Case Study: How Jett Express Digitize its Recruiting & Compliance Operation with Double Nickel

Dec 16, 2024

4 min

Meet Brad Hackett and Jett Express
Brad Hackett, the Director of Recruiting and Safety at Jett Express (~45 drivers, out of Indianapolis), brings deep expertise in the trucking industry, with a unique background that spans both operations and recruiting. After spending a decade in trucking operations—rising from dispatcher to director of operations—Brad transitioned into driver marketing, recruiting, and compliance in 2020. His experience includes working with fleets of all sizes, from smaller operations to medium-sized fleets (100-350 trucks) and even large carriers with over 1,000 trucks. This breadth of knowledge gives Brad unmatched authority when it comes to evaluating and recommending solutions like Double Nickel.

The Challenges: Outdated Processes and Operational Struggles
When Brad joined Jett Express, the company faced several hurdles. Recruiting relied on outdated methods, such as paper and PDF applications that drivers had to fill out in person. This slowed the onboarding process and created barriers for candidates. Compounding the issue was the pressing need to fill five driver positions—over 10% of the fleet. As Brad pointed out, “Having over 10% of your fleet open leads to operational struggles, from covering freight to utilizing equipment effectively.”

In addition, Jett Express lacked a robust system for managing Driver Qualification (DQ) files. Their manual and disorganized approach left compliance processes vulnerable. The onboarding process was similarly cumbersome, with drivers required to review and complete stacks of paperwork.

Why Jett Express Chose Double Nickel
Brad turned to Double Nickel to address these challenges. “Double Nickel’s ability to automate communication flow and top-of-funnel management was absolutely huge,” Brad shared. The platform enabled Jett Express to digitize driver applications and automate workflows, drastically improving efficiency. Brad noted, “We’ve cut at least a week off our hiring timeline, reducing it from 21 days to just 14.” These improvements not only saved time but also reduced cost per hire below industry benchmarks.

Additionally, Double Nickel’s workflow tools have enabled Brad to run a full recruiting and compliance operation as a one-man show. “With so much on my plate, I don’t have time to chase leads or process applicants manually,” Brad explained. “Double Nickel’s automation keeps everything moving efficiently while maintaining a personal touch.” This has allowed Brad to focus on higher-level strategies and optimize the recruiting pipeline.

A Stellar Customer Support Experience
Another standout feature for Brad has been Double Nickel’s customer support. “The engineering and support team has been A+,” he said. “They’ve implemented both quick fixes and major feature launches based on my feedback faster than any platform I’ve worked with before.” This responsiveness has been instrumental in adapting the platform to Jett Express’s needs.

A Recommendation for Every Carrier
Reflecting on the transformation, Brad couldn’t be more enthusiastic about Double Nickel. “For carriers looking to bring structure, organization, and efficiency to driver recruiting, compliance, and onboarding, I can’t recommend Double Nickel enough.” With Double Nickel, Jett Express has not only filled their open positions but also built a waitlist for future roles—turning challenges into opportunities.