keep explaining the problems. The one dude in dispatch may be one of the only guys there who seems to get that. I don't know how he keeps his stress levels down but he's one of the only good ones. Weve had like 5 dispatchers since I've been here and I see why.

Some of the places you go do pickups or swaps or deliveries at are a nightmare too. Nobody does things the same way so you have to memorize each place and sometimes it changed depending on who's on shift at the time. I've had a dozen or so times when the info on the bill is wrong like a phone number is wrong or missing or the address is wrong, or the customer put their personal name and not the company name so I don't know what i'm supposed to be looking for.

On the good side it's pretty consistent work daily, I almost never work weekends and although I hate the hours its usually the same hours. The pay is one of the best in the industry if you dont wanna do otr. Eventually you get your own equipment althogh its usually someone else's who quit but lately they've started getting new equipment. You do get a lot of experience being on the road that long and you see a lot of places. They also provide water bottles by the skid so that's good in the heat.

A Typical Day at Work:
My day usually begins early, inspecting my truck and ensuring all dock equipment is in safe working condition. I assist in loading and unloading freight, checking shipments for accuracy, and making sure everything is secured properly for transport. As a CDL driver, I also handle local or regional deliveries, navigating routes efficiently while maintaining safety standards and timely deliveries.

What I Believe I Learned:
I've gained strong skills in time management, attention to detail, and communication. Working in both dock operations and as a CDL driver has taught me how to handle pressure, solve problems quickly, and stay organized even in high-demand situations.

Management:
Good management makes a big difference in our line of work. When supervisors communicate clearly and respect the team, everything runs smoother. I've learned the importance of leadership that supports safety, accountability, and teamwork.

Workplace Culture:
The culture is fast-paced and demanding, but also team-oriented. There's a strong sense of responsibility and pride in getting the job done right. Everyone plays a role in keeping the supply chain moving, and that shared mission brings people together.

The Hardest Part of the Job:
The physical demands and long hours can be challenging, especially during peak shipping times or adverse weather conditions. It takes endurance and discipline to stay sharp and focused throughout the day.

The Most Enjoyable Part of the Job:
I enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes at the end of the day, knowing that my work helps keep goods moving and businesses running smoothly. I also appreciate the independence on the road and the teamwork on the dock.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Everyone in dispatch / OS&D the whole office staff in general are great. 

Cooper treats me with respect and like a person and not a number. I have 2 young kids and sometime having children kids can prevent you from going to work sometimes whether a child is sick, injured or a day off from school like mlk day Cooper no questions asked will work with me no matter the situation. They are such a great company for local truckers who want to make decent money and be treated with respect would recommend to anyone and everyone 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of the job (and I say job and not company because you will run into this issue no matter the LTL carrier if you city driving)
It would have to be the situations that the customers put you in. Sometimes the customer makes backing into their dock or on their property nearly impossible whether the property is stacked with old pallets or the property is too small to back in with some extreme effort. Normally it’s the customers that bring stress to the job but Cooper as a company doesn’t stress me out at all

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Really good everyone is cool and easy to talk to and get along with

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
For city driving you start your day any time between 7am and 10am depending on with your trailer is ready 95% of the time it’s about 8:30am you drive around the city making all your deliveries and once the trailer is empty you go around and make pickups and once the trailer is full or dispatch has nothing left for you to get you head back to the terminal and then usually go home between 5:30 -7:30 unless you want extra hours then you can take what’s called a trailer swap which is a drop and hook usually at Amazon or Home Depot DC something like that.

The list of things wrong with this place wont even fit all the charecters. I'll address the most important first. Management is the ABSOLUTE WORST!! They constantly belittle and disrespect their employees at an ALL TIME HIGH. Communication is terrible amongst management and employees. They curse yell at and degrade the ones thats not kissing their a**. 

They don't pay overtime PERIOD but expect you to work an average 10hrs sometimes 12 a day but get this only pay you for 9hrs for paid time off. The benefits for singles is even bad. They force you to work on your off days and they recently at this termina l took people's holiday pay for not coming in (at the last minute i may add) on your day off. They LIE so much that they recently changed the vacation days system (at this terminal again) that they told us one thing that resulted in some people not having vacation days at all or not all that they earned. Favortism is bad and racism and prejudice is so obvious. 

You have to miss 6 consecutive days to get paid only for the sixth day of sick time. Im sitting on enough sick time to give away. Your constantly watched and harassed and they make up rules as they go. You cant even really have a snack. Only 30min breaks nothing more. Hard and smart work never appreciated. The only way you move up is if you know someone high in the company. Kiss a** or come in as management. 

The list goes on!!!
I would never recommended anyone work here especially not at the SAA terminal. Part time may be the best option but NEVER go full-time.

  This is an incredibly disorganized and toxic place to work for.  Not just the company, but my terminal in particular.  I was dragged through the mud because I made the mistake of being nice to the wrong person.  I was stuck being trained by someone my manager said didn't know what she was doing BY THAT SAME MANAGER WHO ASSIGNED ME TO HER.  Other employees will lie about you to make themselves look better and just create a very caddy, childish, and infuriating environment.  It feels like a middle school girls locker room than a company.
  
  The turnover is very high because they run the drivers and dock guys ragged, they aren't paid what they're worth, and nepotism keeps inept and dangerous employees around.  While some positions in the office pay well at first, but you will not get a raise as long as you're in that position which is not a motivator to stay after about 3 years.

  A few terminals are severely disorganized and sit on the freight for 4 days without movement, never answer their phones, and this causes people from all over the Southeast to bombard us with calls because we're the only ones who will answer.  The owners are so convinced that if they keep telling you, "we're a family and we're trying"; that makes everything ok.  I seriously thought about how easy it would be to quit without another job lined up and found the decision not to be a difficult one.

The benefits also take 60 days to kick in which is laughable.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Decent pay and ok benefits. Some drivers have assigned equipment although it is not always guaranteed.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Houston managers. My route is supposed to be rolling by 0930 but always depart at 1100. Managers want to put every piece of freight regardless of space and receiving hrs. We have 4 dispatchers, 3 of them with 25+ drivers and 1 of them if lucky, 16!!! and is expected to perform as the others, that is so unfair but management does not care. The rep making delivery appt. is clueless, telling customers the driver will be there at 0700 when the driver comes to work at 0930. Now that AAA pays time and a half, we cannot work over 50 hrs but are required to do the same amount of deliveries and pick ups. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Stressful. Drivers depart late and have to speed throughout the day to make their delivery windows, there goes SAFETY. Culture none, favoritism 100%

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Come in at 0930, leave at 1100, miss my first delivery because they closed at 1200. Start my pick ups, move returned freight back and forth. Return to warehouse and hope tomorrow I will depart at 0930.

Work-life balance
There's no incentive to work at AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION.  Vacation policy is outdated, every company is offering at least 2 weeks vacation after 1 year of employment, you get 2 weeks after 3 years. No personal time, below the linehaul pay scale,no overtime.  The owner has to do better because drivers are leaving and going to other companies.  Let your employees know you care by offering an incentive besides a paycheck. Trust me , you earn that paycheck.

Pay & benefits
The hourly rate is competitive but you get paid no overtime. Linehaul pay is not on par with other ltl companies

Job security and advancement
You'll have job security because everyone is quitting

Management
Management is following the head, if the head doesn't understand,  the rest of the body won't either.

Overall
This could be a top tier company if the employees had more incentives to work there. Offer 2 weeks vacation coming in, raise the linehaul pay to a competitive level, offer at least a week of personal time, honor your military veterans,  give the drivers a paid birthday off. Trust me,  you won't lose your employees to other ltl companies.

A typical day would involve face to face calls on customers in my assigned territory to idenitfy their current transportation needs with our products and services. In addition, we would do "cold calling" to identify customers that are using other carriers and explain how our services was superior to the competition.

After identifying customers needs and requirement, I would serve as the liasson between my customer and our operations team. Example would be: Customer's Shipping/Receiving Hours, Freight loading requirements, etc.

The most enjoyable part of the job was meeting different people and being able to help them with their transportation needs.

The Hardest part of the job was coming from a National Carrier and AAA Cooper being a regional carrier I was limited in my coverage area.

My co workers were great people, especially the drivers. I would often ride with a driver on their route to see our operation first hand.

● Job security and advancement
In terms of job security at AAA Cooper Transportation, I am always being threatened that I could loose my job on the spot.

● Management
In general, managers at AAA Cooper Transportation  are well under educated and don’t care about the employees just the bottom line do more for less or, get fired. Female supervisor has been caught hacking fellow supervisors computer to get personal information and she still has a job. Your always being told no matter how hard you work it’s never god enough and that you can be replaced. Your always being asked to do stuff that you wasn’t hired for. Manager doesn’t hire a full staff so they can work you harder to cover their butts. Always changing the rules to make you look bad. Don’t work here and it’s only a matter of time before the drivers walk out. The won’t have the account much longer.

● Overall
My experience working at AAA Cooper Transportation great if you wanna be threaten all the time

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Truck driver 4 salaries reported	$86,000 per year
Local driver 1 salary reported	$33.59 per hour
Dock worker 4 salaries reported	$27.03 per hour
Delivery driver 1 salary reported	$31.50 per hour
Route driver 13 salaries reported	$90,000 per year

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