truck driver

forklift operator

order picker

yard hostler

trailer technician

Northern-Refrigerated-Transportation

So, I have been here a few years now. This is a family built and owned company. There are way more people than I expected that have been here 20+ years. There are a lot of military veterans working here. people have been really friendly. 

I have seen some amazing growth just in my short time here. One thing in particular immediately earned my loyalty for this place: When covid hit, all of us were worried what the future would bring. Will work slow? Would we get laid off? I had already had friends at my old work tell me it happened to them and they needed a job. The owner of the company told our managers to find work for everyone because we have families to feed and he was not going to lay anyone off. The people who have been with the company awhile told me this was nothing new. They said when the housing bubble popped he did the same thing. No one lost their job. People might have had to do a different job, but the still had work and insurance. I was floored. I have seen other companies cut 150 people in a night because their stock to a dip or their employees had the audacity to bring in a union. 

The environment is not perfect by any stretch. They don't have the resources of a big rich business. The hours are long sometimes. I think some people are too busy to do their job well and others need more training. But I have seen that same issue everywhere I have worked. We have all the problems of a growing business. Need more equipment, need more employees, need more SPACE. The systems we use to work our trucks needs to be fixed or replaced. It's really buggy. 

I haven't been here a long time, but I really enjoy it so far. It's tough, but I have not once been treated unfairly. I can't say the same in other places I have worked. 



Clackamas Terminal 

NRT ships freight to multiple locations on one trailer (LTL). That said there is less driving (average 3hrs one way), more stops at docks, more sitting and unpredictable start/end times. 

SCHEDULE 

Typical starts are between 0200-0400, some as early as 0100, with end times averaging between 10-13hrs. Recently the routes have changed to 2-day runs so you head to Seattle for deliveries one day, layover, then deliver last drop and do a pickup the next day before heading back. Also very common to do local Portland Metro area in a 28-36’ liftgate trailer with an electric pallet jack. 

Pay 

I believe it’s $24.75-27.75 dependent upon your TENURE. So I believe new drivers get $24.75 but I may be wrong. 

Also, you get paid $5 per stop and can expect Atleast 2-4 per day. 

EQUIPMENT 

Newer Auto-Pererbilts (2016-2019) with great sleepers that you can stand up in. We have 1 manual Peterbilt that is much smaller but most of the fleet is auto in Clackamas. 

WORK-CULTURE 

Management is decent and supportive. Dispatcher does micro manage more than necessary but that may not be for long due to a soon to be retirement. Other than that most of the management is easy going, supportive and fair. 

OVERALL 

Expect early start times and average day of 10-13hr days. But they’re easy days with a lot of sitting at docks so you can nap which makes up for early starts. Also expect to restart next day after your 10hr reset so not much hometime during the week. You’ll still sleep in your own bed most nights bet the time you sleep will vary greatly. But it does beat OTR. If you can put up with some micromanagement you’ll do alright here. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great dispatchers to work with always there for the Drivers and their needs all hours of the night overall great company to work with,just sorry the company moved out of the Fresno area after 20 years I work with them.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I never experienced any stress working with the company as a OTR Driver you have to be prepared for any situation that might arise when you’re working in the field .

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Every one in the company I worked with showed professionalism and integrity in all aspects of our business and they were always there to support any employee that needed assistance with their needs on the job Great people to work with I really enjoyed working with the company.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Well as a Driver everyday was different you just needed to take care of all duties that needed to be taken care of it’s all about customer satisfaction and that’s just part of the job and the company’s responsibility and reputation. You as a driver represent the company and there reputation as a transportation company .

If you are new to driving, fresh out of school, this can be a good fit. You will learn a lot, the other drivers will give pointers and you will bring home close to 4 grand a month. Early start times that will be different everyday. 1-6 am typically. Thats for Local Clackamas drivers. Dispatcher was a driver, he is a great person to work with and is very knowledgeable about most all of the docks you will go to.The problem is Clackamas yard is treated very badly by the management in Turlock CA. The trucks are breaking down with greater and greater frequency because they just won't replace our equipment or they even ignore the fact that the truck needs service. It make for more stress in an already stressful position not knowing whether you are going to break down today or not. 

Most of the fleet has got 600k miles plus, no APU units but they want you to keep your idling down.  The Turlock shop is extremely slow at getting equipment fixed in a timely manner.   The dispatchers are over worked and have to handle to many drivers. (could use a couple more dispatchers)   You get sent to places that you have no business being in with a large trailer,   company really needs to look at buying some bob tail trucks or 28 ft trailers with day cans.   

Brand new trucks have been added to the fleet but it's only because they had to replace the trucks that were no longer in compliance.

The reason I left this job is due to the lack of respect for their employees and they do not compensate hard work. They will state you are over qualified for the position but continue to make you work at the same level of being over qualified. 
The new management is something else.
The owners of the company are liars and do not have your back even if you save them money and helped better the work environment for your department or even others.
This company is a good stepping stone company that's all.
The manager do not know the job they are managing [os&d and csr dept especially]


I'll update more as time goes on. You're expected to work 70-hour weeks, trucking companies are short drivers and the shortages go all the way up the supply chain. I respect management but I am worked far more than I've requested, time off is hard-earned, and you'll do several layovers a week despite being told "once MAYBE twice" per week. Pay is fantastic at 40-hour weeks, but anything over 40 doesn't pay overtime. If you like overtime, there are companies that will pay it but this is a great place to grind your teeth to start your trucking career.

I was a local driver out of clackamas Oregon,  if you need all around experience and are fresh out of school, this is a great place to start. You will learn when to sit  and wait and when to be on your feet to keep time on your side. The equipment has a classic trucker feel and will push you each day to be a better driver.  Safety 1st  , definitely not for the drop and hook driver . Sometimes you will need to do a little work,  but they will pay you.

Been here 2 years and Its been good to me dispatch is a headache at times but thats cus the work needs to be done. Just like any other Job u got people that talk bad and people that talk good. In my personal opinion the only thing I dont like is that they dont pay OT. They should at least after 50 hours or so or on your 6 day of work. If you want to make money you can or if you complain and cry about everything then u wont make much i make over 55k but I do out in the hours and work. Like I said its good job and they work with u as much as they can with your schedule..

This company cares about their people.  They feel that if the employees are happy at home, then they will be happy at work.  They are a family owned business which makes them more personable.  The people that work here have been with this company for years, and that says a lot.  Everyone is very close and willing to help each other.  The normal stresses of transportation are still there, but they are handled very professional.  As with any companies come struggles with healthcare and their costs.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Truck driver 8 salaries reported	$29.19 per hour
Forklift operator 4 salaries reported	$21.50 per hour
Order picker 10 salaries reported	$27.50 per hour
Yard hostler 4 salaries reported	$24.38 per hour
Trailer technician 1 salary reported	$35.00 per hour

Working at Northern Refrigerated Transportation: Company Overview and Reviews

Northern Refrigerated Transportation

Northern Refrigerated Transportation Ratings

Popular jobs at Northern Refrigerated Transportation

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected