BALCH SPRINGS ― Hundreds of truckers across the country won't be home for Christmas. They’re stranded after one of the country's largest trucking companies shut down with little notice leaving drivers with no way home, no gas money and no paycheck.
On Tuesday, Tulsa, Okla.-based Arrow Trucking Company shut its doors leaving 900 drivers spread across the country. In Dallas, 60 drivers were stunned to hear the news they were without a job just three days before Christmas. They had no idea it was coming.
“We were basically told to get our personal stuff and leave … we are no longer in business,” said Driver Carla Hefti.
At company headquarters, they got the news yesterday. But here in Dallas, headquarters didn't even bother to notify them.
John Martin has been with Arrow for 25 years. Until a few hours ago, his own truck had an Arrow logo on the side. That's now been scraped off.
“I don't call this payback,” he said. “In fact, I've got about $3,500 to $4,000 that I might lose.”
Some like John Aydelott who was buying his truck from Arrow, are worse off. He could lose $35.000.
“Three days before Christmas. Yes, sir. It's not a good deal and there's drivers all over the United States. And no money for it, everything’s just froze,” Aydelott said.
At distant trucks stops Tuesday morning, some drivers filled up their vehicles which can cost $350, only to find their company credit cards wouldn't work. They had to leave their loads and find their own ways home.
Tuesday at the Dallas yard, customers were picking up their own merchandise. And creditors arrived that afternoon to claim trucks and trailers that aren't paid off. Even the vending machines were being locked up and carted away … all within 24 hours.
