truck driver

senior diesel technician

shuttle driver

dispatcher

outside sales representative

Cherokee Freight Lines

Well starting pay is low ($13.50), not paid straight-time and no O/T. All drive time is paid the hourly rate, it's when you arrive to your delivery and/or pickup is when it gets screwy, especially if you're waiting which you will have many joyous hours of waiting at docks. So if you work 16 hours, you may only get paid for 14 depending what activity you're doing. But no matter what you automatically lose 1 hour of pay.

Very long hours, mainly 14 and 16 hour days,with the high potential of layover. Most weekends are off. Here's an actual example, you'll start at 0700 and end at 2300, no kidding, it can and will happen. Oh, but you get 10 hours off!

Equipment issued to new hires is junk and poorly maintained. Mostly single-screw trucks with a tag axle, Trucks are lacking in power and are OLD, allot of units have over 1 million miles. Unless you've been with the company for over 10 + years don't even bank on getting a new truck.

Allot of your time will be spent in and around the Bay Area, yeah... not such a great place to drive everyday.

Most drivers are pretty friendly and helpful, good bunch.

Company is a union shop (Teamster Local 439). Yes you will have to pay dues. Very weak union pay scale in comparison to UPS and ABF.

My advice to anyone considering hiring on with this company as a drive is beware, if you must just get in your 1 year experience. I myself plan to leave soon for something more local with better pay and better home/life balance


I'm open to answer any questions






What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part of working for this company was the amount of overtime 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
This job was like being in a high school. My coworkers were very immature and loved to gossip and created a very hostile working environment.  I would advise anyone seeking a job here to really think twice about whether this is the type work environment you want to work in 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment was terrible. Coworkers were very immature and would start fights over nothing

I really enjoyed my time working at Cherokee. My boss was very understanding and all my co workers were always willing to lend a hand when I had a question about something. The environment was very relaxed and as long as you did your job the days would go smoothly. Even when issues or problems arose they were always handled thoughtfully and professionally. One of the best and if not the best job I've ever had.

Great company for all kinds of drivers. They have local work and out of state depending what you're looking for. Almost all trucks are newer models and taken care of. Management follows through on what they promise and treats drivers the way you should. Best benefit package me and my family has had. I'd still be there if I didn't need to move away for family reasons.

Some days are go, go, go,  and other days are really slow,  start times very a lot, must have a flexible schedule. But the company also helps you for example if your child gets seriously ill they will route you home asap.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Make sure they will do what you were told on your work responsibility 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Not having a load no work no pay stay home 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Stressful and unorganized 
Hard to deal with the dispather 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Been home longer not working thats it

Insurance really good. pay average and management is terrible. Dispatch  has no idea what there doing at all  drivers that have been there for years leaving should say something. You get write ups for being to early or to late for deliveries or pick ups. They monitor you and your truck all day long. Would I recommend this company for insurance yes for anything else no….

It's a good company with good people. Overall very friendly and helpful bunch. 

As for pay it's $13.50/hr for starting drivers, sadly they don't pay straight-time which would make it better. For a union shop it's a bit surprising to see such low pay. 

My suggestion is to forget the factor nonsense and start paying drivers straight-time and stop making us work for free for a half hour to an hour each day!




Comfortable work environment while at the same time felt like you’re walking on eggshells. If you ask for time off for doc appointments didn’t really get it unless you’re willing to take a day off . Management has their favorites, which get better loads even if other drivers have earned seniority. Seniority at this company doesn’t mean much.

Long hours without overtime, management ran out drivers and dispatchers and drivers are stuck cleaning up the mess, mostly drivers, and drivers are having to live in trucks all week long because they are not allowed to take trucks home anymore, drivers moral is down while looking for a job elsewhere:(

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Truck driver 74 salaries reported	$81,419 per year
Senior diesel technician 3 salaries reported	$28.00 per hour
Shuttle driver 1 salary reported	$20.00 per hour
Dispatcher 3 salaries reported	$33.00 per hour
Outside sales representative 6 salaries reported	$65,000 per year

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